The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-29

No, no" said she, shaking her head till her
curls fell like sunny veil over her face; "
love my father great deal, and / love nv
mother more than anybody, don't ~" added she,
appealing to the fond parents and then. assn
ming the dignity of consequential person, she
demanded, show do you think | could leave
Nell? Who would play with her. or help her
up stairs, and love her when the tears come ? y
The General made a hasty adieu; he had
nothing further to urge. He had no logic 10
meet the case still his heart yearned for the
unsel6sh love of childhood. His affection was
continually going forth on its dovelike mis-
sion, and as continually returning to the ark
from whence it issued, without finding place
of rest He adored Annie but she was not
his /; and in his home there was no Annie-no
sunbeam danced there, no merry prattle was
| heard. for he was chidless. Men had conferred
| upon him honors, fortune had not been Mig
gardly in her gifts, but more than these did he
covet the possession of that child: and he
would, were it possible, transplant the sweet
| flower, that it might bloom in his own home,
and become to him new life
| Il wouldn't go and live with Uncle VIII,
would /, mother?" asked Annie, after he left.
mo, my darling, mother could not spare
YOU"
"Well, if you could, wouldn't 90. love
Uncle VIII, but don't love Aunt Sarah"
"Why don't you love Aunt Sarah Pr asked
the mother. " never heard you say so before"
"Well, you never heard NE say loved her."
was the argumentatve reply.
"Tell me why Annie"
"'Cause she don't love little girls and she
wouldn't let me have my tea-set in She parlor
when was there once; and when she kisses
me, she does just So" said Annie, slightly
touching her sweet lips to her mothers hand.
The child had truly read the character of her
aunt. She was too selfish, too much the wo-
man of fashion and of the world, to cultivate
amenity and tenderness toward those who could
not minister to her advancement.
| am here again, my birdie, and I've come
to give you birthday present" was the an
nouncement of General Carroll, at his next
call. snow, tell me how old you are"
Three years old to-day but I'm not your
birdie, Uncle Will"
"Why not? Whose are you?"
"rm my fathers birdie, and my mothers
pet. Mother has two pets, Nell and me and
! am your little niece, and that's all am, said
Annie, with a very emphatic bow. "But
where's my present, Uncle WHIP"
You must go and get it, and have come
with the carriage to take you"
"What shall get?"
"Just what you want"
"Just what | WANT repeated Annie, clap
ping her hands, and dancing about on the tips
of her toes. "Oh, | know, | know what I'll
have;' and throwing her arms around Nell,
she whispered something in her ear that seem
ed to give inexpressible pleasure to the dwarf.
Then Nell whispered in her ear, and the matter
appeared to be decided
Her first purchase, which was book for
Nell, revealed the secret, and then some toys
were obtained for herself. When these were
selected, her uncle bought her the most beauti-
fully embroidered wrapper and hood, and furs
to match, that could be found.
Nell apd annie, like all other children, were
delighted with their presents; and their mother
must see and admire them; and when their
father returned, they were displayed to him
and such glowing descriptions Of what was
seen, and heard, and said, during Armies adj
venture, none but very precocious child, like
her, could give.
Now, tell me story, father" required
Annie, as she settled herself in his arms that
evening, to go to sleep. He was in the habit
of thus INDUCING his child; and no press of
business was often sufficient to prevent the Gus
tomary attention.
He clasped the form so lovingly nestled to
his bosom, and felt an unwonted tenderness
stealing over him, as if he could not hold near
enough to his heart that being who occupied so
large portion of it. Her slken hair fell back,
revealing forehead of pure classic mould the
fringed lids soon closed; her lips parted, like
an angels in blessing her delicate, rounded
limbs, that sculptors might vanly hope to copy,
relaxed, as sleep stole over them-and there she
lay, an impersonation of innocence and beauty.
The excursion and excitement proved too
much for the child, as was evinced by her
quickened pulse and flushed countenance; and
many fears were expressed by the mother in
regard to the undue activity Of her brain, and
the great necessity of iudicious and enlghten-
ed treatment. Having taken her to the nur
sery, and placed her in bed, Mrs. Carroll took
a lone seat, and leaned her head against the
pillow upon which reposed her idol. Busy
memory called up the past, with its lights and
shadows, and hope and fear alternately painted |
the future with rose-tints and shades Of sadder |
hue Torturing reflections ever would come, |
in regard to one of her children, and the re-
sponsibilities of the present time, with refer
ence to the other, pressed heavily upon her |
soul; and, unable longer to bear it unaided, |
she sank upon her knees, and asked for support
and wisdom from Him who giveth literally, and |
upbraideth not. Long and earnestly did she |
seek for counsel and direction; till the pillow |
was drenched with tears, and every fibre OF
her slight figure quivered with agony, did she |
cling to the altar, and crave q blessing. She |
arose, calm, strong, and better prepared for the |
duties before her the guardians of infant pu-
rity had manifested themselves the promise
of Him who cannot lie became the seal of a
new covenant.
have omitted, until now, to speak of the
declining health Of Howard Carroll, though |
some allusion has been made to his delicate |.
constitution. Consumption, with stealthy and |
treacherous power, was rapidly wasting his
strength, and, about the time of which | now
write, he became worse, and in few days was
so i'll that his friends trembled for the result.
Numerous remedies were tried the best medi-
cal aid that wealth and influence could COM
mand were at his service, but all to no avail.
He became conscious that his hold upon life
must soon cease-he began to feel the chilling
presence of death. 1t is true, he rejoiced in
the prospect of Unreasonable light and love
in that better world; still, earth had many at
there were gamers of affection here
there were golden links that bound him to his
kindred and his home. AS his protection must
be withdrawn, desire was naturally created, TO
secure to the loved ones he should leave, all
the means of enjoyment and comfort it was in
his power TO bestow.
General Carroll was constant attendant in
Inc SICK room Oh MS brother, mus renewing |
Mrs. Carroll of much care, and labor, and
that would otherwise have fallen upon
ler alone. There was much earnest CONVEX
,ation between the brothers, particularly in her
absence. OF this she became aware, by at
empting to take rest in an adjoining apart
nent She begged the General to desist, and
urged him not TO encourage her husband to
such an effort She one day entered thokick
Dom unobserved, though it was not her inten-
ion to do so. The brother was evidently press
ng some subject that convulsed the DYING man