Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-28
THE PORTRAIT.


tween his "Thrce whole years since left
you, and yet you do not look day older than
when we parted and declare you are hand
somer than cverl'
The happy mother smiled. She was proud
Of her sailor son, proud of his handsome face,
his gallant bearing, his true and noble heart.
lie WAS her onli son and she was widow.
She was but young at her husbands death !:
and many were the difficulties with which she
had struggled in order to educate her child,
and prepare him to make his way i'll the world.
Tier efforts procured him a situation rs mate
ia a large merchantmen; and he had now re-
tirned from his third voyage, laden with hon
n.iblc testimonials OF the high estimation in
which his employers held him.
Il have often thought" said Walter, shat
YOU must be very lonely when am away
Why should leave you again, mother? Wo
have enough now for our two unambitious
selves, and it is but trihng with our own hap
piness to part when we might be together.
will not goto sea again.
''And when You marry, Walter" said his
mother, smiling; tive must think Of that pro-
bablityN
sob, yea, of course. But will marry an
horess; so that difficulty is settled. But you
have told me no village news yet. How many
marriages have taken place in my absence ?"
"Thrcc | believe. Helen Warneris married
10 her cousin; Emily Burton to John Morris
the brewer; and your old acquaintance and
iavoritc-- but what ais you, my dear2"
"Nothing, mother, go on SO Amy Sinclair
is marrcd?'
mo, my dear--no such thing. What put
that into your head? have something to tell
Won OF Amy; but was going just now to tell
YOU that your old fayorte, Tom Purnell, had
succeeded n winning the village heiress, with
fortune of a hundred pounds paid dolcn, and
wondrous wealth in perspective. We had
such hell-ringng and bonfres, and white fa-
yors And poor Tom, in the midst of his hap
piness, gained my heart by wishing Master
Walter was here2n
HWell done, Toni But about the Snclairs
mother?D said Walter, somewhat impatiently.
"th, Walter, they have had much trouble
since you were here. About year ago Mr.
Sinclair died, leaving his wife and daughter,
TO our surprise, in much pecuniary distress
Mrs. Sinclair was overwhelmed at first, but
Amy that noble girl, what strength Of mind
she showed in her sorrow 'Wemust leave this
house, said she TO her mother; I'VE must part
with all the eleganeies and some of the COM
forts of life, and live in poverty and seclusion ;
yet let us stay here, dear mamma, here in this
I'll riaapa vii Ook ipli nm
MS in our altered circumstances Her mother
was passive as child and agreed to all that
she proposals 50 a small cottage was taken,
the simplest articles of furniture were moved
into ii from the manor-house, and Amy brought
her mother to her humble home. Poor girl |
/ have seen her tears fall silently, but how
sadly as she prepared the cottage for her
mothers reception. Not word of complaint
or repining, not an hour wasted in selfish grief,
yet one could sec that her heart was aching.
did all | could to help hers and she soon
made the cottage as comfortable as so poor a
place could be made. But there was some
thing more to be done. She found the pittance
that remained when her fathers debts were
paid (ior she insisted on paying them ally was
so small as barely to suffice for the common
ncceasaries of life. Mrs. Sinclair was in bad
health, needing many little comforts that she
had not means to procure. Again Amy ex-
erted herself You remember her talent for
paintingn
"Ycs, yes, replied Walter, hurriedy and
with emotion.
His mother was, perhaps, too much inter
orted in the subject on which she was speak
ing, to observe that his voice trembled, and
the dusk of evening had prevented her seeing
tho agitation his countenance betrayed. She
continued
swell, one month after Mr. Sinclairs death,
] went very early to the cottage, thinking if
Amy were up might see her alone, and do
my best to cheer her | knocked softly and
She opened the door, and led me into her own
little room. Her drawing materials were on
the table, and a half-fnished miniature was
with them
'You have been at work early, Amy !
said; 4 am glad to sec you do not mean to
forget your charming accomplishment.
sshe turned to me with calm, steady look,
and answered. You shall know my secret. l
am painting this for sale have been told in
my happier days that my miniatures were
worth many guncas, and now, dear Mrs Nor
ton, she said, smiling, am going to ascer-
tain whether or no my friends were Aatterers.
Do not tell my mother; her mind is weakened
for the present, and she might be troubled at
the thought of my working for my bread. II
will bel proud and happy thought to myself
il can only succeed"
''God bless herW interrupted Walter; land
did she succeed2"
ayes. For her first picture she received
twenty guineas. II was beautiful sight to
see her lay the money before her mother and
then throw her arms about her. and sob on
her bosom like a child. It was tho only time
ever saw her give way to her feelings in hcl
mothers presence
i'And where is she now, mother?' asked
Walter chow does the noble creature liv'
now