The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-03-18
WEDNESDAY: MARCH ls, 1857.

RCH lS, 1851
now that am driven thanklessly from this
one."
My eyes filed with tears at these scornful
words. The children looked wonderingly al
me and at her.
"DOn't 60 auntyl Mother doesn't want you
to CO." whispered May, the sweet little peace
maker.
Il don't know who drives you from here"
said Ellen, sarcastically.
"Jane, / wish you to stay with u.s." l said
at is right that !, Captain Flemings wife, shod
be mother to his children, and take their care
and education into my own hands. / mean to
make them happy in their home, in their stud
les, and fit them for good and useful lives. You
can help me in this work, and will be your
friend. VIII you stay, Jane?"
"No, Mrs. Fleming, l will not stay here an
a mere cipher. But, children, will not desert
you. IfyOu are ever atherless, or in trouble,
will come to you and you shah have your home
with me again.
The stage coach which Jane had secretly or.
dered to call for her, now ratified up to the door
and she took her seat init She gave nod o
freezing dignity to me, farewell of compassion.
ate tenderness to the children, and then the
coach drove away.
Twas alone with home, children and peace
'frv cdr - u-
. - is CHAPTER III.
Six months passed away rapidly, and how
pleasantly, my vivid recollection of them test.
fies. As the village school taught but little, ant
| was fully competent to instruct the children
myself, Ispent three hours of every morning il
study with them. Two afternoons in week
| devoted to Mays music and Elen's drawing
on the other afternoons they were free to prac.
tice at home, or to visit their village friends, and
receive visits in return. Our evenings were
spent in reading and in the three months OIL
that summer they gained more intelligence thar
they had in years. before. Their interest in
knowledge was aroused, and whatever they
read was made a subject of free and cheerful
conversation, thus fixing important facts in
their memories, and training their minds to
habits of active thought. Ellen adorned the
walls of our sitting room and little library with
several very fine crayon pictures and May added
to our evening readings the charm of her sweet
singing. aF..'-
At Christmas time we expected Captain
Fleming. With what glad pride I looked
upon my happy group, and thought Of the graf
itude he would feel, whenh he saw their improve.
ment, and witnessed their affection for myself
| looked forward with beating heart to the
meeting.
It was fortnight before Christmas, and we
were already .deo0iy engaged in preparing io'
the merry season. Green boughs with which
to decorate the rooms, were being made into
festoons and garlands, and, in sly corner, the
Christmas trea was waiting its hour of triumph.
Ellen was hurrying to finish picture of Santa
Claus to hang over the Christmas tree and May
was practising incessantly "Let us love one an.
other" at the piano forte; little Harry en-
tered with even greater zeal, if possible, intt
the preparations for the festivities. .
1t was afternoon and Ellen and had beer
discussing the propriety of inviting some friends
to enjoy our Christmas Eve with us. We were
now in daily expectation of Captain Fleming,
and every sound Of carriage wheels made US
rush to the windows.
"Fatheris is come!' cried Ellen, as the sound
Of Wheels instead of passing, ceased at our door
and we simultaneously sprang up and ran ia
the window. There, indeed, stood the expect.
ed coach, but who was that old lady, with Q
green handbook held tightly in her arms, nov
bunding out of the coach door, sending sharp
glances up the windows, while the coachmar
took down her trunks?
"It is Aunt Jane," said Ellen with long
sigh of disappointment, and she looked up into
my face inqulringly.
at is too bad, too bad!" said Mary half cry,
ing "lor her to come and spoil all, just as We
were to have such a merry Christmas"
"We'll meet her kindly and give her vel
come" said, and by that time the hall dool
had opened, and Jane Fleming stood in the
midst Of us, receiving our greetings with kind
of grim smile. The girls divested her Of hei
many shawls and cloaks and furs, and Harry
drew chair for her close to the fire. - @
AS she warmed her feet at the CRATE she look
ed around with a singular expression Of pity
mixed with triumph. ,,s.
IL have kept my promise, children" she
said. II told YOU If anything happened, Iwo'd
come to you" 1.&
lstarted from my seat, and shudder Of ter
rible forebodings passed through me, as | re
rnembered the promise to which she referred
'Jane Jane Fleming, what do you rnean?"
cried.
She wiped the corner Of her eyes with tn
handkerchief g. Then she said f, ,gs
"Ah Itisas thought. You see that !
living on the seashore as do, get news som
days in advance Of you. I said to myself whei
heard it, that it would be printed in YOU
weekly paper, and you would not get it befor'
tomorrow So thought had better step in
to the stage and ride down to prepare you
minds. Poor children! Poor children!"
"What is it? said Ellen, grasping her aunt
wrist with kink Of nervous fcrcencss.
This suspense was growing intolerable- :
Jane fxed her eyes steadily on Ellen's counte
nance, and answer ID slowly tp
aLast week, in the great storm. the Ma