Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-14

the only fashion which would have been st
all likely to bring them to reason. As for
the elders of the house, Teecie Rays mo-
mentsry presence, or the mere mention Of |
her name, was sufficient to trpfle their
peace of mind. "Whst is to be done with |
that girl77 heard Mrs. Rutland remark /
to one of her daughters. IF she were |
not lame, one might set her to earn her |
bread in some way; but, as it is" A |
shTug of The shoulders, and certain vine |
gsr-like expression of countenRnce, which |
this lady knew how to assume, sufficiently |
developed the idea thus imperfectly ex-
pressed. . Er. |
And how did Teecie Rsy meet all this 2
She did not complain nor rebel she did |
not sulk nor fret. Under that well-worn
black frock of hers, she carried q little
bTeast-plato of sober, determined endur-
ance. When sorely tried, there was never
any cowardly submission 70 be seen in her
grave little face, neither was there ever in
her manner or words either reprosch or
remonstrance. She simply endured. Her
large patient eyes and mute wise mouth
seemed to say, "WhateVer suffer, what
ever 1 long to dare, gratitude shackles my
limbs, and seals my lips. l am saved from
many things; therefore am dumb"
The second time 1 met my little bene-
factress, was day or two after our first in
terview in the drawing room. / came
upon her, one afternoon, by chance limp
ing down hedge lane which lay to the
back of the house, away beyond the kteh-
en- gardens, and the pleasure grounds.
This lsre, found, led to large meadow,
and beyond the meadow there was q wood
ed hill, and far down at the distant side of
the hill there was a river. This was
Teecie Rays favorite ramble, and her one
avenue of escape from the torments of the
nursery. 1 Immediately began pouring
forth legion Of perplexing troubles and
difficulties, TO all of which she listened
with perfect credulity, expressing her SYM
psthy as l went along by an expressive
nod of the head, or shrewd swift glance.
Then she gave me her wise little counsel
when all was told, and went home, / be-
lie7e, pondering on my case.
As the days passed, and my relations
became more and more involved in their
winter gayeties, 1 found myself more and
more thrown upon my own resources for
amuaement. Occasionally was included
in an invitation, and accepted it; but in
general l preferred indulging my fancy for
keeping sloof from those who were little
charmed with my company. A system of
the most unblushing bribery had won for
me warm welcome from the savage tribes
in the nursery. Many and many an eve
| uing found me walking down that hedged
lane in the frosty dusk, with Teecie Ray
Hmping by my side, and talking her grave
simple little talk. L had always some fresh
puzzle to propose to her, and she was al
WAYS ready to knit her smooth broWs over
its solution Once she stopped short and
struck her little crutches on the snow.
"You ought to go away from here and
work," she cried. 20, if Icouldr'
A certain Sir Harry arrived at Rutland
Hall; l will not trouble myself to think OF
his second name; 1t is not worth remem-
bering. He was q wealthy bachelor OF
high family and his movements were
watched with interest by the lady of the
house. This Sir Harry had q fancy fo1
smoking his cigar in the hedged lane, and
on more thru one occasion he encountered
my little benefsctress llmping on her soli-
tsry way, and stared at the pretty fresh
face under her old black hat, till it blushed
with uncomfortable brilliance. Teecie
changed her track like hunted hare, bui
Sir Harry scented her out and ANNOYED
her with his fulsome compliments. The
matter reached Mrs. Rutland's eArs
and she vented her chagrin on the
defenseless little girl l know not what
sorry accusations and reproaches she be
slowed upon her during long private
lecture; bot that evening, when, at tht
LII 3no I
door with new ball in my hand for Jack
(the youngest and least Objectionable o.
the band), saw Teecie Rays face griev
ously clouded for the first time. 1t wa
flushed and swollen with passionate cry
ing. l do not intend to commit to paper
certain remarks which made soto Uoec OF
beholding this Disagreement.
"Come, come, Teecie," ssid, while nurse
was busy quelling a disturbance which hsC
arisen because "Cousin Guy had no
brought something to every one else a
well as Jack; "Where is all your philo5o
ply, little mother2 You need neve
preach to me again, if you set me such al
example"
Teecie said never word, but stared OF
into the fire. This wound had cut deep
Sir Harry and Mrs. Rutland, of Rutland
Hall, at that moment should have dear
| ly loved to knock your two good-fer-noth
ing heads togetherl
"Teecie, u said, Hyou have one friend, d
any rate, even if ne be not very grand
one"
She gave one of her quaint, expressive
little mods Translated, it meant; II IN
derstsnd all that, but I:csnnot talk jus
now" By and by, however, she brighten
ed up, and went to the table to claim he
share of the thick bread-and-butter, and
began to mend bow belonging to Tom
Tom was one of the leaders of the unrllJ
tribes, q regular. savage chieftsin.
Ere two days more had passed. 1 fol
strongly inclined to exercise the horse
whip on this young gentlemsn's shoulders
Tom, one fine morning, was seized with 81
impish inspiration to play q trick upol
Teecie. Stealing her crutches, he walked
about the nursery mimicking her poo
little limp, and then marching off witt
them, needless of BeT sntresties to hav
them restored d, carried them in triumph
out of doors, and smashed them In piece
with hstchet. Teecie sat helpless In tn
din and riot of that i'll conditioned nursery
Bright, brseing rays came and found he
prisoner, looking with longing eye
through the window pRnes, out over tn
beautiful country lanes. Tom saw he
patience with the most audacious indiffer
enee. But why talk about Tom2 couli
not help believing, nor do l intend to hell
believing, that older heads than Tom
plotted the cruel csging of that bonni
: bird.
The bird dropped on its perchi but VIII
cared Nurse vowed it was shame, ant
showed more kindness than usual to III
prisoner; but will not venture to decid
how much Of this tenderness was owing Il
the odd crown pieces which found thei
way from my hand to hers-an out of tn
guinea, of course 0, yes, all out of tn
guinea And there was another FRIEND
who sometimes expressed an interest il
| IL,