Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-02-04


my beautiful brother, and he laid down to
die in the glory OF his youth. Ny love rose
on, of his grave, ami 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 soul to his
children, only that they should look up to
me with their ptiful faces and cry, ave
are orPhanS!' Where was he when we, his
wife and his children, were mixing Christ
mas garlands! We were singing, and
weaving the holly and evergreens by the
warm freight, while h., now struggling,
now :ainting and sinking, was smothered
/ in The horrible wavesl''
Such thoughts as these filled my. brain
i with eeaseless horror; and ali day lay as
zone b.numbed. But s,dd en,y. .as it grew
dark, and Julia brought light into my
chamber, | was struck by her settled ex-
preston OF woe. had forgotten that was
not the only sufferer. That thodght gave
me strength. Irosc, took her by the hand I,
and went down to ;Ee ether children.
gathered them about me, AMI we all wept
together. Then, and not till then. did |
feel that ] could speak to them of comfort.
The next morning our paper came, and
its long account of the wreck confirmed the
fully. was beginning 10 realize that we,
OF late such joy ul group, were n1~ "the
widow and aiherless.''
Il was evening, ami We all sat in the
/ little library. The door of the parior behind
Us was jar, but there was no light in there;
cnly one lamp burned on the piano-folte,
which had been move, into the little room.
Edward lay in nay arms asleep, his soft
curls falling over his forehead, and half
yelling his fresh, fair face. Julia and Miry
on each side of me, sat at work on mourning
dresses Jane, too in the corner, was sew
ing black Thibet. How different our labor
from that with which we had expected to
Usher in the Christmas-eve.
By-and-by Julia look ed up with an anx-
ious expression. "Mcther, are we poor."
she asked.
was glad that could answer in the
negative. "Bul," ! added, ''we know hot
how soon we may be. THIS great misfor-
tune mas tuught US that nothing is certain.
We must not Jean iilv on what we possess,
but prepare urselves for lsb3r if need be.
To-morruw wish you all to begin again
your stujes.''
Jane dropped her needle and thread. al
thought it was understood that the children
shovld 20 home with me-" she said "Per-
hlps you think am poor and helpIrss; but
you are mistaken. On the contrary, [ am
probably better able than you are to take
care OF the children" I
This announcement. startled me, but there
was no need. Mary threw her arms around
my neck aad whispered, Il wild net leave
sen. ulstEe-s' ,gslliis Julia, lies yes glowing
with excitement, answer, quietly and
firmly, Our mother has the best claim ON
us, aunt me, and until she sends US away,
we viii never leave her. More than
not ler she has been to Us, and we have
never been 81 happy as in This past half
year. We love her better than all other
friends; and now that our father is gone we
will not leave her alnne"
bly, heart thrilled With gratitude that |
bic Julia look Of thankfulnes<, and say, IL
vii! he as faithful to yon as you have been
to me, julia"
"Hush." said Mary, starting from her
feet. "What was that sound." She went
to the window aud looked out at was only
the wind" she added, and sat down by me
again.
Jane shot indignant glances at the chill
dren. 81 little thought, )" said she, 'wheH
came here to wnrk and wear myself out
lor you, that you would so soon desert me
for a stranger.
"Aunt Jane slii julia, quickly, Gre
,IeIn1er II Is our mother OF wh0m you speak
Unr second mother, to whom We owe so
much"
Miss Fieu.iag locked stern, but was s-
lent.
81 do hear iootslep," said Mnry. and
again she peepei from the window; but all
was dark and silent. My heart ached with
weary dissension, and made last attempt
al peace.
Sister Jane" said; "you shake your
head, but you were his sister, and must
therefore be mGc-tor his sake | forgive
you for The many attempts you have made
to turn my chidren's hearts against me-
bat forever after lie: there be silence on
THIS theme. am no stranger in this house,
Dat hold mothers place to the chi dreu my
beloved husband left in my care. For them
henceforth, and for them only. shall live
and labor. | have thus far tried to d. them
goot, and they themselves bear witness to
nay success Trus, them TO me, and let :here
be no more unpleasant feeling between US
for his sake"
Jane Fleming locked at me iyr moment
and then burst into tears. she wcpt u few
moments, and her heart was sotcned
-"Agnes, forgive me-" she said, to my as
tonishment aud joy. "Yuu think me heart
less, but indeed an not, though | have
been harsh 1t was my love for my brother
and Il 5 children that made M W ckrdly
Jealous OF you. Bat am now o'mourner
with YOU and them. For his sAke, forgive
me.''
Their WIS moment o! silrat. pleased
sur,rise; and VIXEN | C!:sped her hand
warmly, and called her sister. Julia giavely
stopped down and kissed her, and lt,le VI
r., r joiced, sprung to the Piana-tvrie and
suug with her whole heart, "Lei us love one
another"
As she ceased, ,and turned her smiling face
toward Us. there WIS II sound hrhint-a
quick f1o,srrp toward the hall: T"e DIOR
was flung open, and-H I'd one risen from
the dead!
MY wife! my childrcn! my blessed Ag-
uesr" exclaimed Capt; in Fleming, his voice
hocrse with emotion; aud before We could
utter word c!wclcome or surprise, we were
all elaspcd in hi. strong, liviag acms. The
rapture of that hour, who would attempt to
portray.
"Forsisc me, Agnes, for playing the lis