The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-06-20
ThUNDEk-STkUCk.
ABeautifulS STORY

During the winter, whenever Mr. Miooie
ton was IN the house, Ella was ever at MS
side or on his knee while he, ever singing,
talking, laughing, playing with her,
amused both himself and his little compsn
ion. And when ne wasst school still old Max
was as before, her constant and devoted
st,endant: but it was touchingly beautiful to
see how the two had gradually and uncon-
sciousy changed their relative positions
how quietly and unquestioning the mere
brute instinct limited In its powers and its
perfection from the Gay of its creation) yield
ed to the supremacy of the human intellect:
how meekly and naturally he who had been
the protector sunk into the dependent how
dociely he followed the steps he had former
ly guided watching her glances with earnes,
patient, loving eyes, and obeying the 81 ghtes,
motion OF the little hand once laid in loving
helplessness upon his neck.
When the spring came, and Ella could
again accompany her ''brother" TO school,
the happiness of both seemed perfect. Mind
fol of the Doctors caution, Robert would not
allow her to s.udy--it was enough for him
to SEQ her in her old place at his side once
more. But gifted with quick perception ana
retentive memory, Ella learned rapidy oy
hearing others recite. Her true Instruction,
howsver was not from books but gathered
in the oneu air, where, wandering hand ID
hand with Robert. or seated by bis side, her
clssped hands resting upon his knee, aud
her sweet. intelligent ewes raised wondering
" TO his face, she listened while he, from
leaf or flower, f,om bird or insect, drew forth
varied instruction for her, often smiling to
fud how his sweet, seif-im posed task called
up from the oblivion of years the forgotten
lore Of his own childhood.
There was, deep in Roberts nature, and
unsupported even By himself, a vein of 70
mantle tenderness almost superstitious; in
herited, not indeed from his father, but from
the young mother he had never known; and
this feeling grew around and consecrated to
i'm the child he so loved. There seemed to
him something holy aud sac red, something
apart from common life, in the young life
thus twice rescued from the very arms of
death something, it might be. of the feel
ing which has found EN- Indictment in these
words
know that the lightning sanetiies below,
What e'er 1t strikes; your head Is douoiy sacred
now.
Aud in all that related to little Ella no
mothers instinct could have been quicker,
womauly delicacy inner guide, than was
the deep devotion Of the love, half roman
tic, half religious, with which he regarded
her.
Robert had received from nature a fine
voice and correct musical taste, which.
during his fathers life had received full and
artistic cultivation, and he was thus fully
competent to trslu the rare musical power
which Ella had early developed; but hers,
too, his taste aud feeling were snguiarlg
ia stidltous-no puerile sentimentalitIes, no
fashionable frivolities, however blameless in
themselves seemed to him WORTHY of that
seraphic voice; no "Meet me BY mooniig bit
alone" no Dark eyed one !. dark eyed one ~
must come from those pure lips he would
have tels it Dissertation.
The inspired language of the roval He
brew he taught her: the plsintiye music of
the simple church melody, anthem chant.
o. glorious old psalm, she sang with him.
The "Gloria is excelss. or the Jubilste,
we're varied with the simple music of the
Evening hymn
Often they sang together at evening IL
the open air, on the hills, or in the grand old
woods; their pure, flexible young voices
blending together in perfect harmony; and
OFTEN beneath the quiet stars some casual
passer~by would catch the sounds and pause,
hnd turn, and, listening, stand, thrilled with
sa uuwonted religious awe, as from the
solemn fervent words, 80 Thou who takest
away the sins OF the world, have mercy upon
US, o Thou who takest away the sins OF
the world, hear our prayer" or caught The
soft southern music of the "Ora Mater or
the Ave Maria
One bright and beautiful October evening
when the shortening days and the SOFT misty
light began TO tell of the approach OF winter,
though the glowing air was still soft and
mild they had wandered thus together hand
IN hand, over the now brown hills, from
which the summers freshness had already
hown; and, returning, they had stopped to
rest in one of their fsvorite hauu,s III the
deep wood, where seated side BY side upon
fallen tree, they watched the gorgeous sun
set and saw the soft, purple light fade from
the distant hills; and their conversation
usually somewhat desultory in its nature
mad been as changetul as the many hued
autumn leaves around them; for on this
occasion Ella had led. not followed, as was
their usual habit And her sweet, versatile
fancy, having thus free play, mad roved a.
will from one inject TO another. ike the
gen-winged humming bird which fits from
flower to flower, extracting the one sweet
honey drop from the cup Of each; while
Robert replied kindly, but more abstracsedly
than was usua) to her gay remarks.
Come, Ella" he said at last, as she
paused IA momeut, 1--WE must have one song
tonight And he commenced the sublime
anthem, 81 know that my Redeemer liveth y
Instantly Elias voice joined with his,
end higher and higher, from those sweet.
blended voices rose the e1uItsut song, while
tue soft, odorous leaves st Tired above their
heads ia the soft evening as if with the
IF L.
up TO heavens gate that melody of fervent
song.
As the last notes trembled on the air
Robert rose hastily. Come, Ella" he said
I'VE are sitting here too lcng-it is growing
chilly, very chilly; and he shivered as he
spoke. Il was wrong, my child, to let you
stay out so late.
Il AN not cold, brother" said Ella, rising
az she spoke, in ready obedience to bis /
wishes. Il am not cold at ell; and should
hot think you were. either, she added, /!
iHughingly, as see slipped her little hand
'a.o h's, 'tor your hand is warmer than I
mine il now"
But am cold, darling" he answered. /
ana again he shiyercd from head to foot
IL Is getting too late and damp for our
evening walks any logger: but never mind
| dare say Auntic Howe will have A hriobt
fire and hot cup Of tea"
As they resumed thei- walk Ella recon
menced her conversation; but as Robert
seemed lost in thought, answering her ques
tions briefly. her mood which WIS ss re
sponsive as an Eolian harp to every change
in hisl grew thoughtful too, and they walked
back to the house in almost unbroken ri
ience.
Mrs. Howe met them at the door. She
had indeed, as Robert had predicted, pre-
pared herself for their refreshment and she +
had also prepared herself with fitting re-
proof for their imprudence.
"a L ia tn L.