Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-09
THE YOUNG sTEPMoTHER.
BY M. A. R.

Mr.. Stuart sat alone in his study. He
he had gone there on his return from the
church yard, whittier his wife had been car
ried on that weeping April day, and laid to
rest beneath the willows; and ever since he
had sat with his head bowed in his hands,
giving way to his great grief. Suddenly
there came rap at the door, low but de-
terminea rap, yet it was not heard inside;
another and another followed, but as no no.
tice was taken of them, the visitor opened
the door. 1t proved to be Viney, the chill
dren's colored nurse and as she perceived
her presence still unheeded, she inserted her
sturdy, matronly figure in the doorway, and
addressed herself to the inmate of the room.
"Massa Stuart, say Massa Stuart tink
for yer ought ter come down and look arter
dose chillunl Dere dey'se a sittin' all curl
ed up in de winder, an de wind howlin' an
a moanin', an de sperits an de ghosts walk
in all roun de room"--
20, Viney, stop for PHYS sake! said Mr..
Stuart, reused at last; land of all things,
don't terrify them with your superstitious
stories Poor things had almost forgot
them; I'll 60 and bring them up here )" and
he walked wearily across the room, lighted
the lamp, and went down stars.
Viney turned 20 put another stick of wood
on the fire, muttering-"Can't make me
b'lieve dere amt no ghosts, but done catch
ed him, too, dat's enuff dis time"
Mr.. Stuart soon reappeared, leading his
children by the hand, and placing them be-
fore the fire, he took down his choice books
and pictures for them, caring little if they
tore them all to pieces, SO that they were
busy. But there came deep sigh for those
little ones, left so early without mother
Alice who was nine years old, could 90 to
school part of every day !; but his poor lit
tie Willie! who would there be now to teach
him right from wrong? Who would take
him in their arms and soothe him, when day
after day the little feet would grow tired
with wandering up anddown the rooms look
ing for mamma Who would be ready to
get him bits of string and toys and picture
books, when he wanted to be amused?
The prospect was dreary one that night,
and for weeks and months it did not look
much brighter. The maiden lady who came
to take charge of the household was so stern
and rigid that the children were afraid of her,
and Viney was heard to declare in her pres
ence that "car was trubble foreber now"
Alice became disobedent and rebellious, and
Master Willie rode over everything; but
Viney had one infalhble 9uietus, which, in
spite Of Mr.. Stuart's wishes, she tried very
often. Her ghost stories were famous ones,
hHu dltuOuSu tucy lIISulcucu AlCe So Mucn
that she never dared to go to bed alone, she
was never tired of those mysterious legends
of spirits walking abroad in the streets, and
ghosts that haunted wicked peoples houses.
Willie, poor little fellow, could not under
stand theul, but he joined in the general
fright which they occasioned
Mr. Stuart knew nothing Of Viney's dis
obedience, but he was greatly troubled about
his children; and their strange sinfulness
and perverseness, together with their need OF
constant watchfulness, proved a sore and
constant trial to him.
Matters went on in this unsettled way,
however, for nearly two years, when one
day girl at Aliee's school, whom she had
vexed in some way, retorted, II don't be-
lieEe you'll have your own way quite so
much when you have new mother to man.
age you
, Alice stamped her foot with anger
! What did the girl mean by her having new
mother? She was sure she would not have
!, one and would not mind her if she had
That day she went home in towering rage,
and gongstraight up to Viney, asked her what
! it all meant.
Viney tossed her head in knowing man
ner, as if she possessed mighty secret; ut
as she was in an uncommunicative mood, AL
ice could get nothing out of her, and she
slammed the door, saying, Well, she sham
! order, me around anyhow"
Not many weeks after, Mr.. Stuart went
y away from home, and on his return, be
brought young, sweet looking lady with
T him, whom he presented to his children as
d their new mother Alice extended her hand
e coldly, and did not respond to the warm kis.
: that was pressed upon her cheek while Viii
lie, now bright little fellow of four years
would have jumped into her arms, if it ha,
!, not been for his sisters warning looks. Al
it was, he lookedup shyly, with an inquiring
le glance, as much as to say, "Will you really
e take away my playthings, if l don't act jus
< like Alice p
n The step-mother little knew what a nature
N she had to deal with in the young girl; sh
IT could reasonably expect her to be reserved
le at first, but her constant sullenness and dis
is obedience tried her exceedingly. Mr.. Stuar
punished her many times for her insolence
ID but he had no idea of the many ways tn
as child took to make her mother uncomfortabl
a of the faces made at her, of the ridicul
or with the servants, or of her teaching littl
ou Willie to rebel He never knew il, becaus
er his wife had resolved to bear. patiently an
IT. trials ofthis kind, though.she never expect