Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-05-15

NY STEPMOTHER AND T.
BY MATTE.

Father had been away from us or a
journey, and we had given him joyful
welcome home. Then cousin Matilda,
our housekeeper, after putting the little
ones to bed, retired herself, and he and |
were left sitting together before the par
lor CRATE.
81 am so glad you are home again, dear
father"
He did not seem to notice my remark.
Presently he said Il am very glad to
have this opportunity for little conver-
sation with you. You understood, Ag
ncs, that | was absent on business %
"Yes, sir"
The business | have been transacting
is of the greatest importance to myself
and.to you, and to the younger children
and the result of it is, that on my return
home from my next journey, you will
have two to welcome instead Of one. |
think you will be pleased with the la y
of my choice, and am sure you will de
everything you can to make her position
here a pleasant one"
He seemed to expect some reply from
me, but his announcement was 50 uneX-
pccted that | sat for mament in stupid
amazement. Then suddenly compre-
hending what he had said answered :
"a short twelve month has not sulliced
to make me forget my dear dead mother
If you have been able so soon to give
to another her place in your heart, OF
are mistaken in expecting me to welcome
her to our home"
"Agnes," said my father, in trem'
bling voice, 'you open alresh the wounds
in my heart that no length of time car
ever heal. In seeking for wife, | have
been urged by the interest of my child
ren. She who mas promised to come tc
be a mother to you, has won my esteem
by her excellent qualities Of mind and
heart. She has buried her dearest friends
and"
| interrupted him.-"I cannot listen t.
you, good nisht!'
l hurried to my chamber, and Throwing
! myself passionately upon the bed, erie
until was exhausted. Then | began t.
, form plans for the future. They ran some
what like this-"I will leave home til
night she comes The IN omeut she come
in at one door, | will so out the other.
cannot and will not submit to a step
mothers authority. l can never see an
one filing my precious mothers place
But no What will become of the litt
, ones if | should go? | will not leaN
them. tcoula tell them all to raise u
against the new authority, if | dared
p. But then father would certainly banis
me somewhere, and MGt will not answe
. There is one thing, however, | can an
giW do. / will be most freezingly poll
to her. | will call her Mrs. Barton, bl
mother never. She shall always kno
from my manner toward her, that | COZ
sider her an unwelcome intruder. De-
little Stella she'll grow up believir
), that this woman is really her mother
My angel mother all the little ones,
fear, will lose the precious memory
you, but your Agnes will cherish it as t
$, treasure Of her life"
recalled the sad death scene Of Il
year before. 1t seemed but as yesterdi
that it occurred Mother had been i'll t
some weeks. Nurse Willard had tax
: the principal care of her; but either fat
er or | had been by her bedside during
the weary days and nights. The mig
before her departure, father had watch
\, with her. He had just lain down al
= breakfast, when the nurse, casting
frightened glance toward the sick cou'
re, exclaimed -
DC "Run, Agnes, call your father p
'. "ls m other worse 20
"Yes dying When you have cal
your father, bring the children in
y Nurse had spoken truly, Only
brief parting words could the dear
speak to us.
"God will comfort you, my belo
ith husband Your love has made my pa
'3o be way very bright. l will wait for you
'ek' heaven.
For you, my sweet Agnes, your me
er's dying wish is that you may love
RS Savior, and put your trust in Him.
cry, have been dutiful daug hter. Go
Ale bye ]"
"Be good girl, Rose, and meet M
ma in heaven" she said to my little
inks ter eight years old.
SPe ,aS. "Willie, you'll not forget man
darling, will you?" Five-year-old \
\ L Il.