Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-24
lRAsBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY, APRIL "a, 1867.

teach me TO play she asked IL would
make me so happy
May" said Jane, sternly. But the
little girl did not heed it; her faith in her
aunt was fast decreasing.
a will, certainly, if you wish il" / re
piled. Both Ellen and you may take
lessons as soon as you please to begin.
l do not wish you to be confined wholly
to arithmetic"
turned from the piano and sat by the
fire, after having lighted the lamp. May
and Harry were dancing about in the
middle Of the room, and even Ellen
smiled at their playful rudeness. Jane,
seeing that they took no heed of her
dreary coughs and sighs, rose and left the
room. / took quick advantage of her
absence.
Going to the bookcase, selected an
interesting volume, and sat down with it
near the lamp. You have heard of
Joan of Arc, have you not Ellen" ]
asked.
Il do not remember that have" she
answered. who was she ?"
"Her story is wonderful one. I will
read ii, if you would like to hear it" ]
answered.
as it true ?" cried Harry, leaving his
play.
"Yes, Harry, it happened many years
ago, in France. Shall l read it?
Harry and May were already eager to
hear it, and Ellen looked interested, tho
she said nothing. l took Harry in my
lap and began to read the strange, thrill
ing story. All listened with the deepest
attention.
By and by Ellen interrupted me, say
ing
"If you are tired, let meread it awhile
mother"
/ was tired, and gave it up to her glad
ly; she had called me mother.
, At nine, aunt Jane came in and called
them to bed.
"No, no, aunty; We'll come as soon a;
! we find out what became Of poor Joan 7
cried May. "Shan we stay, motherg"
Let them stay little longer" | said
4 to Miss Jane.
The door closed, and Ellen proceeded
> with the story.
. "Sing us one more little song" sai'
. May, when the story was ended. ! com
piled willingly, and sung Let US low,
i one another When l had finished
+ May sprang up and gave me good nigh
:, kiss. Harry followed her example.
Il want one more" / said, turning t
Ellen, and with a grave smile she kisse
me and bade me good night. That nigh
my pillow was haunted with happ
dreams.
Much of the ensuing week was speI
! in re-arranging the rooms in order TO Civ
them a more cheerful appearance.
took down the portrait of the first Mr.
Fleming from Its garret corner, and hun
it over the mantel in the parlor. / II
framed the beautiful landscape, and
adorned beautiful room opening froi
the back parlor, which had been used 1
a spare bedroom, but which ] converte
into a miniature library. / went vii
- the children into the fields to hunt Fl
- early May flowers, with which to fill Il
vases and make the rooms bright and fir
grant.
), May took her first music lesson, al
was already promising to sing Let
love one another on Christmas Day,
which time her father would be at hon
Ellen had so far descended from her co
heights of reserve as to ask me to lea
her erayon drawing, and / was astonis
ed at the artist talent she already exhi
=, tied.
One morning, when ! had been abo
: fortnight with them, Jane came TO {
breakfast table in her travelling dress.
We were all surprised-I most of 1
- for / had hoped the happiness of I
:. children would win her kindness al1
but was mistaken. " Where are y
-. going, aunty? ?" asked May, her blue e.
expanding with astonishment Miss ia
i. deigned no answer, bat ate her breakf
In unbroken silence, then turning to 4
announced her decision.
,e;r Mrs. Fleming, you cannot expect
10 stay here content, when ! see you d
,;sb ly undoing with all your might, wha
,ek- have been laboring 50 hard TO aeoompli
These girls we're growing up, in my c.
,ia- discreet, sober and reasonable. / )
,rer out the vanilies and follies Of the we
e ~ from their knowledge. ! reared then
he's prudence and sobernesa. But Arsl