True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-06-23
2. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

"My dear, how would you like to
come and live with me, and wait upon
me r.
Marion, captivated by the sweet voice
and pleasant face, replied, " Very much,
ma'am."
"Aunt Mary" said Harry, shall l
call Mrs. Jones 2"
Yes, Sir lmpatience."
Marion's story, given by Mrs. Jones,
was brief, and very common one. Her
father, violinist, had become intemper-
ate, and died when Marion was very
young; her mother, after nine years Of
hard work in the endeavor to support
herself and child decently, died in the
village Almshouse, and Marion was, in
her tenth year, bound to Mrs. Jones, as
her errand girl.
After some talk Mrs. Ashley decided
TO take the child, educate her, and try, as
Mrs. Jenes said, TO make something out
of her. The dressmaker was easily pur-
suaded, upon the payment of a sum of
money, 10 release the child from her en-,
gagement.
Mrs. Ashley's first care was to bave
her protege cleanly and neatly dressed,
and then under Harry's escort, she retur-
ned with her new charge 10 her home in
New York. AT first her intention was 10
place the child in school, and have her
services as waiter between school hours,
but Marion's intelligence and loving dis
position won the heart of the lonely wild.
ow, and she formally adopted her.
Years rolled on; Harry, now DR.. Ash
ly, still lived with his Aunt Mary, who
was at once his uncle's widow and his
mothers sister. Marion was away at
boarding school, studying hard, and
writing home often to console her dear
Aunt Mary for her absence. And now,
for time, we must leave the three.
i" Mother" said young man coming
into Mrs. Morton's boudoir, one morning,
"who is that lovely girl in the nursery
Such hair and eyes, and such figure u
What are you talking about. George?
Since you came home from Germany you
60 crazy about every pretty face. There
is no one in the nursery but your sisters
and their governess, Miss Ashly."
"Ashly Any relation to Harry!"
No! Have you never heard the story
Oh, I rccollect; you went away very
soon after it happened, so l suppose you
have forgotten it. Mrs. Ashly picked up
this girl running about barefooted in some
obscure country town, brought her home
and adopted her. She had her educated
in the best schools and by the best mas
ters, and every one thought that she
meant to leave her her money, or tha
Harry would marry her. Last winter
she brought her out, and made quite Q
sensation. Harry. you know, went tc
Europe 10 study and has not yet returned
About two months ago, Mrs. Ashley died
and there was no will found but an old
one, drawn up years ago, leaving all he
property to Harry. Marion of course
has nothing SO after the executors Of thu
will closed Mrs. Ashly's house until Har
ry comes home, I offered her the place o
governess to Lizzy and Rosa, and her
she is,"
But why the -"
George !"
"Why don't Harry take care Of her
The idea Of such a girl as she is goinI
out 10 teach !"
"She is splendidly educated, and it,
no disgrace 10 make her talents supper
her."
81 know that; but there she was, ST
ting in the nursery, Lizzie before he
looking at everything but her book, Ros
finding out the difference between A an
x, at her knee, and Susan, with som
sewing, talking to her, while Arch
mounted on the back of her chair, wa
demolishing the fnery in Susan's baske
By the way. mother are you not maxim
nursery maid Of her. Is she to tax
care of Archy, and do your sewing, 9
' we'll as teach the girls T. .
cit was just cap wanted trimme'
g and l don't know how ArOhy came to |
r there"
v Evening fell; Marion was seated
g her own room, tired with her days lab
s and sad sad as she thought Of Il
change in her life. Could we read h
u thoughts, we should see at once the seer
Of her life. She loved Harry Ashly.-
o Bound to him at first by ties Of ferve
a gratitude, his gentle, brotherly care
II her from the time she entered his aun,
ic house had ripened this feeling into dee
intense love, which she jealously conce;
.e ed and guarded. Many times when
pressed upon her brow the kiss Of afe
tion, had her heart beat with emoli
Ie almost to bursting. He had never spok
one word Of love 10 her. Always XII
d, and attentive, he was more like lovi
brother or cOuzin, than one that covet
n. dearer name than either. When
g, went TO Europe, Two years before
Id time of his aunt's death, he had let
w some words which Marion cherished
III the dearest he had ever spoken th
ad were, ~. M. .,ll Y, NJ, Y
en- 4" Good bye, Marion dear, Be true
me. Remember / am your irsI To-