The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-14
than once heard him speak Of it. .l~0.. per.

y l-'.---. .'.F :.
Tears were in the eyes Of my cousin Au
bry as we came up to where he stood. gsz
ing sadly upon the broken limb. Ny aun
had heard the crash and fall, and came run
ming out from the house with frightened
air. The moment she comprehended III.
nature Of what had taken place, she strucl
her hands passionately together. and stun!
the already suffering mind Of the DO!
with sharp, reproving words. Aubry made
no answer. The pain he felt was too Sc
we're to find much accession from this cause
though any added pang was cruelty, no mat
ter from what source II came.
"If il had been any other tree" said Au
bry. was sitting by his side, trying te
comfort him, an hour after the accident
"If il had been any other tree, would mol
have cared so much. But father valued thls
one so highly. Il was his favorite tree
ale will not be angry" was thinking
how very angry my own father would nave
been under'ilke circumstances, and how Sc
verely he would have punished my brother
had he been guilty Of similar fault. "He
is always SO cheerful-always SO ready to
forgive" .,l,u
sIt ism, iha, Cousin Hatte-it isn't that.
answered the boy, in c troubled voice. ut
is not his anger fear" .-..
"What then, have you TO fear!'l In
qnired.
"liis sorrow, cousin. Ah, Hattie, that Is
worse than his anger. lie took so much
pride in this tree and now 1t is ruined ior'
eyerw r... ...-t
"Only single limb is broken. The tree
is not destroyed. There Is much fruit on
it still," said, trying to comfort him..
ats beauty - gone," replied Aubry.--
THAT beauty which father produced by such
careful pruning. No, Hattie; there is no
bright side to the picture. All is dark"
Il was in vain; we could not comfort the
unhappy boy who spent the rest OF the day
alone, brooding over the event which had 30
troubled his peace, -. =.
"There's your father, now" heard my
aunt say, little before sundown. She was
speaking to Aubry, and her voice had IN II
neither encouragement nor comfort. Ihe
breaking Of the tree had excited her anger,
and she still felt something Of unkindness.
looked from the window, and saw Uncle
Florian alichting from his horse. His face
wns turned towards us-his kind, good face,
that always looked as If the sun was shin
inc upon il. Aubry arose-he had been
sitting by q table, with detected air, his
head resting upon his hand-and went out
TO meet his father.
~ hope,p said my aunt, "that he will give
him good scolding; he richly deserves II !!
What business had he to climb into that
tree, and out on 50 slender limb |"
I felt an almost breathless interest 10 the
meeting between my cousin and Uncle
Florian. Ihad never seen that mild face
clouded, but I was sure 1t would be clouded
now. How could Il help being? His coun-
tenance, as he stood with his hand resting
upon the neck of his horse, was still turned
towards us, and could see every varying
expression. My breathing was nearly sus.
pended as saw Aubry reach his father and
look up into his face. A little while he
talked to him, while Uncle Flonan listened
a,,entiyely. Every instant ! expected to
see the cloud, but It came not to dim the
light Of cheerful kindness in tha; almost an.
. pelic countenance. While Aubry yet talk
ed earnestly to his father, one Of the farm
hands came out from the stable and took the
horse. Then the two-iather and son
came toward the house and as the former
commenced speaking, In answer to the com.
munication which he had received, noticed
that he laid his hand upon. the shoulder OF
Aubry in an atfectionaie way, and drew him
close to his side. They passed near the
broken plun-tree, but neithsr looked at IT,.
I think Uncle Florian avoided sight which.
.~,,ll a.. ,llv havo hapn mai ~ IA.
out an unpleasant shock to his feelings.
Now, as ever, dear Uncle Florian came
in sunshine; and il was warm enough and
bright enough TO chase away coldness and
shadow even FROM the heart and brow OF my
aunt, who could not forgive the otiense OF
her boy.
For every one my good uncle had smile
or a pleasant word. fin degree there was
n difference, it was in favor of Aubry, who
seemed held to his fathers side by some ir-
Ye.is,iblc attraction. Instead Of separating
between him and his father, ! think that lit
+. tie unpleasant event drew them nearer to-
pe,her, and bound lher hearts closer by the
magic tic Of love. sal. ..... ..
As turned my face homeward that even
ing, felt that had turned 1t away IRON the
sunshine and SO il was. A trifng fault
of one of my brothers had been visited BY
excessive punishment, given IN anger, and
there was gloom in the household-and not
only gloom, but alienation, the germ OF sep
aration.
We were sitting on the next morning at
our late, silent, moody breakfast--silent and
moody after rebuking words from my father,
who seemed only half.sa,isfed with the pun
ishu,ent already meted out 10 my brother
when the door opened, and cheerful voice
sent chord Of pleasant music vibrating
through the room, aud face that always
came in sunshine, scattered, with its gold.
en- beams, the clouds which curtained all
our feelings. Smiles warmed over the sober
face of nv mother, and light sparkled In her
eyes, while the'whoe aspect OF my fathers
countenance underwent u change.
.Ah, Harry Uncle Florian spoke to
my brother, who was in disgrace for fault
lirht in every way compared to the fault OF
Aubry on the day previous, show finely you
are growing! Really, you are the hand
somes, boy in the neighborhood."
"If he were only as good as he Is good.
looking" said my mother.
"Tut tut!" replied Uncle Florlan, half.
aside, to my mother. "NcSer say that to
boys face" Then aloud and cheeriully,
"l'll stand sponsor for Harry, and put his
good conduct agains, his good looks any
day." What grateful expression my
brother cast upon him!
For each and all Uncle Florian had q
kind word. and upon each and ull fell the
warm sunlight OF his cheerfulspirit. Wher
he left US, aher his brief visit, We were al
happier. Even my fathers brows were les'
contracted, and his voice was kinder Whel
he spoke; and as for my mother, her hear
Ill al. 4. q, al ,lln..al