Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-03-22

Wnom ne shared MS whole heart.
Thus the summer passed away, The autumn
was nearly spent; all the uncles, cunts.
cousins and grand parents had visited Us.
some spending week or more with US, and
each leaving the effects Of their visit with
clouds Of sunshine, as their natures were
cloudy or subshiny.
Then we were left to ourselves until the
commencement Of the Christmas festivities,
the anniversary Of which we are now cele.
brating, when Mrs. Bent, o widowed sister
OF Edwards mother, came TO spend the
twelve days with Us, and liking the accom-.
modasions well concluded to remain during
the winter. I was rather sorry that she bad
chosen our home for her winter quarters, Tor
she was very selfwilled, and what was yet
worse. paid but little homage at the shrine
Of truth. She usually found way for her
will, and for this reason feared her, yet
feared far more for Edward than for myself.
for her influence over him was almost with
seat limit. She seemed to idolize the child.
and would not allow his wishes TO be crossed
IL she could prevent it. soon learned that
| was nobody In her estimation. (,llhough
by myself | was thought to be quite fine
woman for the times,) and that Edward found
me less attractive than ever before; be was
still civil and obedient, but as sunless in all
his bearing towards me as the Northern side
of an iceberg. Dear girls, do not smile at
my comparison; If you ever have felt. what
| hope you never may, the awful chillness
of unrequited affection. you would under
stand how ! felt then.
Augustine saw it all, and WAS planning
way in which to relieve the house of Mrs.
Brcnt's presence, telling her in SO many
words that her room was more desirable
than her company, when he was called away
upon important business, which would de.
tain him from home several weeks. With
his kind encouraging face bent down close
to mine, he whispered, Hope, hope, dear
Louisa, and live as cheerfully as you can,
your sunshine will thaw them YETI could
only answer with sigh and turn away and
weep. 1t was hard for his sympathizing soul
to leave me SO unpleasantly situated, but ne
must 60. Then, with bene1iction of Peace
be and abide with you.' breathed as parting
blessiag upon US, he was gene.
Alone! Oh, what sense Of desolation
settled down upon my soul when his beloved
from was lost in the distance! had every
thing around me for nv comfor that my
heart could ask, everything but the love OF
his child; and that boon withheld, all ease
comfort and luxury were as empty no'hings
to me. Must it always be thus! Would
n inh m to oh ho hi.,b
darkness that shrouded all joy and robbed
all peace of its pea sefulness. Oh, my heart
my heart! | cried TO myself, will its yearn.
ing nevar he sntisfsdl-H How can live sn
cahnot-f must not. Life was not given
for such cruel purpose. But what can
do! Hope and pray, labor and wait' Aye,
that will. 1t is always darkest just be.
fore the dawn. How often does the cloud
Of thick darkness hear in its folds a long
coveted blessing! So came the hour Of sor.
row TO me. - .. t
| A few Gays after Augustine left home ,one
OF Edwards schoolmaies came to invite him
to join an evening skating party upen pond
about half mile distant. 1t was dark
cold night in mdwinter, but Edward, who
thought only. of the fine sport with hi:
schoolfcllowo, asked eagerly, 'can gop He
always asked leave to 60 out in the evening
instead Of running .headlong, no one knew
where, and he was perfectly obedient too
in this he was model boy. Mark THE
little boys, and little girls. too, its observ-
ance as rule will bring. you a lifelong
blessing, as it has to Edward Before
| could reply, for paused to think Of the
danger to which he would be exposed If he
went, aud the. disappointment he would fee
If he remained at home, Mrs. Brent caught
the troubled expressions of my ceuntenance
and every promptly informed him that he
could go there or any where else he wished
20, to enjoy himself; she did not eieve in
keeping children mewed up at home all the
time! The boy took his leave, and Edward
looking very happy, was about to follow him
when ! called him back. felt then, i
ever was to realize my position, that wal
in his mothers stead. ltseemed as though
the voice Of the departed spoke 10 me saying
BE faithful to my little ,one.' said to m,
heart ! will stand in my proper place. ant
draw the child to me if | can. Mrs. Ben
scowed;. Edward came back with wonder
ing look. With silent lifting up of m!
sou for heavenly aid, addressed him:
Edward, my son, wish you TO remain a
home this evening; il is not sale for you t.
60 out upon the pond when it .is 50 dark
and it 10 ve-y cold, too. Hark! hear how
the wind blows!'
u fear neither dark nor cold, wind nor wa
ter replied he.
Brave boy' said Mrs. Bent; dear me
Mrs. Southside, don't 60 to making grllsl
coward of him.
Il will not harm him, Mrs. Bent, bu
rather will do all the good can. Will yo'
please to allow US to talk without interup
tioni
j Muttering to herself something about M
having more 'spunk' than she imngined fror
such a meek face, she arose and LETT thu
room. After she had closed the door, hel
out my hand to Edward, who. stood gazing
t in the fire with mingled expression o
{ anger and defiance upon his countenahct
and asked him to come and sit beside me
for wished 10 talk with him seriously. II
I advanced a step and then stopped, Saying,
3 am near enough-talk away 1t was th
l l.