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

unumcly death, l Thought, "tnat all i love are
fatcd to come ?" My heart was wrapt in nv
beautiful brother, and he laid down TO die in the
glory of his youth. Ny love rose out of his
grave, and gathered itself strong as life. about
my husband and now, in so short time, 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 pitt
ful faces and cry, ave are orphans % Where
was he when we, his wife and his children. we're
making Christmas garlands? Wcwcrc singing,
and weaving the holly and cvergreens by the
warm fre-light, while he, now fainting and sink
ing. was smothcred in the horrible waves"
Such thoughts as these filed my brain with
ceaseess horror; and all day | lay as one be-
numbed. But suddenly, as it grew dark, and Ju-
liza brought light into my chamber, was struck
by her settled expression of woe. | had forgot
ten 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-
gother. Then, and not till then, did feel that
| could speak to them Of comfort.
The next morning otr paper came, and its
long account Of the wreck confirmed the sad It'd
ings Days pasSed-slowly. tearfully. was
beginning to realize that we, of late such Joy
iul group, were now "the widow and fatherless."
1t was evening, and we all set in the little IL
brary. The door of the parlor behind US was
aiar. but there was no light in there only one
lamp burned on the piano-forte which had been
moved into the little ROOM
Edward lay in my arms asleep. his soft curls
falling over his forehead, and half-yeiling his
fresh, fair face. Julia and Mary on each side
of me, sat at work on mourning dresses Jane,
too, i'll the corner, was sewing black Tibet
How different our labor from that with which
we had expected to usher in the Christmas eve :"
By-apd-by Julia looked up with an anxious
expression. "Mother, are we poor?' she asked.
| was glad that could answer in the negative.
But added, 1--WE know not how soon we may
be. This great misfortune has taught US that
nothing is certain. We must not lean idly on
what We possess, but prepare ourselves for labor
if need be. Tomorrow | wish YOU all to begin
your studies
Jane dropped her needle and thread II
thought 1t was understood that the children
should 90 home with me-" she said. perhaps
you think ! am poor and helpless but YOU are
mistaken. On the contrary, am probably bet
ter able than you are TO take care of the child
rem"
This announcement startled me, but there was
no need. Mary threw her arms around my neck
and whispered. Il will not leave you, mother :"
while Julia, her eyes glowing with excitement
answered quietly and firmly, "Our mother has
the best claim on us. aunt Jane, and until she
sends Us away, we will never leave her. More
than a mother she has been to US. and We have
never been so happy as in this past half-year.-
We love her better than all our friends and
now that our father is gone we will not leave
her alone"
My heart thrilled with gratitude that could
not utter. | could only give my noble Julia
look of thankfuiness, and say 81 will be as faith
i /.
"Hush" said Mary. starting from her feet
dow and looked out. 1T was only the wind"
she added, and sat down by me again.
Jane shot indignant glances at the children
IL little thought, said She, when came here
TO work and wear myself out for you that YOU
would so soon desert me for a stranger"
AUNT Jane" said Julia, quickly. remember
it is our mother of whom YOU speak our second
mother, to whom we owe so much"
Miss Fleming looked stern, but was silent
81 do hear footstcp," said Mary, and again
She pecpcd from the window but all was dark
and silent. My heart ached with weary dissen-
sion. and ! made last attempt at peace.
"Si,ter Jane" said 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 chldren's
hearts against me; but forever after let there
be silence on this theme | am no stranger in
tbs hu'sc, but huld mothers place TO the child
my beloved husband left in MY care. For them
henceforth, and for them only. | shall live and
labor. | have thus far tried to do them good
and they themselves bear witness to my success.
Trust them to me, and let there be no more un-
pleasant feeling between us-for his sake
Jane Fleming looked at me for moment, and
then burst into tears. She wept few moments,
and her heart was softened.
Agnes, forgive me ~ she said, to my aston
ishment and JOY. you think me heartless but
indeed am not, though have been harsh.-
Il was my love for my brother and his children
that made me wickedly jealous of you. But l
am now a mourncr with you and them. For
his sake, forgive me"
There was moment of silent, pleased sur
prise and when clasped her hand warmly,
and called her sister, Julia gravely stopped down
and kissed her, and little Mary, rejoiced, sprung
to the piano-torte and sung with her whole heart,
Let us love one another"
As she ceased, and turned her smiling face
towards us, there was a sound behind--a quick
footstep toward the hall The door was flung
open, and-Had one risen from the dead ?
"My wife my children my blessed Agnes ~
exclaimed Captain Fleming, his voice hoarse
with emotioni and before we could utter word
Va NSiNOhS Vi pliSS1 w NNiS ui' N'uSpNU III
his strong living arms. The rapture of that
hour, who would attempt to portray
Forgive me, Agnes, for playing the listener :
he sad-'t was not premeditated; but as
came in heard your voices, and could not but
pause a moment before surprising you. How
can | ever thank you, how repay you for your
! love to my children and to me.'
These words and many more fell from his lips
as he clasped me again with warm affection. !
was repaid for all my labor, all my sorrow.
Then followed questions, explanations, words
of Joy and welcome. His good vessel indeed
had been lost in the fearful storm, but the ac-
count of the loss of men had been exaggerated
in the excitement of the news Many were lost
but not ALL There were other homes of mourn
ing made glad that night as well as mine.
And what merry joyful Christmas we had
How the Christmas tree sparkled under its many
tapers, loaded not only with the gifts of the
children to each other, but with more costly
presents to me and TO them from their delight
ed father How proudly did Julia lead her faith
er to the pictures her industry had wrought, and
sav, in answer to his surprise, "Mother taught
me "-how swcetly did little Mary sing her ia
vorite song, and throwing her arms about hei
fathers neck, say also, "Mother taught me ~
Very sacred and full of peculiar trial is the
! nosition of thp second wife where the children