Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-05-13
Aunt Lizzie.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

he came running into his mothers room.
Hush, Edgar" she answered, "you
don't think what you are saying"
Yes do, mamma" he. added, with
great earnestness, "I wish she never had
come here, with that queer old drawn up
face And when I am in the midst of
my play, she calls out in her own weak
voice, Eddy, dear, will you hand that
little cricket this way? 0 dear, I'm SO
tired of it."
"COme here, Edgar" replied his mo-
ther, sadly; sit down upon this little stool
by me, and hear a story 1 have to tell
you. A number of years ago there was
a pretty little cottage, surrounded by
rose bushes and maple trees-I fancy I
see it.
"Did you ever see it, mammal he
asked.
Yes, Edgar, a great many times.
There was a tall row of maple trees all
along the fence, so large and tall that
they formed complete shade all over
the yard, and the birds used to build
their nests in the top-most branches, and
sing out merrily, as if they said to the
passers by, "You cant catch US here"
Then there were sweet flowers scattered
here and there, where the little bees used
to come every day to gather honey, and
go away with their tiny bags loaded with
the precious sweets. There we're sweet
peas-sWeeter than any others ever we're,
because they grew there-mOrning -glo-
ries and institutions trained along the
sides of the windows, and over the low
caves. 0, it was pretty cottage
"And then, inside, everything was so
comfortable, and all looked so happy;
the father and mother of their two chill
dren-for they had only two. The eld-
est daughter was twelve years old, and
the other, chattering pet of Eve years,
ran here and there over the pretty green
grass in search of the gay flowers that
attracted her steps. All were so happy,
so happy together.
But dark time come to the pretty cot
tage. One night fire broke out in the
dwelling, and ere the family were arous-
ed, half of their house was one mass of
fire. The eldest daughter-when the
fire was discovered-was sleeping in the
low chamber with her little sister, and
though the flames were near her bed, and
she knew moments delay might be
death, yet she stopped to take her little
sister and wrap her in blanket, before
she sought escape Then she heard her
father calling to come this way, and he
could save her-but the smoke blinded
her eyes-still she pushed on with almost
superhuman strength, hugging her little |
burden closer to her, till at last, bewil- |
dered and faint, she would have sunk, |
but her fathers strong arm caught her
for he had then succeeded in gaining her |
side-and bore her safely away But
the pretty cottage, furniture, flowers and |
all, were consumed, no trace being left of
the late happy home except what was
found in the smoking ruins"
"And what become of the children ?" |
interrupted Edgar
"The baby of the family so securely |
wrapped, was taken from its sisters arms,
safe and sleeping; but the sister, poor |
sister who risked her life to save it, was
burned shOckingly. Her hair was sing
ed, her body scorched, and on one side
of her face a complete blister. Many a !
day she Writhed under the pain, till her |
parents grew sad-they feared she would |
debut after months of anguish, she
rose from her bed to be an invalid for life. /
Her system never recovered from the
shock-weak and feeble, she had barely /
lived, and her face, drawn and SCARED, /
will carry the proof of her love for her
little sister to her dying day.
"And now, when that sister gives her
a home and seeks to return a small part
of that great debt she owes to her, her
little boy says he wishes size hadn't come
with her face so drawn up"
Edgar looked up in surprise, and the
tears gathered in his eyes as his mother
added:
"Yes, Edgar, she saved your mcther's
life; 0 love her well; and seek to add
what little comfort you can to cheer her
weary Hfe."
"Good, kind aunt Lizzie" he sobbed, /,
hiding his face in his mothers lap, al
did not know this. Good, kind aunt
Lizzie, will love you" and then jump
ing up, the little fellow ran into the gar
den to gather the choicest flowers for her;
and as he gave them to her, she looked
up and smiled so sweetly on him, he
thought no more of her " drawn up face,
but he loved her because she had saved
his mother.
Time wore on, but no one was more at i