Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-02
THREE YEARS IN A House or Re-
FORMATION.
by MRS. SARAH D. DURNo.
CoNTINUED.1

wicked or you would speak 10 out, and
touching his horse with her whip) let us 20 :
Ns though We were out for pleasure aud not
going TO funers. II 10 wicked TO shut
out this heavenly sunshine and 20 through
the world - though no flowers opened their
sweet petals to the sun or dew. Let ne sing
as we penetrate this grove. like to hear
the echo Of singing in the forest; il sends
back thrill OF pleasure though this heart
OF mine. Ill sing . meeting house tune
but Il must be lively one or the horses VIII .
find u out. Music exercises the same IN
tiuencs over animals that IL does over hu-
man beings. Ihave tried it. When | was
young and used TO ride on fathers lap on
horseback, used to sing most every day.
One day wanted TO stay out longer and
the horse was on csnter, full tilt, aud
began TO sing Old Hundred IN q slow,
solemn tone. Old "Put" poked his nose
down to his legs, aud walked slowly along.
oh old fellow so you think an singing
to you, do your and you are stopping to
lisIsn, hal now Ill try you on Coronation
| began in heavy soprano voice and he
picked up his ears and dashed of in rapid
cantsr. | INDUCED in Q good laugh and
father joined in the glee. Now Uncle John,
Just 10, us rein in our horses and-ket them |
90 walk, aud then we'll sing good lively
air and see it they will appreciate it," They
did as she suggested, and in few moments
came 10 . brook and walked the horses in
to drink. "Now, slow, slow Wild Flower"
said Ada. When they had regained the
road Ads began to sing aud Uncle John
joined IN deep bass. In moment away
they oAntered at full speed. Uncle johns
countenAuoe frightened and he joined in
good hearty laugh with Ada. THAT is the
way 10 this world, said ada, "if we looh
on the bright side CT our troubles We re-
move half the burden, and wheu dark clouds
are in our sky we see the silver lining and
the rainbow Of promise" He looked in her
flushed face and replied, "You are = phil
osopher there is more 10 that curly head
Of yours than ever dreamed Of" They
had pursued their ride through circuitous
route and were near Augusta. They called
At the post office and then took the direct
road 10 Field Place, three miles distant.
Ada Aligh,sd before L ncle John had time to
offer his assistance. She went to her room
20 dress for dinner, which was ready. They
were soon 1t the table, and Mr.. Field looked
in ADDS flushed face and suquired, NOW will
my little mischief tell me how she likes her
Wild Flower" Ada replied, 'indeed
will dear father. He is splendid little
teliOW, so easy anu IulL OF NE 4 90 oelleNo
he knows every word | say to him, aud
when l sing q good lively song be picks up
his ears and sets of like wild. He knows
lam in o Jolly mood and says as plain rs
horse can say, am ready for q race here
we go" Unole John was in unusual humor
aud talked oheerfully. Grandma observed
the change, and said TO bin, 'tbe ride must
have done you good. You seem more like
your former self than you have for years
lie admitted the change and replied, al am
convinced tha, cheerful company is beueh-
clal for oil, and our thoughts aud feelings
are governed very much by our surround
inSs, and as you see, this little mischief is
. potent spell TO drive away the blues.
Uncle John left for home soon as dinner
was over Ada went TO her mothers room
TO help her sew aud assist her sister Anna
10 her lessons. She was then little moro
than siK years old, aud learning TO read,
spell, and sew She could not imagine that
Ada could do anything that she could not
try 20 perform, aud vas sure she could play
on the piano and ride the poney. After tea
a. usual they we're all out on the veran-
da, and Mr.. Field euquirsd what she had
been doing to Uncle John thsI he was so
cheerful. "You have loosened his tongue
he added, land put = cheerful song in his
mouth
ayes, you have indeed. He has invited
US 10 his house TO spend the day on Thurs
day" Mrs. Field look surprised and Gu.
quired "WhAt In the world ia goiag TO
hAppen7 ars you in the secret Ada ?" mo
secret she replied, "only Uncle John
made up bis mind when his LADY -love died
that from that time asncsfOrsh and forever
more, he ought and must and would be
gloomy and sad and miserable. do not
know whether was most vexsd, OF sorry
for him. You know | went out to take
breAkfAs, with him yesterday. ! did no.
wonder he was so gloomy. His house is as
gloomy s vSull. No one to speak to
bat his colored servants, his parors
closed, his plate locked up, nothing cheer
ful or inviIing abou, the place, no flower
garden, or even = rossbush. The magoo
tia trees planted before he lived there,
bloom in spite Of being neglected. | told
him l had = Solemn duty TO perform to
him; and that should not fail, nor be dis
oouragsd till l performed it. That II Is
nonsense and vickedness TO waste his life
IN useless regrets, and ] had come out TO
brush out the old CO bvebs from his wither-
cd heart, aud infuse new life into him ; to
open the fountains of bis existence, and
find something for him to love and live for.
He looked sad. / told him il be had re-
solved to wear that vofu countsnance to
the end Of hia life, be had . mos, tiresome
task TO perform, and | feared would mo-,
live out half his days. He concluded to
ride with me, to-day, and as true as you
live, laughed outright during the ride.
promised him | would take breakfast with
him once . week, and have a plos,-yes,
- =. a.
disclose 1t TO him. If / had done so
should have los, the game, | am sure Of that.
have got him now, and you will see how
/ will manage my oards. Her father looked
a, her physically and replied, you Gun
ming little mink what have you got in
your curly head nowP" 81 shan't tell vet, -"
she replied. II don't intend to be laughed
a,, in the event Of defeat. PshAw, / will
not DO defeated. No, never,-persevere
and work away aud there ia no such word
as fail" Next morning Ada ordered gu,
Wildhowsr aud set gu, for Uncle Johns
She said TO herself, ~ will 90 out and open
the rooms and air them. II do not fear
Grandma may take cold there, in that
damp, cheerless house. I'll make thing
dance there before ] en- through with him
Soc IL / don't" Her father went TO the
gate to assist her, In seating her in tn,
saddle and as she started she struck mp
lively tune, aud WildAower dashed of, sh'
singing at the top Of her voice, and wAvinl
her hand TO her father. As soon ss sh'
arrived there, she began by opening Ih'
doors and windows but the housskeepe
had everything neat and in order. She
opened the china closet to see IL the dishes
we're in good supply and they proved to be
Uncle John had gone to the city to procur,
few things Tor his tables az he had Ike p
mp the life Of a reoluse rather than that Of ,
gentleman OF wealth, as he was. She haC
no care OF the cooking .. Dinah was tn,
very best OF that class. Her next work wa
TO fnd the garden, for flowers we're 10 he
. necessity There we're VERY few there