Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-20

HCt iot nav iNS given Hct SpV" 'S'hN
for a number of years before he needed.
her services as a housckecper, and conse-
qucntly wished to be Su6fcientiggraciouso
Mrs Bennett had not removed all the
wrappings necessary for a somewhat
lengthy >cigh.ridc, before Nh Bennett
inquired for Alfred. Miss Martha was
somewhat confused at not being able to
tell where he was, but guessed he was
up in his room. He had great trick of
staying up there lately"
So his father took Il candle.a and went up
to the little sleeper. The tears resting on
his cycla5hes. and the miniatures in his
lap told him half the sorrowlul story, and
the graveyard. towards which his face
was turned the rest. lie shook him gent.
ly, and spohc to him. Wake up, my
son. Papa has got home"
The little boy sat W, rubbed his eyes
and then looked up and said Papa, did
anybody come with you? ?"
"l cS, my son. why =
because auutie said there would
Where did you Get these likenesSes? ?"
"Aun. Martha gave them to me. She
said was going To have II step-mothor,
and neither YOU nor she would want them
round"
There was look of pain on the min.
iSter's face rs he said Give them To
me. Aunt Martha shouldn't have taken
them out Of the drawer want them to
STAY there have brought home a good,
kind lady, so that my little boy may have
a friend of his own 10 take care of him;
but do not wan, YOU to forget your own
mother. Come down. now. and sec her"
Alfred took his fathers hand, and went
down He was little shy at first, of the
dark haired lady sitting by the stove but
she drew him toward her and kissed hia
cheek, unmndrul OF the dirt, and told
him he looked like good little boy.
The years passed on, and Alfred learn
cd that the much dreaded prefix docs not
altogether spoil the name of mother. 10
be sure, she was not so fonl and tender
as his own mother had been, but she was
very kind She answered and cncourag.
ed his childish questions, attended care
fully to his personal appearance ard
health. and when his willing feet had been
on some crrand, or he had performed some
service for her, she would tell him that h.
was a good boy, and that good boy al
ways makes good man. II was not
strange that to he a good boy should be.
come the one great object Of his life, or
that. as he grew up and learned the ns.
turc and power of true religion, he should
turn towards his fathers calling rs thl
one most suitable for himself
He went to college, studied faithfully,
aud worked hard 10 assist in paying his
way In the last year of his course hi,
father died, and he returned home to find
his widowed step mother taking in sew
ing to cke ont the scanty pitancc left her
ny the minister to support herself and lit
tie daughter who had so nearly iiIIcd the
place of the lost Ncttic to Alfred.
With no thought OF doing otherwise,
but with q feeling of bitter disappoint.
mcn', he laid aside his plan OF going t.
theological seminary, aud sought EN-.
ploymcnt in store, that he might boaIl
with her. and do what he could TO render
her burden lighter. He was quiet AMI
mohtrusive, even more so than when We
introduced him to our readers, and no one
seemed TO think that going to college hail
made lion of little Alfred Bennett. But
soon ii began to be said, "How kind Al
fred Bennett isIo his step-mother! How
attcntivcly he waits upon her, and no"
carefully heconsiders all her little wants.
And there was store of happiness Iot
him of which he did not dream.
When he went to the village school, he
had been accustomed TO look, with feel.
ing almost akin t6>revereucc, upon little
GIRL with broad forehead, deep blue eyes.
calm. clear.cut features, who was in the
same class with him, and frequently stood
by his side. as they were nearly equal in
scholarship. Even rs child, there WI.
grace and dignity about her calculated
to command respect, while the quieI
sweetness of her disposition made hen
pretty, French name, Aimee, very apprc
pirate. Tor beloved she was and must DC
hv al who knew her. While Alfred was
away she had grown into sair and grace
lul girl of acknowledged mental superi
olitv, and had taken position in society
which made it seem presumpluous for The
poor, young student to aspire to be much
in her company,
She had been absent for time, and
when she came home her sister told her,
among other items Of village news, thai
Alfred Bennet had come home, and was
taking care OF his step mother, and thai
every one was speaking of his kindness
to her. This report made a very favor
able impression upon Aimee, and she re
membcred her quiet little schoomatc
When she met him il was with cord
ality and frankness which put hm more
at his ease then he was accustomed to be
in ladies' society. lie sought her com
pany more and more frequently, and wac
gradually led to tell her, of the crushed
hopes which he had hitherto concealed i'll
L ..,. s,;J ol bn .t,,l,1 IA,