Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-11-22

You Will not leave me-. exclaimed Va
lesia.
Mrs. Menard drew the child TO her.
and beneath the silver moonbeams she
talked to her Of heaven, and prepared her
for the sorrow that was soon to fall upon
her. . .
The only relative Mrs. Menard had
was brother Of her late hus sband.-
The uncle George she had spoken Of to
her little daughter resided in Florida
Mrs. Menard had written to him stating
that there was no other person in the
world to whom she could trust Valesia
! but him; and begged him to come to her
before it was too late to see her.
A week passed by and almost hourly
Mrs. Mernard seemed to fail. She was
no longer able to sit upon the porch and
watch the innocent sports Of her child up
on the sloping green; beyond that door
sill she would never step again Valesia
was her attentive little nurse. Years
seemed suddenly added to the child's age
as she watched that dying mother.
Il was calm, placid morning. A
light hazy mist hung over the bright wa
ters, and fowery June's laughing zephyrs
came in the open easement, bearing upon
their dewy wing the most delicious per-
fumes from Flora's bowers Valesia was
sitting by her mother in silence, and Mrs.
Menard was gazing upon the broad fields
and waving woods, when servant an
nounced Mr.. George Menard.
| NJ Moporl bo,t IL, to11 ror,a 1oe;Io
the couch of his sister, and kindly took
her hand.
Thank God you have come!' she
murmured. "George, will you be kind
to my little girl-will you take care Of
her for her fathers sake? She will soon
have no one in the world to look to but
yourself" ......
"Have not doubt as to her future
welfare" he said; she shall be to me as
my own aughter-cherished and loved
by my household. You need not fear to
trust her with me-
Mrs. Menard's eyes spoke her thanks
Calling Valesia to her bedside, she placed
Bible in her hands and said:
'Valesia, love your Uncle be good
girl; and amid whatever trials and suffer-
ings life may bring you,, look on high for
support, and let this book be your guide
She sank back upon the pillow, and
Valesia was an orphan.
Mr. Menard turned and clasped her in
his arms, and there was bond of love
and union which in after years was Joy
and a comfort to both Valesia WAS for
while consolable. Her grief was wild
and violent, and as it wore away shade
of melancholy settled upon her childish
spirit, and the expression of her large,
earnest eyes was softly SAT-. The hardest
trial of all to the little girl was leaving
the cottage.
Can't we live here, uncle George?-
Why must we go away?" she asked.
Because, my dear, have home away
down in Florida, and little girl of my
own there, very little older than you; and
now that your dear mother has gone to
heaven, you are to be her sister, and my
little girl, also; therefore you must go
with me and live where I do
ooh, | want to stay here, indeed do!
sobbed Valesia. '..,...
MY dear little Valesia, do you not
think that You will be happy in your new
home? | will love you; your aunt will
love you; and you will have our little
Georgiana for playmate and sister.
Il know you will love me, uncle George
but l do not think can ever play as |
used; want my dear mamma and when
am here it is Just like can see her, and
hear her talk to me; but if | go away
with you, viii leave her here all alone;
and, Oh, uncle George, cannot go--in-
deed | cannot and covering lier face
with her hands she wept convnlsively.
Mr.. Menard's heart eched for the little
orphan girl, and willingly would he have
left hen if he could. What to say to her
he knew not, he had no idea what argu-
ment he could use that could avail any
thing and he concluded to let her alone
for while longer at any rate. ..
The next day, however, he was more
successful He took her upon his knee
and talked to her of her mother, and told
her that it was her wish that she should
leave the cottage and so with him, and if
she could look down from heaven, it
would deeply grieve her to see her little
daughter thus rebel against the last request
she had made to her. -.- s.'. r
Valesia wept quietly upon his breast
for few minutes, and then looking up in
his face, said: aa- q. aIt1
Il will 60 with you. uncle George, and
be your own little girl" n l.. ...f 81.
The consent of tho child once gained,
things were soon arranged, and prepara-
tions were made for their departure. An
other day saw,little Velesia Menard start
for her distant Florida home, far from the
scenes of early years, and all their hal
lowed associations. IN n
sl,-..s r.eI slj-- u..r r.I.
OIL. .....r... 10. CHAPTER IT.