Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-02-09

lawyer, and our intercourse was always plea
SAINT. He was an orphan, and the sole guar
dian Of one little sister fifteen years younger
than himself There was no other relations
to wean the love these two felt one for the
other away from them. Their father, an
Euglishmsn, bad brought bis wife from tho
"old country" and when these two died the
children stood alone. Mr. Lee was not
wealthy, but be left small sum, the interest
of which was enough for the children to live
upon with economy. As soon as George was
fairly started 10 the practice Of medicine, he
settled this sun upon his sister.
When was but twenty. three, George two
years older, my friend became u victim to our
country's chiefest scourge, consumption. 10
bis last illness he iuplored me to accept the
Office Of guardian TO his little sister. She
was then at boarding-school, and, George
argued, would probably remain there until
was married aud settled, or, il desired it,
until she was of age and able to take care of
herself and her property. Glad TO relieve my
friend Of any sad anxiety, / undertook the
charge, aud was legally intrusted with full
power to guard Miss Fanny and ber money
for the next eleven years.
George died. 1t was a sore blow to me,
yet the certainty that his noble, self-sacrifi.
cling spirit was happy after many trials in this
rough world; was a consolation, AUD, in time,
other interests and affections came 10 confert
me.
Seven years passed away. was still
bachelor, but keeping house, with Mrs. Dodd
for the presiding genius Of my establishment.
Mrs. DUdd was q melancholy woman, con.
stautly wipiug tears from very pale blue eyes
with the corner Of her apron, referring with
snifile to Dodd defunct, or, as she termed him,
my dear Henry" My days were passed in
business, my evenings in practising on the
violin or reading. had tried the piano, and
grand piano in the parlor stood silent
witness OF my failure, 50 l conten.ed myself
with buying magnificent cover for il, and
returned to the violin, which Mrs. Dodd en-
Enthusiastically declared played in the most
beautifullest manner"
10 all these seven years my ward was OF
school. Regularly every year paid her bills
aud forwarded the remainder OF her income
to her teacher for Miss Fannies wardrobe
aud currebt expenses: and, this duty over, i
thought no more about her. i mad several
precious documents from the principal OF the
seminary, reporting the progress made by
NJ lss Lee in the various branches taught ut
that institute. and then another twelvemonth
would roll by before the intercourse was
renewed. had come, under this state Of
things, too look upon my ward as q very we'll
behaved young lady. thoroughly conversaut
with the "Euglish branches, music, end the
modern languages" who would in the course
OF time leave school, claim the capital OF her
property, and probably marry some respecta.
BILE man, aud live 10 peace, leaving me in the
same enviabls state. Fancy, then, the effect
produced upon my mind by the following
epstle, which lay upon my desk one morning
in January -
BRooKDALE, Jan. l8, Is.
DEAR GUARDIAN The half yearly session
of our school closes on Saturday next, aud
finish my course. l am, between ourselves,
horribly tired Of school, and so am coming
to live with you. That's what all young
ladies do who have guardians, ANT itf l
know your address, because Miss Screwem
has it, and will be with you on Monday
evening or Tuesday. l caD't say exactly
which, because my new bonnet may not come
home Saturday, in which case | must wait
until the afternoon boat on Monday. l am
quite well, and hope to find you 10 flourish
ing state Of health. have no doubt you are
u dear, clever old soul. who will not snub me
as they do here, and if you are real good TO
me am sure shall love you like house q
| fire. You need not answer this, because
shall leave here before your answer can reach
me. Come or send to the boat to meet me,
wort you? Yours, respectfully,
FANNIE LIRE.
was perfectly thunderstruck. Coming to
my house A dear OLD soul! looked over
at the glass. saw tall, erect figure, face
upon which thirty summers had lett brown
hue, not entirely worn away by the winters
cold; o heavy black moustuche, and thick,
wsvy black hair features $3.50; eyes black
and large. Then glanced round my room,
my office. All was neat there, for had kept
| bachelors hall too long to have it disorderly
My mind wandered over the house. The
two third.story roems were vacant, and fitted
up, one as o parlor, one as a bedroom for
often entertained my friends for several days
| together; these rooms must be aired and
arranged for Miss Lee. My Imagination pic.
tured d raw school, girl thumping exercises
on my grand piano, dragging school books
into my parlors, and practising dancing on
my carpets, or, still worse, young lady,
Gnished, filling my parlors with her admirers,
keeping me up till morning to go out in the
cold and bring her home from parties Il
savagely resolved l would not take her TO
theni) TEen another idea flashed across me
somebody must be there to play pro7riety
| was too young to have a lady OF seventeen
visiting me alone. Mrs. Dodd was not in her
element out of the kitchen and pantry, bad
90 mother, no sister, but had 90 aunt. My
blood seemed to run in little cold rills al
through me as thought Of aunt Jane but
could see no other way TO accommodate
Mrs. Grundy, so ! took down my hat, ono
went to aunt James.
Tall, stiff, frigid was Aunt Jane, as usual
Chilling was my greeting, witherng was The
glance cast at my muddy boots, but my
errand was successful. Aunt Jane had al
ways considered me foolish 10 living alone
and she agreed TO make my house her hOm'
while my ward was with me. Leaving be-
with carte blanche for the arrangements,
went to court. Ny ward danced over m.
briefs, and addressed the presiding judg,
once as Miss Lee, once as Miss Fannie.
was released ct last, aud went home.
What o sight awaited me- Taking advan
tage of my order to "do as che thought pro
per-" Aunt Jane had instituted q regula
house cleaning in the middle OF Jaouary.-
As she had only one day to do it in, she ba'
taken IL all at once. From the garret to tb
cellar there Was not fire +; the farrace fir
had gone out. aud there was no one TO max
it up; everybody was too busy. There wer
women on step ladders, women under tables
women on the stsirs, women 10 the closets
women from the front door to the roof.-
: Buckets of water, large cakes Of soap. rags
brushes. towels, brooms, bottles empty an
full, books, everything in the most direfu
l.u.~ IA ~