St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-25

porous temper once during TIC year.
The deep color mantled my checks,
and said, little pettishly:
81 know of many who would con-
slider it privilege to bestow upon me
Christmas gift without any condi-
tions." .a..
81 know that, Ellen, as well as you
do" replied Edward, gently, yet grave
ly "but that which is SO easily OBJ
tained is seldom highly priced. Don't
you think so?"
/ certainly did think so, though |
did not acknowledge it. My heart
told me that the costliest diamond, val
ued for it's own sake, would not be so
precious as the simplest gift from Ed
ward, accompanied by that approving
smile which so well became the cast
of his noble features. l should have
resented such proposal from any one
but Edward. was only child when
Edward came to us, and he had al
ways treated me much as an older
brother might have done. l was now
no longer child, but something of the.
old feeling still remained. After ST.
lence of some length, said
81 fear, Edward, that | should not
get it, were l to try"
"Would you not like to acquire such
command of yourself?" he asked.
"Indced / should" was my reply.
" l wish could always be calm, gen
tie, and selfpossessed as you are. But
we are naturally very different"
81 think not" he answered. "The
only difference is, that l earlier learn
ed the lesson of self-control. If you
will acquire it, you will find that it
brings it's own reward. Will you
make the effort ?"
Edwards manner was gentle and
persuasive.
II will try" said.
Every well remember the subject
is not to be alluded to again until next
Christmas"
My temper was, at times, hasty and
imperious | had not learned scli-con.
troll. l tried to rule my own spirit,
but not many weeks had passed ere |
felt that | had forfeited the Christmas
gift. Though panied by the failure, l
resolved not to give up the great
work which had undertaken. l con
tinued the struggle on, and with in
creasing success.
During the long summer vacation
Edward was with us. We rode, walk
ed, and talked together, as usual, bu
no allusion was made to that subject
Christmas brought Edward to III
once more. Christmas morning IN
drew my arm within his, and led nj
into the library.
Il wish, dear Ellen, to know abou
that Christmas gift" he said.
" | have no claim to it, Edward"
replied.
"Will you try again 2"
heard the proposal with pleasure
"Ycs, Edward, if you wish it,"
said. Il think l have gained some
thing the last year. Perhaps | ma.
succeed this time"
You have gained a great deal" III
said. " l am glad you are willing t
make another trial"
An hour after, Edward placed in m.
hands q beautiful volume, saying, Il
an under tone:
"a Christmas gift, Ellen, but no
the gift"
Another year glidcd swiftly away
and another Christmas was welcome
by some with quiet happiness, and b,
others with noisy merriment. Agai
Edward and l were alone in the libr;
ry. In answer to his interrogation
: modestly replied
81 think, Edward, l may claim til
gift"
q shall most joyfully admit til
claim" he said. But, Ellen, there
) still one difficulty, one uncertaint
which greatly troubles me. | am n,
sure that you will accept the gi
which wish to offer. Should you r
! ject it" and his voice slightly trer
bled.
t l was about to assure him that
n should not reject any gift which
saw fit to bestow, when, raising n
eyes to his face, l encountered such
!, glance as scaled my lips, and cause
9 my heart to beat wildly.
Ellen" he said, taking my han
: "the gift wish to offer is myself
Will you receive it,"
r All! what yelling up was the
' from long sealed fountain in n
" heart, It was as if shaft had be
+ suddenly sunk into deep, exhaustle
' mine. 1 had loved Edward for year
Il with sistcrly affection-so | had p
suaded myself. He had always see
I ed SO true, so noble, SO good. j
now many a heart-throb, which COZ
# not, or would not, understand, was
planned. The secret was revealed.
did love Edward as no sister ever lov
I brother. How wildly my he;
N throbbed, how the waters lcaped j
ously up from the long sealed fo'
at tain! What Christmas gift "
I that to be clasped to the heart, q
held there in IA life long embrace
d, Edward looked earnestly into
face He has never vet told ME wi