Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-12-07
SelFttR9 3f(iateIIann.
KSGIVING DAY.
EE a. I. OTIS.

( My mother was a widow, and I her
only daughter, Agnes Brown. She was
very beautiful, and quite young, only six-
teen years older than myself Ny fa,h-
er had left Us poor but she had not been
long a widow before she had several suit
ors, and when | was fourteen years of
age she married Mr. R., a gentle
man Of wealth, with four children. They
we're Edward who was in California,
Charles, Lettie and JACK Jack, the
Youngest was about MY age.
For one year we all lived happily to-
gether, and then my s'ep-falher died, ,
leaving his children and myself with equal
! portions. Ny mother followed him in
few months, and we were left in the
guardianship cf a young lawyer, who did
+ not pretend to take any interest in US Ge-
/ yorI his legal duties. The old house
keeper managed the domestic concerns,
and we all attended school. except Ed
ward, who was sfli IN san Francisco.
soon teean 10 feel that l was in an
uncomfortable position. Letitia would
have loved me, and was never intention
ally Unkind. lot her brothers lct me
know that they considered me as an in
truder. an alien IN their home. who had
taken 4 daughters portion. Daily sights,
uuklud hints. CoutemptuOus GOODNESS,
and a complete exclusion from all the
family consultations, or confidential IN
terccurse. left me cruelty alive 10 their
state of feeling towards me. | was 4 We
~ t;mid girl, WithOu, strength 10 bear up
either against others or my own scf-dis-
trust. | knew myself unwecome, yet
dared not 60 away. | was fearful Of
+ leaving shelter, even so bleak rs this, for
+ the wiJe. wide world.
+ | tried to make them love me but
found The geul.eutss and patience ! slrug-
+ Eled for, were called atieclpess; my good
VIII, ofiiciousncss and my silence, sui
IenncSs. ! was moi one who could COM
/ pei affection, found 10 nay sorrow.
/ | endured q whole year Of this misery,
and then Edward came home. lie was
welcomed with Joy by ali but myself.
+ had never seen hIm, and therefore feared
i him. felt that if he were my enemy too,
+ | must become desperate enough TO leave
,hem. though had 10 relatives to 60 to.
The evening of EDWARDS return was
spent IN question and answer, among the
children Of the same father | sat apart.
! Edward had spoken kindly to me when
/ he first came, calling me sister Agnes ;
and several times he tried 10 give me 4
chance 20 give me chance to enter into
/ the general conversation, as any polite
gentleman would But | was 100 uucer-
/ tam Of my hearers to talk, 50 | became a
+ listener only. Judged from whatI heard
ard saw, that Edward was quick tenn
trsred, opea-hearted man, gentleman n
/ feeling, vet used to roughing it III a new
country.
The uext evening my new brother
asked me to give him some music. My
hands rremJled and grew so cold that |
continually made mistakes | endeavored
10 remedy them, and 50 grew confused.
/ Al last tried a lively, easy wailz, IN
hopes Of recovering myself, when Jack
began TO beat tame. Il distracted nae.
- loa can never keep time with Ag-
nes, he SAID, " she always breaks down.
Edward was standing by me! / could
see By the mirror before me that he
turned quickly and gave Jack an angry
look. j only confused me the more, and
tuugled again.
" There II told yen 50! cried Jack.
/ " Hear that"
" Aud how dare you beat time AT all,
+. you unclvi lItjie monkey Z" Edward burst
/ out Let me hear any more Of your
IImQert'ueuce, and will put you out OF
the room
/ was 100 frightened 10 60 on. and left
the pariJr. Ny yocm was directly over
head. | heard Edwards voice. Ia deep
tones. talking very Sly. As they
came no stairs 10 retire, / heard him say