The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-06-09
Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana,
Do | tease you. Francis 9

- SdGi C-A lLCk a. g. a"as -~4 @IAS LAASA Il
M.
This was the first cloud upon cur sky.
Il seems strange now, when | look back
upon il after the lapse OF years, how perSe-
veringly abored 10 destroy the foundation
Of peace and happiness, on which l nigh;
have built nv lie
In the midst Of eur estran cement the do-
sckened There was a week Of misgivin- :
on AEca's part. when she sat beside him with
her books. or writing. all the time---there was
a dav when both books and manuscript were
pa. away, and she was bending over him,
with her tears falling last, ani she tried to
hush his means and booked into his fast glaz
ing eyes---aud there was an hour Of stiffness,
when she lay on the low couch, with her arm
around his neck. neither speaking nor stir
ring. And when the poor creatures last
breath was drawn, she bent over him with q
passionate burst of grief, kissed the white
spot upon his forehead and closed the soft
dark eyes, that even in death were turned
toward her with a loving look.
Sac did not come to me for sympathy
She watched alone, while the gardener dug q
grave and buried hlm beneath the study win
dow She never mentioned him to me, and
never paid her daily visit to his grave till |
was busy with my papers for the evening.
; tie year, which had began in love and
happiness, came to its close.
II was a warm, bright, beautiful day, and
seeemet 10 bring a burst of sunlight and hap
pine>s with her as she opened the door,
Her own face too, was radiant, and she look
ed like the Alice of the old farm house as she
came OF tip-toe. and bent over my char.
Well what is ito asked, looking up.
She laid boquet Of yioIets, tied with blue
ribbons, before me.
/ have been 10 the conservatory. and have
brought you the first flowers Of the season,
Francis. Aud something else, which per
haps, you may not ike SO we'll
She bent over me as she spoke, and lean
ing her hand lightly on my shoulder, kissed
me twice. She had been chary Of caresses
for some time, and when She did this Of her
own accord. | wheeled round my chair, and
looked at her
You seem very happy. to-day, Alice!
Its somebody's birth day. she said. sta
tioning herself upon nv knee, and looking,
into eyes. And | wish s.meboIy very
many happy returns, ,'-her voice faltered a
little-'aud if there has been any wrong
feeling, Francis, for the last six months, we
will bury II to-day, and forever.
She clung to me in silence. and hid her
face upon my breast | was moved, in spite
of myself, and kissed the brown hair that was
scattered over my shoulders. and said | was
quite willing to forget everything (as if a had
anything to forgety At which she looked
up with bright smile, and | dare say
thought m9 very magnanimous.
A@3 - will make a new beginning from
this day, Francis.
Ifyou will my child
She caressed me again alter queer little
fashion of her own, which always made me
smile, and consisted Of a series of kisses be-
slowed systematically on different parts ofmy
face--taur. | believe. being allotted to my
forehead, two on each cheek, two 10 the chin,
four to my lips, and four To my eyes. She
went through this ceremony with pains
taking care. and then booked me IN the face
All her love and tenderness seemed 10 come
up before me IN that moment and ctface the
past aud its uahappiness. | held her closely
t. my heart, and her arms were around my
neck.
VIII any one believe il? Ny wife had
scarcely lett me five minutes before the fancy
came to me that had shown too plainly the
power she had over me For months | had
been schooling myself Into GOODNESS aud in
difference, and at her very frs, warm kiss OF
smile l completely routed. She had
vexej, and thwarced. ana annoyed me much
during those months; It would not do to par
don her 80 fully and entirely before she had
even asked my forgiveness. | took a sudIel
resolution; aud when she came back into the
room. / was buried in my papers once more
Poor chlIdl She had one half hours sun
shine a. least.
! .Oue moment said she, taking the per
out OF my hand, and holding some thing u
over my head.
! have a birthday gift for you, Do yot
want il 2
If you give it to me certainly
'Tnen ask me for IT.
I | said nothing but took up nv pen again
Her countenanee fell little.
Would you Ike 1t 4 shs said timidIy.
There was 4 saint in old times, l said
quietly. going on with my papers: "a name
sake Of mine. By the wav-St. Francis 0
Sales-wb5 was accustomed to say that on
should never ask or refuse anything
Well But I'm not talking to s. Francis
am talkieg to you. VIII you have my Il,
tls gif. Sey ves--jus, 70 please me--ju.
to make ny happy day still happier
Don't be a child Alice
1t IS childish. l know but indulge N
this once. 1t Is such I:t,le thing, and il W
make me very happy.
i sla,. not refuse whatever YOU choose [
give me. Only don't delay me long, for
want T. 80 on With these papers
The next moment she threw The toy
pretty li.;la bronze i0kstand, made Ike Gu
pi4. with MS quiver full ot Peus-a. nr fee
aat turned away. gr;-yed and angry. I stoE
ped 70 pick up the 6-ure--It was broken j
loo.
-. YOU can conde>cend 70 lift it from Ii
ground She said. sarcasticallv.