The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-06-15
LITTLE ~ ARt..



ius aud tbercis no denying it--lis5on-
tented WITH my home. even wilbmy baby.
I remember the morning well; 1t was
Eray and cloudy with a low, dragging
mist, that gbilgd oHc to Che bone and
hung thc lrecs with reeking moisture.
The black mud about ihe door ol our
western home was thick and deep, and
thg bare floor of our one room was badly
stained and soilcd hy The eargles. feet Of
The rough workingmeH had been
cleaning mp all tic morning, hHt The
mere I cleaned the worse matter, seemed
90 grow; soap and sand only served to
render the black fooimark, more visible;
and when q sudden putl Of wind whirIcd
the smoke and ashes down he pipe Of my
cooking stove, covering the books and
tables ! had just taken SO much pains
in dusiing or / threw myself into the
rocking chair and burst into passion Of
dcspairiug tears,
We brought the rocking chairw Us,
Ned and /, when we let our cottage, ON
the outskirts of the city, aud iomueyed
westward, 1t was pretty cottage; my
eyes ON with tears even now at the
thought Of Il. with It's low, breezy win
dows, through which the odor Of roses
foatcd the liyclong summer, aud its clean,
well ordered rooms, adorned with all
those charming, useless little toys that go
so far toward making home pleasant and
attractive. II was my first home, and a
woman always loves that home better
than any other. We we're very happy,
Ned and /, as cozy and comfortable as
two robins in the heart Of a summer ap-
pie tree. Ned was q clerk, but with a
good salary, and some little additions
flowing in, now and then, from other re-
sources. And whcn our baby came
Little Pearl, as we called hor--our hap
piuess was complete.
But aftcrawhlc this new rapture began
to cool, aud as Little Pearls blue eyes
deepcned aud expanded. Ned began to
cast about him in q sage aud fathery
manner.
We must do the best we can for Little
Pearls sake, Bell.
This was the opening remark, dis
closure of his plans followed lie had
caught the Western fever. Westward
the star of empire makes its way,
Ned quoted with telling emphasis, ad-
ding:
We must follow, Beg, aud build mp a
name and a home for Little Pearl,
assented, as always did, to Ned's
plans, though in my secret SOU felt the
movement was bad one. We sold our
pretty cottage aud furniture at consid-
cradle sacrifice; Ned left his clcrkship,
and the November after Little Pearls
birth found us in our Western home.
Ned had urged me to bring out our
servants, but in fit Of high-strung hero
ism determined to be maid-of-all-work
myself. Ned would have sacrificed his
ease and comfort, ! would not be behind
him. 1t was comparatively light in the
beginning, when only Ned and myself
were to provide for; but after awhile the
hired men came and the baby required
q more attention every day. The fall rains
set in, converting the spongy soil into
black, adhesive mud. ] worked late and
early, but found it impossible to take care
of my babe and keep our rude home in
anything like order. bore up as long
as could, but at last my strength utterly
failed and, sitting down in a rocking
chair, | sobbed like silly child. |
thought of my old home, with its pretty,
. wcl-ordercd apartments, Of the hours OF
pleasant leisure and social enjoyment to
which had been accustomed; and then,
with a fresh gush Of tears, looked out at
low, trailing mist, and around the small,
untidy room in which ! was imprisoned.
) 1t was wrong in Ned to bring me to such
a place, and against my will, too,
thought, bitterly.
At that moment heard the voice Of the
J sick hired man calling for water, and
catching up the pitcher, brushed away
my tears and ran up to the rude loft
where he lay. As reached the bed saw
by the sun that it was almost noon, and
! dinner was to cook for Ned and the hired
men. Giving the invalid his water,
, paused a moment to mix a draught Of
medicine, my thoughts full Of the smok-
] ing stove and distastcful duties that
awaited me below; aud just then, shril
q aud clear, came Little Pearls cry.
threw down the dose ! was mixing, ex'
claiming, almost angrily:
It's no use can't get along, no matter
how hard / strive. What shall do now
. Oh. dear, wish had no baby!
NY very finger tips thrilled with terror
O the instant the unwomauly wish had pass
Icd my lips, aud clearing the steps at two
e or three bounds / rushed to the eoruei
where her crib stood, eager to clasp hei
q to my bosom and pour out my remorsc ii
tears and kisses. / suaiched aside %,
: curtain. The crib was there SO was Tho
snowy pillow bearing the damp impress
Of her bead but Little Pearl was gone
r For moment ! stood dumb and aImos
seuscless, then a swim thought came tr
ms relief
e Ned has stolen her to Tighten me,
cried. aud. rushing out, / searched every
where to find him, bnt in vain.
81 This mist was thiekeuing into rain.
kuew well enough tbat be was too care
e fal 81 her 10 expose Der in such maGner