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

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then as silently walked into the room
again, leading the three children.
The three ran into their fathers arms,
and embraced him affectionately, and. as
he caressed them III return, | perceived
that there was fountain of warmth in
his heart which, could | reach it, would
be enough to shield me from cold and
darkness for ever. This show of pas
sionate fondness made ME glad. and, going
children to myself.
1T is Your new mother said he. She
has come TO take care of you when am
gone TO sea again. Ellen and May, go TO
your mother
May, pretty blue-eyed child Of ten,
came shyly toward me, and kissed my
cheek; but Ellen, the eldest, merely gave
me her hand. Ellen seemed to have i'm
bibed something oil her aunt's icy manner,
for she sat aloof and watched me coldly.
The little boy now lifted his head from
his fathers shoulder, and, seeing that May
stood by me unframed, venlured to ap-
proach me.
Come to me, Harry said Miss Flem-
ing with a lrown.
Was his name Harry! | caught him
to my arms and held him closely, so that
! he could not escape TO his jealous aunt;
and | thought, in my secret heart, that |
would make him like the Harry had lost
/ In an instant, the feeling that | was
stranger had vanished, my heart warmed
so toward The little one whose auburn head
nestled in my arms. My husband looked
pleased and smiled, giving his sister graf
flied look; and | observed the shadow Of
smile OH her lips, but it faded again as she
glanced al Ellen. When The clock struck
nine, Miss Jane rose and led the children
| to their chambers. bade them good night
as they went out, but | noticed that Ellen
made no answer.
The next morning made a business Of
going over the house aud examining It's
conveniences. The first step upon the
broad gloomy staircase chilled me; but
when, after visiting every room, | sal down
in the parlor again, | was almost discour-
aged. Such Il dreary, disordered house
never saw. In every chamber the curtains
hung over the windows like shrouds, and
the air was cold and damp as dungeon.
There was dust on tie walls, on The win
dows, and the furniture; there was gloom
in every corner. The parlor, WHICH might
have been delightful room, seemed like
i sepulchre. The furniture. as well as the
pictures, were covered with Canvass. A
locked bookcase stood in \ recess, and
locked piano was by the opposite wall.
asked little May, who had kept close by
me all the morning, why tEis was SO.
Aunt Jane doesn't like music she said;
'and she keeps the bookcase locked, be-
cause she says We must not read books
until we are older
And WHY is the furniture all covcred?'
The paror is scarcely ever opened
answered May. Aunt Jane wants to keep
il NICE
We'll, May said, go now and ask
4 Aunt Jane for The key Of the book CASE
want to see the books
She ran quickly, and returned. followed
by Miss Jane. who delivered up the key
10 me with dubious kind of grace.
Il hope you will lock the bookcase
wheny Oh have examined the books, ma am,'
SdIu size. L uOu dllO" An6 CHllUIcIl 10
spend their time in light reading
What are they now resding!' asked.
They learn their lessons she replied
shortly.
She disappeared, and | opened the book
case, which | found TO contain a most ex-
ceent selection of books. The best po-
els, the best historians, the best noVclIsls
uI
library small, but Of rich value. II was
The first really pleasant thing | had found
in my new home, and | sat an hour or
two, gianclng over one volume after an
other, and rearranging them on the shelves.
Suddenly, Miss Jane looked in, and in
q moment her face was pale with indigna
lion, for there sat little May OH the carpet,
buried in a charming old English annual
Miss Jane took two steps forward, and
snatching the book out OF the chIld's hand,
threw il on the table, then led her by the
shoulder out OF the room. | was mute
with amazement at this rough government
at first, then | sPrang up and would have
followed her, had not the fear of an out
break restrained me.
Selfish creaturer | exclaimed, you are
trying to make these children like your
sell; running them for all good or happiness
in life. In ElleHs sullenness and coldness
see the fruit of your labor. Was Ar
thur Fleming blind when he left his chill
dren in your keeping!'
saw no more of the children until din
ner, when, by questioning, learned that
they had been studying all the morning
with Miss Fleming. informed her that
| should sit with them III the afternoon, as
wished to see what progress they were
making. The look with which she re-
ceived this announcement plainly indicated
thai [ shnnld be an unwelcome listener 10