Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-03-12

side the low couch. The demon of disconten
was vanquished, calmn, refreshing sleep sooi
stole to her pillow. The smile came back ia
her brow, and the sweet lips murmured word'
of endearment. " Karl, dear Karl, Pm so gao
you have come" Who shall say no mnisterinI
angel watched those sumbers, soothing to quie
and happiness that fevered spirit.
CHAPTER IL.
MORNING came, bright, refreshing morning
The clear azure had taken deeper tinge afte
the tears of yesterday, a golden light radiatet
the small chamber. Henrietta crept from hei
bed long before the usual hour of rising. Sh(
/ glanced at the simple trock of home manutac
4 ture, at the glowing checks of red and green
i her face grew grave, and then as if recollectint
herself, she smiled and quickly donned the plair
4 garments The brown hair, with just CLEAN o
/ gold in its hue, was brushed smoothly back Il on
the broad brow and carefully braided; one hal
4 opened Bud was severed from the parent stem
and with this pinioned to the bosom Of hei
| trock, the delicate leaves caressingly la d on
the white neck, the little one glidc below.
Mr.. Bacon was an early riser. He seemed
unusually pleased this morning to see his daugh-
| ter as prompt and apparently as wide-awake as
himself. He glanced at her earnestly once,
twice, there seemed to be something in her APP
pearance that struck him forcibly. As he
stopped down in the act Of splitting his kindling
| wood, he murmured half aloud, sc A dear child,
so like" the fast coming tears for mo-
mont blinded him, and with gesture almost
of impatience he drove the huge jack-knife not
only the whole length Of the shingle, but far
| enough into his hand to call forth q bOunteous
supply of life's crimson. Henrietta brought
cold water, though her father declared it was
just nothing at all, but he suffered her to BAN
dage the slight wound: deeper indention had
| been made in the cold mans heart.
| We call him cold, because he was continually
checking those warm springs of affection that
fertiize the heart, beautifying one's life with
holy deeds of love. He allowed the best i'm
pulses of his nature to be smothered by cold
reserve, sprnging from an unnatural and fool
ish PRIDE. The god-like sentiments that the
Great Author off all had so. richly endowed
him with, had become congealed by an icy
prudence that feigned superior strength and
wisdom. With the thought of weakness, the
every day look of busy indifference came back
to the features of farmer Bacon, Henrietta's
sweet face for the time seemed forgotten.
The mornings work was completed. To the
child it seemed long and wearisome task.-
The mother said but little, her mind was appa-
rently centered upon her domestic duties to
exclusion of all others. Henrietta's rowing
fancies were continually checked by abrupt in
quiries from her companion relating to the
days work. At last she was at liberty-even
the hated knitting for once was forgotten-pin-
ming small blanket over her head and gather
ing in graceful folds about her neck, the little
girl directed her steps to the barn. Sadly,
with feeling akin to pain, she gazed upon the
two noble horses. Tread, tread, tread, would
they never stop-must they keep moving
could they progress no fartheri The dark
eyes grew wonderfully large; her mind was
busy, and vivid comparison was being
made between the monotonous routine ofey-
cry day liis and the ceaseless tramp of the
horses. Just then one fthe men touched one
Of them lghilS with whip. g won't have
~, - sire osSeAtlmed, startling ford lard g stop
them" The man looked up, while look al
ternately of surprise and amusement crossed
his face. Mr.. Bacon came from the farther end
Of the barn to see what had happened, if any
thing was broken. A loud laugh answered his
inquiry: an angry flush stole to th9 girls brow,
drawing herself proudly up she turned and
walked hastilysaway. She wandered on, hard
ly realizing where she was going, the path was
q familiar one, and led to fayorite resort, a
dark fir tree, rock cozly sheltered beneath
soon checked her rapid steps. Throwing her.
self on the ground, she gave full vent to her
grief. A soft voice fell on her car muslcaly
worded-a pair Of stout arms encircled the lit
tie one, and calm benevolent face peered in
to her own-her loud cries hushed to low sobs.
She dared not look up, and yet she knew that
he who held her there was good like her broth
er Karl; perhaps God had sent another just
like him for her to love, and the child nestled
still closer to the strangers's heart. His eye
rested upon the crimson bud-she noticed it,
and taking it from her bosom she placed it in
his hands. ssIt came from Karl-he brought
it long way-he will never coIpe again"
" And who was Karl 2" said the stranger;
&c and what is your name7''
The child crept from his arms and seated
herself on tho messy turf at his feet. "My
name is Henrietta Bacon" said she, folding
the little hands before her, and looking earnest
ly in the face of her companion, &c live in the
brown house yonder, just over the hill. 1t is
not pretty-nothing is pretty there-no yard,
no trees, no flowers. | did not mind it once,
for had brother just like you, so good.'
." And why do you think l anu good, Eta 2
! shall call you Eta, it is shorter and sweeter
than Henrietta.''
" Because, sir, the look has grown there just
as it did on his face. was never lonely with
him, everything then seemed so bright and
glad.
"When he was big boy he left us to go to
school-he was not like other folks-he loved
his books better than anything else, excepting
his home and us. By-and-bye father said he
couldn't afford it, so Karl came home, oh, how
glad was, it was just like Thanksgiving to see
him again-but he looked pale and tired, and
did not talk much only to me, when we were
whiteri father kept saying it was all the books;
do not think it was; Karl said he didn't, but
he never complained. He was very patient and
cOntented, for all it was so hard for him to be
sick, there were SO many things he wanted to
do. Sometimes he would take me in his arms
and talk of heaven and the beautiful angels
but when he would speak of leaving me, as he
very often did, he almost always cried.
eel did not then know what he meant by leav-
ing me, know now. Oh dear 1 wish could
die too"
"Die, Etta-and for what 7''
''Oh, tits so beautiful up there, all starry and
bright, and l should see him."
"But would you leave your father and moth
er?''
"Yes l guess so. don't think they would
miss me much, after little while.''
The stranger looked sad. "I'm sorry" said
he, after moments pause, &c that your parents
are not kind to you.''
"Who said they wasn't kind 2'' answered the
child, springing to her feet, ssthey are kind and
good to me, l love them very much, but oh,
not as loved him" and bowling her head Hem
rietta wept afresh.
The gentleman seemed somewhat puzzled
He drew her gently to his side, the calm mu-
steal voice seemed to possess magical influence,
it quieted her at once. GYou have told me
your name, Eta, now would you like 10 know
mine7 1t is Paul Boston, am minister, and
preach in yonder church."
6. don't believe it, interrupted the child
oWhy2'' answered her companion, in smil-
ing surprise.
Because have never seen you before, and
YOU don't look or act like minister; ifyou had
been, you would have scolded metor being SO
very wicked"
Ono. YOU have not seen me before. l came
here only week since, and shall neither find
fault with or advise you. There is little speak
er in your own bosom that can do that much
better than can. He is always with you, ever
watchful, and knows as well when you think.
as when you do wrong-do you know what l
mean 70