East Saginaw courier., 1864-08-03

the same furniture, the same book
shelf which belonged tohis good faith
er, and thus brought back his thoughts
to his early days. On the wall was
hung map, upon which he traced
the different countries he had gone
through, whore he had many o night
fixed his tent; and over this map was
hanging several curious guns he had
sent Mr.. flaming as mementoes of
different battles. He was examining
all this with great curiosity, and full
of affectiouate thoughts for his sister,
who displayed wonderous taste, when
her voice was heard in the adjoining
room, and then strange voice re-
piled to hers, which the Major well
recognized as his nephew's. The
mother seemed to be reprimanding
her son; and he answered pertly and
roughly, as if accustomed to be in
dulged in all his whims and wishes.
81 will not CO." said he with obsti-
nate determination.
"You are not reasonable, Robert, |"
replied the mother in an aflectionate
tone; Miss Brown relies upon your
going to this sOireo. If your uncle had
not come, i should have spared you
the trouble; but, as he is here, can
not leave him."
81 wish to see him as well as your
self" replied Robert, pettishly. "Let
Miss Brown get her cousin to go with
her"
"You know he's away" said his
mother.
'erhen let her stop at home," re-
turned Robert.
"What you say is absurd" replied
his mother; Sand therefore, you must
[obey me. Miss Brown is very fond
of whist; she does not like to be dis
appointed; and at her age she must be
thought Of"
81 don't care about her wishes, :"
said Robert in the same sulky humor.
Gam l under any obligation to Miss
Brown that must put myself out for
her ?p
mo, but / am" replied Mrs. Fan
ming; ''she taught me all / know; she
helped me when / was much reduced
in circumstances; she has been to me
like a mother; and you must know
this, Robert, and ought, for my sake,
to do what I require; it is your duty."
"Say, mother, you love to create
duties for yourself and others" he re-
torted; "it is mania woman have to
make themselves slaves to others, and
take up burdens in which others must
help them
"You forget, my son, that the heav-
lest burden is not laid upon me by
Miss Brown" replied the. mother,
hurt and sad.
"Then you mean--me,' ,said Robert
sharply.
"You oblige-m to say that some
Of my duties are painful to me where
your interests are concerned, said his
mother.
"And in order to prove it to me,
you must needs remind me of it in
this disagreeable way 2" said Robert.
"Robert, there is neither sense or
justice it what you say"
"Well, then, don't let us talk any
thing more about it," he replied, as
he was opening the door to GO out.
"You will accompany Miss Brown"
said his mother. 'Hr
NO" he replied, snappishly.
"Remember, wish it," said Mrs
Tanning; 81 command you to do so."n
~ won't CO." he exclaimed obsti-
nately, and slamming the door, he
ran up stairs singing, as if he cared
nothing for the displeasure of his
mother; she had retired into the cor
ner of the room, and Uncle Frederick
knew she was weeping
The scene in which the Major had
unavoidably been q witness taught
him more than the last ten years cor
respondence. He understood now the
result Of the unlimited love of the
mother for her only child !; she had
made herself his slave, and had thus
brought on herself disrespectful and
tyranical conduct.
The Majors first impulse was to
fetch the boy and box his ears, and
oblige him to seek his mothers for
giveness; but fortunately a moments
reflection stopped him. lie made up
his mind what he would do, and then
left his room. "
Mrs. Tanning was almost herself
again, from what he concluded was a
daily occurrence. Roberts i'll humor
continued longer; displeased with
himself, he showed it like all other
spoilt children, in a sulky mood
When he met his uncle, his bearing.
was cold and full of indifference. Af-
ter having answered the many ques-
tions put to him, he threw himself
into an arm chair, crossed his legs,
and began biting his nails.
Mrs. Tanning was afraid of the
bad impression this conduct would
make upon Uncle Fred she tried all
she could to rouse her son from this
sulky silence, but 1t made him worse {;
a pardon given without deserving or
asking it is almost an insult. He
took up newspaper and read it.
Mrs. Tanning at'last loosing pa
tience, told him the drawing room was
not lecture room ia - ~
II thought" said he, "the newspa-
per was here for the purpose Of being
read"
"But is not our company more
agreeable than the newspaper ?7 said
the mother. q"
Robert nodded satirically. 'T was
not aware" said he, 'that one must
bealone to choose ones own pleasure. y
"You are very rude toward your
uncle" exclaimed the mother very
angrily." =
The young boy was at first startled
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