The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-18
The child kissed me sraveIy; but did NJ

she said. slipping from my arms.
When we had finished this lonely meal
and the children and Jane had gone up stair
to the afternoon lessons, | visited one or tw
rooms which had attracted nv Observation
where had noticed a heap OF old package
which | wished to examine. In one corne
stood pile of old pictures. some sorled, SOM
with broken frames. but which on examina
ton. found worthy to he rubbed up an
newly framed. One especially won my al
miration. 1t was portrait Of a young ant
beautiful woman. The soft auburn hair ant
hazel eyes were very lovely and the feature.
though not expressive Of any great enerc.
or depth OF character, were faultlessly resu
lar.
heard some one passing in the hall, ant
opened the door to ask some questions abou
these pictures. 1t was Ellen.
Are you busy, Ellen :" asked. "If
not. | wish YOU would come here moment.
Ellen looked surprised. bu, followed MT
without any reply.
IL want to know something about these
pictures. Some Of them are very fine. ano
it seems to IN. strange that they should ham,
them ont of sight"
They got injured" said Ellen. land Aun,
Jane did not have time to ge, them mended.
"IIere i. a beautiful landscape" said.
! knew, by tn. quick dilafins of Ellen:
hazel ewes. as she looked at the picture, tha
she could appreciate its excellence. and re-
grcttr,l rhat she hal been so Ion: debarred
the privilege of cu;tiva,ing her naturally ar
tIs,ic taste. resolved: to help her to make
up the lost time.
Now here is one in which am still more
Interested" said, taking up the portraits.
"Who is this, E.icn:''
Ellen started. and :hen the color rushed ,e
her checks As she answered, in low voice
III is my moher.'
hal suspected as much. The resem-
blsnce was striking between the pictured face
and little Harry.
81. that the way yon preserve your moth
pr> portrait ," | asked.
''Annt Jane put it away before"
"B'tore came. Ellen ~
"Ir>." wa. the brief rcpv
"Well, shall take better care Of it in fu
ture. | am not to stand b.t~e-n Won an,
vour mother. Ellen. wish YOU TO love < hon
or her memory above all others. shall tr,
20 make yon wiser and happier than ever, in
stead OF gloomy and sad
There was slight quivrr about Ellen,
firm lip. as she turned and left the room
began 10 feel encouraged That evening
had fire male in the paror. the piano W n
unlocked. and took nv music from n,
trunk. In the :loanlng.' before there va.
any light in the room. save that of the trem
ulous iire-Iight. sa. down to rlav The,
We're AL there; Jane at crotchet work in .
corner, and the children seated silently abou
the fire
found The piano an excellent instrument
and aiIer PLAYING a variation. which Dire Z
sich from the depths of Miss James bosom
and shout of delight from nv little Harry
| began TO sing, 1t was an old. p!aintive
Scotch son" that chose something To toucl
and melt the heart
Nav and Harry were staining. one or
each side Of me-. when Ienle,i.anI their glow
no faces expressed their delight.
Il like that" sad Harry, Il wish Ann,
Jane wouldn't keep the piano locked, so tha,
nobody can touch it,"
\ loud warnin" cough from his amiable
amt made him shrink a little nearer 10 M.
"Do sing another, please :" and | SUNG
Gorthes - Miller and the Brook, that Wild
merry old SOM:
What 10 say % a mrr,nur,
That can nurInur he?
Is the water nvmrh> that are singing
heir roIntel1yS un,l,r
May was in erstaries. "Oh. will Won fe, ,ef
me to play" she asked. '.It would make
me so happy"
"Msy," said Jane. sternlv Bat the l.,l,
Girl did not heel 1t: her faith in her ann,
was fast decreasing.
Il will. certainly. if you wish it," repli
ed. Both Ellen and sou may take lesson
AS soon as you please to begin. do no
wish you to be confined wholly to arithme
tic"
turned from the piano and sat by the fire
after having lighted The lamp. Nav an,
Harry were dancing about IN the md lie of
the room, and even Ellen smiled at thei
playful rudeneSs. Jane, seeing that the,
took no heed of her drrarv coughs and 81 chs
rose and left the room. l took quick advan
tage of her absence.
Going to the book case, I selected an in
terestlns volume. and eat down with it nea
the lamp. "lou have heari of Joan of Arc
have YOU not. Ellen 2" | asked.
IL do not remember tha, have" she an
swer-'l. WHO was she?"
"ller story is very wonderful one. I vii
read it, if you would like to hear it," an
swered
''ls it true?" cried Harry, leaving hi
play.
Yes. Harry. it happened many years age
in France. Shall read it ?"
Harry and May were already eager +
hear it. and Ellen looked Interested, thous
she said nothing. took Harry in NV lar
and began to read the strange, thrilIino ste
ry. All listened with the deepest attention
Bv and by. Ellen interrupted ME saving
"lf you are tired, let ms read it awhil.
Mother"
was tired. ard gave it up to her gladly
she had called me mother.
AT nine. aunt Jane came in and calle
them TO bed
mo. no. aunty; we'll come as soon a. W
lind out what became of poor Joan :" crie
May. "Shall we stav. mother 2"
Let them stay little longer" said, t
Miss Jane.
The door closed, and Ellen proceeded wit
the story.
"Slng us one more little song" sal
May. when the story was ended. comp!j
ed willingly. and sung Let US love one an
other. When l had finished, May spran
up and gave me goodnight kiss. H>rr
followed her example.
Il want one more" said, turning to Fl
len. and with grave smile she kissed m
ana babe me goodnight That night m
pillow wa, haunted with happy dreams.
Much OF the ensuing week was spent i
re-arranging the rooms in order to uixe thor