The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-05
DARKNESS AND SUNSHINE.
BY MIZPAH.
From our Fireside Friend.

EOSteOl, Culuh, CHllu; SHo VI cdCAoo
easier and seems in less pain
'You have been gone long while and
must be tired" said, taking her bonnet.
Eyes, did all could, both for the
poor mother and little Efie. Effie is o
patient child"
"But you must not do beyond your
strength, mother !; you know you arc not
strong" gAa
"No." said she, as she sank YEARLY into
low rocker "but we must work while
it is yet day, for the night cometh, when
no one can work; and IN as much as ye
did it not unto the least of these We die
it not unto me-" she repeated dreaneily,
as though communing more with herself
than any Wis BILE presence.
We numbered three in family--mother,
sister Lois, Cor Lu, as we called her,) and
| myself. For ten years our father had slept
in the village graveyard, on the hill, leav-
ing us the pretty house we occupied, and
sum, the interest Of which, added to the
various means we now and then earned as
an opportunity afforded, enabled US, with
our inexpensive habits, to live comforta-
bly,, and even genteely, owing no man any
thing.
Ourmother whose delicate health made
her q special object of our care and at
tention, was nevertheless always to be
found at the bedside OF the sick, or door
of the reedy. A sufferer herself, her heart
always went out in warmest sympathy to
others similarly affected and her willing
hands lightened the cares of tue watchers,
and sought every means to ease the pain
of the afflicted. 1t was on ner return from
one Of these visits that she was introduced
to the reader. '4
Seeing my mother with hands folded,
and eyes closed, apparently sleeping, and
fearing to move lest should disturb her,
l turned my gaze out of the window to
beguile the passing moments by watching
the passers-by. Children. dismissed from
school, were merrily dancing and skipping
homeward. Snatches Of blithe, innocent
songs, were trilled by sweet childish voices,
and many staid, sober one turned with
smiling countenancH to cast another glance
at some fair young face, radiant with the
bloom and purity of spotless Innocence.
Now and then, through the trees, | could
catch glimpse of Lu walking along with
the older girls, talking and laughing in
the free happy abandon known only to
our youthful days. Dear little Lu; Heav-
en- bless her. How the child grows" I
thought, as swinging her bonnet by the
strings round her forefnger, she bounded
up the walk; stopping at seeing me to
make low bow in mock formality, then
mischie7ously throwing me a kiss, threw
open the door, and despite my warning
gesture cried eagerly;
Guess who I've seen! Guess Alice !;
guess mother"
I'm sureI cannot tell, my child"
mother answered, "wait until you get
your breath, and perhaps you will tell u.s."
''Who doyou say, Alice? Oh you are
so slow, cannot wait. Well, it was
Frank Ashby. knew him in minute.
he shook hands,With me, asked nae if we
were all we'll, said / looked very much
like you, Alice, and don't remember all,
But L told HIM to come and see us right
away, for he is going back again"
You did right Lu," said my mother,
"lor | know of no one [ should be more
plea ed to see than Frank. Let me see"
she said thoughtfutly, che has been gone
four years next month. Yes, he went in
April, she repeated, as though to con-
vince herself.
And Monday is the first mother, and
US girls are going to have lots of fun. We
mean to-there goes Gus Shaw now, and
am going to tell her all about it," And
snatchlng her bonnet, she darted out to
che door, and down the walk, after the
passing figure Of her schoolmate.
Frank como home again. MY thoughts
h1cl< ho r
seemed to stand again, in the freight of
cur little parlor, reading the words that
found an echo in my own heart, and filed
the darkest corner Of my life with sun
shine -,
Again the even tones, and graceful ad-
dress OF Henry Werner fell on my ear, on
the following Monday, as passing the com
pllments OF The evening with my mother
and sister, he entered the room Just as I
crushed my precious letter into my pocket.
My manner toward him. was wont to be
distant and reserved, for never liked
him, despite his courteous manners. There
always seemed y cold, treacherous man of
the world, hidden beneath the gentleman
ly exterior and easy Indifference of our
smiling guest yet my own new born hap
plness, made me greet him with unusual
pleasantness and return his gaucy banter
lngs with a wit quick as his own.
wei, Miss Alice" be remarked, show
have you passed the first Of April Been
victirnized or victimizlng ~
IN either sir, at least not to my know1-
edge" | said. ... .,,.. :. .u.-e
Alice got letter to-day" chimed in
Lu, WAS that an April fool, Alice ~ =
i should think not, Judging from her
happy look" he said, with quick scrutiny,
(not waiting tor me to replyO"But I know
OF several being written by young men.
who might employ their talent in, far
more profitable direction" alIw
4 Could 1T be 9 -WOnld Ern nj, n,,A