Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-11-23
Gclctte0 nlislelIanp.
UNCLE DAVIS STAFF.

"Well. Jane, have you made up your
mind? leave the matter entirely in
your hands"
My husband looked across the table al
me, and held glass of wine between
him and the light, screwing up his eyes
as he examined the color.
We were sitting at dessert in the old
dining room at Turton, the dark polished
mahogany table rejecting the bright faces
of our six children. Two by me--the
eldest who was so like his father, and the
youngest who could not eat tidiy, and
wanted mamma to cut up his orange and
wipe his mouth opposite, by Ronald
were the two little ones with curly heads
and mischievous fingers, who were sail
ing orange-boats in the purple finger.
glass, and coaxing papa to make more.
The girls were Que on each side the ell
der one peering at me with her great
blue eyes, and evidently wondering what
ever it was that mamma was to make uT
her mind about. l was just going to an.
swer when l caught her curious gaze,
and then | stopped
"Tll tell you all about it when the
children go off to bed, )" | said.
Lucy dropped her head with blank
expression of disappointment, which Ro-
maid observed with infinite amusement.
There was a little nod across the table to
me, and whisper about little pitchers
having long ears, which made Lucy blush
Presently we went to the drawing room
and the children began a romp, at the
conclusion of which l carried off the
youngest to the nursery; and before |
came down again | went for a moment
into my little morning-room and sat down
over the fire. wanted to think.
People said was fortunate and hap
by woman, and so ! was Our h6ne was
one of those fair English halls standing
amid its own far-spreading grounds and
itch firms. could match my husband
and children against the best and noblest
in the land and yet had plenty to
make me oft-lmes thoughtful, aud some
times sad. There is a cross in every lot,
and mine lay in the future-not my own,
but my childrcns
My father-in-law had been an cxtrava
CANT man, who had drained the cntailed
estate as near as he could My husband
with moderately large income, had many
claims on his purse, and moreover, with
scrupulous honor applied every available
sum to the payment Of his fathers debts.
We had large family; the eldest ono
was provided for by the entail. But il
this went on, what could we do for the
other little ones? Over and over again
had tried to bring the matter seriously
before Ronald but a careless security in
the future was a part Of his natural dis.
position, and / could not persuade him tC
make any real effort for their benefit. -
Invariably he said, 4" Just wait till paJ
Saunders aud Bolton, and then we will
begin to lay by" And had to think
sadly Of my own poor portion Of G5, 900
vested in shares in the County Bank, anC
hope and trust.
| was thinking more sadly tonight be
cause my husband, who had just return
ed from a business visit to London, bat
mi he with an old uncle, who had spen
the greater part Of his life in India, toll
ing for the golden fortune that nevc
came. Now decrepit old man, and
confirmed invalid, be had expended the
little he possessed, and was actually in
want. Ronald described his miserable
lodging. told how much he suffered, ant
ended with a proposal that we should ash
him to come and live at Turton. Tn,
kind thought was just like him, but
looked terribly blank when the idea wal
suggested, and opposed it violently. Ny
woman's brain at once embraced the OBJ
stacles, and, it may be, exaggerated
them.
Think what tic it would be-"
said, :" u third person to spoil our quiet
evenings and readings aloud---a somc.
body to interfere with our walks and
drives aud dinners. The poor children
would he husbed for fear Of disturbing
the invalid; should have to give up my
time to his amusement and comfort. Be-
sides, think Of the expense We agreed
to give up the carriage horses but that