Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-02-20
TALES AND SKETCHES.
THE ADOPTED DAtGHTER.
BY LUCY A. RANDALL.

The chill November evening would have
been metamo-phosed into the brightest of
| May moontides could il have stolen aught
of the sunny radiance that glowed in little
! Mrs. Darling's face, as she sat by the crack
ing coal fire. in the large, velvet easy chair
she had adheared to, spite of the changing
f, fashions of twenty-five years, with her tiny
feet onean embroidered foot-stool, and an
open letter in her lap. The parrot, swing
| ing idly to and fro in his glittering cage,
blinked inqusitively at Mrs. Darling as if
he could not imagine why her peachbloo
ed cheeks wore u brighter flush than ususl
and the poodle dog, on bis satin cushion
before the fire, sleepily watching the smiles
that danced uncOnsciously around her pretty
mouth, as if he could not tn6 any reason
able grounds to account for them. Yes,
( Mrs. Darling was happy, very happy in her
/ own thoughts-so happy that she was al
most annoyed when Miss Pcndeton was an
nouuccd, and prim, little OLD maid, quiv-
ering with ribbons, and stiff, with black
silk draperies, walked. in the cheerful
room.
So remarked Miss Pendleton, when
the ordinary subjects of chit,chat were ex-
hausted, your son has gone west, under
stand ~
! YES" said Mrs. Darling; "IIarry has
always wanted to explore those regions, and
as he intended to pass near the large or
| plans asylum, | commissioned him to pick
me out some nice little girl to adopt"
"a little girl bless me Do you know
what a responsibility it will be. Mrs. Darl-
ing ~ croakcd Miss Pendeton, shaking the
ribbors oninously.
Yes" said Mrs. Darling, with something
Of an apologize tone; "but you cannot
Imagine bow l always longed for dear
little daughter. Harry was well enough as
'ong as he could sit up on my lap, and have
his halr cured around my fingers eve.y
NOR ing; but he is six feet two now, and
somehow cannot make up my mind to fill
the vacant place with lap-dogs or parrots.
want s,,tt-haired, loving daughter to sit
beside me- al these irrg winter days-to
teach, and fon, 4lc and have all to myself"
"You will fnii it shockingly expensive
better have given the money to the mis-
sionaries," said Miss teideton, scornfully
elevating her nose at M.'s. Dariings rcman-
tic fancIes.
ave are rich and can afford to do both"
said the old lady, meekIy But listen,
dear Miss Pendleton, to what larry says
Only think of it, he is to be home tonight
in an hour"
And she adjusted herspectacIcs and open
ed the letter.
Let me sec-oh here it is" and til en-
she read:
Il have been to the asylum, as you dcsir-
ed, dearest mother, and after q voyage of
inspection through about three hundred pug
noscd little creatures, succeeded in finding
one whom think will suit you. She has
curly black hair beautiful eyes and COM
rIcNiQn that makes ME think of your pink
Da!Samine. Iou cannot help liking her dis
posltion--somcWhat reserved ut first; 1ut,
after you become well acquainted wiki her
she Is the most loving little creature in the
world. l have been obliged to delay my
return for several weeks longer than had
at first anticipated, in order to make suita-
bic arrangements for bringing her home
with me. But We shall be with you on
Thursday evening without fail. l had al
most forgotten to tell you that her name is
Violet
There" said the old lady, triumphantly,
taking oil her geld spectacles, 'what do you
think of that ~
Beauty is only skin deep" said Miss Pen
dleton, OracuaTly.
u know that, but can't help being glad
she Is pretty. do like to see pretty things
around, no matter whether they are flowers
shall love this little Violet. Let me see,
Harry don't say how old she is, but think
some six or seven years Of age. OF course,
will teach her kritiing and all that sort of
thing. l wonder if she can read. Good
gracious six O'Clock already. Betty. Bette
We will have tea in here to night; it Is so
much more sociable. Now, don't 90 Miss !
PendletOn,' for the ancient maiden was
making preparatory flutter among her stiff
ribbons; "stay and take tea with me- and
see my little adopted child"
Miss Pcndleton, whose daily bread was
picked up wherever she had Il chance to cat
it from other peoples tables, was nothing
10th, and Mrs Darling hustled round to pre-
pare the evening meal ',just as Harry liked
it," And very tempting it looked to the
halfstarved spnstet when the tout ensemble
was complete-the Kissing tea urn of solid
silver, the daintly.cut slices of pink ham,
the baskets of cake, studded with ctron
and raisins, and ridged with pearly icing to
say nothing of cut-glass dishes where golden
peaches lay piled in a sea of saccharinc juice
and crimson plums suggested huge preser-
ing kettles and skilful housewifery.
At last, when the preparations had reach
ed stage of perfection, and Mrs. Darling
had consulted her watch for about the TWEEN
tieth time, there was ring at the doorbell
and a rattle of trunks in the hall. Mrs. Darl-
ing started up.
"It is Harry-it is Harry Now shall
see my darling little new child !"
She sprang forward as the door opened,
and the tall figure of her son appeared all
mufiled in travelling apparel.
My Harry my boy !" she exclaimed, as
he gaily caught her in his arms, showering
half dozen kisses on her yet unwrinkled
brow. "Welcome home again But where
is the little girl n
She gazed around, evidently expecting to
see some small apparition in blue.cheeked
apron, bnt what was her astonishment when
Harry, with mischievous twinkle in his
dark eyes, led forward beautiful young
creature OF about sixteen, whose checks, half
veiled by the long silky curls that hung
over them, were in carmine glow Of pretty
confusion.
"Here she is, mother; the sweetest little
daughter could possibly pick up for you
Allow me to present my wife !"
Who could resist the appealing glance of
those soft lustrous eyesl Not Mrs. Darling
certainly, who instinctively clasped the
slender figure to her motherly breast, though
her brain was in whirl OF mingled perplex-
ity, delight and astonishment.
IL.