The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-03-18
unresisting, to my chamber; there, watched by
her alone, Law silent and motionless.


untimely desth,' thought, ''that ell love are
fated to Gomez" Ny heart was wrapt in my
beautiful Henry, and he laid down to dio ia the
glory Of bis youth. Ny love rose odt Of the
grave, and gathered ITSELF strong Is life, about
my husband; and now, in so little while he is
gone also. Was it for this that gave my mind,
my heart, my soul to his children, only that
they should look up to me with their pitiful E /.
ces end cry we are OrphansH Where was he,
when we, his wife and children, were making
Christmas garlands? We were singing and
weaving the holly and cedar by the warm Gre
light, while he low struggling, now falling and
sinking, was smothered in the horrible wayes"'
Such thoughts as these filed my brain with
ceaseIess horror, and all day lay as one benum-
bed. But suddenly as it grew dark, and Ellen
/ brought lamp into my chamber, was struck
by her settled expression Of woe. I had for
| gotten that was not the only sufferer. That
| thought gave me strength. | rose, took her by
the hand and went down to the other children
| gathered them about me and we all wept to.
gether Then, and not till then, did feel that
| | could speak to them Of comfort.
| The next morning our paper came, and the
long account of the week confirmed the sad IT,
dings Days passed--Sowly, tearfully. l was
| beginning to realize that we, of late such Joy
| full group, were now the widow and the faith.
| eTless."
It was evening, and we all sat IN the little Ii.
| brary The door Of the parlor behind us wa
aiar, but there was no light in there; only one
lamp burned on the pano-forte, which had beef
moved into the little room.
| Harry lay in my arms asleep, his soft cllrlt
falling over his forehead, and half yelling hi,
| fresh, fair face. Ellen and May one on each
side Of me, sat at work on mourning dresses
Jane, too, in the corner, was sewing black thib-
| ct. How different our labor from that whicl
we had expected to usher in the Christmas Eve
BY and by, Ellen looked up with an anxious
expression.
Mother, areiwe poor?" she said.
| was glad that could answer in the mega
| tive. "But," added, we know not how soon
we may be. This great misfortune has taught
us that nothing is sure. We must not lean
! idly on what we possess, but prepare ourselves
| Tor labor if need be- Tomorrow, | wish vol
all to begin again your studies"
Jane dropped her needle and thread.
81 thought it was understood that the chill
dren should go home with me-" she said.
| perhaps you may think | am poor and helpless
but on the contrary, aln probably better abl(
! than you to take care Of the children"
THIS announcement started me; but there
was no need May threw her arms round IN,
neck and whispered, 81 will not leave you moth
er," while Ellen, her fine eyes glowing with ex
citement, answered quietly and frml, - 4a
sour mother has tho best claim on US, Aun
Jane, and until she sends us, we will never leave
her. We have never been SO happy as in thi.
half past year. We love her better than al
other friends, and now that aag father is genS
VIC will not leave her alone.e
My heart, thrilled with gratitude that coulr
not utter. could only give my noble Ellen {
look Of thanktulness, and say
.Iwill be as faithful to you as you have beer
| to me Elem
"Hush!'' said May starting from her seat
"What was that soundr' She went to tn,
window and looked out. at was the wind,
she added and sat down by me again
Jane shot indignant glances at the children
Il little thought when came here to wofl
and worry myself for you, that you would S,
soon desert me for stranger"
"Aunt Jane," said Ellen quickly "remembe
it is our mother of whom you spcak-our sec
ond mother to whom we owe SO much"
Miss Fleming was evidently annoyed but wa.
silent.
II do hear footstep," said May, and again
she peeped from the window, but all was dark
and silent
My heart ached with weary dissension, and
made last attempt at peace.
'Sister Jane--you shake your head, but you
were his sister, and must therefore be mine
for his sake forgive you for the many attempts
you have made to turn my childrens hearts
against me, but forever after let there be 81
lence on this theme. am no stranger in thl,
house, but hold mothers place to the chill
dren of my beloved husband lett in my care -
For them henceforth, and for them only L shall
live and labor. | have thus far tried to dt
them good, and they themselves bear witness t,
my success. Trust them to me, and let ther,
be no more harshness between US for his sake
Jane Fleming burst into tears. She wept foi
a few moments, and her heart was softened.
| tAgnes, forgive me?' She said, to my aston
ishment and joy. "You think me heartless
but, indeed, am not, though | have beer
harsh. 1t was my love for my brother and h
4 children that made me wckedly jealous of you
! But am now a mourner with you aud them
For his sake forgive metz @ aE
There was moment Of SILENT pleased sur
|
called her ''sister." Ellen stopped down am
kissed her, and little May, rejoiced, sprang t,
the piano forte and sung with her whole heart
"Let US love one another" 5t
As she ceased and turned her smiling face to
wards us, there was sound behind; quicl
footstep toward the hall; tile door was han,
open and stat
Had one risen from the dead? raI
"My wife, my children, my blessed Aguesb
said Captain Fleming his voice h6arse witt
emation and before we could litter word O
welcome or surprise; we were all clasped in hi
strong, living arms. The rapture Of that hou
who could seek 70 portray. atEos
"Forgive me Agnes, FOR playing the listener.
he said. "It was not premedtated, but as
come in heard young voices, and could not bu
! pause moment before surprising you. HOY
can ever thank you, how repay you for you
! love to my children and to me?' .51 y 81.
/ These words and many more fell from hi
lips as he clasped me again with warm aifec
tion. Twas repaid for all my labor, all my sor
row. .t,tt 7saf @ trr
Tnen followed questions, explanations, word
of joy and welcome. his good ship, indeed
had been lost in the fearful storm, but the nc
count of the loss Of men had been e1aggerate
in the excitement Of tire news. Many wer
lost, but not all. There were other homes Q
mourning made glad that night, as Nell as mine
A And what a merry, joyful Christmas we had
How the Christmas tree sparkled under its ma
] ny tapers, loaded notonly with the gifts Of th
children to each other, but with more eostl
presents to tne and TO them from their delighte
fatherl How proudly did Ellen lead her iathe
to the pictures her industry hid wrought, an
Isay, in answer TO his SURPRISE; .tMother taugh
line" How sweetly did little Msy sing her q
vorite song and, throwing her arms about he
smiling father's teck say also. Mother taugli
III ,,abt - sasH@, ~ 49, N