Middletown transcript., 1870-10-08

"Well, " l replied angrily. II would
like to know if there was ever stcpmoth-
er who was not as cross, and disagrecable,
and hateful as she could be. l never
heard of one"
"By what means do you become so ex-
tensively informed on the subject of step
mothers 7" asked papa ironically.
"Well, there is description Of one in
Claudine's Trials, and one in Mercie
Merton besides, 1 have known two
young ladies who were blessed with such
usurpers at home, and 1 gained some of
my extensive information from them"
$50, from the overdrawn pictures of
trashy novels, and the sensation stories of
schoolmisses, you judge of the whole. If
your mind is go prejudiced, it will take a
more able advocate than myself to show
you on what flimsy base your opinions
are constructed; therefore. we will say no
more about it,"
The evening came on which papa and
his wife-how my lips curled as 1 spoke
the word-were expected. 1 had just
said to Florie, " What can't be cured must
be endured" but she will soon learn what
frigid politcness means from ME, and
hope you too. I'll own I'm anxious to
see her, for | cannot exactly determine
what course to pursue till | do"
II painted to ask papa how she looked,
but l didn't dare to after you sang that
song to him." returned Florie, when we
heard the carriage at the door
Smooth your hair now and pin your
collar straight" 1 hastily exclaimed.
> Don't let Mrs. Gordon think you a
young heather, to whom she is to act the
part of missionary"
We had taken tea and were in the par
lor. l had taken mammals portrait and
hung it in the room Florie and 1 occu-
pied, We had one there then, but l re-
marked to Florie, as l carried it up stairs,
Amt l good to save Mrs. Gordon all
the trouble possible? Now We can have
one apiece"
| felt really nervous when the carriage
stopped at the door, but did not follow
Ned and Florie as they rushed into the
parlor till after they had been to the din
ing room and partaken of some refresh
ments. As papa presented his "eldest
daughter" to his wife, rose and coldly
offered my hand. The lady who was here
after to occupy my dear mothers place in
the household was about thirty years of
age, of medium height, good looking, and
a pleasant smile lighted her face, as she
held my hand moment and hoped
was we'll" Later in the evening she ex-
pressed desire to hear me play. l did
not rise Immediately; but when she said,
"Do not unless it is perfectly agreeable to
you" "Most certainly it is" l replied,
and selecting the one, II Sit and Weep
by My Mothers Crave" as the most ap-
propriate one l could find, sung it with
much pathos, for my heart was full of grief
and my eyes of unshed tears. Irosc from
the piano, and glanced at papa and his
new wife. Her eyes were full of tears as
she said to me in a low tone:
"You sung it with much feeling Nellie !;
probably more because you can sympathiae
with the author, and I can sympathise
with both. l have no mother, and | too
have loved
f'To sit and weep
Beside dear mothers gravc.n
This was so different from what | ex-
pected that could not reply, and merely
bowed my head As we entered the
breakfast room the following morning,
Mrs Gordon took the head of the table,
and, foolish child that was, felt the angry
blood rush to my face. 1 had occupied
that place six months-ever since l had
donned long dresscs-and I thought she
takes mammals place and mine to. After
papa had gone down town, and Mrs Cor
don, Florie and myself we're left at home,
she chatted SO pleasantly with US that l
had almost regretted the part l had de-
termined to act but when the gardener
came in, and directing his remarks to me,
asked if he should take up all the dahlia
roots for the winter, 1 grew angry and
said: "You can ask Mrs. Gordon. l
shall not direct you any more about the
flowers" did not look at her to notice
the effect of my words, but Florio said
her face colored. However, her voice
was calm as she said: II will go into the
garden in a moment and tell you," and
taking a shawl she passed out, leaving me
ashamed that | did not sEeak in less un-
gracious manner.
uccu uUI HlclIluu oNCfJ lltIlc dCU Oh
hers that slowly but surely undermined
the prejudice that I had against step
mothers which had imbibed from early
childhood. A few weeks after she became
member of our household she tapped at
my chamber, and after coming in and sit
ting few moments, which was spent in
pleasant conversation, she said to me:
"Was not one of those portraits of your
mother taken from the parlor, Nellie 2"
1.-THE one over the table was," replied,
81 hung it here few weeks ago."
Well, if you are willing will replace
it," she continued, $50 that all the family
can have the same pleasure you do. 1
think your forehead resembles hers very
much" she added, as she stepped in a
chair and took it down.
l had not word to utter. l felt that
I was killed with kindness: yet, after all
this, I endeavored to maintain that re-