The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-09-26
A1lslclEll lltinlE
- - -.. -------
THE BLESSING In DISGUISE.
BY aps. MARY A. pESSIsos.

Everybody went away saying what a
beautiful babe it wits, and then, dressed
in such loves Of laccs you know, aud so
cxquisitely tiny and wax like! 1t was
really handsome little thing, with a
soft, round cheek, and blue eyes, and
proud enough were they who called it
theirs. They were young, rich, fashion
able parents, just launched out in life,
with every attendant blessing they could
desire. lie, Cyril Washington, had al
ways been gay young man, having been
brought up an only child, and surround
ed with luxury, the idol of his mother,
the greatest pride of his father. lie was
tolerably handsome, gifted with good
sense fortunately, and had he been taught
that there was another way of life, that
happiness depended not on selfish plea
sure seeking, he might have made a
tolcrable man sooner than he did.
As it was, the baby grew and thrivcd,
taking new tints of beauty each day,
growing more lovcable, more engaging
twining itself around the hearts of both
parents, and insensibly making them
worshippers. TO be sure, they did not
have one worldly pleasure the less be-
cause of the child. Mamma, bright and
yet girlishly beautiful, went just as often
into society, did not give up one of her
darling operas, or balls, or theatres, for
did not baby have the best of nurses at
home? Only on the Sabbath she en-
joycd the society of the dear little
thing" staying away from church for
that purpose" really it was so hard
getting out with young babe, you
know"
Papa went as often to his club room,
where he smoked such extravagant ci-
gars, and played such grand runs at bill
liards. Mamma received just as much
fashionable company, papa rode his splcn-
did horses just as often, and both were
fast travellers over the highway of the
best society,"
| And the babe continued to grow, in
creasing in fairness and in the thousand
winning ways of infanthood, attaching
everybody to him. Still it was dressed
in the most exquisite of robes, and its
| christening cost nearly Il thousand dol
lars in the whole. One splendid dress
was imported from Paris, and the ex-
ceeding beauty of the toilet was the
theme of the great Washington circle.
! It was some two months after the
christening that Mrs Washington re-
turned from ride in most cxuberant
spirits. She had been the observed of
all observers, with her red checks and
graceful riding hat and plume-her most
recherche habit and rich flowing locks.
AS she flung her light whip on the hall
table, and was proceeding to take off her
gloves, the sight of the under nurse ar
rested her attention the girl looked as
! if she had been weeping. Mrs Washing
ton paused, with glove held in one
hand, her lips apart, and the color slow
ly reccding from her cheeks, for she
| knew by the manner of the servant that
some unpleasant thing had happened-
she dared not ask what.
" Mrs Winchley begs that you will
come up stairs, madam said the girl,
''and that you won't be alarmed she
| further added
"Why what is--the mattcr-with
the child - gasped Mrs Washington,
| feeling a faintness coming over her.
" Not much, man. said the girl, half
frightened, "Mrs Winchley thinks he
won have another
"Gracious heaven, has Walter had a
fit 2" cried the mother, now distracted,
and, fying past the girl, she rushed up
stairs, where the dear child lay in the
arms of his nurse, quiet, and perhaps
better But the incautious shrek of the
mother agitated him; he turned his lit
tie head towards her, and stretching out
his hands, fell almost instantly into an
other CONFUSION. 1t was fearful to wit
ness the anguish of the mother; the
whole household was in CONSERVATION
not to be described by pen Of mine
Three DOCTOR barouches stood before the
door, each one summoned by different
members of the family but all help was
unavailing the beautiful child lay a
corpse in the arms of his mother at mid
night Giving herself up to the widest
grief, the mother would not be comfort
ed. The physicians were fearful for her
reason, for she neither ate, slept, nor
wept but paced back and forth through
her splendid rooms with wild, mania
cal glare, sometimes pansing to enter the
darkened chamber where her babe lay in
the midst of odors and flowers, some
times throwing herself down wherever
she stood, and moaning SO that it was
pitiful to hear and see. And when the
babe was buried, her grief knew no rca,
son she was carried almost forced
from the little grave, and with difficulty
persuaded to enter her home.
Alas how different that mansion
now the light had gone out There
were no drivers up to the door, no obse
quious porters and servants ushering il
and out, no great lluminations, M
sounds of dancing and singing, but, like
wide blank in the heart of the city
the mansion stood, surrounded by life
light, and joy-joyless, lishtless, ''feless
"Cyril, won't you come with US to
3 night mopins at home in the lone
some house only deepens the sadness o
your loss; come, some chatty neishbo
I will sit with your wife.
a But Cyril had heart. He knew tina
he was to return only to cherries
home, but his wife, almost broken-heart
q ed though she was, longed for his com
ing, and her monrnful face lightcned q
4 the sound Of his footsteps. lie learned
therefore, to direct his steps homcwar
Learned during the day, while engage
at his business, to look back upon th
1t snug room with its vivid fire, where b
r. read to Mary on the preceding night