The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-05-15

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that met his eyes.
contents rs not to notice him. On the fool
were Grace and the little stranger. happy in
the midst Of their playthings; while OUTLAW
Dick, subdued by somo Invisible power into
gentcness itself, was lying near them, stretch
ed At full length on the carpet and watching
them with face that b. AIMED with interest
A few moments passed before the children
noticed their iather; Dick was tir TO obs rv'
him. Getting up quietly from the floor, l,o
went over 10 where he stood. and takrg hold
ct his hand, said,
Isn't she a dear little thing, father? An
she's so good"
Ellen, now becoming aware Of Mr.. Wat
sons presence. Turned her sweet face upp,
him, with a half timid, yet pleased and ca"
fidug expression that went TO his heart. flr
moved a few steps towad her; sho got IL, AMI
stood looking at him; he reached out Lis hand,
what else could he do? In the next lnstaaI
sho was in his arms, and her little head with
its cloud of sunny curIs lying against his bo
som. Mr.. Watson sat down with this p'eci us
burden in lis arais, and as he did SO, John
laid aside his book, and with Dick and Grace
came gathering around him, each with face
wreathvd in pleasant smiles. There was no
convention among them as to position or pref
erence, but each seemed TO think most OF
pleasing the child.
Not a harsh word was spoken, not dis
cordant sound heard. When the dinner-b bell
rang, Mr.. Watson went down stairs with El-
len in his arms, and surprised his waiting wife
with new lableau in tho shifting scenes Of
home. She smiled, and he smiled back, in
spite of balf shy consciousness Of being seen
in new and unusual character.
(which is Ellen's place? said he, as he
stood by the table.
Here let her sit by me, cried Grace.
NO, let her sit by me- said John. Il want
her to sit by me-
Their cheeks flushed. There we're signs 0:
contention.
She shall sit by me, just where yOu can all
look at her'
And Mr.. Watson decided the question by
putting Ellen in chair alongside Of himself.
He spoke with chesrfdlncss, but decision; aud
SO the gathering cloud was dispersed.
Another meal time passed without single
jar of discord. Wonderful phenomenon -
Surely, tho angel Of peace had come to this
dwelling.
All that afternoon the mind of Mr.. Watson
was in a condition of singular tranquility
Nothing went wrong with him. 1t seemed
as it he bad entered upon new state of life.
When he took his way homeward, as the
evening shadows began to fall, it was with the
pleasant image of the child Ellen in his
thoughts.
Poor motherless little oner he said, to
himself. She is too tender and sweet, too
puro and good, to be cast out upon the heart
less world
When sympathy records itself in utterance
il naturally gains strength. 1t was SO in this
case, for as Mr.. Watson commuued with his
thoughts giving them the form Of inwardly
spoken words, he talked on after this wise:
'rhere is something remarkable about he
child. She seems to possess some talisman
for winning heart. Since she came into our
house, the whole sphere is different. Where
all was disorder, quiet r gns; and angry con
;ention has given place to forbearaace, if not
love-
Mr.. Watson was soon ut his own door. AS
he pressed it open, his ears were greeted BY
the words:
There's Father! Run, Ellen, and meet
Father
A patter OF l,l' feet, dancing Of gold N
ouil>, and fluttrr of whit, hands, and then the
charmer was hugged tightly TO the bosom Of
Mr.. Watson.
God bless tho chdr was the deer, invo
uhtary utterance of his heart, as Ire laid his
lips fervcatly to hers and kissed then.
The work was done so far as the little or
phan was concerned. All things in the ill
assorted household of tho Watsons had re ad
jasted themselves. taking on new aspects and
relations, so that rs the SUI Of Heaven comes
shining down. as il does for each and every
one, i, could tind reflective surfaces, aud brow
around on all hearts its light, its warmth, its
cheerfulness and jov.
what shall we do with Ellen" asked Mrs.
Watson of her husband, on the aftern oon of
the next day. They wero returning from
the funeral of Mrs. Jenkins.
keep her, of course was his unhesitating
answer.
'Our family is large, and you arc already
heavily burdened in its support suggested
the wife.
If her presence, Ruth, continues to wolk
such miracles at home, said Mr.. Watson,
thc burden will lose more than half it's pres
sure. She is au angel in our house-a light
in the midst Of our darkness
ut seems like miracle, the change that
has come over our children. They are like
other beings
let us heep her, then, Tor thsir sSkss as
well - our own, Wa the earnest response.
And they did keep tho little orphan, who
grew up in the midst Of that household. a
light and blessing. 1t was remarkable, the
power she possessed over all hearts. Not in
demonstration, or intrusion Of herself in any
way, but in the loving sphere that went out
from her unconsciously, like the subduing
fragrance Of beautiful flower. 1t was good
for them that her mother died. Out of sor.
row and bereavement there had come great
blcssing-a blessing to the orphan, as well as
blessing to the friends who had male a
place for her among their children. Arthu''s
Homo Magazine.
Ey a good story is told of Thaddeus
Stevens Of Pennsylvania, in connection with
the tenth ballot for Douglas at Charleston.---