Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-10-28
ing this,' said the child, in half choked

t'That was because she didn't want 20,
to know" returned the cook. ''She's sly
one, and l hope the new mistress will make
her stand round, if she stays here
| sBut who is she that my father is t.
bring" asked Katie, with trembling lips.
| 30, she is an old maid, they say cross,
and as sharp as vinegar, Won't she make
us stand round, though ? But, poor child, ]
pity you the most We can go away from
here, but you can't. I hope she will use
you well, but never knew step,mother
yet, but who was as ugly as bear. and
hated any children there might be like pi-
zon p and the cook struck the side of the
dish with spoon, as though she was deal
ing blow upon some imaginary mother
in-law.
Miss Jones, what do you mean cried
the voice of the housekeeper, close beside
them and the cook gave jump, as though
she had received blow care you not
ashamed to be talking like that to this
child ?"
"No," replied the cook, determinedly.-
TIT amt nothing but the truth, anyway.
and you may tell Mr. Grey if you want to !.
Thank fortin, there are other places can
go to, that are as good as staying here and
being ruled over by new mistress, even
if she does make some other folks stand
round, that I knows on and with this
fling. the irate lady turned her back upon
the housekeeper, as thong she had nothing
more to say.
s'Come with me. Katie, J" said the house
keeper, taking the half benumOed girl by the
hand. go up to my room with me, and 1
will explain to you what the cook has SO
rudely told"
Mechanically the girl followed her up the
stairs into her room. The news she had
received had given her such shock that
she hardly knew what she was doing.
Once in the room, and with the door
closed behind them, the housekeeper drew
Katie beside her, and told her what she
should have done before the cook had 60,
the start Of her. Her father was about to
bring second wife, whom she trusted
would be mother to her, filling tie place
which had SO long been vacant. Then she
told her to try and forget the words the
cook had spoken, that it we're not all step
mothers who were cruel, and that she knew
that her master would bring no one there
but what would be kind to his child.
In silence Katie listened to all she said
She had heard Of step mothers, and read
stories of them until she had come to regard
them much as she would wild animal seek
ing for its prey. The words Of the cook
she could not obliterate from her mind, but,
in answer to the entreaties of the house
keeper, she promised to receive her new
mother as she should, and try and win her
heart.
All day long Katie wandered about the
house like spirit Of unrest It seemed
that the sun Of all her happiness had been
blotted out, and that only dark clouds OBJ.
scured the sky, through which not the fain-
est ray Of light came down to cheer her.
Whsn it was near to sunset, she wander
cd into her own room. It was on the
ground floor, and looked out into the gar
den. Through the open window the high
hills could be seen, with the golden moon
light shining upon them.
By it lay an open Bible, and sitting down
she read chapter. Then resting her elbow
upon the book, she said in an imploring
tone:
s'Our Father in Heaven, look down upon
Thy little girl; make her good, and put it
into her heart to love all. Make her new
mother, who is coming to fill the place of
the one that is in Heaven and make her
love me, too, and not beat and abuse me, as
the cook says she will Grant this, our
Father, and Thy name shall have the power
and glory forever. Amen"
Hardly had the last closing word fell
from her lips, before the sound of light
footstep fell upon her ear. CHANGING quick
ly up, she saw strange lady crossing the
room towards her still wrapped in her
travelling garment. Beyond her in the
doorway, stood her father, and she was not
at loss to know who the strange lady might
be.
Katie would have risen from her seat,
and escaped from the room, if she could have
done 80, for she felt that both the strange
lady and her father had heard the words of
her petition but before she could do SO,
the lady had sunk upon her knees by her
side, and grasping her hand, said
''Here. my child, promise to be that to
you that you have asked that I should be !;
and may He that rules the world, and all
things therein. help me to keep my promise
Katie, will you try to love me p
The girl hesitated, but it was only for a
moment. The next all wss forgotten, and
throwing her arms about the neck Of her
second mother, she hid her face in her bo-
som.
Il will, and I know I SHALL she said,
with her whole heart
''And in this scene I seem to see my
saintod wife restored to me-" said Mr.
Grey, coming forward and taking the hand
of each "Katie, your new mother will be
to you all you have asked in that petition !;
and to me it seems that it was the spirit of
your mother that directed our footsteps here
that we might hear it,
And thus did daylight break through the
clouds which Katie had piled above her ;
and soon they rolled away, leaving the sky
calm and serene,
A STORY WITH MoRAL.-A Connceti-
cut exchange tells the following story Of a
boy who was sent from Groton, Conn,
with bag of green corn. The boy was
gone all day, and returned with the bag
unonanad which he dup,no1 an Tho noor