Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-05-12

~
] was profoundly ignorant of the details OF
housekeeping, aud had already made my
husband aware Of the fact. But bis loving
smile and kind words Of encouragement ban
ished all fear at the time, particularly as ne
assured me that could always retain WI
son, if liked her.
AS we drove to the door of the mansion,
/ was made aware that it stood upon one |
of the principal streets, and was very !
handsome and imposing residence. In the
hall some halfdozen servants we're ranged |
to receive us, who crowded around my hus' |
band with every demonstration of affection
The housekeeper stood at the door OF the
parlOr, in all the state of silk gown, aud
high crowned cap, while her reception OF
me was freezingly dign6ed. felt that l
was an unwelcome mistress, and that she
did not like that another should occupy her
place as head of the establishment. But
this did not affect me, for large company
Of friends and acquaintance Of my husband
were assembled to congratulate us, aud
soon the spacious rooms echoed with llght,
laughter, and merry words.
From the first had been impatient to
behold my stcp-daughter, who had now at
taiued the age Of ten years, aud who
noticed was not in the drawing-room Up
on enquiry she was found to be in own
room, aud servant was sent to require her
presence Her father took her fondly to
bis arms, and directing her attention to me,
said
"This lady is now your mama, will yon
not kiss her she will love you very much.
my bird" and led her to me.
| drew her TO my bosom aud kissed her
downy cheek, but the child seemed to shrink
from my embrace, her large brown eyes
scanned my face aud figure, aud as they
glanced upward into my own, she said III
a half audible tone,
"My mama is in heaven"
A pang shot through my heart, my eyes
! filled, for could perceive that no Que had
| spoken kindly of me to her, or bade her
love me for her fathers sake. This should
have been Wilson's course, but she had not
done it, though knowing of my husbands
intended marriage months before. ..
could not answer Edoline then, and her
father failing to make her at all sociable,
took my arm and led me to the refreshment
room, where everything which could please
the taste of the most fastideous, was dis
played Edoline was seated at her fathers
side, and nothing could exceed the winning
manner she exhibited toward him; but from
the first, she regarded me with dislike, as
was evident 10y her penetrating Side-long
glances, which revealed her feelings as plain
ly as words cond have done.
In the round of visits, and con-
staut reception of company, which followed
my marriage, had little time to cultivate
better state of things but as those en-
gagements decreased, | strove to win the
love Of the little maiden, and sometimes
hattered myself that had succeeded but
ere long, was forced to acknowledge that
my endeavors had sigually failed.
AS time sped on, | redoubled my efforts
to interest and amuse this impracticable
child, taking her with me when walked or
rode, aud to witness any novel aud attract.
i've exhibition which offered, and 10y every
9 mdalgeut art Strove to gau II place in her
affections. But although, ever polite and
0 obed eat, there was no soul IN the rendering
l. but the same cold impaSsive manner through
out. Her father deplored the hearing o.
l. his child toward me, aud with truest affec
ton endeavored to soften my dsappoint
k meul, which at times, felt deeply.
o When Edone was fifteen, a circumstance
occurred, which opened my eyes to thu
cause of this coldness. She was very aux
ious to give party upon ber birthday, anC
consent was of course given, for her father
as well as myself delighted to crafty her
Eduliue had an abundance of dresses o
every color aud fabric, but she protested
she must have a new one, and an expensive
: one too, as it would be shockingly unfash
: iouabe to wear robe that had been worl
n before | objected TO that, as a needless ex
c pense, urging that as she was growing tai
G Ter every day, it was a pity to waste s.
d many dresses. Edoline was deeply otfende
y and LETT the room muttering her dissatisfaC
o ton. Having occasion an hour afterwap
i to enter the housekeeper's room to orde
II dinner, did not fiud her there, but pass
ing EdOne's apartment, distinguished bot
/, their voices in conversation. The loudnes
e of their tones caused ME to listen, when
u heard my name mentioned by Wilson, in
It manner which certainly was far from fla
is tering.
1t "Yol see, (said this woman, my darlin
le Edolne, she is jealous o! your superiC
is beauty, and does not let you have the drel
l. because she knows you will look so muC
ID better than she does Oh hate her bal
le face, aud those long curIS Tapping arour
le ike so many snakes. Don't ever expect
r be happy, while you live with her but pr
le sentIy you will marry some splendid your
r. fellow who will take you where you will
le longer be abused by step-mother Yo
ty father is such fool as to be taken in
ps her, and he don't care fig for his on
II child. o, If your own mother was alive, be
I'd different it would be. knew it. alwa
RS told you not to believe any of her blaru
r. and You don't You hate her just as | d,
b. Since that is the case, Mrs. Wilson,
s- said, stepping into the door, you shall u
~ be obliged to stay with me. Just get rea,
ld to leave today. AS for you, Edoline,
rt now see the canse of your decided disli
en to me can il be possible that | have
nd so many years harbored this creature
lin insli into your young heart her deaC
y. poison D.. %
be sank into chair, aud tears of bit,
a