The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-18

pOSlfe wall. / asked little May, who had
kept close by me all the morning, why thi,
was so.
"Aunt Jane doesn't like mnaic," she said
g and she keeps the book case locked. because
she SAYS we must not read books until we are
older"
And why is the furniture all covered ?"
The parlor is scarcely ever opened" an
swered Nav. Aunt Jane wants to keep ii
nice
"Wrll, May" l said, "so now and ask
Aunt Jane for the key of the bookcase.
want to see the books"
+! She raE quickly and returned, followed by
Miss Jane. who delivered up the keys to me
with dubious kind of grace.
81 hope you will lock the bookcase when
You have examined the hooks. ma am" said
she, IL don't allow the children to spend their
time in light reading"
What are they now reading?" asked.
She disappeared, and opened the book
case, which found to contain most excellent
selection of books. The best poets. the best
historians, the best novelis's and bio.raphers.
were there, making library small, but of
rich value 1t was the first really pleasant
thing had found in my new home. anG SAT
an hour or two. glan:ino over one volume
and another, and re-arrranging them on the
shelves.
Suddenly, Miss Jane looked in. and in a
moment her face WAS pale with Indignation
for there sat little Nav on the carpet. buried
in charmin. OLD English annual Miss
Jane took two steps forward, aud snatrhin.
the book ont of the childs hand. threw it on
the table. then led her bv the shoulder out
OF the room. | was mute with amszemrnt
at this rough government at first; then
>prang up and would have followed her, but
the tear of All outbreak restrained me.
8 Selfish creature - exclaimed. "vou are
irving to make thrsc children like yourself !:
running them tor all good or happiness in life.
In Ellrn's sullinesS and collns.. | see the
fruits of yonr labor. Was Arthur Flemin.
blind when he lett his children in your keep
ing"
saw no more of the children until din
ner: when, hv questioning, ! learned that
they had h"en stndvin. all the morning with
Miss Fleming. informed her that should
sit with them in the afternoon, as | wi he'd to
see what progress they were makin" The
look with which she received this ann, unce-
mrnt plainly Indicated that | should h,. an
unwtlcOmc listener 10 her lessons, and for a
few moments NV heart so failed me. per-
picked bv her confemptuOus "lanccS. that |
halt determined - have nothin. TO do with
the children. but leave them TO her, since she
was so Jealous of them. But INV better spir-
it prevailed over me. They are mine now.
I 3D., IL, I H., I
all his are mine. Their interests must be
mime.
After dinner. Miss Jane and the children
repaired immediately To the chamber. which
was used a. a school roo.I IT, a few minute.
! followed thrm and quietly took a sea; at
til, desk. She was d'illipy them in arith.
mr'l", sending one after another 20 the black
board, and talking all th. t4me in a loud. pet
uant tone.
"Eilrn, if YOU make such awkward figures
, III pat you back to the beginning of ,he
book. May. will YOU stand straight. or he
sent TO bed : Decide now
II cannot understand thi. sum, Aunt Jane,
sighed Nav
/ Sit down thrn until YOU can"
DO yon not explain what they canno: I'M
der>tand :"
( "A'i that is necessary" she rerlied. MAY
could understand her sums if she attended 10
me
! An hour passed, during which Nav silent
~ hung her head over her slate. and PLAYED
with her i'rnri', Miss Jane Offering no expla
nation. Harry alternately counted. with his
fingers. Che buttons on his Jacket and mark,
. of a K n fl, 1.,E
mind received knowledge almost ir,ui,ivrly
studied her lesson quietly and without diff
Guilty. Presently she gave her books to her
aunt. and rerl;rd her lesson perfectly.
Every we'll, Ellen" said Miss Jane. :" You
may 20 INTO the garden and amn>e Yourself"
! "Do they not play together :" inquired.
with a,'oni,hmrnt, not pleased with the idea
o! solitary. mIrlhtul exercise
Not unless they learn their lessons cGnal.
~ we'll. she answered. q" Harry II live
the boy Is going to sleep. Stand in the cor.
ner larry. until YOU are awake"
Harry colorsd. and went to the corner. rub.
hing his eyes. felt di,ynsed at the total
lack OF system. order, ami justice which pre-
vailed IN this mock school. | was crowino
frightened al the work before me, fearful tba,
Jane Fleming had sOwn more tares than nv
weak hands conld ever root out
Seeing that Harry was crying, went tc
him in the corner
. t'o away" he sobbed, whsr laid m,
hand on his head. "Go away. You are no,
my morhcr."
81 made no reply to this, but asked hin
why he cried.
Because | am tired" he answered, "and
You and Aunt Jane won't let me sit down."
and Aunt Jane. IIarry?"
Yes he subbed ont. "Aunt Jane SAY.
you are come here to live always, and will
make me mind you."
1T is not true. Harry" Whispered. 81
love you, and want you to love me. Won,
You love me, darling 2"
, But he only thrust out his little hand sul
lenly. and turned his face away from me
Jane now came forward, and / turned from
the child with sigh of disappointment.
But l will be patient" said to mvse!f.-
They have been tau cht to fear and dread
me l cannot at once make them love me-"
Ihe next morning Captain Fleming left
Tor SIX months voyage. in his new baraue
the May Fleming. His parting with the
children was most tender and affectionate
even tearful-with me it was kind. After he
was gone, stole up to my room, and spen,
the t, morning in bitter weeping and sadness
What would become of me, If | should fa;
IN trying to make myself beloved bv hi.
chlIdren-if their hearts we're irrecoverabl,
steele4 against me? Would not his owT
grow gradually colder and colder towar,
me? Fearful prospect
CHAPTER III.
heard soft tap at my door, and little
May entered. She. too. had been CRYING
and, when she saw traces of tears on m,
face' she came gently up to me and crept gen