Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-06-21
Mistellaneons.
THE YOUNG INVALID.
BY MISS E. W. BARNS.

| IedSe, Ina dHl, Duy my slIa"peffleS:
"No, child, have my supply for the day,
but come early tomorrow, and I will buy
some" The lady seemed lost in thought,
and answered without raising her eyes from
the needle.
Marianne fingered on the steps and look
ed earnestly at her, as she sat with her
work table beside her, in the spacious and
airy hall of the beautiful cottage. The
day was intensely hot, but here soft cool
breeze stole in through the shaded rooms,
and the flowers in the garden-plot in the
front were hung with glittering water drops
from the neighboring hydrant.
Mrs. Bradford in her white morning robe,
and with her dark glossy hair lying in soft
folds over her forehead, was herself seem
ingly an embodiment of placid and serene
repose. 1t was a pleasant picture, and Ma
rianne fingered.
allow happy she must be g. thought the
little, sunburnt child, never dreaming that
any sorrow could enter such place; and
in her inmost heart she wished that God
had given her a mother and home like
that.
"Please, ma'am, may 1 sit down and
cool myself? 1t looks so-so-happy here
Mrs. Bradford raised her eyes 10 look for
the first time, upon the speaker. "Certain-
ly, my child as long as you wisb;" and
Marianne took off her torn straw hat, and
wiped her forehead, and smoothed back her
moist curls, as she inhaled, with something
like sigh, long draft of the refreshing air.
$50 you think that it looks very happy here,
but do you not know that almost every
home in this world has some sorrow resting
upon it,"
"No, ma'am, I did not. I thought that
rich people were always happy; but wish
Lizzie and l had such home"
"And who is Lizzie?"
"My little sister. She has had the scar
let fever and is just getting we'll"
"Have you no mother?"
"No, ma'am; mother died when Lizzie
was baby, and was too small to remem-
Der her,"
"Have you no father?"
81 don't know ma'am. He went to Kan
sas, and perhaps he is dead; we don't
know"
"Who takes care of you?"
ave live with my aunt, na'am; but she
is poor and she can't do much for us, with
four children of her own; and so l sell ber-
ries to buy bread. We don't have much
besides that and cold water, and I can't
give any strawberries to sister now because
She must have bread to make her strong
again"
Mrs. Bradford did not answer; and as
Marianne looked up she saw that her face
was buried in her hands, from which her
work had fallen, and that tears were trick
ling beneath them. After pause, she said
in very low voice. "Your sister will soon
be well; but in that room''-pointing to
one which opened in the hall-"is little
girl who will never, never be well again in
this world" Her lips quivered with emo
tion as she rose and vanished through the
half open door.
Marianne heard her speaking in a low
and gentle tone, and then feeble, but very
musical, voice replied, "Please, mamma, let
her come in for moment"
"Are you not weak to-day, darling9"
"No, mamma, think not"
Marianne was summoned, and what
scene transfxed the child as she passed
within the door! 1t was lovely room,
shaded, but not gloomy. Flowers here
and there in vases, filled it with fragrance;
and snowy muslin curtains subdued the
light. Books and beautiful gifts lay on
rosewood tables, showing it to be the apart
ment of splendid child; but the object
which at once attracted her gaze was the
figure of the occupant. On little couch,
which could be wheeled to and fro at pleas
ure, and beneath misty curtains of dazzling
whiteness, lay pale but beautiful girl, of
about twelve or fourteen years. She was
white as the drapery which enveloped her;
and her large and dreamy eyes lent q spr
itual expression to her whole countenance.
The effort to raise her head caused for a
moment slight contraction of the brow
as from pain, but it passed away to smile,
like momentary shadow upon moonlight
AS Marianne stood motionless, she extend
ed her little pale hand.
! "lou do not fear me because I am i'll 2"