The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-12

wouldn't be down sick quite so oftenl The
gentlemen are so lnny," added the poor little
woman, trying to rec a feeble he-he, with tears
of weakness wsllh up into her eyes, as the
uuwonted and ten attentions which she was
receiving impercs 3tibly drew ont her copG
dence; " but tell him, If doing all the cutting
out, and fitting, and housekeeping, and hal
the mending, and making, and cooking, aid
nursery work, for 6 re people, amt working hard
enough for ones wing, don't know what is. ,
"Where is your little Tommy 2" said Clara
fearing that they Ere getting upon dangerous
ground; "sha'n't ( see him today?"
She bad made Mrs. Flint very comfortable
and neat, and was now lowering lightly aboa
the chamber, turning confusion TO order every
where with q noisssess touch while her sister;
charmed gaze followed her, as if thirsting &c
drink in the fullness of calm life and animated
peace which always made her very aspec,
so strengthening and 30 healing, SO soothing
and refreshing, to any one in any kind of suf
fering.
"He's up in the nursery. He froze one Of
his feet little, Saturday afternoon, playing
SNOWFALL in the yard. Mr.. Flint don't allow
him to wear woollen socks, because he wants tc
harden him and Abigail was going to do Il
up for him with some sweet oil and cotton wooi
and she set her foot down, that he shouldn't
set foot down here again till he'd had his foot
done. But I'm afraid he won't. He's always
as impident as tiger to her, she says. l guess
she don't know exactly how to manage him it
takes father for that" Then came little, in
voluntary sigh. f
How do you think it would do for me to
run up 10 the nursery, and see about him ? Per
haps he will be good with me-"
"Why, dear, couldn't only be too thankful
to have you, Pm sure, if you'd really like to- but
1 can't seem to bear to think of all the trouble
Pm giving of you. Abigsil's just as faithful as
faithful can be but she has her hands over-full
when I'm taken eli, and the poor little things
miss ma. You go right straight up stairs, and
it's the right hand, first door,"
Clara could easily have found the nursery,
with no other direction than that afforded by
the nenagerielike symphony of jumpings,
whimperings, and acoldings, which issued from
the door, halfopened to let the smoke ont, and
barricaded with a chair to keep the children in.
"Let them alonei" clustered frost-nipped
Tommy; "you sha'n't touch them, say
They're my toes, and not yours ]"
"Well, SIR" rejoined Abigail, I'm sure no.
body don't want to deprive you of 'em."
Clara tapped softly. Ttere was a temporary
cessation of hostiisies, and a arp.looking,
black-eyed Nova Scotia woman appeared at
the barrier. She was of cylindrical form, and,
being clad in bottle green, strongly resembled
| a walking vinegsr.vial of picked virtues
Clara's benign and lady-like aspect was as q
spoonful of soda to the vinegar. 1t effervesced
in simpers, bows, and curtseys, became insipid,
| and subsidized.
NJ came up to if I could help to take
care of the children. Mrs. Flint told me that
she was afraid you had too much to do while
she was ILL.,. Oh, there is the little man that
want to have a little chat with Come, Tom
my darling; come sit on my knee
Tommy was only too happy to do SO. He
remembered her very we'll and, though only six
years old, had sat staring at her with his bright
blue eyes wide open, from the first instant oil
her appearance, with clever boys genuine
| admiration of beauty and grace. One source
of his previous disqniet had been, that, having
declared before he heard of her arrival, in full
nursery. conclave, that he wouldn't be good
boy nor let all the cross old Abbies in creation
be fumbling with bis foot, and tickling him
half to death pit had become pointof honor
and consistency with him not to yield, as it was
with her not to let him 60 below until he hsd
done 80 and he had been very much afraid
that he should thus lose his chance of seeing
his Aunt Clara. Bubby, alias Dandy, alias
Daniel Webster, who, if he resembed his name
sake in nothing else, certainly did 80 in being
as his discerning parent had said, arbitrary
at the same moment swakng, and being
"grieved by finding himself deposited on biz
back, on the bed, instead of in the weary arm,
of his attached foster. mother, opportuney burst
into q full-blown war-whoop, 80 that Miss Arden
had the field to herself.
Slightly CHANGING at the little white, dangling
bGstered foot, she cbeerfully said
ooh, is that all ? How glad l am it is M
worse Tommy, did you ever hear the story
of poor little boy, who had to have his foo
cut of, because he ffozs it very badly indeed
and had nobody to take care of it, and bind i
up for him and he was 80 brave that he dit
not scream once, apd only groaned three o
four times. 1t is in very pretty book that
had when was a lietle girl and if you are
brave boy, too, 1 think l must give it to YOU
i She told the story very infinitely, in a whis
per. Tommy's eyes twinkled.
"Now," added she, 81 will tell you what VI
will play. 1 will be the surgeon, and tie vi
. your foot, and you shall be the courageous lii
; tie boy but it will be scarcely anything bu
play, because don't think need hart you il
the least, to mind. You can tell me if do"
i The experiment succeeded perfectly, Tomm
enjoying it decidedly more than she did; Blu
, Just as she set him down with kiss, and rose
there was a terrible .hock and shout in the room
below.
Little Betty's goc conduct was of an inter
n,ittent type. Her auietness and obedience, a
, the time of Clsrs's arrival, had been chief
owing to her pressing secret anxiety lest be
sick mother was now about to die, and 90 t
heaven and leave her-an event with whic
Abigail was always threatening her, contingen
upon her being naughty, and making a nois
:. to wake up her dear little brother. That thee
logical preceptress had further informed he,
that if she was always a good little girl, sh
also would be able to 60 to heaven, as sh
!; would in that case turn into an angel, and hav