The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-27

Sald MY little Willy, ne Will come 10
you tomorrow; and his coming will be
signal, for then too shall come to you.'
"My tears were falling fast on the boys
brown curls, but sharp pang reached my
heart as he spoke these words.
NO, no, Willy, you were only dream
ing said, as 1 lifted up my head and
looked at him anxiously. One glance at
the rigid face told me enough-the moth
er had come for her child
+" Bend down, quick murmured the
boys white lips. Nelly will be alone when
| leave her; for there's nobody to take
care of her, you see, and want to give
her to you. You are so kind and good,
l know you will take good care of her and
not let her suffer; and mamma and / will
look down from our home in heaven and
bless you for it all, and maybe we shall
come. some time to take you to us. You
( will promise me this. won't you? quick,
for can't see you,' and his glazing eyes
wandered over my face.
Yes, Willy, promise it to God, to
your mother in heaven, and to you,' an
swered solcmnly.
"'Nelly you have heard what he said
he will take care of you. Kiss me once
more, little sister, There, there, mother
has come for me! Goodby!' The little
cold fingers sought for our hands, and
drew them together smile wandered
over the rigid face, and the last light of
that May-day looked into that bare attic,
where the beautiful clay was lying on the
cold mattress.
oh, sir, is he dead?' asked the little
girl, with her large, pathetic eyes, wander
| ing from the dead face to my own.
My looks answered her, for my lips
could not.
Willy, Willy, come back, come back
to men she cried out in a voice whose ex-
ceeding anguish will haunt my memory
will haunt my heart till it has grown cold
as the one that then lay beneath me, and
little Ellen Evans lay senseless as her
brother in my arms.
1.-TWO days later, in a pleasant part of
the cemetery, the May violets were turned
aside, and child's coffin laid beneath
them.
/" For nine spring tides have laid their
crimson mantles over his bright head, and
the shadow of marble monument has
fallen softly, over them. Upon this is
sculptured a beautiful child, and an angel
with outspread wings is bending over him
and pointing upward. Underneath is gra-
Z ven, his mother came for him at twilight.
at was with me subject of much per-
plexity where to place the lovely child,
whom l always felt that Providence had
especially confded to my care. was all
she had on earth to love; and as time
brought its soothing balm to her heart,
the whole affection of her deep, warm ma
ture, was poured on me; and even then,
with the exception of yourself, she lay
closer within the foldings of my heart.
:" For little while placed her in the
country among simple people, whose curl
osity would be readily appeased; for was
exceedingly desirous that the world should
never become cognizant of the part had
borne in her life history / read well her
sensitive nature, and knew there might
come time in her later life when it would
cause her much annoyance and mortifca-
tion if the world knew our secret.
"For this reason, sweetest aud dearest
of sisters, did not communicate to you
. till had obtained her permission, which
, | sought in my last interview with her. ]
! could, of course, have received this at any
time l had chosen to seek it, but thought
, it wonld be unfair to obtain her consent to
) this matter before her matured judgment
r had ratified it.
t Is" /" After much deliberation, resolved tt
| confde Ellen's history to Mrs. Whittlesey
t the lady with whom l boarded, and il
| whom placed entire confidence.
III "She listened with intense interest, ani
E her womanly sympathies were at once en-
I listed in behalf of my protege. Besides
4 this, she was widow and childless; ant
/. though by no means wealthy, her circum
J. stances were such that she could surrount
Ellen with everything necessary to he
well being and happiness.
d sShe proposed to adopt her in tn
s place of the children God had taken fror
) her; and to this proposition I joyfully as
i, sented, for there the religious, social, an
home atmosphere would be all that
. wished to be about my Ellen. s1a ~..-
: az was anxious, too, that she should n
l. longer be dependent uponme, for 1 though
d even time might come when / shoul
IS ask her question, whose answer woul
e in no wise have regulated by her gratitud
for the past. @ z
al "You have often, little sister, heard N
;e speak of Ellen Evans, Mrs. Whittlesey
o adopted daughter; but you little dreame
a that had such personal interest in a
Ie that pertained to her.
a "Her character and person have deve
d oped with more than all that ines
e which her childhood promised j sistt
h that 1 shall bring you, Hattie, is an el,
Y. giant, accomplished, talented woman; an
1t more than all that"-and the young Gle
d gyman's eyes grew lustrous with the almo
,.ht 4bot hoo ,,ood <,,,t fr,,,, <bo;, 40 II