The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-06-21
WRITTEN FOR THE CECIL WING.
THE YOUNG G0uERNESS
A TRUE STORY.
BY META.


The last week of November was at hand,
and the melancholy woods were shorn OF
their foliage. The Virginia gales were
swelling out with deep voice around the
walls of lonely dwelling. The sky was
covered with cloud riffs of a deep-leaden
color, only a spot of blue sky being visible
here and there: but occasionally the sun
burst like god from the darkness that
encircled him, covering the brown hills
with an effulgent glory, whilst the opposite
armament lit up with fiery glow that had
something almost spectral in its aspect.
Now and then the drops of rain were plash-
ing heavily to the ground; the wind came
with a sudden chill to the nerves; the Ches-
apeake bay was crisped into foam by the
titful gusts, and along the bleak coast the
mountain waves were rolling in, with
hoarse, sullen roar, forewarning all of ship
wreck and death.
Sad thoughts impressed the hearts of the
inmates of the house of Chesterville. Hat
tie, with her little brother and sisters were
seated around the bed of their dying moth
or. No wonder they wept so bitterly, for
she who early instilled into her children
the pure precepts of holy religion, was
now passing through the valley and shadow
of death. Mr.. Weston wept in silence as
though his heart would break, for he had
loved his wife and children with all the
intensity of true nature.
AS Mrs. Weston closed her eyes on earth,
to reopen them again in Heaven, Hattie
dropped her head upon the bosom where it
oft had lain, and endured her suffering
silently. Oh! how lovely was that auburn
haired girl! A seraph she appeared as she
sat there with her soft-blue eyes-an ex-
preston of meek sorrow, tempered with
high and holy faith; for many and sore had
been the trials of Hattie Weston; but
grace had been given her to endure them
all, and even to rise above them with
courage which had made her dear to every
heart in that family.
The hour had now come when the last
remains of Mrs Weston were to be borne
to the little family burying ground on the
farm. After depositing the body in it's
last resting place, and only the family had
returned to the lonely dwelling, Mr.. Wes-
ton fell upon his knees and was so affected
he could scarcely speak.
Finally he said, "God will take care of
you my dear motherless children; this
affliction to US is severe. Trials we must
all have in this world mine are hard to
bear, and fear they are to be worse. God
has given me strength and will give you
the same. But my race is nearly run; the
golden bowl will soon be broken at the
fountain. Your mother has been taken
from the trouble to come; not one hun
dred yards from us the troops are encamp-
ed, and every moment expect our little
family to be scattered, and !, must say
it, l, your old father, made prisoner Oh,
| God! pray thee, take care of my orphan
children, and if it be thy will, as the golden
cord has already been severed re-unite us
again, if not in this world, in thine own |
citadel of eternal happiness, for Christ's
sake. Amen.'
A deep silence followed the conclusion |
of this prayer, while the tears of all fell |
thick and fast. Every eye was fixed on |
the parent, and the countenance of Hattie |
seemed to glow as that of an angel.
MIR. Weston was gradually losing the |
stock he had accumulated. The war be-
tween the North and South was raging,
and as the armies passed over his land, |
they helped themselves to his cattle, poul- |
try and everything within their range; and |
even his slaves turned against him, and he |
daily saw himself becoming beggar and
expected momentarily to be taken a pris-
oner; and the thoughts, what would be-
come of his children, and where would they
| find their daily bread, almost crazed him,
and he murmured these thought aloud-and |
they fell upon the ear of Hattie.
flush, papa" said she, her eyes fixed
steadily upon her father, whilst her mass
Of beautiful auburn hair foated in exqui-
site disorder over her bright face and
rounded white shoulders. Bushes and |
dimples were playing hide and seek over
her face; and her lip slightly curved, just to
| show there was pride as we'll as love in her
heart; for she was a spirited creature
"Oh, pa, let me be a governess. You
know Aunt Bertha resides at the North;
and she and grandma have offered us a
home during this war. To her we must
go; she is our own dear mothers sister,
and she and grandma sent us letter a
day or two ago by flag of truce, and in
| letter some weeks ago she spoke of Mrs
Exams wishing to secure governess. You
know, pa, one month ago we little dreamed
of so soon laying dear ma on yonder hill
side, and we thought and prayed after one
was taken, you would be spared to your
helpless family, for you are now no longer
young, that you can serve your country, and
| why must you be torn from uso But God
has otherwise decreed, and we must bow to
His behest. We must now be separated;
it is no longer safe for us to remain here,
and | having an excellent education, thank
God, can teach, and help take care of
you; and my little sister can remain with
grandma at the North. 1t will relieve me
Of the thought of obligation, and help me to
educate her. oh! say yes, papa, and l
| will write and ask Aunt Bertha to secure
for me the situation with her friend"
! The distressed father could only place
his hands upon the head of his daughter,
and whisper, Good bless you, my dear
child! You may go and may the Father
of the orphan watch over and protect you"
Hattie was an undoubted genius, and to
what ever she applied herself, she accom-
plished with wonderful rapidity. She
played exquisitely on the piano, and her
soft, rich voice was brilliant and express
sive. Ere three weeks expired she heard |
from her Aunt, who told her to come on,
as she had seen Mrs. Exams, and made an
engagement for her.
Immediate preparation was made for the
departure Of Hattie and Elsie to their
/ Nprtbor, hon T -,