Middletown transcript., 1868-01-18
gardener, and her daughter Chloe forhouse

girl. -
Gerty's delight was unbounded when she
found We had home all toourselves. She
put her arms around ME and said: dear
mamma we will be SO happy now, all these
things are ours to do just what we please
with them. y, how wish grandpa and
grandma could come and stayawhilewith us
The days rolled peacefully by, and
through the grace of God had learned to
quietly enjoy them, ceasing to mourn for
the past. My child was my greatest joy
and blessing. Twas my daily care to
make her happy and she being Of the
most amiable disposition, my task was hut
pleasure l think she was in her fif-
tccnth year when she came home one even
ing saying, she had new desk mate at
school. | asked who it was. She replied
her name is Annie De We're, she is new
scholar. She is just my age, mother and
is so lovely, / know you would say so too
could you but see her. May ] not bring
her home with Inc soon?" gave my con-
sent provided she should be as well pleased
with her as now, in fortnight hence.
's No fear" she said, 9" can read her
| from her countenance and manners" (I
did not check her by saying had been
deceived when older than she; but I
thought SOY !" Annie told me to-day that
her father had bought the place next to
Uncle Martins and they had recently
moved there from Georgia. She has no
mother; but loves her father dearly and
think | could too, he looks so noble and
kind. / saw him when he brought Alnie
to school" Gerty continued warm in the
praises of her new friend and at the end
Of the fortnight was overjoyed to have her
spend Saturday and Sunday with her.
Like Gerty, felt drawn to the young girl
by her sweet face and gentle manners as
well as by her motherless lot After this she
and Gerty frequently interchanged visits,
and in going backward and toward Mr.
DeVere who was always their escort, would
often call at my house.
Thus through the intimacy of our chill
dren we became acquainted. There was
something in his countenance that seemed
familiar and l thought l had heard his
name, but when or where could not re-
call, till one day he asked me if l were
not the same person whom he met in the
cars, going North some fourteen years be-
, fore? All was plain now This was the
; kind friend who rendered me such great
assistance. lie asked for Alice, and was
, surprised when I.told him she died in the
North.
!, During the Summer vacation, Gerty and
| were spending some weeks with my sis
, ter. Martin and Mr. DE We're had become
5 warm friends, and saw much of him du-
Q ring our stay. He often took the girls
t { Annie, and Gerty) riding and would
sometimes respectfully ask me to join them
Q had always declined until one pleasant
morning, they urged or rather entreated
: me. could not refuse without being rude,
2 so went. / cannot say I did not enjoy
! the ride for / did. The girls were as blithe
as. birds, and their merry conversation, with
: Mr.. De Vere's easy courtesy, disarmed my
: reserve. often went with them after this,
4 indeed they would seldom take any denial.
/ After we returned home and the girls had
O resumed their studies, Mr., De We're would
y frequently call while waiting their return
I from school. Thus our frequent inter-
G course ripened into deep and lasting regard
+. for each other and when he asked me to
d become his wife, and doubly bless him by
sharing his home and bring mother to
l. his daughter; my heart, as well as my lips
# assented.
v We were quietly married. and repaired
/ Immediately to his home. Our children
II were rejoiced at the turn affairs had taken.
o. And now when other children are around
d me calling me mother, am still blessed
v with my husbands love. He is yet .the
@ tender, afiectionate friend and lover, and
le am constrained to say the happiness of my
a present life more than counterbalances the
10 griefs of the past.