The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-06
THE STEPMoTHER.
BY t. S. ARTHUR.

Agnes Greene was in her thirty-sec-
ond year when Mr.. Edward Arnold, a
Widower with four children, asked her
to become his wife. at twenty-five
Agnes had loved as only true woman
can love. But the object of that love
proved himself unworthy, and she
turned away from him. None knew
how deep was the heart trial through
which she passed-n0ne knew how in
tensely she suffered.
At last she met Mr.. Arnold. More
than three years had passed since the
mother of his children was removed by
death, and, since that time, he had
sought, with a fathers tenderness and
devotion, to fill her place to them-hOw
imperfectly, none knew but himself
AS time went on, the want of true
woman's affectionate care of his chill
dren was more and more felt. All
were girls except the youngest, their
ages raging from twelve downward,
and this made the mothers loss so
much more a calamity. Moreover, his
feeling of loneliness and want of COM
panionship, so keenly felt in the be-
ginning, instead of diminishing, in
creased.
Such was his state when he met
Agnes Greene. The attraction was
mutual, though at first no thought of
marriage came into the mind of either.
A second meeting stirred the placid
waters in the bosom of Agnes Greene.
Conscious of this, and fearful lest the
emotion she strOve to repress might be-
come apparant to other eyes, she as
sumed certain reserve, not seen IN
the beginning, which only betrayed
her secret, and at once interested Mr..
Arnold, who now commenced close
observation of her character. With
every new aspect in which this was
presented, he saw something that
awakened admiration, that drew his
spirit nearer to her as one cOngenial.
And not less was her observation.
When. at length, Mr.. Arnold solicit
ed the hand of Agnes she was ready
to respond. Not, however, in a self
ish and self-seeking spirit, not in the
narrow hope of obtaining some great
good for herself, was her response
made, but in full view of woInan's
power to bless, and with an earnest,
holy purpose in her heart to make her
presence in the household indeed a
blessing.
Il must know your children better
than / know them, and they must
know me better than they do, before 1
take the place you wish me to assume,
was her reply to Mr.. Arnold when he
spoke OF an carry marriage.
And so means were taken to bring
her in frequent contact with the chill
dren, The first time she met them
intimately was at the house of friend.
Mary, the oldest. she found PASSIONATE
and seIf-willed; +; FIoraEce, the second,
good natured but careless and slovenly /;
while Margaret, the third, was in i'll
health, and exceedingly peevish. The
little brother Willy, was beautiful,
affectionate child, but, in consequence
Ofinjudicious management, very badly
spoiled.
Take them altogether, they presented
a rather unpromising aspect, and 1t IL
no wonder that Agnes Greene had
many misgivings at heart, when the
new relation contemplated and its
| trials to her mind.
The earnestly-asked question by Mr..
! Arnold, after this first interview
| What do you think of my children?
was not ali easy one to answer. Mr.
Arnold was gazing intently in her face
"rhey do not seem to have made s
| favorable IMPRESSION said he, speak.
ing with some disappointment iii his
tone and manner.
A feeble flush was visible in the face
of Agnes Green, and a slight quiver d
the lips, as she answered:
There is too much at stake, as wei
in your case as in my own, to warrant
even shadow of concealment. You
ask what I think of your chindren
and you expect me to answer truly
i do was the almost solemnly
spoken reply.
My first hurried, yet tolerably clnsI
observation has shown me, in each, ;
groundwork OF natural good.'
AS their father, replied Mr, Arnold
in some earnestness of manner. 8.
know there is good in them-muct