St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-02-11

Fleu ASSuMeO CHe SpkcNI0UCe Tdtucr OF d
large open ridge Of arabic, land, bordered
by the high rsal, and Terminated by dis
tant vil1age,,than Of the small wooded en-
closures 50 common to the midland coun-
ties. A pretty scene it was, as it lay before
him, bathed in the sunshine and lovely
group was that to which his attention was
immedi ltely directed "A pale young wo-
man, whose regular and beautiful features
received additional interest from her o,Dsc
widows cap, stood before him, holding a
fine infant in her arms; very pretty girl
Of twelve or ortthirteen was flourisAing q tuft
Of wheat ears before the baby's eyes, emil
ing herself at the smile she excited, while
her little brother olung to the mothers pet
ticoat in momentary. fear Of two high fed
dogs attending gentleman and lady rid
ing slowly along the road. .~. :.
The poer cripple drew back, and SIT down
under = clpmp. Of maple and hawthorn, gay
with the purple. Wild veitch, the white bind:
weed, and the pretty clcmatss, known by
the;still pretier name of ''the travellers
joys" whilst the riding party called off
their dogs, spoke graciously to the child
and his mother, and passed slowly out Of
sight. As they 1cA Mrs. Leslie, for
she it was, approae he old man, to re-
place her infant in ffs cradle; inches un-
der the fragrant shade Of some orcrhang-
ing hazel stems. just beside his rude seat.
Struck by the evidence Of poverty and sick
ness and sorrow, afforded by his tattered
apparel, and his wrinklcd yet venerable
count enAuce, she took up !. pitcher which
stood by the cradle, and, with the kindness
which the very poor 50 often show to each
other and remark upon the heat Of the
day, offered him a small cupfl of milk
which formed the contents Of the jug. He
took it with trembl;ag hand, and thank
cd her with an emotion which our reade,
will comprehend, but which at on:e sur
prised and interested its object.
.'Y sur zane is Leslie !'''1 asked he, as,
after returning the cup with thanks and
blessings, he made room for her on the
thymy bank. "Your name is Leslie ?"
Margaret Leslie. 1t is so.''
''The wife of William Leslie -
"His widow. All, ne his widow ~ re-
piled she, with .,<s;ka. 1.-THE widowed
mother of these children. Michael" added
she, as the boy came near them, stake some
milk yourself and carry cupful to your
sister, aud bring ~hat wheat ears you and
she have gathered to my little heap"
99:s'eMichael:" echoed the old man, "your
husbands name was William: How came
7sa to call his: SON! Michael ? But the name
telonss 10 your family perhaps your faith
er, or some favorite brother -
"No." replied the widow, lit was for a
different reason. A very dear kinsman Of
my husbands bore that name, and in to-
ken Of love and gratitude TO him, aud in
fuldlment Of an old promise, SO our only
| son was christened," j.
Il remember" muttereJ the cripple to
himself, 81 remember William said that his
first boy should bear my name, ard I think
he wrote to that effect after the child was
born; but the letter must have arrived ut
that time of misery" Then rorsing hlm-
self, and turning to the gentle creature,
whom feeling Of unusual interest still
detained at his side, he added aloud, 81 do
remember nov that William Norris had on
uncle called Michael Norris, but what Pc
culiar cause of gratitudc--''
"What cause?" interrupted Mrs Leslie;
"a thousand causes from a me, infant,
when have heard my husband say that he
gave him the first shilling he ever possess.
ed, that kind uncle, absent or present, was
his good genius. He insisted upon his be-
ing sent to Belford School; paid himself
for masters, whom his guardian thought
superfuous rescued him from the frantic
frenzy of his step-father: saved his life at
the utmost peril Of his own from the furi
GUS assaults Of that wretched madman
placed him in the paper mill, which, but
for the rash speculation Of his partner,
would have been not merely comfortable
income TO- himself, but an affluent provis-
ion for his family !; and last and dearest
kindness7 when William With his charac.
teristie generosity loved poor girl, the
portionless orphan Of 4 nav Il officer, when
interested connections and officious friends
oil opposed the union, did not he. from
aeross the. wide ocean, send not merely hi,
appreciation of the destined marriage. hut
o portion for the destitute bride? / never
saw him, continued Mrs. Leslie. in 4 low
er tone than that which had been dicta;iet|
! h0yh hnp onth 1cSo OF