The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-17

1iiui ioFel S1TeICHeS hepS clear lOr LHe
strawberries and wild roses, and the un-
der brush cleared from grove of elms
and naples which inclined down to the
waters edge at some picturesque point.
There was only another room added
to his cabin which was made necessary
by the accumulation of books, pictures,
and the like which he often sent east
for. This new room, out of respect for
Myrtle, was prettily carpeted, and had a
title rocking chair, and flower stand,
aud some other handsome things in it.
In the mean time, while the city was
growing large, and Mrs. Muggins grow
ing old. and everything advancing or
retarding, of course little myrtle did not
stand still. A will-o'-the %isp or a
butterfly would have stood still sooner
than she. She grew iu size, in health,
and in beauty. The nature which threat
ened at first too great degree of sensi-
tivensss and fear hardened and grew fear
less in the fresh air and unrestrained
life of her country home. In the warm
weather, she, like her "papa," almost
lived out-of- doors. She. would ramble
hours by his side, and then curl down
and sleep with her head on his knee,
while he read or dreamed beneath the
shade of tree or down by the waters
edge on q cool shadowed rock. He taught
her tie name and character of all tho
flowers OF the field and trees of the for
est, so that at six years of age she was
miniature botany, bound, as it were,
in rose-leaves. He taught her, too, of
the rocks, and sands, and waters, SO that,
as her mind grew, everything, however
humble, had an interest to her, and the
earth was great curiosity shop" much
more: strange and delightful, more ab-
sorbing to her fancy than the gaudy
shops of. the towns in which children are
generally taught what to covet and ad
mire.
One favorite place she had for spend
ing her time when Hugh was away: A
kind of fairy bower, made by an elm
whose branches upon one side held up a
beautiful wild Towering vine, while upon
the other was a rose-bush always in
blossom through the long summer. The
open front looked upon the lake, and a
moss covered stone made a cushioned
seat fit for queen. The grass about
it was clean, fine, and short, and full of
violets.
She never went to school; but was
sometimes taken to town to visit with
other children, and had, in return, youth
full guests como to see her in the pleas.
ant weather.
But sho was educated, even in book
education. Hugh patiently taught he,
her alphabet and to read. After that il
was only necessary for her to know thai
he desired her to study any book he put
in her hands, and her love gave the i'm
pulse which made requirement easy.
Thus time glided on for nine years
Nine years!-a long time; and Mrs Mug
gins was growing older and fcebler al
this time; and one day she was taker
sick and soon she died. Myrtle grieved
herself i'll, and Mr.. Fielding did not dis
dain to drop a tear upon her humble
grave, for she had been faithful ser
want and very kind to his darling littl,
girl.
He was obliged to be his own house
keeper for some time, for another Mrs
Muggins was not easily to be found
When she saw him fussing about in
mans awkward way, little Myrtle's wo
manly instincts were aroused, and sh
put away her at first overwhelming grie
to try and aid him. He would not hav
believed those slender little hands coul,
do so much. She could lay the cloth
and sweep, dust, and brush; toast bread
and pour out tea; and his room she tool
pride in keeping in exquisite order.
He loved to watch her fitting abou
like fairy put to earthly tasks, her fee
moving as if to some inward music, an
her golden hair cncirclipg her in hal
of mystic brightness. The careful grav
ity, the pretty air of business newly pu
on, were bewitching to him.
"Well, Myrtle, ] think L had bette
not get anybody to help US: you max
such nice little maid" he would say
"I like to help you very much, papa
but what will you do when it come
washing, ironing, and churniug days?
"Sure enough. We are not equal t
all emergencies, are we daughter?"
So, in course of time, woman wa
found to take the place of the departed
She was not of as quiet and nice moul
as the beloved and respected Mrs. Mug
gins. Mr. Fielding did not like her t.
preside at his table; and so little lad,
Myrtle never gave up her place at tn
head of the tea things.
Affairs did not 60 on as systematical
ly as of old. Many little nice tasks fel
to the child which Mrs. Muggins use
to perform; but, happily, she liked them
Mr.. Fielding dreaded a change. H
had become so accustomed to the pleas
ant routine of his monotonous life tha
be disliked the thought of its being il
any manner disturbed. But chang