Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-10-08

GuEhf uBI Vuly Whh
now fifteen years Of age remarka.
bly, interesting and pretty, full Of
intelligence and vivaCity. She in
herited the same excilable, nervous
temperament, and was easily
moved TO smiles or tears.
Her mother, by most watchful
care, had kept from her the knOwl-
edge Of her fathers disgraceiul life.
She felt that she was delicate, so
sensitive, that the knowledge OF the
stigma resting upon him whose
name she bore, would be more than
she could endure. She remember
ed her own joyous girlhOod, and
l0nged TO shield her child from
every sorrow.
They were very poor now,
even hungry sometimes, for there
were days together when bread
alone was all the food they had.
Nora thought the cruel injustice TO
her father which had obliged him
to resign his position In the army,
the cause of their loss OF fortune,
and she pitied his misfortune, and
tried to bear these trials cheerful.
ly for his sake.
lie was always a gentleman when
he was himself; and when he was
not the mother managed that Nora
should neither sec nor suspect II.
She bore in silence her terrible
burden, lest her daughters smiles
should cease. Mistaken kindness !
Like all receptions, even kind ones,
fatal in result.
Nora knew that her mother was
worn out, and weary with doing
all their household work, even
heavy washing, with her delicate
hands, and did all she could to help
her. She saw her mother fading
day by day over her constant sew
ing, the only means Of support they
had ; and she did wonder some
times "why poor papa could not
get something to do to help meet
the expenses" But never suspi-
ciOus-she never dreamed the
truth.
Only once 1t came near being re-
vealed. Mrs. Tracy was within
two months Of her fourth, and,
Heaven be praised, last cOniine'
ant. Poor woman, this grief Of
giving birth to children who could
not fail Of feeling the effect IN
either o physical, mental, or mora.
form, Of their fathers sin, was sor'
row enough of itself for one life.
but added to her other trials, was
beyond patient submission.
All those trying months, when
this sorrowful expectation was be-
fore her, her husband never came
home one night sober. He did mo-
come until very late-she wal
thankful for that on Nora's accounI
and rs she always sat up for him
and even after his coming, haC
little opportunity for rest or sleep
che was more nervous, more un
strnng, and more feeble than eve
before.
OF course, this mental strain, to
gether with the horrible scenes o
stupor or phrenzy which she wa
Obliged to witness, could not bu
impress the unborn child. Sht
felt 1t must be so, and the fear add
ed 10 her terror.
She had hurried Nora off to be-
one night, and sat, long past mid
night, patching up some old clothes
when she heard her husband STUN
BILE against the front door and falI
Fastening down to his assistance
she, with difficulty, succeeded II
helping him 10 rise and get safel.
into the hall. There he chung fas
to her to steady himself, but a sud
den faintness seized her her dru
grasp relaxed, and she caught tn
banister for support. Enraged a
her for failing him, when he was s
uncertain on his feet, he struck he
q fierce blow, and she sunk with
moan upon the stairs.
A torrent of incOherent oath
were poured out upon her, but sh
needed them not she was past cal
ing for anything, or would haV
been, If her quick ears had nc
caught the patter of Nora's feet /
the hall above. Atonce she rouse
and leaving her husband on tn
floor, from which he was unable {
rise, she rau up the stairs, an
gently taking her daughter by tn
arm, said:
"Nora, | implOre you, if you lov
me, 90 quickly back TO your room
Do not come out again, my child
Do as l ask you, won't you IN
daughter?
Nora had never seen her mothC
so strangely excited. By the dir
candle.light she saw her pale fac
and wild eyes, and the hand sl
held IN hers was cold and damp.
Mamma" she cried, 81 kno'
something has happened, am SUI
Iheard you fall. / think l hear
YOU groan ; and oh ! l know l bear
papa talking in a very angry tor
to you. Is he in bed? Shall | &
and call him? l am lure he eau
be angry nO'O, when you are hur
OH what were you down stat
for, and in the dark"
Longing SO for comfort, for syn
patty, for the help of aiIectio
how hard 1t was to refuse the
boons, and answer as she did
my child, l pray you, do nj
question me any more. YoV
father was angry-yes! | had to
down stairs ; and-yes, l did fol
Now go to bed darling, for n
BakeI"
w. oharf Al aOmnly whl