Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-06-12
miscellaneous.
IDA CLEyELAND.
A DYING MOTHERS TRUST.

You MuHl always lOVe lnem as you 90 nOWs
and never let them be separated from y,u or
from each other. Promise me that, Ida, and
] shall die in peace"
This was raid bya mother who had been
gradually wasting with that long and linge ring
disease, consumption, 10 her eldest daughter,
Ida, who w0s Just entering her sixteenth
year. Her brother anil sisttr were twins,
aud, OF The time my story commences, eight
years old.
The family although now occupying Two
rooms, had once seen !he lime when they could
boast OF rs large house, as pleasant q home
as could be desired by any one. Their father
was once o wealthy merchant in the city OF
H., but entering into speculation that prov
ed a failulr, he was deprived oi house, lands
md indeed, oil he possessed except enough
10 purchase O small neat c0itage in the suburbs
sf The city where he located hi family; and,
leaving them limited allowance MS to money,
started for The land OF gold, Calfornis.
For two years they heard from hin regu lar.
ly; at the END Of that time, that he was re-
gaining his former wealth and hoped soon 10
ieiurn 10 bis home. That time was NOT des-
tined 10 come!-'Illey received a letter telling
Of his fast accommodating riches and bidding
them 10 expect him four months from the time
Of his writing. There was joy anc gladness
IN that household when the letter arrived, and
The lime was eagerly anticipated, even by the
little onsss who was only four years'old when
lie left them.
f'hey waited four monls, but he did not
come. Month after month went by on lie lden
wings, bul he came moi, neither did they hear
from him. The mother, at last, found her
supply Of MONEY fast diminishing, and that
Necessity compelled her 10 seek employment
for hrrsel[ Ida sill continued 10 attend
school When t'yey .iyel her fathers letter,
but now The lailrng health OF her mother oLai
eed her 10 remain at home.
Another year passed, and Mrs. Cleveland
was confined 10 her he'd. Deprived Of her
mothers assistance, Ida coud not do work
enough to supply The necessary article needed
in the family, and was obliged 10 draw on the
very small amount they hal reserved; but this
was soon exhausted 1.-The cottage sold, and
lew mouths beiore our story commences the
family had moved into The rooms where We
first met them, and at which time Mrs. Ceve-
land took severe cold aud was now dying.
''Be careful of Yourself, dear Ida, and try
and keep together" she said. "You have
been kind. very kind and patient while wait
ing onnnd nursing me-be always so to lhem!"
1hese we're Ler last words.
That once harpy group were left orphsns,
with no one 10 care for them. After the fune-
raj Ida toiled on as before, but not " i,h so
hnpry heart as formerly, and scorned and
slgbled by all OF her former companions ex-
cept one. One, Who, had bis proud sister and
arstocTaiic parents known tina; he still remem,
beIed, much less associated with The poor or
phans, would have forbidden il with a severe
Iepiemand.
Fred Weston knew oil this, but he cares
not fer il; wealth and position were seconda,
ty thoughts with him. He had chances to
lead The life Of merchant, rather than enter
upon course Of study for professional man,
aud his fatbel had taken him into his store as
head clerk, though only twenty years Of age,
for he did mol wish his son 20 advance as slow.
ly as he had done. He, Mr.. Weston had com
menced as er.ond boy 10 the store when Idas
father was clerk, and both had advanced grad
nalIy, until 10 business for themselves. Their
families had been intimate until Mr. CIeve-
lands failure, when, as is generally the case
they were passed by without the sign Of re-
cogniion.
The stiffness of midnight was disturbed by
that dread cry oil" "6re firen and the watch
mans shIill rattle.under the window awOke
tuusbu tluiC " ocS ~ ullkbt AtRHl lShVOtSN ttuhi
the windows on the other side OF the street,
and on opening her own window she was
met with smoke and flames. Speaking 10 the
chiIdfen, who were sleeping sounlIy,she gave
them to a hfeman who had mounted ladder
at the first cry for help, and they reached The
ground In safety
All was done 10 stay ibe flames, but 10 nc
avail. MOI even The little property OF Ida was
saved, and the little orphans we're, on cold
November night, houseless, homeless and pen.
niess. A neiehbor kindly offered them shell.
Ter for The night. but wss Too poor 10 oGel
even this longer.
Poor Ida tired and entirely discouraged,
she started The mex. morning, TO find employ
ment, but returned al eleven o clock with
none; for poor and friendless what could she
do Nothing but what was her surprise. on
opening the door, TO see little Belle sitting
with slIanger,her little head pillowed on bis
bosom, while Frank stood b, his side, taking
and laughing ss il always acquainted.
"Who cen he he What can he wantg'
thought Ida.
Frank spiedsher as she wps about leaving
the room nDobserytd, end cried out;
"Ohl sister Ida, can you tell who this isi"
ida, can't you telli'' said litile Belle, lift.
Ing her weary head.
i1a stepped forward and the last she heard
for some time was;
lids. ny dsai daughter, DO you not know
Inc nowi'' NJ