St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-23

at is my wife and children of whom
you speak, Madame. God is good !" he
said, removing his hat and reverently
looking up. II have soughs them these
six years, since Ettie was born, from
whom was parted before her mother
was able to hold the baby in her arms.
She wished to name her for her dear
young mistress, Mademoiselle Henri
ette"
''Yes, Leon, it is your wife and chill
dren whom 1 left in my quiet, happy
home. They are well. They love you.
Therese lives only for them and in the
hope of yet meeting you"
~ knOlU that, Madame. l know my
glorious wife !" and the poor fellow put
his face down on his hands, and hon
ored him the more as | saw the tears
steal through those shapely fingers.
The little party had kept aloOf from
us during this conversation. Many of
them knew what knew, and the emo
ton of Leon betrayed the revelation
that had been made to him. A hush
had fallen on all as they sat on the
great rock in the cool shadow. One of
the party, my good English husband,
who was nearest me, and who had heard
anu seen WHdI Hdu, WIS DuSy WIFI HIS
knife cutting something into the rock.
The old English letter kept him very
busy and very much absorbed it was
easier looking down than up when ones
heart is so near the surface. AS we
rose to go down the mountain later in
the day, read the inscription
DEATH TO SLAVERY AND CASTE.
Early in September our faces were
turned southwark. 1t was arranged by
the gentlemen of the party that Leon
should not arrive in our town till few
days after our arrival, and should first
call on Mr.. Scranton and inquire about
the woman he had for sale. That
should prepare Therese for the meeting,
lest suspicion of their relationship
might confirm the opposition of the
woman, determined to be revenged on
her slave-and so defeat their purpose
of purchasing Therese and children, no
matter at what price their owner held
them.
Never was Southern home lovelier
by Natures bounty or in better keeping
than was ours when we reached it.
The hall door was opened for us by
Therese herself, to poor Crecy's dis
content and LOuis's dismay but the
woman's superiority had given her her
own way with the servants, and no
ideas of precedence or condition were
allowed by her to come between her
beloved mistress, the poor creatures
"only FRIEND" and herself.
Did say "the poor creature ~ Sure
ly | did not mean to apply the words
to the queenly woman, radiant with
pleasure, who stands beside the door as
we enter. With affectionate and CRATE
full respect she carried my hand to her
| lips, and then stood with downcast eyes
while my guests passed in. She did
not meet the curious glances that no
good breeding could restrain, which
were cast on her as the party entered,
or hear the muTmured words of admira-
tiOn when the drawing room door closed
on the group of servants assembled to
welcome their master and mistress.
| accompanied my friends to their
rooms to see if honor was done them in
| the arrangements for their reception.
| The neatness and taste were beyond
praise. Therese had been ubiquitous.
Orange leaves fiOated in the finger
glasses on the toilet tables roses lay
on the pillows bouquets were on every
bracket and mantle; aud even the cur
tains were loOped back with flowers,
their folds artistically arranged. The
cool mating, the snowy beds, the float
ing muslin, the fragrant aud lovely
flowers, the tempting balconies, and the
easy chairs beside the open doors lead
ing to them-the tempered light and
air, the cool drops beading the goblets
and pitchers-what more could guest
or even hostess ask
After little time spent in arranging
their dress, removing the soil of travel
and cooling heated faces, we met in the
shady dining room where most evident
ly only Therese could have presided
What spell of beauty that one woman's
taste diffused over my house! How
could | endure housekeeping without
her! Louis and Crecy were both in
attendance.
''The half has not been told u.s." said
lively and irrepressible Tallulah Odeon
"But where are the children ?"
To the astonished faces of the SER
J wants no less than to the question oi
my vivacious guest l replied:
'The only children on the place
Tallu, belong to my cook. am sorry
! not to be better provided for such baby
lovers as you are"
The cue was taken, and we were
, silent on the engrossing subject till the
servants had retired, then leaving the
gentlemen to their sherry and theil
r cigars, took my friends to the window
of my dressing room and called
, ''Philippe !" In moment the hedge
| parted, and the boy bounded into th,
: garden all aglOw with pleasure.
, "Where is Ettie %
"Here she is, Missis," and the littl,
2 creature-she was small for her 81,
: years of age-crept through the open
ing. Never had they looked lovelier
? Ettie was always the picture of mother
1 and Philippe had grown ruddy ant
more robust. asked them some trif1ins
questions, gave them each littl,
} money, and told them that when m.
] trunks were opened they should hav,
r some toys.
''If you please, Miss Nelia," said tn,
, boy.
/ "Oh yes, 1 understand, Philippe
e Well, something for you much bette
E than toy" knew the boy had beel
f learning to read, and understood hi
: pleading look.
/ That evening l summoned There's
for an account of her stewardship; fo
g to her, in place of Crecy, with her dulle
It sense, had confded my house, tn
u keys of the store loom, the silver closet
and every responsibility to an exten
e that would have convinced poor Mrs
: Scranton of my insanity. Therese cam
: in with the same soft, brilliant expires
d sion on her face that had greeted m
o return. She stood, as usual, with folde