The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-06-20

lived more happily, as she was the only one
who tried to make her feel her dependence
1t was three months since she had left
, school, and she had mentioned to Mrs. Allen
her wish to teach. She was very much OPP
posed at first; but when she found Eugenia
so firm, she gave a reluctant consent, and
placing u hundred dollars in her hand, said,
There, my child, your mother gave NE
that for your expenses during the short time
she expected Inc to have charge of you.
But ], who had been the receiver Of her
mothers bounty for SO long time, could
not use it for that. You must always con-
slider this your home, and if you are in need
OF money apply to me-" Eugenia had pro-
cured, through a friend, the situation of
teacher in village school, in the western
part of the state, and within a days jour
ney of the city. Rose bitterly lamented the
decision Eugenia had made, which would
part them, and would only let her off with
many promises Of visits and letters. Euge-
MAS figure had rounded into a more wo-
manly one than her childhood had given
! promise OF, and her hair, then in long curls,
was now put smoothly back from her brow.
1t was sunset when she arrived at her desti-
nation; she had left the cars some miles
! back, and taken a seat in the rumbling,
! bouncing old stage which connected the
nearest station with the village Of West
vile, and which now put her down at farm
er wilkins gate, where she was cordially
received by the old gentleman, and ushered
INTO the family sitting room and introduced
to his wife. The old lady was busy bust
ling around attending to the comfort Of her
guest - Now, do take off your things,
honey; | know you must be cold; sit up
closer to the fire that old stage is mon
sous cold affair TO ride in, although | never
rode IN 1t. And you must be tired too,
coming so far, for the old lady, who was
never five miles from home, 4 days Journey
IN the the cars was great distance. Euge-
MA now took a survey of the room, bright
rag carpet covered the floor, and large old
fashioned corner cupboard stood in one cor
ncr nearest the fire place, through the glass
doors Of which she could see, as Mrs VIII
kins informed her, 1.-THE very first set Of
ctGHy she ever had, and them plates on the
second shelf was grandmother's," besides
sundry ether antiquities and mOdernsns.
The supper table was already spread with a
snowy cloth, and covered with tempting ed
ibles, and the bright fire glowing in the
large fire place, impaired quite i genial
warmth to to the atmosphere for it Nas a
chill November evening. Eugenia soon be-
gan to experience home feeling she had
never felt since she left her own dear home.
1t was short walk from the farm to the
village, but she preferred that, as it gave
her exercise.
The next morning she set out to take
charge Of her school, accompanied by Mr.
IlklnS. She found quite number of pu-
pills collected, and about the usual variety to
be found in 4 small village. She was intro
duced 10 Squire Thompson, who after asking
her few questions, concluded she was quite
competent to take charge Of the school, and
informed her Of the fact
There was no one in the family at Mr. Vii
kiHs' bat the two old people and herself, and
she soon became a great pet with them
Their children had all married and left them
IS Sfs m s head hs the as Hf a1y lazy 6oSk 6d
larnin', and be Doctor. 1t took a power Of
money to keep him, too; but she 'sposej
lac d make Il up again, when be got 10 prac-
,iciu'"
They both talked so much about "our
Frank, that Eugenia was growing quite i'm
patient to see him, and his mother was al
most counting the days until Christmas,
when he would he there. Christmas Eve,
true to its trust, the old stage put him down
at the gate.
Eugenia was agrecably surprised to see
the handsome, gentiemaAly pcrson ne was.
lie was a kind, al!ectionatc son, and seemed
to well deserve all the praise they iavished
upon him. lie never seemed to notice the
want of education in his parents, as indeed
40 one would, who once became acquainted
with them. They sat up until late hour
that night Prank principally leading the
conversation. He was very intelligent, and
having read great deal. his miud was well
stored with useful knowledge.
Dnr pi0lf f,'
Of snow, and they attended a great many
seighing parties, which the old people en-
joyed as much in hearing them talk about,
as they did in attending. Wesivile was like
most other villages of the kind, it had its
one church, TO which everybody went, and
aud It's large enclosure around il, in which
the rich and poor for miles around, when
they died were buried, and slept as peace
fully side by side, as if in life the one had
never despised the other; it had its same
amount OF goSSiping, and could boast of its
lawyer and doctor, with their families, who
formed the aristocracy of the place. Itwas
New Years night, the time Miss Angelina
Thompson, the lawyers daughter, had ap-
pointed for her great party. She had in
vltcd Frank wilkins, and was eagerly ex-
pecting him; but in her exclusiveness, she
had purposely Sighted the village school
mistress; which Frank resented by staying
at home, and keeping her company. And
there they sit, side by side, on the nice
warm lounge, talking over the happy week
they have spent, regretting that it is so soon
past. On the morrow Eugenia must resume
her school duties, and Frank must make his
way back to the city to resume his studies,
for he expects to graduate in short time.
| Eugenia was very successful with her
school. Her pupils improved rapidly under
! her care. The winter months passed slowly
by; for, now Christmas was gone, there
was nothing to look forward to. 1t was the
same round every day-her walk to the viii
! lage, and the monOtonous hum of voices in
her ear, and then the walk home; or if it
were sleighing, kind Mr.. wilkins had his
sleek little pony put in the sleigh, and came
after her.
Later in the winter, the days were bright
ened by the presence of Frank, who had re-
ceiyed his diploma, and returned home and
commenced practicing in opposition to the
village physican-and he soon got great
deal of his practice, as he was not as atten-
| tive to his patients as he used in former days
to be. And when spring came with its
bright sunshine, and the birds returned, and
commenced building their nests in the large
old honey locust that shaded the porch and
poured fourth their songs-and the flowers
began to spring in every nook and wood
land, they took many pleasant walks, and
Frank taught her to ride, and very happily
the days sped away.
One day, when Eugenia called at the post
office, as she generally did before she started
home, she received letter from Rose, urg
ing an invitation upon her to join party to
Saratoga. She said her mother would re-
ceive no denial, and she must close her school
and Immediately join them. She did not
friends as she thought she would and when