The Lincoln County herald., 1871-12-14
FOR HER OWN GOOD.
BY FRANCIS HENsuAw BADEN.

promise me, George, that you will
never forsake Amy. After am gone
sho will have no friend but yon. She
has always been to me blessing. If
she was really my own daughter, | could
not love her better. So, my boy, leave
her sacred charge to you. Should the
time ever be when you shall feel another
love than that you bear your little sister,
you must not, in securing your own hap.
pinsss, forget her's-my poor. gentle,
timld little Amy !"
"Have no fears, mother. Amy shall
never want for friend or love. She
shall be as tenderly watched over and
cared for in the future, as she has ever
been iu the past. l solemuly promise
you this"
Thank you. my son. You have re.
lieved my only uneasiness. l can rest
now in perfect peace. Now send Amy
to me-"
That night vail of sorrow sounded
through the home of George Foster. 1t
was Amy's voice. They found her with
her arms still clasped around tho form so
dear. George drew her gently away,
saying:
"Come, Amy. You are my child now,
Mother gave you to my care, and may
God deal by me according to my worth.
ness Of that charge. Now 60 and try to
sleep, my little sister"
He gave her to the faithful house.
keepers care.
Still weeping, but unresistiug, Amy
did his bidding. All her life she had
yielded to his wishes. Her brothers
will was hers.
Mrs. Foster was very wealthy widow,
owning o fine plantation in the South,
with many slaves. George was her only
child aud constant companion, and at on
early age became her confdant and ad.
wiser. This, of course, made him
thoughtful aud grave beyond his years,
When he was about seventeen his mother
adopted Amy, an infant, orphaned and
friendless. George was very fond of the
pretty little child, and she was taught by
her mother, as we'll as all the servants,
always mind what your brother says"
or, "Do as your bother tells you."
What loving, dutiful little daughter
and sister she was! And what capa.
BILE, thrifty little housekeeper she grew to
be, relieving her benefactor Of much
care Proud as we'll as fond was Mrs
Foster of her adopted child.
Amy was eighteen when her mothers
death left her to Georges care. Scarcely
six months had gone by, when the kind
and cousiderate ladies of the neighbor
hood began to engage their minds with
thoughts aud plans for the future welfare
Of the wcalthiest young man Of their com.
muuity. twas probable he would marry
in truth quite desirable that be should,
and that his choice should be such as
would be acceptable to the parish. Now
this young man in question was George
Foster, who was Q very attentive member
OF the church, commitment, and about
the NEST liberal contributor to all charita
Bile funds.
While Mrs. Foster lived there was
neither chance nor hope for Georges
marrying. He was devoted alone to her.
But the time had como when he must be
looked after So the Rectors wife, Mrs.
Charlton, who had lovely young niece,
thought that no one could be more ac-
ceptable to every one than her dear
Adele and SO she set herself to work to
manage the affair skillfully.
She began with sending on several oc
casions, for Mr.. Foster, to advise with
and help the Rector snd herself 10 mat.
ters connected with the poor of the par
ish. OF course Adele always appeared
at such times to the best advantage.
Then once, when out riding near the
Manor, Georges home, Mrs. Charlton
remembered that Mrs. Foster had been
successful in the cultivation of certain
plant and being very anxious of secur,
ing some, and the knowledge of the