The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-02-19

but leave them to her, since she was Sc
jealous Of them. But my better spirit
prevailed over me. g.. .... ..
"They are mine now," thought,
" for | am their fathers wife, and all
bis are mine. Their interests must be
NINE"
After dinner, Miss Jane and the chill
dren repaired Immediately to the cham
which was used as a schoolroom 10 q
few minutes followed them, and quiet
ly took seat at the desk. She was
drilling them in arithmetic, sending one
after another to the blackboard, and
talking all the time loud petulant
tone. ......
ELLEN, if you make such awkward
figures, I'll put you back to the back to
the beginning of the book. May, will
you stand straight, or be sent to bed -
Decide now ~ ELL.
II cannot understand this sum, Aunt
Jane" sighed May.
Sit down then until you can"
" Do you not explain what they can
not understand" / asked.
All that is necessary" she replied.
"May could understand her sums, if she
attended to me-"
An hour passed, during which May
silently hung her bead over her slate,
and played with her pencil, Miss Jane
offering no explanation. Harry altern-
atcly counted with bis fingers, the but
tons on his jacket aud marks Of knife
upon his desk. Ellen, whose strong
mud received knowledge almost intu-
lively, studied her lesson quietly and
without difficulty. Presently she gave
her book to her aunt, and lecited her
lesson perfectly. .-r
a." Very well Ellen" said Miss Jane.
" You may 60 into the garden and am
use yourself"
"Do they not play together 2" l iu-
quired with astonishmept, not pleased
with the idea of solitary, mirtbless exer-
else.
" Not unless they learn their lessons
equally well" she answered. " Harry!
1t | live, the boy is going to sleep -
Stand in the corner Harry until you are
awake"
Harry colored and went to the corner
rubbing lis eyes l felt disgusted at
the total lack of system, order and JUS
rice which prevailed in this mock school. !
| was growing frightened at the work
before me, fearful that Jane Fleming
had sown more tares than my weak
hands could ever root out.
Seeing that Harry was crying, l went
to him i'll his corner.
"Go away - he sobbed, when l lsid
my hands on his head. "Go away
You are not my mother J"
made no reply to this, but ased him
why he cried. :,
" because / am tired" he answered
f" and you and Aunt Jane won't let me
set down." ... ...l
81 and Aunt Jane, Harry" :" ~
Yes" be sobbed out. 4" Aunt
j sne says you are come here to live al
ways, and will make me mind you"
"It is not true Harry" | whispered
81 love you, and want you to love me.
Won't you love me darlipgi"
But be only thrust out his little hand
and turned bis face away from
me.
But I will be patient" / said to my
self. They have been taught is fear
aud dread me cannot at once make
them love me-"
The next morning Captain Fleming
left for a six months voyage in his new
barquc the May Fleming His parting
with the children was most tender and
,ffcctionate, even tearful-with me it
was kind. ,..l .........'.
After he was gone, l stole up to my
room, and spent the morning in bitter
weeping aud sadness. What would be-
come OF NEE, if l should fail in trying
TO make myself beloved by bis children
If their hearts were iorevocaply steel
ed against me y Would not bis own
grow gradually colder and colder toward
me Fearful prospect. 900 ~. !