The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-24

how much you all loved him. | need not re-
mind you of his virtues, for his liie-path was
heightened out until il lay beside your own
many year, and yet never tire of talking
Of the good old man, and would like to tell
you of many pleasant passages in his history,
but fear, il | begin upon that theme, shall
wear the evening away without saying a
word about his son, my step-son, and he is
the one ought to speak of now, for you ara
all 50 worried about Molly, her husband,
and his parent and children.
81 married not only intoa family, but a
whole community. Ny step-son, little Ed
ward, had one grandpa, two grandmas, and
fifteen uncles and aunts, all living within
two hours ride Of us, and all feeling u deep
interest in one way or another in the child.
/ His mother had been dead nearly three years,
and during the most of that time he had liy-
ed among his relatives, a few weeks at u
place, until the little fellow hardly knew
what il was to live at home and rs some of
his relatives were servants, some masters, and
Others still were playmates for him, as n
natural consequence Of such training, he was
at the time ofhis recall to the paternal hearth
very unsettled in his habits.
~ IL was pleasant evening in June when
we met for the first time in the home that
has now been Ours for 50 many years.
! Wearied with the journey and the tiresOme
mode of trayelling-there were no railroads
then, and we came by stage long tive days
ride-how hailed with delight, too great
for words to express, the sight of the COM
Portable looking dwelling that Augustine
/ nnintal nnt IN mo as nur hnuSn
"'lIome at last, said my husband, as we
walked up the shady lane that led through
the garden OF roses, in the midst of which
stood with open door and lighted porch the
ark to which my heart flew, bearing an olive
branch in all its hopes and ASPIRATIONS
Home at last, echoed my heart, rs we enter
ed the portal.
Z" Look, Louisa said Augustine; sis
not this inviting? The light IRON the par
lOr mantle is sending out welcome, and here
the first to greet us is our little Edward
=" Ere l could reply, an eager voice cried
out:
"' Father has come father has come -
and the next moment bright-cyed little lad
of ten summers came bounding. into the
hall.
+" He was folded lovingly to his fathers
heart for moment, and then presented to
me. do not think he had noticed my pres
cncc until his father placed his hand in mine,
saying. as he did 50:
49, This is our son, Louisa. Edward,
darling, this is your mother
Z" He looked up into my face, his lip quiy
cred, and then his eyes dropped upon the
floor. bent over and kissed him, and whis-
pcred, for dare not trust any voice to speak
aloud, the tender name his lather called him,
Edward, darling lie drew long breath
as ifhe were suhOcating, and, withdrawing
his hand from mine, ran of into the kitchen,
and called his Aunt Easy, who was out SUI
perintending supper.
"Aunt Easy soon made her appearance
and gave us the warm right hand OF friend
ship with an carnestness that could not be
mistaken; making me teel from the first, al.
WAYS easy and ut home in her presence. But
| Edward was as shy of inc Us u young part
ridge, hiding his face on his father sshoulder
| il spoke to him, and replying in monosylla-
hles TO every question answerable in that
manner. thought would try and get ac-
quainted with Edward as soon as could, for
| | wished to become next to his father in his
affections. but all my endCayOrs to please and
interest him seemed yainly spent.
"Thc first evening passed away and nc on
ly looked at me once He bade me good
night when he retired to his sleeping-room,
but his back was toward me. Aunt Easy ex-
cused him, saying he was 50 bashful. Ipitied
| him for his bashluness. | knew very well
how to pity bashful children, and that rails
cd me several degrees in her esteem. had
made the good woman my friend by sympa-
thizing with her ilyorito nephew. Shcopen-
ed her whole heart, and took me in for Au-
gustine's sake, us well as for that Of his
child. She knew he would get along well
after few days; that there was nothing
like sympathy to win the hearts of the little
ones. Children would be children, and we
must not look for perfection in them. Ed
ward was very good boy, but rather odd
about some things. When came to under
stand his whole heart should almost wor-
shin him. SO brought out the kind-heart-
ed lady, and Augustine allowed her TO enjoy
her opinion while she sat with us, but when
we were alone, with grieyed look, he in
formed me Of his sons determination, con-
fessed to him that evening, not to own me
for mother.
al did not expect this from him, said
II Augustine he has always been SO affection
ate toward me, and | cannot account for il
unless some one has biaset, ,his mind against
the idea of having stepmother for hescem-
cd almost wild with delight when inform
ed him who would take kind care of him,
and that after she came 10 live with us we
could live together at home all the time
There has surely been mischief wrought dur
inc nv absence; but Louisa, my love, do
mot be disheartencd. will teach him
obedience to you, while the same power in
YOU that taught the father cannot tall to
teach the son respect, confidence and love.
Be hopeful, my little wife; my warmest
.y,nrathics and desires are with you
'"'Thus comiorted and encouraged, rest
cd happily upon my hopes. How very con-
edent | was that we should be the very best
of friends soon. l., who never vet had an
enemy in NV life, surely would not look for
one in the heart of little child. No, the
warm. sunny heart of childhood was no lurk-
inc rlace for coldness and distrust. Children
naturally love women; they always want
some one 10 call mother, especially in their
hours of sorrow. He would, he must, come
IN me and find friend and comforter when
his heart was weary with its burden OF child
ish sorrows. Thus | confidently reasoned,
but days, weeks and months, rolled by with
out giving me even token that my theory
WIS correct. Edward was always civil and
Obcdient, and even respectful in his dePOrt.
nent toward me, but oh 50 cold, distant
and sunless, that my heart ached painfully
beneath its load Of crushed and dying hopes.
"Aunt Easy LEFT us after few days to re
turn to her family, and after she was gone
, thought surely he would return to me in his
: Loneliness, but no, he clung closer to his
} father and rctrcated further and further still
from me. Augustine was pained to witness