American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-29

Minnie, she was not long in doubt as
\ to how matters stood. When Howard
left she told Minnie her mother Wished
to see her.
-" Dear Minnie," said Mrs. Seldom,
81 wish to ask you few questions
not from mere curiosity, my child
but have motive in it, so do not
hesitate to answer, ! beg of you. Can
you not remember something of your
first home 2" If ....
{" Yes, l do remember, dimly though
as if it had been pleasant dream, a
lovely woman bending over me, and a
beautiful home. / think it must have
been near the sea. / shut my eyes
and try to remember all about my
liome, and then hear the dashing of
! waves, and all becomes indistinct. /
can remember nothing then earlier
than Rose Cottage" u..-
1" knew it, Mamma, she is the lost
Nina! Minnie, you shall find your
mother!" - f'.a.
"My mother! O! do you know who
my mother isis she living, and Shall
lsee her! My mother--O! ! my mo-
ther s--let me 60 to her at once!!'
cried Minnie in the widest excitement.
"Calm yourself" said Mrs. Seldom
afectionately, "and 1 will tell you all
know. have a sister, an only sis
ter, Agnes Camden. She had daugh-
ter, Ninnia, her eldest child. When She
was four years old she was stolen, it is
supposed, by a woman that was her
nurse. A few days before the disap-
pearance of the child, my sister had
caught the woman in some petty theft,
and accused her of it, which so enragcd
her that she swore vengeance. Taking
the child out one day for an airing she
never came back. All that was over
beard was that a woman answering her
description had embarked on boat
going up the river. The boat caught
fire in the night, and n great many pas
sengers were lost. The woman and
child were supposed to have been lost
among the number, as they were never
heard of afterwards. All gave them
up as lost, except my sister, who still
hoped to find her child, and ever since
she has spent much Of her time travel
ing, thinking that she might find her
in that way. If you are her child you
have the mark of crimson berry on
your left arm, just above the elbow"
Here, herei is this like it 2" cried
Minnie wildly, pushing up her sleeve,
and exposing fair round arm with the
crimson berry distinctly visible"
"The very same! You are, indeed,
the long lost Ninnia, and my own dear
niece"
"And my motber-my long lost
mother-where is she? ?"
You shall soon see her, my dear.
She lives in c., and we will 90 to
her tomorrow. Prepare to start in the
morning train"
No sleep for Minnie that night--hcr
heart was too full. She had drank of
the bitter cup of sorrow, even to the
dregs, but now it was running over
with the sweet waters Of love, Joy and
gratitude to God for his many bless
ings; this filled her soul, and she felt
like shouting "his praise upon the
housc-top," 80 very happy was she,
for she was to see her dear mother the
next day.
! A strange story did Howard Weldon
hear. when he called at the Seldom s
next morning. .
"You will not Forget me, dearest, in
your; JOY at finding your friends, will
you" ... .... .
"Forget youi all no, dear Howard,
have loved you too long, too ardent
ly, to forget you thus easily. Ever
since l met you the first time, on the
little grassy knoll, by father Norton's,
you have been dear to me. How much
wish that | could see those dear old
folks at the parsonage; how glad mo-
ther Bell will be to hear of my good
fortune"
Minnie proved to be, indeed, the long
lost Ninnia. Great JOY was there at
the Camdcn's when the lost was found.
And soon Howard Weldon followed to
ella i'm his bride! "
a happy wedding was it! There
was but one thing to mar Minnie's s
perfect happiness, and that was that
her foster.motbcr, and good old father
Norton and his gentle wife, could not
be there to share her Jog, as they had