The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-10-25

81 She wanted to. Indeed, had hard
work persuading her to GO; but l knew
she needed the rest and refreshment.-
She works so hard for us all
Then 1t was at your own request that
you We're left at home 1t was voluntary
saciifice?' - .
1t is hardly worth calling a sacrifice, -
! said, hanging my head with thrill of
shame at the remembrance Of the out
break he had witnessed ..... ..-..
| He mu.t have remembered it too, for,
bending over 10 look into my flushing face,
he said, as that what you We're crying
about
was very silly and very wiced; but |
had struggled against all day. | copldn t
help it, indeed ..-.
And l glanced up timidly. What was
1t Ill his eyes that made my own fall
abashed before them, and caused the
blood to Hush SO rosiy in my cheek |
could not tell; he only said very softly,
Poor child !" Yet l felt that another
moment would bring a repetition Of the
ontburst, SO, springing up hastily, said:
l must 90 to the house now and see if
grandma has walked Will you come?
can give you some cold ham, biscuit, and
u cup OF tea for your supper, and little
mu.ic afterwards, if you will stay and wait
for the party
| 81 don't know but that ought to saw
No thank you, but am not going to-
| he offer Is too tempting ] am particu.
larry fond OF cold ham and biscuit, and
| fonder still OF little music afterwards" "
he added, rsi g to follow me-
1t will be very ordinary performance,
warn you, | said doubttully, as we went
ou. ain not a bit talented, you know
Lucy is the smaat one
And Bessie the beauty? What de-
partneht, then, 90 you claim?
| Oh, l am nothing III PARTICULAR
Charles calls me Jack of all trades.
think pie making is EIy peculiar accom-
piishment. You shall have Il piece Of my
cherry pie for your super, that is. if you
ever indulge in tie article at that meal
l know 1t isn just uIe thing
lie laughed.
" think | will try piece at al hazards
This Is the house, is it not? And is that
grandma ct the window p
Yes" s 7.. -..
And hurried in to ask, anxiously, if
SIZE had been long awake, and if had
wanted me
No, child not ut all But what gen.
:
| 10 me ] knsv his face; anyhow. hes as
handsome as picture.
! Before | could answer he was at my
side, hat in hand
/ Grandma, this Mr Liston-a son Of
mother. Old friend, don t you know?
Yes. yes, | remember. Mara Sey-
mours son. Well. / might have known
4 Hes her very image. Do sit down and
/ tell me how your mothers health j, now
! And ehere are you living? she asked
with face full OF interest
! Aud Knowing that grandma, oace reused
TO conversation, would make most ad-
mi:able hostess, slipped away 10 perform
one or two highly I;npor.aItant duties
/ First, ] must spread the supper table witt.
I deiicaie danask cloth, aud the DAINTY,
best China" Then cut the ham, set the
tea to draw bring from the spring house
pot OF fresh, delicious butter; select
from the pantry plate OF mother snow
white biscuit, and my own nice looking
ci,efiy-pie; and then, after having given
an approving glance at the t1ute e.ssea,Lie of
| the dining room, fly up stairs to brush my
dssordetcd curls, bathe my red eyes, and
exchange my chintz morning dress ior the
more appropriate blue lawn.
Descending again TO the parlcr, found
z
own, upon the virtue OF each member of
The family; entered, in fact, Just in time
10 hear her say, with emphasis
/ W ell, | don care what other folks
say; Tor my part think little Fay the
: iior 81 oi Ine flock
! And To caich the strangers grave
/ 81 do not doubt l.
That would not do AT all | thought SO
l INTERRUPTED the conversation 10y the an
nouncein~ni vi supper. ..
1t was certainly the pleaSantcs, of all
! pleasant meals We fingered around the
table TIL We could DO longer distinguish
I each other 5 features III the CLOWN. twi-
! light. and grandma declared THAT her bed
time had slipped by unnoticcd Their,
conducting her guest TO the parlor ! lei
him until had seen her comfortably set
tied for the night and heard her say with
her good night kiss:
=" his has been a very pleasant night,
hasn't it, Faith? Hes areal noble fellow
just ike his mother Bless him"
Descending 10 the drawing room again
spent a happy hour with our guest. lie
conveised delightfully."-. He required me
to sing, with which request comp lied
with such talent as possessed, and re
sang three sweet songs, with a fulness and
riohness OF expression that had never
ueard before When the last words had
died upon ms lips, he said dsciSively
No more music to night You are as
sensitive Us little wind flower, Mis-:
Faith "
Then, rising to 60, he took my hand
and, hoidug II with sof, yet close pres
sure, he added
~" ou need some one to care for aEC
, cherish you as tn, y would a bird or gen
anything that was more precious, dc
you know it, little Fay 2
think it was his tone more than hi
words that made my heart thrill with {
new, yet strangely sweet sensation of grea
joy and gladness; yet l only said, yer.
! quietly tiaa 1}'-- H' 'F'
- But you are not going yet, Mr.. Liston
think l can hear the sound OF the cal
riases in the distance already. Surely yo'
. will stay and see mother !?
lr" No, tonight, he answered.
Then with q certain seriousness OF man
ner that made his words seem too deel
, for mere compliments, he added:
This evening has been to me one
, such rare enjoyment, that cannot bea
to mar it with the sight of another face. o
the sound OF anoter voice. Good night
shall take the road back to the village
; l think. sleep at the hotel, and not dawl
upon the gallant captain till tomorrow
! by which time, ] trust, the storm causet
| by my nonappearance, will had time t
Llow over. Is not that the better part o
valorY My respects to your mother, Mis-
Faith. l shall call upon her very soon
Once more good night. .salT
And. with smile, a bow, one las pre-;
sure of the hand, he was down the step
! and away. i" ;,
r The sound of his retreating football
e was lost in the noise Of the approachin