Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-05-01

NNhih bC npilc. Juld Huu SO lar ucSCenucu
from the cold heights of reserve as to ask me to
teach her crayon- drawing, and was astonished
at the talent she already exhibited
One morning when had been about fort
night with them, Jane came to the breaIiast-ta-
bic in her trayeling-dress. We were all sur
priscd-l most Of all, for had hoped that the
happiness of the children would win her kind
ness also but ! was mistaken.
Where are you going aunty ?" asked Mary,
her blue eyes expanding with astoniShment.-
Miss Jane dclgned no answer, but ate hci break
last IN unbroken silence then, turning, to me
announced her decision.
Mrs. Fleming" she said II cannot stay here
con,cntcdly when sec YOU daily undoing with
all your might what have been laboring so
hard to accomplish. These girls were growing
up under my care, discreet, sober, and reasona-
bic. ! shut out the vanitics and foes of the
world from their knowledge | reared them in
prudence and seriousness. But Arthur Flcm-
ing must bring strange wife here, who. in two
short weeks, could by her willy softness of man
ncr, win their foolish young hearts away from
their tried friend. and iii their heads with van
lty. ] will not stay where | and my instruction
are objects of contempt leave you to your
painting and playing, your singing and bouquet
making am not penniless as YOU probably
suppose. have still home to 90 to, now that
am driven thankleSsly from this one
My eyes filled with tears at these scornfll
words. The children looked wondcringly at me
and at her.
"Don't 90, aunty Mother dosen't want YOU
to GO whispered Mary, the sweet little peace
mixer
81 don't know who driccs you from here said
Julia, scarcastically.
Jane, wish you to stay with us" said
at right that |, Captain Fleming wife, should
be mother to his children, and take thcir care
and education into my own hands. | mean to
make them happy in their home, in their stud
les, and to fit them for good and useful lives
You can help me in this work. and will be your
friend. VIII you stay, Jane ?"
NO. Mrs. Fleming, She replied. Indignantly,
81 will not stay where am mere cipher But
children, do not desert YOU. If YOU are ever
iathcrlcsS, or in trouble, Will come to YOU, and
YOU will have Your home with me again.
The stlge-coach which Jane had secretly or
dercd to call for her, now ratified up to the door
and with her green SandboN clasped closely in
her arms, she took her seat in the stage She
gave nod Of freezing dignity to me, farewell
Of compassionate affection to the children, and
then the coacf, drove away,
now, with the children, fe';. a, home and at
peace.
Six months passed rapidyand how pleasant
the village schoolwas extremely poor, and was
fully competent to teach the children myself
spent three hours ofcyery morning in study with
them. Two afternoons in week | devoted to
Mary music and Julia'S drawing on the 9TH
cr afternoons thcv were free to practice al home.
or to visit their village friends and receive visits
in return. Our evenings were spent in read
ing and in three months Of that summer they
gained more intelligence than in years before.
Their interest in knowledge was aroused, and
what ever hey road 'ra- made subjsct of fr1o
and cheerful conversation. thus fixing important
facts IN their memories, and training their minds
to habits 10 active thought. Julia adorned the
walls OF our sitting-room and little library with
several very fine crayon pictures, and Mary adj
dod to our evening readings the charm of her
sweet singing.
At AtChristmaS time We expected Captain Flem-
ing. With what glad pride looked upon my
happy group. and thought Of the gratitude he
would feel when he saw their Improvement. and
witnessed their affection for myself looked
forward with heating heart to the meeting
1t was a fortnight before Christmas, and we
were already deeply engaged in preparation for
the merry season. Green boughs. with which
to decorate the rooms, were being made in fcs-
toonS and garlandS, and, in sly corner, the
Christmas tree was waiting its hour of triumph.
Julia was hurrying to finish picture of Santa
Claus to hang over the Christmas tree, and Mary
was practising necessarily "Lct us loyc one
another, al the piano!orte, while little Edward
entered with even greater zeal ii possible. into
the preparations for the festivities. Seated in
his little chair. which. with a show of secrecy
was turned with its back to the room. he was
working with his knife on present for moth
cr,' which, from occasional glances, judged
would be little wooden vessel
Ii was afternoon, and Julia and had been dis
cuSsing the propriety of inviting some friends
| TO enjoy our Christmas eve with U.S. We were
now i'll daily expectation Of Captain Fleming,
and every sound of wheels made us rush to the
window.
Father is come" cried Julia, as the sound
of wheels, instead of passing, stopped at our
door, and We simultaneously sprang up and ran
| to the window. There, indeed, stood the ex-
pectcd coach but who was that old lady, with
green bandbox held tightly in her arms, now
bundling out of the coach door, sending sharp
glances up at the windows while the coachmar
took down her trunks ?"
at is aunt Jane :" said Julia, with long sigh
of disappointment, and she looked into my face
inquiringy.
1t is too bad, too bad" said Mary, half cry.
! ing, "tor her to come and spoil all, Just as VT
We're to have such merry Christmas
"Well, meet her kindly and give her welcome,
l said, and by that time the hall door had open.
ed, and Jane Fleming srood in the midst OF US
receiving our greetings with kind of grim smile
The girls diyested her of all her many shawls
and cloaks, and furs, and Edward drew chail
for her close to the fire.
As she warmed her feet at the CRATE, Mis-
Fleming looked around her with a singular ex
preston of pity, mixed with triumph.
81 have kept my promise, children" she said
81 told you if anything happened, would COM
to YOU"
| started from my feet, and a shudder of ter
rible forebodngs passed through me, as | re
membered the promise to which she REFEREED
"Jane Jane Fleming, what do you mean? ?"
cried.
She wiped the corners of her eyes with he
handkerchief Then she said "Ah it is as
thought. You see that |, living on the sea-shor
as do, get news some days in advance of you
said to myself, when | heard it, that it woul,
be printed in your weekly paper, and you woul,
not get it before tomorrow. So thought
had better step into the stage and ride down L
prepare your minds. Poor children poor child
rem :"
"What is it P" said Julia, grasping her aunt
wrist with kind of nervous ferceness.
Ih;e t,rn,.inu ;ntnlarobln To,