Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-08-26

portrait "Who is this, Fllen?"
Ellen started, and then the colour
rushed to her cheeks as she answered,
in low voice, ''It is my mother"
had suspected as much. The re-
semblance was striking between the pic
tured face and little Harry.
''Is this the way that you preserve
your mothers portraiI?" 1 asked.
"Aunt Jane put it away before"
Before l came, Elem"
"Yes." was the brief reply.
"Wen, l shall take better care of it
in future. l am not come to stand be-
tween you and your mother, Ellen. l
wish you to love and honor her memo
ry above all others. l shall try TO make
you wiser and happier than ever, instead
of gloomy and sad
There was a slight culver about e.
lens firm lip as she turned and left the
room. began TO feel encouraged
That evening l had fire made in the
parlor, the piano was unlocked, and L
took my music from my trunks. In the
"gloaming," before there was any light
in the room, save that of the tremulous
FIRE light, sat down to play. They
were all there-Jane at the crotchet
work in the corner, and the children
seated silently at tie fire.
found the piano an excellent instru-
ment and after playing variation. which
drew sigh from the depths of Miss
James bosom, and shout of delight
from my little Harry, l began to sing
1t was an old, plaintive, Scotch song
that I chose; something to melt and
/ touch the heart.
May and Harry were standing one on
each side of me, when l ended, and
their glowing faces expressed their de
light.---,--
81 like that" said Harry. 81 wish
Aunt Jane wouldn't keep the piano lock
ed, so that no body can touch it,
A loud warning cough from his amia
BILE aunt made him shrink little closer
to me.
DO sing another. please!'' whispered
May, and 1 sung Goethe's "Miller and
the Brook" that wild merry old song.
What do say of murmur
What can a murmur be7
'Tis the nymphs that singing,
Their roundelays unto mel
May was in ecstacies. "Oh, will you
teach me to play?" she asked. at
would make me so happy"
81 viii, certainly, if you wish. re-
piled. Both Ellen and you may take
lessons as soon as you please to begin.
l do not wish you TO he confined wholly
| to arithmetic"
L turned from the piano and sat by
the fire, after having lighted the lamp.
May and Harry we've dancing about in
the middle of the room, and, even Ellen
smiled at their joyful rudeness. Jane,
seeing that they took no heed of her
dreary coughs and sighs, rost and left
the room. l took quick advantage of
her absence.
Going TO the bookcase, 1 selected an
Interesting volume, and sat down with it
near the lamp. "Yon have heard Of
joan of Arc, have you not, Ellen?" l
asked.
81 do not remember that l have"
she answered. "Who was she?"
"Her story was very wonderful one.
will read it, if you would like to hear
it." l answered.
''Is it hue?" cried Harry, leaving his
plav.
"Yess Harry. 1t happened many
years ago. in France. Shall read it?"
Harry and May were already eager
to hear it, and Ellen looked interested,
though said nothing. 1 took Harry in
my lap, and began to read the strange,
thrilling story. All listened with the
deepest attention.
By and by Ellen interrupted me, say
ing-"If you are tired. lei me read a
while, mother"
1 was tired, and gave it up to her glad.
ly, she had called me "motnerl'
At nine, Aunt Jane came and called
them to bed.
"No. no. aunty; we'll come as soon
as we find ont what becomes of poor Jo-
AMI" cried May. "Shall we stay, moth
er?''
"Let them stay little longer, said,
to Miss Jane. The door closed, and Fl.
len proceeded with the story.
"Sing US little song!" said May,
when the story was ended. l complied
willingly, and sung "Let Us love one an
other" When l had finished, May
sprang up and gave me good night
kiss. Harry followed her example.
81 want one MORE" said, turning to
Ellen. and with a grave smile, she kiss
ed me and bade me good night. That
night my pillow was haunted with hap.
py dreams.
Much of the ensuing wsek was spent
in re arranging the rooms in order TO