The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-22

sped on, saw no one but Ohm afford, driving
flock of sheep. Night came on and, with
a heart sadder than ever before-for before |
had never hoped went to my garrett
was down upon my knees next morning,
scrubbing the shed floor, when l heard the
sound of wheels rapidly approaching; and,
dropping my brush, | sprang up and ran to the
window. The vehicle had passed the corner of
the house, but it stopped, and my heart seemed
to stop beating also. A thump on my head,
from the yard-stick with which Grannie Hunt
was measuring cloth, set it in motion again.
What are you starin at, you fool? 'Taint
nobody arter you, guess !"
I" | guess it is +" / cried, triumphantly for,
unheeding the gentle reminder, still maintain
ed my place at the window, and at that mo.
ment caught sight of Esq. c. and my
stranger friend, as they came round the corner
of the house, for no one thought of seeking en-
trance at the front door.
=" No so good news as that she muttered
as she rose and seizing broom, brushed up
the few threads which had fallen from her CLOTH
for shs-4oo Lad seen them.
They soon undeceived her. She was too will
full to manifest any surprise, as Mr.. G. went on
to say, that a lady, distinguished for her be-
nevolence and many excellent qualities, Miss
Agnes Lathrop, wished to adopt the child Ter
lima Day, then living with her-the town author
ty had consented on condition that she should
not again become charge upon this place
the necessary papers had been signed-and he
had come to give the child into the hands of
the lady's relative, Ralph Amnesty, Esq.," &C.
Mr.. G. seemed in high spirits; he called
me to him, patted me on the head; hoped l
would be good girl, and not form bad habits
What queer smile there was about Mr. An
nesly's lips, as the gentleman spoke l thought
he must be very much pleased with what he
said.
Mrs. Sally said she was sure, for her part
she was mighty glad if there was anybody on
airth willing to take town poor. She'd had
enough Of 'em. She guessed the lady would be
of the same mind afore she died (; she pitied
her from the bottom Of her heart, but folks
must live and learn.
And all the while Mr.. Amnesty listening,
in silence, with the odd smile curving his lips
1t takes no great while to pack the wardrobe
of pauper and, with one lingering glance
at the picture on the wall, and the corner
where Ollie's bed used to stand, | followed my
old mistress down, with my bundle in my hand
"The lady III find all her things clean, and
the young un knows how to keep EN- so, if
she's mind ter" said Mrs. Sally.
" Is the child honest said Mr. Annesey,
turning suddenly to Mrs. Sally, and address
ing her for the first time.
" Lord bless me, sir, you must know plaguey
little about young uns, not to know that the
best on em IL bear watchin'."
"Why, Mrs. Hunt!" began Esq. C.,
but Mr.. Amnesty motoncd him to be still, and
still with his keen gray eye fixed upon Mrs
Sally, said
" Did she ever steal from your"
never give her chance. I've dealt with
the likes of 'em too long for that, l hope"
Mr.. C. interrupted, nervously.
Indeed, Mr.. Amnesty, | assure you we have
never had any complaint of that kind about
the child. | think she bids fair to make an use.
full, respectable member of society; she can
hardly fail of doing so, under the training of
such superior person as your relative. There
are, it strikes me, he went on, touching me
lightly on the forehead with his fat forefnger.
" capabilities there-comparison large causal-
ity fair, you see; and capabilities, as | tell Mrs
G., must and viii make themselves felt!"
OBJ, what an excellent thing is faith espe-
cially for town inaeistratei 1t was this con
viction, suppose, that reconciled ESQ. C
and his respectable con frereS to leaving me to
take my first lessons in human development
from Sally Hunt. When will they have the
magnanimity to place their own children under
similar teaching?
Certainly, sir, in one way or the other"
said Mr. Amnesty, dryly, as he took my hand
to lead me out.
We were followed by the pleased magnate,
and from the carriage in which Mr. Amnesty
placed me, lcaught a last glimpse of the blood
less, froze and.thawed vsage of Mrs. Sally, as
it peered at us from behind the immoyable
paper shades in her spare room.
We drove to the village, and stopped at a
house near the church, where, with an admo-
milton to be as "quick as possible TO the
woman who met US at the door with a quantity
of pins in her mouth, Mr.. Amnesty left me.
The woman took me into the back room, where
another female, with her foot upon bonnet
block, sat, sewing; but nowhere saw+he pretty
faded face of my lady friend. Presently be-
gan to comprehend | had been brought there
for new dresses. The woman took off nv old
one, and tried on several of pretty prints, and
two of muslin, with many a pull here and
there, mingled with nunctions not to drop
my shoulders in that way" nor draw in my
breath, and questions as to where | was going,
who the person was that had adopted me, with
assurances that l might thank my stars for
my good luck" and sort of running accom-
paniment, kept up with the other women, on the
general condition of the town poor, while the
pins, though they thickened her speech some
what, had the effect of castanets.
AS | knew absolutely nothing about my new
friends, or nay destination, | am afraid could
not give them any satisfactory information,
and they were still querying when Mr.. Amnesty
returned.
He spoke few moments with the dress ma
ker; think he paid her some money, and quite
unmindful of her voluble | hope SIR, you are
quite satisfied; the dresses fit like a glove,
quite wonderfully, as | may say, considerin' it
xuac oil he la1, 70 bo
and deposited nae and the large package which
the woman handed him therein, without, as
thought, and, as / confess, to my great disap.
pointment, one look at my new dress. He
seated himself beside me, and took the road to
the Beach, small hamlet, overlooked by
large hotel and several boarding, houses, much
frequented in summer By all lovers of sea food
and sea breezes. He did not speak, but with
slack reins allowed the horse to plod on at its
own gait, while he seemed lost in thought
while |, proud of my new clothes, prouder still
of the astonishing fact that | was riding in a
real carriage, looked down upon the people on
foot, or in open wagons whom we passed, with
very self-satisfed air, until, in smoothing
down the skirt of my dress, let Ollie's little
apanned trunk, which, as The r..ost valuable of
my treasures, | had brought in my hand, slip
to the floor of the carriage, and a sideways
lurch of tho vehicle sent it to the ground.
"Oh, stop! please do stop!" l cried, ready
to follow if.
he caught hold of my dress, and asked what
had dropped.
"Ollie's trunk, sir; please let me get it !"
springing out as he checked the horse
And what precious valuables may that tin
boz be supposed to contain ?" he asked, as he
put out his hand end drew me into the car
riage.
! | understood the words, but not the tone. |
had scrt of fancy that he was laughing at
me, and l answered, timidiy,
"Books, and-and things, siri"