Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-05-04
SUNBURY Pa. SATURDAY MORNING. 7tasz9{ff4 1872

However, he had come home single, pur
chased an elegant house, and settled dowi
to quiet life.
Rumors had reached him, while abroad
that Edith's husband had proved himself 9
worthless adventurer, squandering hei
money more than that, he had neve,
heard, indeed he had never asked for them
for to him she was dead.
From the first moment of meeting her
child upon tire street, his resolve was made
to take her as his own.
Here, Mrs. Weston, l have brought
you little charge,n said Mr.. Hudson,
pushing open the sitting-room door, and
addressing his housekeeper. you're n
good hand at contriving SEQ if you can't
make this little girl more presentable then
send her to me after, I.boi4., 'iraslii, ..u,,
with a kindly smile always resting about
her small mouth, no monentary affect
tion, you are sure, as soon as you glance nt
her face, but father the direct result of q
contented mind, and a heart overhowing
with love aud good wishes for mankind.
Surprise was plainly depicted on her
c0untenance, as her eyes rested upon the
little stranger, but without word of COM
ment az the strange request, she arose and
| led her to her own room.
Il declare don't sec why Mr.. Hudson
should think l could make my clothing fit
her, but it's just like man so needless.
Oh, I've got it / believe that suit I've
been making for the missionary box will
Just do how fortunate that it stormed this
| afternoon, or l should have taken them TO
be packed. Little did l imagine when
making them, they would clothe heather
at my very door"
Quickly she removed the child's we'll
worn garments, replacing them with the
snowy linen. "a very perfect fit" she
pronounced the dress, as she surveyed her
work.
"Ch, what lovely Dress" exclaimed
the child, as she danced before the long
mirror; cant keep il Y''
"Yes, if Mr.. Hudson thinks best"
II guess he will, for he is the incest man
| l ever saw
"Your hair looks AS though it ought to
curl. Come and let me try, and then we
will go down to dinuer.n
| Mr.. Hudson did not care to conceal his
| pleasure at the happy change, and indeed
| he would have searched long ere he could
have found lovelier child than Mrs. Wes-
ton led to him for inspection. The dress
of rose colored merno served to heghten
the whiteness of her clear transparent
skin glossy curls reached to her waist,
and clustered about her broad, full fore
head.
Draw one of those ottomans to the fire,
l want to talk to you. How old are you,
| Edith %
'l shall be ten years old next May"
! sis L possible? You are SO slight l did
not think you were more than seven. How
swiftly these years have flown; it seems
but yesterday since-'' and Hudson
talked on to himself forgetful of the bright
eyes Watching nm so ntenJy.
"IIow do you like my home ?'' asked he,
turning abruptly to hor.
"Oh it's beautiful 1t makes me think
of my book Of fairy tales, and you arc just
like the fairy prince.''
"Do you think you would like to live
here always, and be my little girl p
The child opened her blue eyes wide in
astonishment, as if the good within her
reach was too great for her to comprehend.
! "Do you mean it truly Can | always
have pretty warm clothes like these, and
never need go in the street to sell my
matches, and can go to school like other
girls, and have a bird and pretty play
| things. Oh, l think you're the incest man
in the world" as she crept timidly to his
side.
"You will have governess at home
and every advantage that can be secured
I for you. | shall expect you TO oe very
good girl, and obey me promptly, and
think we shall be very happy together, ~
said Mr.. Hudson, placing his arm about
her and tenderly stroking her curls. But
it's high time you were in bed want
you to be bright in the morning. Good
night, my child"
For hours after her tired head pressed
the pillow, she tossed to and fro. A home
and love were the two things her loving,
| q; hnI
think that cozy room, with its bright car
pet, its pretty white curtain, and, above
all the downy bed with its snow counter,
pane, was to be all her own ! For Mrs.
Weston had said so when she tucked her
warmly in bed, and left goodnight kiss
on her brow.
Edith was n bright little thing, and by
her application to her studies quite won
the love and appreciation of her teachers.
But in no one study did she excel as in
music, while her rich, mellow voice charm
cd all who listened to her songs.
Edith, in her wonderings. had often
wished for bird such as she had seen en-
joyed by other little girls in happy homes.
Now every desire could be Iratiied, and
Hudson, at an early day, purchased one
with as beautiful plumagc as he could find.
1t afforded her much pleasure, and its
uellu WAS que Vi VIC lCW s'tu
which she passed through in the early
days of her girhood.
But swiftly fly the years, sprinkling here
and there silyery thread in Lee lludson's
raven locks, and gradually developing
Edith Gray into grander womanhood
than even her childish beauty gave pro-
mise of. Here was II beauty not merely
of face and form, but also mind well
stored with rare gems of knowledge.
Mr.. Hudson was thinking it necessary
that Edith should be formally introduced
to fashionable society the coming winter,
and was laying his plans to that end when
Edith entered his library one evening, and
seated herself at the table, waiting till he
was at liberty.
There, believe that business is set
tied What do you wish, Edith ?''
ats just ten years tonight, is il not,
Mr.. Hudson, since you found me a home
less orphan, and brought me to your
home p''
"Yes, child, and very short, pleasant
| l>o,, hox, hoe 10