Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1856-10-02

But he's wanted to see you so badly,
and he talks about it all the time in his
sleep, and for the last two or three days
he's grown almost wild about it, and so
I've been out keeping watch for You all
day; and | couldn't bear to go home at
night, for Willy would spring up in the
bed, and cry out so loud, Nelly have
you seen him?' and when / shook my
head, he would lie down with such a
look, that Iwould go off in one corner,
and cry all alone, it made my heart ache
so to see it. But now Willy viii be so
glad! 0, please, sir, won't you go and
see him?
4 see Hattie that YOU. eyes are grow
ing moist with tears; and if you could
have heard the simple, touching pathos
with which that child told that sad sto-
ry, you would have answered as | did,
yes, Nelly, Twill go now
un = Lgj* 60 <.
Willy, Willy, I've brought him! I've
brought him! The little hand that had
guided me so carefully up the dilapida-
ted stairs, was Withdrawn as the little
girl broke into that old attic chamber,
her eager joyful tones making the bare
walls ring again-I'ye brought him! I've
brought him! s ~.
The dying daylight looked with a
sweet, solem smile into the room, whose
entire restitution one glance revealed to
me. | had not time for another, for
child's head was lifted from a miserable
mattress III one corner. Icame forward,
a pair of attenuated arms were stretched
out, and those large burning eyes were
fastened moment on my face as though
life or death rested on their testimony.
Yes, yes, knew you would come at
last, and the little cold arms were wrap
ped around my neck. 20, | have
watched, and prayed, and hopedso long,
and it seemed as if you would never
come; but l knew you would to-day, for
last night mamma came to me, looking
so beautiful, with the flowers woven all
around her head, and a white robe flow
ing down to her feet, and she smiled SO
sweetly, and said, My little Willy, he
will come tomorrow; and his coming
will be signal, for then, too, shall
come to you .....s.
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 dreaming j
said, as | lifted up my head and looked
at him anxiously. One glance into the
rigid face told me enough-the mother
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, know you viii take care Of her
and never let her suffer; and mamma
and | will look down from our home in
heaven and bless you for it all and may
be we shall come some time to take you
to us. You viii promise me this, won't
you?-quick, for [ cannot see YOU and
his glazing eyes wandered over my face.
yes, Willy, Ipromise it to God, your
mother i'll heaven, and to you,' l an
swered, solemnly.
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. Goodbye :
The little cold fingers sought our hands
and drew them together-a smile wan
dered over the stark, 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.
90, sir is he dead?' questioned the lit
tie girl, with her large, pathetic eyes
wandering from the dead face, to my
own.
My looks answered her, for my lips
could not
willy, Willy, come back, come bach,
to men she cried out in a voice whose
exceeding anguish will haunt my heart
till it has grown cold as the one that
then lay beneath me, and little Ellen Ev-
ans lay senseless as her brother, in my
arms.
Two days later, in pleasant part of
the cemetry, the May violets were turn
ed aside and child's coffin laid beneath
them.
For nine spring times have they laid
their crimson mantle over his bright
head, and the shadow of marble mon
ument has fallen softly over them. Up
on this is sculptured abeautifulc child, and
an angel with outspread wings is bend
ing over him and pointing upward
Underneath is craven, Ills mother came
for him at twilight
1T was with me subject of much
perplexity where to place the lovely
child, whom | always felt that Provi-
dence had especially confded to my
care. | was all on earth she had to
love; and as time brought its soothing
balm to her heart, the whole affection of
her deep, warm nature was poured on
me, and even then, with the exception
of yourself, she lay close within the fold
ings of my heart.
'For a little while / placed her in the
country among simple people whose GU
riosity would be readily appeased; for /
was exceedingly DESTROYS 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 a time in her la
ter life when it would cause her much
annoyance if the world knew our secret.
After much deliberation / resolved to
confide Ellen's history to Mrs. Whittle-
sey, the lady with whom boarded, and
in whom l placed entire confidence.
She listened with intense interest, and
her wolnanly sympathies were at once
enlisted in behalf of my protege. Be
sides this, she was widow and child
less; and though by no means wealthy,
her circumstances were such that she
could surround Ellen with everything
necessary to her well being and happi-
ness.
She proposed to adopt her in the