Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-24
Tales md Sketehes.
MY STEPMOTHER.

Il wonder what papa has gone to
Glenville so soon again for. Do YOU
know, Mrs. Allan?" asked of the lady
who had acted as housekeeper in our fam
lily for the four years we three children
had been written ''notherless.'
Il did not ask him." she replied.
Her evasive reply increased my suspi-
cion, and after twirling my napkin a mo-
ment, | said
'Well, we sometimes know the reasons
of things, and therefore, are not obliged
to ask Tor information"
After a moments silence she replied
"No Nellie do not know for what
purpose your father visits Glenville."
but you strongly suspect" persisted,
"and so do l. Do you not"
''If so. do not think it best to say any
thing about it
Two days after, papa returned, and
after tea we gathered in the palor, for
papa is II lawyer, and did not stay in the
Office evenings. Mrs. Allen took her
knitting, Florie was embroidering, and
took up magazine, but not to read.-I
told Florie that the next time papa asked
me to sing | should sing the piece called
momentarily expecting such request,
y
Papa sat back in his easy chair, with his
head thrown back and his eyes closed
stole look at him and whispered to
Florie:
doubtless papa is thinking of the fas-
cinating lady who is to be the future Mrs
Gordon"
Before Flore could reply, papa opened
his eye, and asked me to play, and !
arose with little tluttering of the heart to
do SO.
took up pile of music and looked it
over, in order to gain time; then laying
it down on the music stand. | struck the
first note to the prelude Of the piece | had
said | would sing. Before began the
words Mrs. Allen left the ROOM
She knew what it was. and thought it
might lead to remarks that she would not
like to hear. My voice never once fall
tered as l sang it with as much feeling as
| could throw into the words.
When | had finished there was a perfect
silence in the room for few moments.
finally began a live march, but papa in-
terrupted me, and said in a pleasant tone
You need not play any more this eve
ming, Nellie, for me. hope yon did not
sing those verses because they expressed
your sentiments, did you?"
81 do not know what difference it can
make to any one whether those lines ex-
press my feelings or not" replied rather
coldlyn
at will make some difference with your
future happiness" he continued,-''l am
to be married soon, and of course it will
make the lady your mother. Are you not
prepared to receive us such any one | may
select, and give her the affection of a
daughter?"
Florie burst into tears, and though |
felt a choking sensation in the throat, |
replied with some spirit.
"Oh, of course | shall treat the future
Mrs. Gordon with respect, if she shall com
mand it; but have mother, though she
is in her grave, whom | cannot forget, if
others can with such apparent ease"
Nellie, you forget yourself if you mean
to insinuate that have forgotten your
mother. | have not, nor ever shall; you
could not understand my feelings if |
should explain them to you; therefore |
say no mote. You can act your own pleas
ure about loving her, but you must not for
get that she will be mistress of the house.
''How is it with you, my daughter?' turn
ing to Florie, and his voice had tenderer
tone than when he spoke to me ''do you
share your sisters feelings ?"
"Oh, papa! do not want new
mamma"
''Why do you care. Florie ?"
because she will spoil all our plans,
and make rs do just what we do not want
to do, and watch us all the time, and
and"
"Who told you that, my dear ?''
Nellie
"Why, Nellie, thought you had too
much sense to talk to a younger sister in
such way as that!'
"Well," | replied, rather angrily. II
would like to know if there ever was a
step-mother who was not cross, and disa-
greeable and hateful As she could be. l
never heard of one
"But by what means did you become so
extensively informed on the subject of step
mothers ?" asked papa, ironically.
"Well, there is Il description of one in
'Claudine's Trials and one in Mercy
Merton; : beside have known two young
ladies who were blessed with such usurpers
at home, and gained some ofmy extensive
information from them"
$50, from the overdrawn pictures of
trashy novels, and the sensation stories OF
school misses, you judge Of the whole. If
your mind is prejudiced, 1t Will take a more
able advocate than myself to show you
upon what II 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 lip curled as l spoke
the words-were expected. | had just
said to Florie.
"What can't be cured must be endured,
but she will soon learn what frigid polite
ness means from me, and | hope from YOU,
too. I'll own I'm anxious to see her.
cannot exactly determine what course to
pursue till do"
II wanted to ask papa how she looked,
but 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" hastily exclaimed.
| Don't let Mrs. Gordon think you are II
young heather, to whom she is to act the
part of n missionary"
| We had taken mammals portrait and
hung il in the room Florie and occupied.
We had one there, then, but remarked
to Florie, as carried it up stairs: