The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-05-15
HILI.SDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, MAY IS, 1860

| Ii was, indeed picture of Innocence and
beauty, and one that touched his heart.
poor childp There was SO much feeling
| in tho tones OF bis voice that bis wife looked
ut lin in sudden surprise. But ho managed
to turn his face little away, so as to conceal
/ fro Ii her an expression that he WAS not able,
in u moment To control.
With womans quickness Of perception,
Mrs. Watson saw that it would be best to lot
hor husband alone with the tender feeling
which had found way into his heart. So
she set her lamp down, and without another
word made preparations for retiring. But her
mind was all on tho alert, and it did not es
cape her that the eyes Of her husband sought,
over and over again, the lovely face of that
orphan sleeper.
Wont Grace be surprised when she wakes
in the mornngP said Mrs. Watson, breaking
the silence which had been maintained since
the husband uttered tho words, Poor child !
Better say, won't our little stranger be sur.
prised to find herself in Bedlan. I'm afraid
the children will worry her to death
Il hope not--wc must SEQ to that NJ RS.
Watson spoke with some uneasiness of mind,
for there was no calculation to be made as to
the conduct Of, her unmauageable brood; and
yet, below this feeling Was one of pleasure at
the evident interest single glance at Ellen
had awakened in her husband.
The sN eet sleep that comes as a blessing to
! life's earnest toilers, soon locked their senses
in oblivion; and Mrs. Watson, occasionally in-
terrupted in her deeper slumber by the want
and cries Of her babe, was not distinctly con,
scious of anything until fully awakened by
Grace, little after daylight on the next
morning.
.Mo'hcr. Motherr The child pulled at
her arm, and spoke in q low, excited whisper.
Mother, wi o is it
'WhoP Mrs. Watson was bewidered -
The scenes of tho night before had faded from
her memory.
who is it? Where did she come from
/ Oh, Mother i.n't she sweotr
The truth flashed back upon the mind of
Mrs. Watson, who raised herself quickly, and
bending over, saw Ellen lying, still sound
asleep, just as she had placed her on Che night
before. She put her fingers to her lips in
sign OF siissOe, and then, with serious face
and tone, said,
Poor child! Her Mother died last night,
and we must be very good to her.
Tho countenance Of Grace showed instantly
an expression Of tender pity.
who is she, MotherP
ut is little Ellen jenkins. Don't you re-.
member here
oh, yes. Is Mrs. jenkins dead "
Poor Mrs jenkins is dead, and her little
Ellen has no mother to love her, or care for
her.
The heart of Grace was touched.
'We'll all he very good to her. She shall
have my doll to play with, and III show her
all tho pretty things I've GOT And the
child, after this, slipped away from the side of
her mother, and went lightly back to the
trundle. bed. AS she did so, the blue eyes Of
Ellen opened. Ere the look Of surprise which
She threw around her had faded, a doll was
held before her by Grace. who said:
SEQ my doll! Don't you want TO play
with iti'
4 sinilO lit up the child's face, aud che
retched out her hands for the toy.
Next Grace brought out her dolls dresses,
and then ono plaything after another, spread
ing them around on the bed, until lien sat,
wondering and delighted, ia the midst of
perfect StbEcuDiSc vi tTedbu'cS.
John Johun Mrs. Watson shook the still
sleeping husband.
What is it p he asked when fairly awake.
Look over on the trundle.b bed,' was whis-
pered.
Mr.. Watson raised up and looked, as d.
rcctcd. He said nothing. but it was some
moments before he turned his eyes away from
the pleasant scene that captvated them. 1t
was a long time since he had known so peace
ful an awakening. Usually, fretful cries, or
stormy co tentions among the children greet
ed his ear in the morning, and thus opened
the days 'or him in discorj.
But now came sound from tho adjoining
chamber. The two boys, John and Dick,
were awake, and this forebodcd the usual
storm of angry words. Mrs. Watson went in
to them, walking on tip toe, and with her
finger on her lips.
John Dick IIushr Her unusual look
and manner at onco arrested their attention +,
she said, in almost a whisper, and with a So
Der countcnance,
I've something to tell you
They were all attention.
you know Mis-. Jenkius' Well she died
EJoL ulDuJ.
The children's faces grew serious.
'And her poor little Ellen i. now an orphan,
with no one in the world to love her.
John leaned over towards his mother, and
looked at her with an expression of sad inter
est, while Dick sat very still, with his eyes
cast down.
lve something moro to tell you,' continued
the mother after pause.
They gazed with earnest inquiry into her
face.
Little Ellen is in our room. l brought
hor homo uith me last night, sf,er her mother
died, and she slopt 10 bsd with Grace.
Something of ply, and something Of sur.
prise blended in the boys faces.
You must be very gentle, and very kind TO
her. Poor little thing! Isn't it sad 10 think