South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-02-24
Hasty Words.


am afraid it will not keep out much Of
the snow, said [.
But it would be so nice in the summer
said Harry, laughing merrily, and spring
ing to my side, be threw his little arms
around my nsck, saying, oh, mamma, 1
love YOU so
Harry, said l, kissing him, will you
run tell Bridge to have warm biscuit for
tea"
lie started quickly, and as he started his
foot caught in light stand upon which /
had placed a rare Partisan vase with a rose
bud just unfolding its crimson petals in it.
The stand fell over and the vase Ga Gift from
my dead mother) was shattered
you naughty boy / cried augrily, eyou
deserve to be whipped. Pick up those
pieces instantly and put them in the coal
hod'
lie stopped, carefully picked up the frag-
ments, scratching bis little fingers as he did
so against the sharp edges. He carried
them away and was gone some time. When
no returned it was with something clasped
tightly in bis hand.
Coming to me he placed five cent
piece IN my lap, saying timidly, will that
buy you new vase, mamma =
What evil demon possessed me to take
the coin, his sacredly cherished treasure, "a
kind ucighbor had given him for some little
ofiso) aud throw it from me, L know not.
Harry picked it up with tears running
down his face, and sat down upon his stool
with Ii, hands folded so meekly. Present
ly lie said May | go and play with Ed
die Porter p
Il don't care where you 90, said cross
IT,, $50 You keep out of my sight
Harry went 10 the closet where his coat
and hat hung, put them on, and came and
stood by my side.
Mamma, will you please forgive me p
I'm SO sorry and be put his lips up for
kiss. Oh, God forgive I pushed the little
fellow away. He stood by the door a mo-
ment, looking pilifully at me. tits twenty
five years ago to-day since he stood there
but can sec him with his blue coat aud
gray worsied skating cap, and the little red
miticns, as If It were but yesterday. But
looked cold.y at him the door opened and
shut, the little feeS went slowly down the
stairs. l hoarcd him go out unfasteuiug the
gate
Looking out of the window saw the lit
tie fellow liit his face with a smile as he saw
me, which gave place TO pitiful culver of
the lips as he saw took no notice of him.
watched the darling down the street with
a strange undrGned feeling, till the little
coat and red mittens were no longer visible
Twice a sudden impulse moved me to
coll HIN back, but | crushed it down
Oh, woull to God / had q. Well, | sewed
al. through the afternoon. At four o'clock
pat away my work aud sat by the window
Conscience began to reproach me for nv
conduct d don care said ] 'my beau
uili vases Is a ruin what is the value
Of all ,ho vases in the world compared with
your child? Have you not spoken Grossly to
that dear little Harry, who is always so
cheerful and obedient And this is not
the first time either, and you calling your
seita christian mother, too Suppose Harry
mould be suddenly taken away from you
Woulden't your cruel words haunt you for
ever?
l could bear this no longer. I rose and
picked up the stray litter about the room to
give 1t more tidy appearance.
Then l went to the window, pcering anz-
lousIy through the gloom, but seeing moth
ing OF ny boy. Ny heart became terribly
heavy; this suspense was unbearable.-
Hastily throwing n shawl over my head,
ran into Mrs Porters:
Have you seen EldioY was the aucs-
ton before | entered the room. Have YOU
seen Harry 2 'iIa was over here at half
past two; be aud Eddie went over to Josie
Gray's. think
What she thought / never knew, for at
ibat moment Eddie rushed in breathless.
screaming Mother, mother Harry Lofiug
drowned We were sliding on the mill
pond, aud there was a hole IN The ice with
snow oD 10 and Harry did not see IL, and
Hush Eddie said his mother, looking
at roe iearfully Here is Nrs. Loring.
J here was a great silence in the room
broken only By The blithe, sweet voice Of
canary, and the pur of Maltese cat
Presently Mrs Porter came teward me.
ana placed her hand sol1yupon my shout
der aging, Ella, my poor child"
I never moved, but sat looking with my
eyes upon an awful picture a cold, gray
afternoon, pond, LITTLE boys playing upon
i one '.Io figure, well known 20 me sud
denly disappearing through the trcachorous
ice' down the little hands graspi0g az cruel
weeds tha wcct mouth full of water. And
ih''e w'a sinful words ringing through
my oars, d don't care where you 90, So
long as you keep out Of my sight There
"a7 mis-. before my eyes, a ringing 10 my
e'r.. remember leaving Che house with
blind feeling 81 going where my Harry
"'s Then came horrible sense of tue
Garth giving way under my feet aud knew