Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-07-23
MY AUNT ADELAIDE.

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At the parsonage there was what we little folks
called 'tgrand time" that Thanksgiving day
as many of us as could gather together there,
for the storm made the great parlor merry with
our own happiness. There were our grand
parents, seated in their own easy-chairs, on
either side of the wide chimney place. alternate
ly watching, with amused. interest, the merri-
ment of the young ones, and talking over their
early days, and bringing back many a pleasant
Thanksgiving that had passed with their own
youth.
Then there was Uncle Herbert, "the PASTOR"
sitting by grandmamas side. Handsome was
Minister Grahame, and gentle, and good, and
noble hearted an upright, eqrnest-souled man,
and in every sense a Christian. How we loved
him lie always allowed us 10 be as merry rs
we pleased, provided we were not bois,erous,
and he not unfrequently gladdened our hearts
by Joining himself in our mirthful games He
was never stern or gloomy, or austere, for moods
10 which these names can be applied are not
those of a true Christian. He was always gen
tle genial, friendly with ready sympathies for
all; showing u.s. in his daily life, and beautiful
character what true Christianity is.
There, too were Uncle Edmund, and his wife,
and their lovely daughter, the seventeen-year-
Clara, Harold and Ellen, John and Margaret,
the two next married pairs, followed; and to
them we four little ones belonged. Then came
Aunt Adelaide, the youngest of the daughters
And Aunt Adelaide was thirty years old, and
unmarried
If l had always thought my Aunt Adelaide
perfection itself, it was especially so on that par
ticular Thanksgiving night; when, with the
freight playing over the satin-shining banks ant
braids of her chestnut hair, and sparkling in hei
handsome, kindly brown eyes, she sat in her OWL
favorite corner Of the nearest windOwsea ant
gathered the children about her, to tell then
stories. All the young people seemed to take 4
my Aunt Adelaide naturally, and Clara herself
our seventeen year-old girl, sat at her feet t
listen TO the beautiful stories, just like the res
of the children.
So, while the grandparents, and the eide
daughters and sons discOnrsed among themselve
a,.pung the blazing hearth, Adelaide Grnhamt
in her own pleasant, winning, sensible way
kept MS gathered in quiet attentive circle abou
her telling the most beautiful and instruotiv
fairy tales that good natured author ever wrote
For fairy tales are instructive--ay, and usefu
too, say what you will
Adelaide was beautiful woman. l remembi
that this Us the burthen of my thoughts th
night as stood by her side, with my hand lyir
lclasped in hers, and my eyes fixed upon her fai
calm, noble face, for much as l loved story tel
ing, could not help thinking Of her and b
beauty, too, so that sometimes lost the threi
Of the narrative, lor very huulfhuOh VI u
fascinating narrator.
1t was something quite incomprehensible
me that she had never married, for could n
conceive of attractions greater than those S
possessed. But it was true that her thirie
year had arrived, and Adelaide remained sing
woman, and dwelt still in the old parsonage wi
her parents and her brother Herbert. And
blessing she was to the place that claimed hi
For beauty, and goodness, and excellent SEM
for powerful intellect, and nobleness of so
Adelaide ranked very queen among womG
Il was not, however, as l knew when l gr
older, that none had ever sought her hand,
Clara told me afterwards that my beauti
aunt had declined score Of offers before
twenty-ffth year, and eligible offers, too.
But did not know il them and | wonder
quietly and euriously, as / stood there, that
was always there to tell us stories, and keep
in good order, whenever we came.
! The fairy ptory was ended.
. 'Ah. how charming that was Tell us NOR
cried the children, eagerly. alone was sile
sWell,' laughed Aunt Adelaide, 4 must th
Of another, l suppose. Be patient a nome
my dears And there was q moment of slen
ELLEN Aubrey" said my Uncle Herberts vo
el in your aunt's face which so deeply inter,
your
looked up. lie stood by me, with fol
arms, his assumed and penetrating glance fl
"a on mine.
you have not heard a single word she
= been saying Tor the last ten minutes he "
r.5 on. 'Teli me your thoughtsF 2
!, looked from him to my young eompanio