The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-30

Dick, subdned by some invisible power into
gentleness itself, was lying near them,
stretched at full length on the carpet, aud
watching them with face that beamed with |
interest. A few moments passed before the |
children noticed their father; Dick was first
to observe him. Getting up quietly from
the floor, he went over to where he stood,
and taking hold of his hand, said -
Isn't she dear little thing, father J.
And she's SO good"
Ellen now becoming aware of Mr.. Wat.
sons presence, turned her sweet face upon
him, with half timid, yet pleased and con
tiding expression that went to his heart. lie
moved few steps towards her; che got up
and stood looking ut him; he reached out
his hands--what else could he do ? In the
next instant she was in his arms, and her
little head with its cloud Of sunny curls ly-
ing against his bosom. Mr.. Watson sat
down with this precious burden in his arms,
and as he did so, John laid aside his book.
} and with Dick and Grace, came gathering
around him, each with a face wreathed in
pleasant smiles. There was no contention
among them as to position or preference, but
each seemed 10 thnk most Of pleasing the
r child.
, Not harsh word was spoken, not dis.
cordunt sound heard. When the dinner bell
rang, Mr.. Watson went down stairs with EI.
J len in his arms, and surprised his waiting
( wife with a new tabcau in the shifting
scenes OF home. She smiled, and he smiled
, back, in spite Of half shy consciousness Of
being seen in new and unusual character.
, which is Ellen's place 2 said he as he
stood by the table.
e Here let her sit by me = cried Grace.
o, let her sit by me = said John. Il want
}, her to sit by me-
. Their cheeks flushed. There were nc
!, signs Of contention.
. 'She shall sit by me, ju,t where you car
oil look at her., and Mr.. Watson decided the
r question by putting Ellen in chair along
side Of himself He spoke with cheerful!
y ness, but decision; and SO the gathering
cloud was dispersed.
). Another mea ltime passed without single
jar of discord. Wonderful phenomenon -
j. Surely, the angel Of peace had com to this
e dive ling.
y All that afternoon the mind OF Mr.. Wat
I'd son was in q condition of singular trQnq quill
I'd iry. Nothing went wrong with him.
y, seemed as if he had entered upon a nev
'g state Of life. When he took his way home
g, ward as the evening shadows began to fal
d it was with the pleasant image Of the chill
lg Ellen in his thoughts.
k, 'Poor, motherless little one = he said
al himself. 'She is too tender and sweet, TO
Mt pure and good, to be cast out upon the hear
er less world
When sympathy records itself in ute
al auce, it naturally gains strength. 1t was E
1t. in this case, for as Mr.. Watson commune
vn with his thoughts. giving them the form
nd inwardly spoken words, he talked on oft
this wise:-
There is something remarkable about Il
child. She seems to possess some taIismt
he for winning hearts. Since she came in
our house, the whole sphere is different
Where all was disorder, qaiet reigns; al
,r. angry contention has given place to forbea
r. ance, if not love-
nd MIR. Watson was soon at his own door,
in. As he pressed it open, his ears were greet'
his by the words:
There's father! Ru0, Ellen, and me
in father
,ed A patter of little feet, dancing Of goide
curls, and fut.er of white hands, and tn
,bt the charmer was hugged tightly to the b
her som of Mr.. Watson.
.e., Sod bless the child = was the deep,
ur. voluntary inference of his heart, as he 1t
his lips fervcntly to hers, and kissed then
ind The work was done, 50 fur as the lit
n orphan was concerned. All things in
wv. ill.assorted household OF the Watkons h
as re.adusted themselves, taking on new
ear poets and relations, SO that as the sun
her Heaven came shining down, as it does
Ike, each and every one, it could find refectl
surfaces, and threw around on all hearts
'he light, its warmth, its cheerfulness and Joy
,il. what shall we do with Ellen = ask
the Mrs. Watson of her husband, on the aft
vas noon of the next doy. They were returni
,ho from the funeral of Mrs. Jenkins.
tile Keep her, of course was his unhesitati
dr. answer.
len Our family ia large, and you are alrea
vas heavily burdened in its support suggest
had the wife.
,ar. If her presence, Ruth, continue to We
but such miracles at home,' said Mr.. Watse
the The burden will lose more than half
bey pressure. She is on angel in our house.
,pt. light in the midst of our Darkness
{ it 1T seems like miracle. the change &
mid has come over our children. They are Il
i'm. other beings
Let us keep her, then, for their sakes,
,od. we'll as our own,' was the honest respon
If And they did keep The little orphan, v
was grew up in the midst Of that household
.ced light and a blessing. 1t was remsrkal
uss. the power she possessed over all hearts
ess. Not in demonstration, or intrusion of her
ears 10 any way. but in that loving sphere
rife went out from her unconsCiously, like