The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-02-13

pictures. Some of them are very fine and
1t seems to me strange that they should hap 2
here ont of sight"
They got injured" said Ellen; "and
aunt Jane did not have time to get them
mended.''
. Here is beautiful landscape" | said.
" See the warm, sunny tint of the water,
and the fields look rs If the grass was grow
/ ing there"
knew by the quick dilating of Ellen 5
I hazel eyes, as she looked at the picture, that
shn cauld appreciate its excellence, and |
regretted that she had been so long debarred
( the privilege Of cuitivating her naturally ar
I tistic taste. | resolved to help her make up
the lost time.
Now here is one in which am still
more interested, | said, taking up the por
trait. who Is this, Ellen ?"
/ Ellen started, and then the color rushed
to her cheeks rs she answered in a low tone
1T is my mother"
| had suspected as much. The resem-
blance WAS striking between the pictured
face and little Harry
" Is his the way that you preserve your
F mothers portrsit:' asked
Aunt Jane put ii away before
9 Before / came, Glen: -
! Yes" was the brief reply.
Wen, / shal! take better care of it in fa-
ture. am not come To stand between you
and your mother, Ellen. | wish you TO love
and honor her memory above all others. /
shall Try to make you wiser and happier
than ever, instead Of gloomy and sad. "
There was 4 slight quiver about Ellcn's
firm lip as she turned and left the room.
began to feel encouraged. That evening
had fire made in the paTlor, the piano was
unlocked, and | tool. my music from my
trunks. In the . cleaning" before there
was any light in the room, save that Of the
tremu.ous freight, | sat down to play.
There all there; Jane knitting it, corner,
and the children seated silently about the
fire.
found the piano an excellent instrument
and after playing lively waltz, which drew
a sigh from the depths Of M.ss James 10
ssrn, aud shout Of delight from nay liJtle
Harry, BE- an to sing. Il was an old,
plaiatige Scotch song that | chose; some
thing to touch and melt the heart
May and Harry were standing one on each
side Of me when ended, aud their glowing
faces expressed their delight.
=" like that, said Harry. ~ wish aunt
Jane wouldn't keep the piano locked, 80 no
uody can touch It."
aunt mad. INN shrink little closer to me
- Do sing another, please whispered lay,
and sung GU.ae's Miller and the Brook,
thaJ sid, merry OLD song.
~ h-t 20 say Of mgrmgr,
iHa, c4I raur,RUr be,
Us a.. water nYnDhs that are singing
Their round elay~ 70 In-.'
May was ia ecstaaj,s. ''Uh, VIII vou
u 70 = = I'D
make s1e 50 happy
May :" said J4ae, stearn'y. but the Little
girl diI not heed il; her f4ita IN her aunt
was fast decreasing.
w!li, certainly, II you wish IT," &c
piled Both Ellen aud you may take les
sons g., Ss,s Is yoI PiyaSe JC begin. ciU
not WISH you - DC confined wholly to ar
ilhm-ic."
Illrnld from the piano and SAT by the
Gre after having Iight-I the astral lamp
May ard Harry were dancing abaul ia The
middle ol tbe room, aaG even Ellen smiled
III ,Lcr playful rut-urs@. Jane, seeing that
taey tool; TO heed other dreamy coughs and
signs. rose ard ...t ,h- room. ;yyA quick
a-yautaEs Dt her absence.
Gaa. o. ~. bookcase selected an inter
es;,a- volume, and So; down with it near
rh- lamp. "Eou have h.ari of Joan Of
Are, have YOU r.7', L.-1:' asked.
&c! do BOZ remember taa; have, she an
swet,G. WHO was >4-:'
Her story is very wonderful one; :
viii red Il /: you would Ike - hear it, !
answered
is 1t true:" cried Harry, leaving his
play.
"Yes. Harry, it happened many years ago
in France. Saal. read it."
NJ ,,-..r.. ..r-.,1r- aara- i.ar
it, and Ellen looked interested, though she
said nothing. took Harry on my lap and
began TO lead the strange. thrilling story.
All listened with the deepest attention.
Bv aad-by Ellen interrupted me saying.
"lf YOU are tired, let me- read awhile, mo
thcr'
,7as tired and gave it up TO her g!olly-
she had called me mother,
Al nine, Jane came aud called them TO
bed. "No-no. unity. we'l come Is soon
as we find ut what became of poor Joan,
cried May" shall we stay mother:'
Let them stay little longer" | said to
Miss Jane, The door was closed and Ellen
proceeded with the story.
Sing Us one little song. said May when
the story was ended. | complied Willingly,
and sung, "Let us love one an other. -
When had finished, May sprung up and
gave me a good night kiss. Harry followed
her example.
~ want one MORE" said, tur Ing to FL
len. and with a grave smile she kissed me
and babe me good night. That night my
pillow was haunted with happy dreams.
Much Of the ensuing week was spent in
re-arranging the roems, in order 10 give
them ii more cheerful appearance. | took
down the portrait OF the first Mrs. Flemming
from its garret corner, and hung 1t over the
Inantel in the parior. | re-iramed the beau
tiful landscape, and it adorned a little room
opening from the back parlor, which had
been used as spare bedroom, but which |
converted into miniature library. | went
with the children into the fields 10 hunt for
early Nav flowers, with which to fill the va
SOS and make the rooms bright and fra
grant
Nav took her first music lesson, and was
already promising to sing Let Us love one
another" on Christmas day, at which time
her falher would be home. Ellen had SO far
descended from her cold heights of reserve,
as to ask me to learn her crayOn dIawing
and was astohshed at the artst-talent she
already exhibited.
One morning, when had been about a
fortnight with them, Jane came to the break
fast table in her travel.ing dress. We were
all surprised, most Of all. for had hoped
that the happiness of the children would
win her Kindness also; but | WAS mistaken
"Where ars you going, aunty?" asked May,
her blue eyes expanding with astoaisnment.
Miss Jane deigned no answer, but ate her
breakfast in silence, then turning TO me.
announced her decision.
"Mrs. Flemming. you cannot expect me
to stay here content, when | see you daily /
undoing with all your might what l have
been laboring SO hard to accomplish. These
girls were growing up in my care, Discreet
sober and reasonable. | shut out tue 'ali,-
ties and follies of the world from their Anowi-