The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-03-07
aWhat is Hour name. please p,

er! whispered the child, still more tlm1diy.
eyes" said Grandma Grove, whose benevo-
lent feelings were subject to the influence of
external impressions, like those of other peo-
pie, "Your father was son of my husbands
cousin" '
Lefty was wise enough to perceive that the
relationship was very distant one, and it
quieted her excitement a little, but her curios-
ity was not allayed, and she asked another
question "
"Did you come here to see me?" ''a-- -
eyes. I'm going to take you home for
visit" - esl as1 Z
.sI can't spare her now" said Mrs Green,
who entered at this moment. "Fhere's the
greatest heap of work to be done before Christ
mas" But the sight of Grandma Groves
purse, which came out to remunerate her for
the service the child would be to her during
the week, soon Suieted her rremonstrances, and
the child was suffered to CO. with the promise
that she should be brought back when the
week closed.
81 dare say it's no kind of use," thought the
old lady, shaking her head, as she ledthe child
toward the KAISER House, where she was to
meet her grandson. "She locks as if she was
entirely too warped to be bent back; but 1
couldn't answer it to myself if L didn't try"
Yet when she looked into the child's brown
eyes, sne could not help feeling that it was
some kind of use; for Grandma Grove was in
the habit of looking deeper into human faces
than some people
There was much wonder in the house of Jo-
seph Grove at the strange freak which had in
duced the old lady to bring home such de-
formed i'll looking child; but no one doubted
her right to bring the child home if she chose.
''Now girls" she said the next morning, af
ter silently listening to their remarks the even
ing before, about the cbild's i'll looks and her
utter destitution of respectable clothing, s'now
girls, expect you to see that this child is
clothed up. There's plenty of fingers among
| you, and plenty of clothes that you don't want
in your closets. If anything needs to be
bought, come to me. And those that are the
most active in putting the child in order, may
expect the best Christmas present from their
] grandmother"
Great was the stir among the cousinnge, for
none of them despised the Christmas presents
of Grandma Grove, and the busy fingers that
were set at work in her behalf soon turned the
| hearts of those who had at first looked upon
Lefty with aversion and disgust; and from be-
ing the protege of the old lady she wasin some
danger of becoming protege to the whole circle
of relatives. Some of the younger ones, it is
true, were inclined to report poor Lefty as a
bad child: but Grandma Grove had never ex-
pected that the faults of child, reared as she
| had been, could be cured in a moment, and in
stead of being discouraged, she only fortified
herself with new strength at each new proof
| that the eisild was warped in mind we'll as in
body It had always been said of her in the
days of her active life, that she was to cure
the sick lambs, and make the crooked apple
trees grow straight; and even where she was
not sure of success she loved to try to set that
right which offended her nice eye. And in
Letty's quick intelligence, and the grateful af-
fectionate nature which she showed, the old
lady saw good ground for hope. Before the
week had expired, her mind was made up.
r "Joseph," said she, shaking the snow from
her cloak after an early walk, 81 want to have
you get some men end have the old cottage
put in repair. I have been looking at it, and
there is not great deal to be done. 1 think
l can fnd you tenant" and there was queer
twinkle in her eye
s.Why, mother, said Joseph, "I was going to
rent it to James Hall in the spring, and did
not know it needed any repairs"
'James Hall must find another house." said
| the old lady. "It was the house into which
went when was married, and its roof is strong
enough and proud enough yet, to shelter MY
last years 1 am going into it myself"
"Why mother" said her son with flush o1
pain crossing his face, 'Don't we make you
comfortable here 2"
"Just as comfortable as it is possible tomake
me" said she laying her hand affectionately on
his shoulder, Hbut you know, Joseph, that youl
mother always l. ked to be independent. There
can never be two rulers in one house | would
not consent to be the first mistress, or the sec
ond, in your house. I should be happy by
myself. You cannot object.
"Not if you will be happier mother. But
think how lonely you will be. Who will be
| with you for company ..-. .l
"Letty" 7,a .a.-
"Oh! Then you intend to keep her"
4 "I intend to keep her."
i 81 am afraid it will be more lonely than yor
think Who will be there to take care of youi
To keep your walks clean of snowy morning
or to see that the wood and water are conYe
nient?'
"You can let Kit sleep there. I can pu
the kitchen chamber in order for him, and he
can make our fires and put things right fol
the day. 1t is convenient to the barns and
will make his work no harder 1t viii be JUS
tho place for pair like Lefty and me, whom
the world has partly laid aside"
i off you succeed with her" thought her son
She did succeed with her. Not that the
poor, bent figure could ever be improved, ever
by the skillful care of old Mrs. Grove, but the
progress of disease was stayed, the long nights
of suffering gave way to peaceful, quiet sleep
and the dark, bitter words were supplanted by
the grateful love which she bestowed upon tht
old lady who seemed be almost an object o.
worship to her.
Ninety years had passed over the head O.
Mehitable Grove when, from the pleasant cot
tage where her early married life was passed
and from the tender care of the child she hac
rescued, she was borne to her last rest. Grand
ma Grove had grown rich in her last years.
The railroad that had cut off a corner of hel
estate had not diminished its value, and othel
things had conspired to throw money into hel
hands. And at her death it went to Lefty.
No one objected to this. All of the rela
: tives felt that Letty--the child of her old age
:. was their grandmother's rightful heir, for the
two had been all in all to each other, for years
, And no one had helped more than Lefty, to tina
management which had added to the estate
Thus, before thirty years had gone over her
she found herself possessed of fortune, though
fortune was the small part of the good gif
, which she had received from Mrs. Grove. Blu
! | .Lo L..r Oh hacked Lefty Grove had little us,