Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-24

~ fNet fsasHssA'S @AN pay Airs sSaA sing Y
ing and boqget making. / am not PEN
niless as you probably suppose. have s
still home to go to, now that am driy- I
en- from this one
My eyes filed with tears at these
scornfnl words. The children looked
wonderingly at me and at her.
Don't SO, aunty, mother doesn't want
you to GO" whispered May, the sweet
little pcace-maker.
" / don't know who drives you from
here" said Ellen, sarcastically.
Jane, / wish you to stay with US, l |
said. q" 1t is right that /, Captain Flem-
ing's wife, should be a mother to bis
children, and take their care and educa-
ton into my own hands. i mean to
make them happy in their home, in their
studies, and to fit them for good and use
full lives. You can help me in this work,
and win be your friend. win you stay,
Jane 2"
@No, Mrs. Fleming. l viii not stay
where / am a mere cipher. But, chill
dren, do not desert you. II you are
ever fatherless, or in trouble, win come
to you, and you shall have your home
with me again."
The stage coach, which Jane had Sc
cretly ordered to call for her, now ratified
up to the door, and she took her seat in
it. She gave a nod of freezing dignity
to me, farewell of compassionate aifec-
ton to the children, and then the coach
drove away.
! was alone with home, children, and
peace.
CHATTER III.
Six months passed rapidly, and how
pleasantly my vivid recollection of them
testifes. As the village schools taught
but little, and / was fully competent to
instruct the children myself j spent three
hours of every morning in study with
them. Two afternoons in a week / de-
voted to Mays music and Ellen's draw
ing; on the other afternoons they were
free to practice at home, or TO visit theiI
village friends, and receive visits in re
> turn. Our evenings were spent in read
ing, and in the three months of tha
Summer they gained more intelligence
than in years before. Their interest il
] knowledge was aroused, and whatever
: they read was made subject Of free ant
e cheerful conversation, thus fixing imPor
!, tant facts in their memories, and training
1 their minds to habits Of active thought
Ellen adorned the walls Of our sitting
o room and little library with several yery
d fine crayon pictures, and May added t.
II our evening readings the charm Of he
y sweet singing.
At Christmas time we expected Capt
IT Fleming. With what glad pride
e looked upon my happy group, and tho
] of the gratitude he would feel when b
s. saw their improvement, and witnesse
g their affection for myself l looked for
p ward with beating heart to the meeting
it 1t was a fortnight before Christina.
m and we were already deeply engaged j
Is preparation for the merry season. Gree
d boughs, with which TO decorate th
b rooms, were being made into festoon
Or and garlands, and, in sly corner, th
le Christmas tree was awaiting its hour {
a. triumph. Ellen was hurrying to fnis
picture Of Santa Claus 10 hang oy,
Id the Christmas tree and May was pra
Us tising necessarily Let US love one al
at other" at the pianoforte while lit
Ie. Harry entered with even greater zeal,
Id possible, into the preparations for the fe
rn tiyities.
b. II was afternoon, and Ellen and hl
b been discussing the propriety Of inYitil
some friends to enjoy our Christmas T.
,ut with US. We were nOw in daily expeC
he alton of Capt. Fleming, and every sour
= of carriage wheels made US rush to d
II, window.
he @Fathsr Is come /" cried Ellen, as q
o sound Of wheels, instead Of passiu
on ceased at our door, and We simulianeos
res ly sprang up and ran 70 the window.
ne There indeed, stood the expected ooa'
asst but who vas that old lady, with a gre
ne, band-box held tightly in her arms, n
bundling out Of the coach door, sendi
me sharp glances up At the windows. VII
al the coachman took down her trunks
1 at Is aunt Jane !" said Ellen, witt
sh. long sigh Of disappointment, and :
ire, looked into my face inquiringiy.
hut ah Is TOO bad, too bad" said M'
rid half crying, for her 70 come and p
! ii al. jast a. We were 10 have such mer
bur Christmas.'