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

I USgdn 10 Iees eHCOuTa1eu. nat tEeuin-
had fire made in the parlor, the piano was
unlocked, and took nv music iom nv
trunks. In the "gloamiHg." before there
was any light in the room, save that of the
tremulous freight, sat down 10 play.
They were all there; Jane knitting in the
corner, aid 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 Miss James bosom,
and shout of delight from my little Ed
ward, began to sing 1t was an old, plain
tive Scotch song, that | chose-so:nething
TO touch and melt the heart.
When finished, Mary and Edward were
standing. one on each side of me, and their
glowing faces expressed their delight.
Il like that said Edward. 81 wish aunt
Jane wouldn't keep the piai locked, so
that nobody can touch it,"
A loud, warming cough, from his amable
aunt, made him shrink a little closer to me.
DO sing another, please!r' whispered Mary
and sung Goethe's Miller and the Brock,
tHdl wiz, merry Oiu sOHS
What do | say Of muImur!
hat can muTmur be;
lis the water nymphs that are singing
Their roundelavs under me!n
Mary vas in ecstasies. "Oh, will YOU
teach me TO play!" she asked. sit would
make me so happy!"
''Mary.' said Jane. sternly; but the little
girl did not heed t-her faith in her aunt
was fast decreasing.
81 viii certainly instruct you, if you wish
it," replied. 'sBoth Julia and you may
take lessons as soon as you please to begin.
do not wish you 10 be confined wholly to
arithmetic"
81 turned from the piano, and sat by the
fire, after having lighted the astral lamp.
Mary and Edward were dancing about The
middle of the room, and even Julia smiled
at their play iul rudeness- Jane, seeing that
1keY. tool Ne heed afseg gtrszss scoRslsssssss
sighs, rese aud LETT the room. took quick
Advantage of her absence.
Gong to the bookcase, | selected an in
teresting volume, and sat down with it near
the lamp. "Ycu have heard OF Joan OF Arc !,
have yoa not. Jular' asked.
II do not remember that Eave,'' she an
swered. who was shel''
Her story is a very wonderful one" |
said, 81 Will read it ifyou would Ike TO hear
it.''
as it true!" cried Edward, leaving his
play.
Yes, Edward. repliep; "it happened
many years ago, in France. Shall read it!"
Edward and Mary were already eager to
hear it, and Julia looked quite interested,
thous h she said nothing | took Edward in
my lap and began TO READ the strange thrill.
ling story. All listened with the deepest
attention.
By-anG-by Julia interrupted me, saying.
1T you are tired, let me read awhile,
mother"
! uas tired, and gave it up to he gladly
she had called NE mother!
Al nine Jane came and Gale them to
bed. "No-no, aunty, we'll come as soon
as we find out " hat became of poor Joan,"
cried Mary; shall we stay, motheI!"
''Let them stay a little longer" | sail 10
n SIS Jane. The door closed, and Julia pro-
oceded with the story.
"Sng US enc little sone!'' sad Mary,
when the story was ended
| complied wilin-, and sung, "Let US
love one another When had finished,
Mary sprung up and gave me goodnight
kiss; Edward followed her example.
81 want one more" said, turning to
Julia, and with grave smile she kissed me
and baGe me good might.
That night my pillow was haunted with
happy dreams.
Much Of The ensuing week as spent in
re- arranging the rooms, in order to give
them more cheerful appearance. took
down the portrait OF the first Mrs. Fleming
from its garrett corner, and hung it over the
man;ei in the parlor-,s had the beautiful
| landscape reiramcd, 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 to hunt
for early Mayluwets, with which to fill the
vases and make the rooms bright ::and frag-
! rant.
| Mary took her first music lesson, aad was
ulreahy promising to sing "Let us love one
another" on Christmas day, at which time
! her father would be home. Julia had SO
far descended from the cold heights of re-
serve as to ask me to teach her crayUn-
drawing, and was aston;shed at the talent
! she already exhibited.
One morning, when had been abont q
fortnight with them Jane came TO the
breakfast-ts bic in her travellng-dress. We
were all surPrised-I most of all, for had
hoped that the happiness Of the chi ldren
would win her kindness also; but was mis-
taken.
"Where areSyou going, annty!" asked
Mary, her blue eyes expanding with aston.
ishment. Miss Jane deigned no answer,
but ate her breakfast in unbroken silence;
then, turning To me,announced her decision.
"Mrs. Fleming" she said, 81 cannot stay
here contenledIy when see you daily un-
doing with all your might what have been
laburing so hard TO accomplish. These girls
were growing up under my care, discreet,
sober, and reasonable. | shut out the vani-
ties and tOlies OF the world from their
knowledge; l reared them in prudence and
seriousness. But Arthur Fleming anus,
bring strange wife here, who, in two short
, weeks, could, by her WHY softness of man.
, ner, win their foolish young hearts away
from their tried friend, and ill their heads
, with vanity. | will not stay where I and
my instruction are objects of contempt.