Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-05
The Orphans Friend.

"When ny father and mother fo,s,ke M, then tho
Lord VIII take me- up.' PsA.25 90.
Some years ago, vas invited to spend
few months with an Acquaintance named
Mrs. Clifton II was towards the close Of
a beautiful spring day that Found myself
seated in the elegant dnwing-Ioom at West
grove House. After had been there some
time, said. Il have not yet seen your
little girl, Mrs. Clifton"
"No," she replied Rosa has not yet
returned from her ride, but expect her
soon. am quite anxious TO Introduce her
to you-oyory one thinks her exceedingly
beautiful. Oh, here she is.
At this instant little fairy figure,
mounted on white pony, rode up to the
window
Rosa was about nine years old, aud as
she sprang forward in her blue riding-habit
and little round bat, with the bright gold.
en- curls falling on her shoulders, certain
y thought her pretty, and yet there was
an expression in her eye which, to one &C.
customed to observe children attentivey,
was not altogether pleasing--indeed, she
struck me at first as being spoiled child.
Bat who is this2" said |, as another
little girl came timidly into the room.
"Oh, that is Mr.. Clilon's niece her
pareats died in India, and bequeathod
Kate as legacy to us. You'll fnd her
very different from Rosa, she's so stupid
and uninteresting."
Although this unkind speech was uttered
in a whisper, it did not escape the little
girl, as l saw by her quiyering lip as she
turned away and seated herself quietly
by one Of the windows. That she was
different from the brilliant Rosa was GER
tainly true, for she was pale aud small and
seemed painfully shy; but the intelligence
which beamcd from her mild blue eyes
quite belied the idea Of stupidity. | saw
at glance how matters stood that her
worldly-minded aunt considered the orphan
as a burden upon her, and was not inclined
to treat her as she did her own child.
Rosa, at her mammals desire, sang two
or three childish songs in a very pretty
way, aud when she had flushed, looked up
in my face, expecting to be praised but
as saw my little lady was sufic emily
full of conceit, did not say much.
" Aud do you sing love % said I, lay
ing my hand 1pon Kate. who had continued
s;..'-s 10 hvs suug vorueI, iuoSlng at the
pale moon.
No, l can't sing as Rosa docs" she
replied glancing timidly at me. 4" ouly
know few hymns that mamma taught
me, but no one cares for them here"
Well, you shall sing them to me some
day. But are you not tired of looking at
the moon and stars p
Oh, no, you canuot think how beaut-
iul they are to me do you see that one,
just there?' pointlng to particularly bright
star. Well, that | call my star it al
ways looks sweeily at me, and brings such
nice thoughts into my head
" What sort OF thoughts Y said |.
Oh, l thiuk It seems as if placed there
to remind me that dear mamma is in heav-
en-, and that | must meet her there and
then | think OF the Star Of Bethlehem, and
it makes me quite happy
At this moment Mrs. Clifton desired
Kate to 60 to bed, as it was getting late
She rose instantly, saying as she kissed
me, " may talk to you sometimes, If you
please ~
" Oh yes, we shall have many little con-
yersations together before leave 80, now,
goodnight, dear child, and may the Star Of
Bethlehem watch over and guide you"
For several days saw little of Kate,
for both the children spent the morning
with their governess, aud only made their
appearance in the drawing-room for short
time after dinner. | could not help being
struck with the sweet temper Of the or
phan. Although she was often severely
aud even unjustly reproved aud punished,
she nev.r displayed any revengefu feel
ings, but submitted even to the capriccs OF
her cousin with unfailing good humor.
One evening | went out for stroll, and
turned my footsteps toward the church
yard.
As | sat 10 the graveyard, | heard
slight, rusthpg noise, aud looking round,
saw Kate coming towards me- dried my
tears, and invited her to sit down by me,
which she did,.
why, Kate, how does it happen that
you are here by yourself7 little girls
do not usually choose churchyards for
walk"
"Oh like to come sometimes, aud aunt
does not mind my being alone
After little conversation with her
asked her if she remembered her mother.
+" Remember dear mamma y replied the
little girl, in tone of surprise. " How can
ever forget her p
And your papa too p
/" do not remember him so well, for he |
died long time ago at least, don't know
exactly what he was slike, though recollect
be used to take me out with him in the
evenings, TO sit under the trees, and watch
the beautiful birds fly past and then he
would tell me that, though they were so
gay, they did not sing like the little plain
English birds, and do you know, like our
dear robins aud nightingales much better
than those grand birds. Well, poor pppa
died and wp lpff our hooutff,I bonen ood |