The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-05-19

BcptoD that 'let them say what they pleased
she MAS rothing more nor lesa than an ido..
Ior"Poor thing,' thought the kind hearte
step-motber II will try and make her as hap
/ py as possible" = elg dlnlR1 /,
/, IN Arrah soon learned to love the sweet sml
and gentle voice of her new friend and wa
always happy at her side, although she rarel,
said any ylbing.o d larse p s40ti dilW :
"What is this, wonder r. said Mrs. Her
bert, as she paused in a walk through the con
servatory. at isa very singular looking
Eplanl," rztath
at is a Mimulus," said Arrah. 81 "Dennis
says it is sometimes called Monkey flower. -
Here is a small one Of the same kind."rQ
Mis-. Herbert was surprised, as she had nev
er before heard so long sentance from Ar
Iah's lips. She went on asking questions ane
found that Arrah not only knew tbs names
Of most of the plants, but could talk quite in.
telligenlly about their different habits, Pres
ently she stopped before large box which
had just been placed there. After consider
iog for moment, she darted out of the oper
door and ran down the gravel walk to where
tie old Scotch garderer was at work. s z
ing one of his brown hands in both her own
she drew him after her into tho greenhouse.
He took off his hat when he saw Mrs. Herbert
but Arah dragged him along 10 tho plant
which had excited her curiosity. .cf.',
"DenDis, :ell mamma and Arrah what this
isg"
THAT is the zebra plant, Miss" II
He spoke slowly and distinctly, and made
no turher remark. Arrah looked attontively
at the, plant, and repeated the pame several
times. Finally, she said: LA. =
zebra isn't pretty name, Dennis" i
He took hold OF a spray of the plant, and
made Arrah notice the green and white strip
cs on the leaves. AS soon as he was sure
that she was fully comprehend. d what he
was taking about, be told her hat it was
called zebra-plant because it was striped like a
zebra.
r "What is n zebral"
"a zebra is a little horse with q striped
skin" no 'oiA
"What! Tell Arrah again"
GA zebra is little horse. What elsei"
."With a striped skin." ...,.....f ~.
"Yes, with striped skim"
She considered for a moment, looking at
The plant very attentively, and then she add.
ed:
"Llttle zebra Lorse has striped skin. Zebra
plant has striped leaves. | expect little 20.
bra horse eats zebra. plant" n .,t,f
And she patted tho plant with an appear
ance OF great satisfaction. ots
tYe see, ma'am, she kens, said Dennis,
turning 10 triumph to Mrs. Herbert. "The
bonny BARN kens vara weef; aud. TO any
lhinkIn' them that ca bur fou' at mair like
10 be ious' their ain sells. She kens as much
as ony one :" r,,g Z
IL see she is quito intelligent about the,
plants; l suppose becaus she is interested in
Lheip," said Mrs. Herbert, seeing that Arrah
was not observing them, being quite taken up
With the plants. 7.s..........
"Aye, ave." said Dennis, ''tbat she Isl" and
lad her own mther lived to have techt her
vi patience, she wud Ia ha' been cad an i'd
OF them, I'm thinkin' and il any one wud
AXE mltber's interest in yuir brain now, it
vad a be richt wi her yet Gamma raise
'hoice plants, ma'am, without plenty O. care,
% say naetbia' O air and sunshine"
The proud hint Of tho shrewed old Scotch
nan was not lot upon Mrs. Herbert, and she
watched prsyerfully for opportunities to cul-
ivate tue germ Of intellect she saw in that
,louded mind. When the long-silent piano
was tuned, and its rich chords echoed thought
he lofty rooms, Arabs s.deIight was unbound-
ID. She darced up and the parlors, keeping
perfect time with the music, laughing and
,lapping her hands in ecstacy. Mrs. Herbert,
esrful Of the effect of so much excitement
Sou'd have closed the instrument but, Arrah
n hav I'D llu iaH
seys with her own slender fingures. arsr
Six months later, Mr.. Herbert came home
,ne evening with cloud upon his brow A
had pressed upon his notice some
attacli,e children's books and
lis heart ached becaused he could not buy
hem. lie sat reading the newspaper, when
The came and leading upon his shoulder, leok
ID over with him. Presently she placed her
'nall forefnger upon tue page, and began to
cad slowly, hesitatingly, but correctly, lie
lie story for children. He listened in delight
ul surprise until she had finished, an then
exclaimed mr, s3su3 its ras9 M
"Why, my daughter, who taught you to
cad n H., re. raIf- 'y1e.a
"Mamma did: and can play tho piano
90. l am not an idiot any more" g
my child, who ever told you that you
we're an idiotp prBW Sse .slttUa,0 ei.s
COB, L have heard Aunt Benson say 90 a
great many times; bat ain not, forI can
cad" .sfiJg ya sseei 1t eo qs1I
mo, indeed, you are not. There is the
ca bell. Mamma. dou't you think il is about
ime for tlis great girl to have done eating in
he nurseryl She is almost eleven years DID,
There was an amused smile around Mira.
Herbert's mouth at this evidence of the sud
len rise Arah hal made in her fathers es-
Is en-, as she quietly answered" % .bsl
eyes. l have been thinking so for some
ime." .,s,, ,,,.lt -. i1.s. "a st5Ig9 oval.
Accordingly, Arrah was given seat at
he table with her parents, and her father
Watched her movements With feelings quite
kin to those who might bo supposed to have
{ she had been suddenly restored to hiIn.aher,
laviug been lost for long time. After she
lad gone TO bed, Mrs. Herbert told her father
II about old Dennis Opinions, as expressed
q the conservatory. Arah's delight upon
leaiing the piano, and her attempts to play
lersef. -.ft ,Ifra ~. iai. dsifw
"I soon discovered" said she, "that she had
good ear for music, and taught her to play
evcral quiet tunes, and sing tho worda.--
Presently she became very much interested