Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-05-09

a distant relative of her mother, where
she enjoyed the advantages of a good
school and the quiet that reigns in well
regulated household.
That Matte fully appreciated her ad.
vantages was clearly evinced by the
cheerful alacrity with which she met
every task-from the most arduous school
exercise to the least agreeable service
occasionally imposed by the long indulged
and somewhat captious housekeeper. Hel
diligence and gay good humor usually
dispelled the slight clouds which some
times threatened kitchen tempest, and
Susan finally came to look upon the little
girl as her good genius. No one could
lay the cloth, or polish the knives, OF
right up the room like Matte. No won
der cousin Charley, frank, active lad ol
sixteen, called her sunbeam, and saved
all his pocket money for three months to
buy her that beautiful little Bible with a
gold clasp, and Matte Grey printed in
gilt letters on the first cover.
Poor Willie, whom we left so uncere-
mdniously, is dreaming still ; but the
heroine of all his bright visions is de-
murely seated in a low-backed rocking
chair, in aunt Mary's parlor, busily ply
ing her needles for the dear child, still
thoughtful of the loved ones at home, is
employing all these bright holidays in
knitting nice warm pair of socks for
that drunken father, John Grey, who, at
this moment, is laying his last sixpence
upon the counter of Jones d Co.'s gro
Gerry, for glass of poor whiskey. Mat
tie is going home on Christmas-and
how her eyes sparkle, and the smiles
break like sunshine over her dimpled face
as she thinks of the pleasant surprise and
the nice little gifts for each of the family,
thanks to aunt May's kindness; there are
the socks for father, who sometimes was
so kind, Eyes. sheremembers once, long
time ago, when he put his arm caress-
ingly round her and called her his bright
eyed little puss } then there was new
pair of shoes for Willie, and Robinson
Crus9 with pictures and dear little
Nelly, how sweet she would look in the
little new frock and apron; and mother
was to have shawl, aunt Mary's present
Now the little fingers fairly dance to
the music of the needles, and the wise
little mouth is pursed up with knowing
smile, much to the amusement of cousin
Charley, who seems to be conjugating
Latin Verbs entirely by the light OF Mat
ties eyes. But cloud seems suddenly
to overcast the bright face, portending a
sudden shower. Cousin Charley is in
tendy coming new conjugation, and
Matte, with suifused eyes, steals a glance
at aunt Mary.
What is the matter, child, said aunt
Mary, in her gentlest tone are you bor-
rowing trouble again.
Not borrowing trouble exactly, aunt,
but | cannot help thinking how miserable
they all are at home, and wondering why
they couldn't look bri ght, and clean, and
comfortable as we do here. Aunt Mary,
perhaps they could if-if father didn'l
drink, she added in a low tone; 'and if
Ii sunbeam wasn't gone, interposed
Charley, am sure we couldn't gel
along very well without sunbeam, could
we mother
Hush, Charley, you're the sun, you
know, and | am a poor little moon that
only reflects, said Matte.
And what is the result of all your
reflections 2 asked aunt Mary smiling.
Why, aunt and the little face grew
suddenly grave, l have been thinking
about it this long time, and have come
to the conclusion that | ought not to be
here enjoying myself when | might be
useful at home. Willie is pining for me
l know, and | sometimes fear that shall
never see him again alive, he is SO puny
and takes everything so hard; and then
mother don't seem to have heart to do
anything, father crosses her so much,
suppose, and Nelly is such care; and
perhaps if ! would tidy up the house, and
get something nice for father to eat when
he comes from his work, and keep the
children from fretting. he might like to
stay at home better; but o, do hate to
leave you SO, aunt Mary and sunbeam
threw down her knitting. and in perfect
shower of tears glided out of the room.
Charley sent his Latin Grammar at the
astonished canary, muttered something
wonderfully like that confounded old
brute of John Grey, and paced the room
in a high state of excitement.
Aunt Mary wiped her glasses, gave a
slight cough, and then expressed to our
belligerent hero her calm conviction that
Matte was right and should be encour-
aged in her tilial task. Who knows,
said she, but the child may be the saliva
tion of the whole family Anna is not
naturally ill-tempered or lazy, and if John
were only good husband l have no
doubt she would make good wife. Mat
ties sweet ways may win him over from
his evil course-he was once kind and
warm-hearted, but his better feelings are
frozen over
Sunbeam can thaw him out if anybody
can, cried Charley, emphatically, and
thus the matter was settled.
CHAPTER III.
Late on the evening that confirmed our
Mattle's pious resolution, three shabbily