The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-12-15

'elt YOU, and taking shawl she passed
"n', leaving me ashamed that did no,
speak IN a less ungracious manner
] need not mention every little act nf
hers that slowly I'M, surely undermined
The prejudice against stepmo,hers which
which had imhhca from childhood
\ few weeks after she became a mem
he- "f our household she ,anred a. NV
chamber, and after coming in and
sitting few moments, which were pas
sed in pleasant conversation, she said
10 me-,
WAS not one of those portraits Of
vonr Tother taken from the parlor,
N.llie p
The one over ,hn table wa>,' re.
piled. I hung it here few weeks
ago.
We'll, ifyou are willing I will replace
it. she continued, $40 that the cll the
family can have the same pleasure you
10. think yonr forehead resembles
hers very mnrh,' she added a. ~ g
stepped into chair and took it down.
I had M, word 10 say. felt that
| was killed by Kindness yet after all
this | endeavored 10 maintAin that
reserve nfmenner that I had determin.
ed should characterize my 'dcportmem
towards her The time .far The closing
Of the school came, anl I asked papa
to get me an expensive act Of coral and
gold ornaments to wear. Il win think
Of it, he returned; but when We were
alone ne said to me-,
Ellen, if you will cal my wife moth
err | will 20: those cora!s for von. I
do not Ike |" hear von call her "Mrs.
Gordon" especially before strangers
Very well | returned, 4 can do
wihau. them, they are not absolutely
nccessary.,o my happiness .....
The morning of the exhibition day
came, an. az was leaving the insti;u-
ton | saw Mrs Gordon come ont. Of
the j.welr's anil walk hastily toward
home. | followed, vcxed and almost
angry ! ,hongi,, to myself, if can
rsl! Fer mother at dinner. papa will
notice !, and get me the ornaments
while | am ireasin., and I can wesr
them 10 the cxMbainn Tins afternoon
and 10 the party this evening l won
der what Emma Anderson would say
If | shonll, a. | told her I never would
wii'e | lived aHd that's decided.
Dinner over wert mp to my room
10 dress, tor the excerai.es we're to
commence at two. a. I stood by the
table ! noticed small kil case, with 4
slip ofpaperton it. opeae.l The pa
PEI, which bnr. my II me san the on,
side, aud read, .,Wii. Nellie accept
his from her f,iena Alice Gordon !.
In the hox Law the lonu soye,ei orna
mcn,s shining IN their satin bed. This
last act ot !.Hbtaranue and haye was
more than even could endure, and
sobhed bitterly while concience up
e-rsss~d rnrsrr -rsrr Pa, I did no.
wish IN GO dovr, snl ~ Fio,ie wa.
dressed l wrote %, = sip Of paper, &C
ept the thanks Of y"ar dsugh.e.,s and
she carried IL TO mother as I then de
lcimined to call he...i
LII . few ,nsoucnts I heard steps ap
preaching, ssnd turning, laid my head
on her shoulder and mu.mured, For,
give me. motbe'
Gently abe smo,hed back the bands
of her forehead. I did no. do this 10
buy your love, Nr!!ia.' she slid. Il
hcpe yoI would have given me that
wi'hoa, this testimony Of my alsol.
ion.
From that day the most perfeot con.
fdencc existed between us, and ever
fonnd hera ,rne fr,eni--a f.ithfu I'd
visev. AID ra~, though . decade of
years passed away, still ! rememhsr
the look Of satisfaction that: rested on
her face. atrths3resat Of ier labor II
love. when | yisldci 10 the dictates Of
my better natures and gave her. q
! langh,crsi,se and respect. 800
4 iit..c child, whne lips have ba,
! jus, leaned to speak that sweetest Of
wort's--ina nma-,s sleeping in her tiny
c6acl, at my side aud whenI think OF
'hotnsnre ofthe little one God has com
m'tted TO my care. fpray,o the great
Disposnre Of all human events. that i,
! DC called 70 leave her, while vet he,
Zee, arefn the tAorny paths Of childhooa
and youth. that she may And a faith.
tal a frieni, 'hoogh step mother, a.