Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-03-05

Much of the ensuing week was spen,
| III re-arrangIng the rooms liz order to give
them more cheerful appearance. tool,
down tho portrait Of the first Mrs FIem-
ing from It's garret corner, and hung it over
the mantel IN the parlor. relramed the
beautiful landscape, aud it adorned little
| room opening from the hack parior, which
had been used as a spare bed room, but
| which | converted into a miniature library.
/ went with the children into the fields TO
hunt for early May flowers, with which to
| TIL The vases and make the rooms briybl
and fragrant.
May took her first music lesson, and
was already promising to sing Let us love
one another on Christmas Day, al which
time her father would be at home. Ellen
had so far descended from her cold heights
OF reserve as to ask me to learn her crayon
! drawing, and | was asloniShed at the artist
talent she already exhibited.
One morning, when had been about a
fortnight with them, Jane came to the
breakfast table in her travelling dress. We
were all surprised-I most of all, for
had hoped the happiness Of the children
would win her kindness also; but | was
mistaken. Where are you going. aunty!'
asked May, her blue eyes expanding with
astonlshment. Miss Jane deigned no all
swer, but ale her breakfast in uubroken
silence, then, turning to me, announced
her decision.
Mrs. Fleming. You cannot expect me
10 stay here content, when see you daily
undolng with all your might what have
been la5oring so hard to accomplish
These girls were growing up, in my care,
discreet, sober, and reasonable. | shut
out the vanilles and folles of the world
from their knowledge. reared them in
prudence and soberness. But Arthur
Fleming must bring strange wife here,
who, IN two shor! weeks, could, by her
WHY sOttness OF manner, win their foolish
young hearts away from their friend and
fill their heads with vanity. | will moi
stay where | and my teachings are objects
OF contempt. | leave you to your paint
ing and playing, your singing and boqueI
making. am not peunlless, as YOU prob
ably suppose. | have still a home to 90
to, now that | am driven thanklesslv from
this one.
My eyes filled with tears at these scorn-
lul words. The children looked wonder
lngly al me and at her.
'Don't go, aunty! Mother doesn't want
you to go.' whispered May, the sweet lnlIe
peacemaker.
i don't know who dries you from
here said Ellen, sarcastlcalIy.
Jane, | wish you to stay with u.s.
said. 1t is right that |, Captain Fleming's
wife, should be mother 10 his children,
and take their care and education into nv
own hands. | mean to make them happy
~ their home, III their studies, and fit them
for good and useful lives. \ ou can help
me in this work, and | will be your friend.
Will you stav, lane 2
No, Mrs. Fl ming, will not stay where
| am a mere cipher. But, children, | do
not desert you. If you are ever latherless,
or in trouble, will come 10 you, and you
shall have your home with me again.
The stage coach, which Jane had Sc,
cretly ordered to call for her, now ratted
up TO the door, and she took her seat in it..
She gave nod of freezing dignity to me,
a farewell of compassionate affection to
the children, and then the coach drove
away.
l was alone with home, children and
peace.