Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-09-20

d I
That was an anxious day for Mrs. Talbot on
which sbe was expecting her brother Reginald.
Everything about the cottage was arranged as
1ealy as possible, and very unusual occur.
'ence--all her eight little children were looking
ls nice and clean as II they were each the only
object Of her care. But before she had quite
put the finishing touch to her own toilet, the
.ubdued murmur of childish voices informed
ner that the expected and almost dreaded per-
,onage had arrived; and Fastening out, she was
,lasped to the breast OF her only brother, for
The frat time for years. /
= Mrs. Talbot's story is one that has been so
often told, and 60 much more often acted to real
life, that il has become quite stale. A very
pretty, gay girl, she married against her fam
lly's consent man much beneath her in every
respect. She was cast off by her father, and for
many years dragged on miserable life 10 pow
erty and distress. When her father died, Reg.
inald, her only brother, settled upon her an an
nuity-just enough to keep her from Want-for
he did not wish Mr.. Talbot should derive any
benefit from his connection with him.
The gratitude Mrs. Talbot felt for Reginald's
kindness was out of all proportion to the gift;
for IL saved her from 80 much anxiety and dis
tress, that she felt as though nothing could ever
repay the debt. And when Mr.. Churchill
wrote to her to ask her permission to adopt one
of her children, she felt that she could not re-
fuee the request, much as it distressed her to
grant it. Her heart beat painfully as che
dressed them herself, and wondered anxiously
on which Of her darlings his choice would fall.
She hoped 1t would be one of the boys--Ssm,
the eldest, or Reginald, his namesake--or even
little Charley or Mary-any one but her wild,
reckless Edith, or the babe. Every one knows
how o mothers heart clings to her babej but
middle aged gentlemen seldom have the same
fondness for them, and go Mr.. Churchill hardly
gave the chubby, staring little fellow q second
look; but 1t was precisely the forward little
Edith that won his whole heart in the first ten
minutes, by hc- confidence, her playfulness, and
her inoessant chRttering. She declared as soon
as she was asked, her readiness to go with him,
and to be bis own little girl always. Mrs. Tai.
bot limited in vain that one of the boys or older
children would suit him better probably; but
be did not like little boys he said, and Edith
was just the right age; a child Of four was no
longer troublesome like an infant, but yet che
was young enough to learn soon to look upon
her uncle's house as her only home. Mr..
Churchill was very positive in his choice, and
as Mrs. Talbot had resolved to consent to his
request, she had nothing to do but to get her
little Edith ready TO 60 as soon as possible, as
Mr.. Churchill was anxious to leave after dinner
to avoid meeting Mr.. Talbot, who was away for
the day under pretense of business engage
ment. POSI- 4s
Il was q long time before Edith could get
used 10 her new home-a stately mansion, In
an extensive park at some little distance from
New York. It seemed to her so lonely to have
no one but her uncle to amuse her after being
accustomed to the companionship of so many
children; but she didget used to It, and became
exceedingly fond Of Mr.. Churchill, following
him everywhere like bis shadow. Mr.. Church.
Ills wife was selfish, disagreeable woman,
who piqued herself not only on controlling her
house but her husband too.
AS Edith grew up, though lovely, blooming
and high spirited, she saw that these quarrels
seriously annoyed her uncle, and 80 she tried
to avoid her aunt as much as possible, and
when she could not, to bear her rebukes with.
out reply.
Thus matters went on, till Edith had reached
her twenty-frst year. She had been engaged,
since she was eighteen, to Charles Devereux, a
young man Of good, though reduced family,
aud Of fine talents-a person every way agree
able to her uncle, and TO whom she was very
much attached. They would havebeen married
before, but her uncle could not bear TO part with
her, and had exacted promise from her moi
TO leave him before she was twenty-one. This
she had readily given; but Devereux himself
complained bitterly Of the delay. Time, how
ever, effects marvellous changes, and one Of the
most wonderful that be produces is the dissp
pearance Of affection that we hatter ourselves
Is Interchangeable.
Just three months before Edith's wedding
day, Mr.. Churchill died suddenly in q fit OF ap
oplexy. Edith's grief was 90 violent and dis
tressiDg that they feared for her reason; ant
her eldest brother was sent for by Mrs. Church
i'll, who informed him coldly that Il was her de
sire that Edith should be taken home by hin
90 soon after the funeral as possible, as he
presence had been to her so very undesirable
Samuel Talbot could not imagine why Mrs
Churchill should take such tone, as he hat
always understood that his unole intended Il
make Edith his heiress; but his astonishmen
turned to indignation when he found there wa
no will but one. made many years before, il
which Mrs. Churchill was left all the property
He applied to Edith for an explanation, and q
soon as she comprehended him, she said tina
her uncle had told her but short time befor
his death that he had left her oil his fortune
excepting that during her life Mrs. Churchill
was to have the house, with an income suficien
TO support her in the style to which she ha,
been accustomed: However, this will was no
where to be found
/ And so Edith returned to her old home afte
seventeen years Of absence, sad and detected
| Her father was the only one that. complained
i or aggravated in any way her distress, and tbi
he did oftener by sneering allusions to her fair
weather lover" as be called Devereux, than il
any other way.
Edith had been at home for six weeks, an
| had not heard word from him. She could nc
help thinking it rather strange that he did nc
lay aside his business, however pressing
might be, and hasten to console her In her tim
Of affection. But he came at last; she caugf
o glimpse Of him, ss, seated In q travelling ca
4 riage, he drove quickly past her fathers hopi
i 10 the inn.l .1del ~ ltfn 5linp stn EieI1
Restless and uneasy, she wandered from roo
10 room, and at length took refuge m the listl
Ishrubbefy in fronk Of the cottage. Her moth'
came out two or three times 70 call her In, b,
the last time she saw Edith Fastening to me,
Il Deyereux, who had Just entered, and so sh
drew back without speakingAa It seemed
Mrs. Talbot 4 very long while though, b,
fore the door Of the little litting.room opeI
} ed quietly and Edith entered with q face :
lpale las marble, but as calm aud 'unm0vet
4 she seemed to beso determined 10 resist ell .,
preston Of feeling that she had entirely ovei
/ licome them. 4i
!, ,lh,'wnat is the matter, desri" asked her motl
t e., sshsre IL Mr.. Deyereux7 Didn't you 'as
| him to stay for tear ldfs gaa pa VI s4sgsa .
sIIs has gone away, mother. - lssisa ~
> lA0ous aSayr' exclaimed MIRA Talbot, sns
ktn M,>~ Xcrk qsff 4 qtb 3ll4Sn cl stilggit