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

among hb TtlhNVts, u lew Weeks ~ pace,
until the little fellow hardly knew what Il,
was to live at his own home; and ss some
OF his relatives were servants, some masters,
and others were playmstes for him, as ma.
tural consequence Of such training, he was
ut the time vi his recall " the paternal
hearth very unsettled In his habits.
1t was Q pleasant evening in June, when
we met for the first time in the home that
had now been ours for so many years.
Wearied with the journey and the tiresome
mode Of raveliDR--tbere was no railroads
then, and we came by stage long two
days ride--how hailed with delight, too
great for words to express, the sight OF the
comfortable looking dwelling that Augustine
pointed out to me as our house.
Home at last said my husband, as we
walked up the shady lane that led through
the garden Of roses, Ia the midst Of which
stood with open door and lighted porch the
arb to which my heart few, bearing an olive
branch 10 al its hopes md sspirstioas.---
Home at last echoed ny Heart, as we en-
tered the portal.
'Look, Louisa said Augustine; 'is not
this inviting! The light from the parlor
mantel is sending out welcome, and here
the first to greet us is our little Edward
Ere could reply, an eager voice broke
ou.:
Father has come! father has Gomez and
the next moment bright-eyed little lad
of six summers camebounding into the hall
He was folded lovingly to his fathers
heart Tor moment, and then presented to
me. do not think he had noticed my pres.
ence until his father placed his hand in mine
saying, as he did SO:
This is our son, Louisa. Edward, darl-
ing, this is your mother
He looked up into my face, his lip quiv-
cred, and then his eyes dropped upon the
floor. ! bent over and kissed him, and
whispered, for dare not trust my voice to
speak aloud, the tender name his father
called him, Edward, darling. He drew a
long breath as II he were suffocating, and
Withdrawing his hand from mine, ran off in
to the kitchen, and called his Aunt Easy
who was out experimenting supper.
Aunt Easy soon made her appearance, and
gave US the warm, right hand of friendship
with an earnestness that could not be mis-.
raken; making me feel from the first always
easy and at home in her presence. But
Edward was as shy Of me as a young par.
fridge, hiding his face on his fathers should
er if spoke to him, and repying in mon
osylables to every question answerabls in
that manner. thought would try and get
acquainted with Edward as soon as could
for wished to become next to his father in
his affections, but all my endeavors TO please
and interest him seemed vanly spent.
Tho feet EVENING" Pseaes away aRd he
| only looked at me once. He bade me good
night when he retired to his sleeping room
but his back was towards me. Aunt Easy
excused him, saying he was so bashful.
ptied him for his bashlulness. knew very
we'll how TO pity bashful children, and tha
raised me several degrees in her esteem.
sympa,hzing with her favorite nephew
She opened her whole heart and tpok me in
for Augustine's sake, as well as for that o
his child. She knew he would get along
we'll after few days; there was nothing
like 81 mpathy to win the hearts of little
ones. Children would be children. and we
must not look for perfection in them. Ed
ward was n very good boy, but rather ODD
about some things. When came TO un-
derstand his whole hear.,-I should almos
worship him. So ssouEh, out the kind
hearted lady. and Augustine allowed her to
enjoy her opinion while she sat with US, bu
when we were alone. with a grieved look
he informed me OF his sons determination
confessed to him that evening, not to owr
me for mother.
Il did not expect this from him. said Au
gustne; 'he has always been affectionate
towards me, and cannot account for il un
less some one has biased his mind agains
the idea of having step mother; Tor hi
seemed almost wild with delight when ] in
formed him who would take kind care OF
him, and that after she came to live with III
we could live together al home all the time
There has surely been mischief wrough
during my absence, but Louisa, my love, dt
not be dishear te med. Twill teach him obe
dience to you, while tho same power in you
that taught the father cannot fail to teaci
the son respect. confidence and love. B'
hopeful, my little wife: my warmest sympa
ihies and desires are with .you.'
Thus comforted and encouraged, resiet
happily upon my hopes. How very conf
dent was that we should be the very bes
Of friends soon. I, who never had an enem!
in all my life, surely would not look for on'
4 in the heart Of little child. No, the warm
sunny heart Of CHILDHOOD was no lurking
place for coldness and distrust. Childrel
naturally love women; they always wan
some one to call mother, especially ip thei
hours of sorrow. He would, he must com
to me to find flisnd and comforter whel
his heart was weary with its burden of child
ish sorrows. ,..a
Thus confidently reasoned, out day,
weeks and months rolled BY without givin
me even token that my theory was correct
Edward was always civil and obedent, an
even respectful in his department towar
me, but oh! so cold, distant and sunless ,ht
my heart ached painfully beneath its load {
crushed and dying hopes.
Aunt Easy left us nfler q. few days to II
turn to her family, and after she was gone
thought surely he wouldrsturn to me in h
D