Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-12
How I Spent my New Years,

leaving me 10 the care Of an indulgent father,
who petted and spoiled me until he met with
a handsome, cold hearted widow lady, with
one child about my own age, whom he mar
ried. tpass over the martyrdDm Of my child
hood. and on 70 the even ttul New Years day
which forms the subject Of my story.
Il was a few days before Christmas, when
my step-mother remarked, suppose,
Mary, that Fred Sterling will be home in a
day or two"
40, yes" replied her daughter, "Fanny
told me that she expected him tomorrow"
"Then he will likely call upon you on
New Years he will be glad to meet you
again, for he always thought SO much Of you
when you were "A child'
l felt rather astonished to hear this con-
versation addressed 70 my step-sister, for had
always looked upon Fred almost as my owH
private property. We had played together
when we were children, and although Mary
would sometimes join our play, she was
always sure to quarrel, and vow never 70
speak t. Us again. When was at the age
Of fourteen, Fred went to Europe to COM
plete his education, and now, when four
years had passed away, although ] thought
but little Of the childish engagement that
existed between us yet there was one figure
mixed with all my dreams, and it bore
striking resemblance 20 Fred Sterling.
"Why thought Fred Sterling belonged
to Rosien said my father, stroking DOWN my
curls.
40, no P' replied my mother, very cOolly,
.'he liked Rosa well enough TO play with,
but Mary was the fayorite.'
Notwithstanding that step-mother had
given her opinion so decidedly in favor OF
Fred's attachment to Mary, she looked rather
worried, and at length remarked I" Rose, why
don't you put up your hair think you
are too old TO wear cnrls, for you know that
you and Mary are to be considered young
ladies now, aud on New Years day you will
receive calls"
This was quite new idea to me. had
always worn my hair IN curls, and it had
never occurred 20 me thatit could be worn
in any other way. Fred, too, had liked my
eurls, and when be left had cut Off little
ringlet pressed it to his lips, and said he
should always keep it H
To tell the truth, also, had an idea curls
were the most becoming 70 me. was, how
ever, saved the trouble Of replying, for my
father looked up, and twisted a lock Of my
bair over his finger, exclaimIng:
+" No. indeed Rosies curls mnst not be
put up until they are gray" and he turned
away and passed his hand over his eyes.
had a portrait of my own mother, taken
when she was about my own age; her hair
hung in glossy ringlets, and ] sometimes
thought bore a great resemblance to her,
only that size was beautiful Thus l knew
why my father passed his hand over his
eyes.
My stepmother bither lips, and seemed lost
in thought. Presently she looked up, and
with a bland smile remarked:
Rosa, dear, why don't you go make your
aunt Pattie visit2 She ise always waiting
for you, is a kind old soul and loves you
3early."
Aunt Patty was my fathers eldest and only
remaining sister; but this was the first time
1 rad ever heard her merits acknowledged by
nv preSent mother. Often, on the contrary,
had INV blood boiled to hear her called vulgar
and country-Led.
replied that in tended making her visit
very soon.
dwell Rosa, she contin Hed, "yOu are so
fond Of making Others happy, Shy don't you
20 after Christmas, and spend Sew Year
with her She will teel more lonely at such
a time than at any other, and l know sne
would enjoy having you with her so much.
looked up, astonished at this mood, but
saw the scheme at once and resolved to batile
her so I replied that preferred making my
visit after New Years.
My father, however, with a mischievOus
twinkle at me remarked, " You had better
90 a lew days after Christmas, Rosie; your
aunt Pattie would like SO much TO have you
with her then"
1 consented after this, of course. But
when alone in my room, puzzled myself to
discover what my father meant.
The day OF my departure came, and my
father and l set forth on our journey. The
abode of my aunt Pattie was in beautiful,
but rather lonely country place, with but lit
tie society, and few poor families scattered
here and there, with their dwellings now
almost buried in snOw-banks, which looked
as though they would never melt away
| loved my aunt Pattie very much, but /
sighed as / thought of spending this usually
gay season in such dreary-looking region.
Just then, however, we came in sight OF
my aunt's house, " here stood the dear old
lady at her gate, watching for US. Her
smile was so bright and her look so happy
VI
were instsntly dispelled, and by the time
that my father, after having chatted little
while. took his leave, / began to feel quite
lively. Before he went however, he drew
me to him, and as be kissed me, whispered,
with a mischievous suile, NOW, Rosie,
don't lose your heart out here" and ne was
gone.
As I looked around I thought there was
but little need of such cautiOn--my heart
was certainly safe unless l buried it IN one
of the snow banks
"Oh, my child" exclaimed aunt Pattie,
drawing me closer to her heart, 81 am so
glad you made up your mind to spend the
holidays with your poor old aunt, for I alwI Us
feel more lonely at such times than at any
other"
was glad too, and felt that was more
than repaid for this sacrifice l had made.
There are others who will be delighted to
see you, too, my child, ~ she continued, " there
are the Lanetons, who are continually inquir-
ing for Miss Rose"
The LanetOns were poor family residing
near my aunt, who were striving to earn an
honest living. During the years had spent
with my aunt, previous to my fathers second
marriage, had frequently visited them, and
I had never been at my aunts since without
calling.
Are they all well ?" inquired.
ayes" replied my aunt "al but the
youngest child who is confined to her bed by
the spine complaint, and the old grandmother,
who is blind"
Well, Rose, we shall not be quite alone
on New Years day" said my aunt in the
evening, for have invited awhole family
to dine with u.s."
"Who are they p I inquired.
"Oh 1 shall not tell you," she replied 6
am going to surprise you; one is an old friend
of yours"
The Willis family, suppose, and Sarah
the old friend, " said /.
Aunt Pattie laughed, but said nothing.
Sarah Willis and l had always PLAYED
together, when 1 lived with my aunt; and
from this tact she IMAGINED that we yyere