Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-28
THE CHILDREN AND The NOVEL.
By MRS. CAROLINE A. soULE.

a.
"WelI, there muttered Mrs. Lee in q
somewhat petUlsnt tene, ss she laid down her
babe, 'thank fortune, the last one is abed and
asleep Now Tor a little comfort
Carefully drawing the blankets around the
tiny form, she rested one hand for a few mo-
ments upon the gently heaving breast, stirred
the cradle with the other, singing the wbils
low lullaby. Assured from its soft breathing
and quiet lines that 1t was indeed asleep, she
turned from il quickly, drew her low rocker
to the stand, picked up the light, and took
from underneath miscellaneous pile in her
WOrkbasket, sr uncut novel
''What beautiful title" she said all TRACES
Cf WEAKNESS vanished with electric rapidity
from her c0GItenaBce. As her eyes glanced
over its pages, the dUll look they had worn all
dsy disappeared, and the ii yht Of anticipated
joy flashed in its stead. Il know that L shall
be pleased with it; 1 feel that it will be inter,
sstfng," continued she. '.What charming
names the author has chosen. None Of your
joins and Hsnnabs, your Roberts and Maria.
Tets-Oh 10! here is noble Roderigo, poetic
Clarence, sweet ElOrilld, ssintly Therese-
why there il not an ordinary name in the
book The writer must be one of unusual
late :"
Having hastily cut the leaves, she shaded
her brow with one hand, grasped the charm
ing book with tho other, as though it were poll
ished gold and she miser, and commenced in
the phrase Of enthusiastic novel readers to
y
nvsr-the first chapter. But thsn-she turned
FeT Lead with quick, impatient movement
D,l Eae lot hear noise in the cradle? Yes
little hand was lifted from beneath the
COysr.
loo lad, too bad; he'll be awake all the
evening now, +" aud she glided with noiseless
step 70 the child's side. Bat the eyelids were
still eiOsed-the mes ssured breath Of sluulber
stole gently from the half parted lips, and the
offending hand rested IN quiet beauty upon
she soft cheek.
q was fair, sweet babe, whose little heart
sd thrObbsd but one short summer. As it
lay there, the spell Of sinless sleep upon his
brow. il seemed the type Of ali things pure
nd LlGst. Eden, with ell its lovelness, never
armed the gaze of Eve with sgch picture
The hoiisr feelings Of the mothers breast
were touched, as if by a hand frem heaven.
The angel began 20 trouble the deep waters of
her soul as she stood Sssi1e that cradle bed !;
and wHeT, after vigil Of several moments
the child still sleeping, she bent her head and
impTiRted upon It's lips the Kiss Of love, the
h.sling wave flowed for an instant-then ebb-
ei, for the novel Tss not yet read.
Resuuing her seat, Mrs Leeagain took her
baOk. Bat the fiction seemed TO have lost
some Of It's E5scIn .tioa. For some time her
glance vaSciilatsd between its finely printed
psyes and her heapsd up basket. Size even
put On her thimble and threaded needle.
But q moonlight scene, where in q honey
suckle bower the noble lover draws a tremo-
ling girl to his 55E9m, and pours into'her ears
the bswitehipg words OF Wild courtship, acted
Ike magic on the Tea1er's mind, and she be-
came absorbed in the glowing picture. The
second and thi-d r2apteT5 were sOon perused,
and she vas entering with interest upon the
fourth when d { Sest yOise from the tTUDdle-
bed calIea cut, Mother, mother, mother"
Her ear eaueis The sound, but it made no
impression upon her mind till it had been
several times repeated; then turning qnie kiy,
A. L ~ E4
do ysu want. Lizzie. L thought ya1 were
asleep an hour ago" ..- 80
II have been asleep, mother" ans Hered the
daughter in a timid tone. 'I walked up be-
causs''- -
\"Beeauss yOu were s naSghty girl and want
ed 10 plague me. Strange that can't have a
minutes comfort and going hastily TO a %
bed she drew the clothes around TIC child
sHd 5ade her shu. her eyes and 60 20 steep.
Il want a drink, nlther clz't sleep
an so thirsty"
The mother looked arouui; there was
neithe- fitcher-HoE glass in tha room.
bring up wa.sr but you are sure to want some.
Why ditn'r zoo driak last night, when had
a who's pitcher ful f.r yoa?"
Il wasn't thirsty last night. Do please
give ne dripk and III 50 Tight to sleep y
- Il an not going to rul down stairs tonight !
50 lust turn over and shut your eyes" AMI
see sat down again TO her novel, leaving the
thirsty child to its thoughts or dreams as the
case might be 'a
Lizzie, "a she said, wanted drink very
much, and 50 she turned aIi tossed and tried
q think OF everything bat water, Willie thai
was all she could think oS.
III only hal ons little swallow" murmur-
ed zGe to herself, i guess | could get along till
morning" But she night as well have want
Cd a painful; there was 10 prospect Of getting
ary By ard by she spied upon the stove
IL. n
ghc. ssPcrhaps tha. would be as good as water
I wonder ~ mother would let me haye it."
She looked - ward the parent. Sh- was ab-
soroed in her book; her very being seemed
bound up ia IL. Tls child knew too much 70
disturb her But psrh 4ps she could &C.. IL
With disturbing her m3t5er, an sne did want
a drink 80 mucn she hesitaie5 awhile, then
reot silently out OF oed, stole TO the cup, seiz-
ed II eagerly and TOOK swallow. Bat II taEt-
ed better Than she tlought Il EoaId, and hel
thirst vas such that sae drained it. Alarmed
AZ wSat she mad done, shs Eas In spch haste 10
Uut back that il slipped from her trembling
ha-d. bounding against the store, falling o.
the hearth, ana IOliOg thence on.phs earpet.
WY. Lizzie Lee so screamed the mother,
GropuiEg her book and running to the child.
L mould like to know what you've been
alou.; split ali Tie baby milk ~ warrant;
&c -ls tOOk up The empty cup Ihsn seelne
tJe carpet was quite dry; sac seized Lizzie by
l.s 1cuidsr, e1claiIniug in an angry voice,
s.Whd: have you done with the milk, you lit |
tie pIsRuel Tsii ne Ills minute what has be- !
cCI1s ofit,'2 E.v .ga s--1. -.
i aas so thirsty, mother" answered tie
child in pleading voice, tears starting TO her |
eyes II could not 60 70 sleep, and 81
SO you drank 1t, did ycd1 you naughty |
girl, ~ contin1-1- Ars. Lee with inorsasoa Fs- |
nemence of tOne; drank it and haven { I
znothe- drop Of milk in the hoUEe. I'll teach |
Won 70 40 such thingE,' and her hand came |
u,an heaEily upon the shrinking shoulder, 4
one two. three times A wild cry Of pain |
burst from the ehild's lips. Another, and !
auother; and angry and excited as the mother |
vss, hey pierced her heart as with deep
arrows - .t-
The noise startled another child who slept |
II the same bed with Lizzie. heightened /
from It's sound slumbsrs, it shrieked in alarm, |
when the babe, waking at the same moment, |
JOined lis voice with the others, not In harmo- i