The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-30

anu Sne looked ready 10 cry.
did you ever? No; l know you never
did,"
Don't say so; don't think SO badly Of
me, papa"
"I'm not thinking badly of you, child {;
God forbid; for well he knows if ever did
one really generous benevolent action, one
without reference to self y y Heaven
bless thee thou dearest thing; thy life
seems only made up of such actions; but |
say again, did you everP No; | know you
never did-and I'll tell you why l know
it."
"Ah, papa! What can you mean%
Because" he went on, without seeming
to mind her emotion, because, l observe,
that whenever you want to persuade other
people, your mother, or Edgar, or Lettice
for instance, to do something you've set
your heart upon, you hussy, you always
enlarge upon the happiness it will give to
other people; but when you're trying to
come round me- you only talk of how COM
Portable it will make myself"
She could only utter faint exclamation.
The accusation, if accusation it may be
called, was not to be denied.
"Now, Catherine, since this young man
came into the house, with his conversation
he's most gentlemanlike agreeable con-
verser as ever met with-and the PRAYERS
and the chapters, and such like; and, in
short, q certain new tone of thought alto
gether; there has been gradually something
new growing up i'll me. | have at times be-
gun TO think back upon my life, and to
recollect what nasty, mean, greedy, calcu-
lating, selfish fellow I've been throughout,
never troubling myself about other people S
comforts, or so on, but going on as if every
body was only created to promote mine;
and Id have been glad, Catherine, before
went into my grave, which won't be long,
tool own to you would have been glad
for once in my life to have done purely
good, unseliish thing-made a sacrifice, as
you pious folk call it; and therefore, to own
the truth, l have been very sorry, and
could not help feeling disappointed, as
here you We sat pressing this half hour and
more, showing me what great deal / was
to get by this notable arrangement OF
yours"
"papa' dearest, dear papap
"Be quet-I have indeed-Td have liked
to have had something to give up, instead
of its being, as | verify believe it is, the
most charmingly delightful scheme fo1
your mother and me that ever was hit
npon, for that man is the happiness of my
life, my body's comfort, and my souls
health, ard Lettice is more like dear child
than anything else to that poor mother OF
yours, whom have not, perhaps, been so
considerate as | ought; and to have them
thus fixed together in this house. is better
luck than could be conceived, such as
scarcely ever happens in this world to any
body; and far better than l. almost better
than your poor mother, deserves. Soyou re
a daring little courageous creature for
planning it, when I'll be bound they all
thought you fool so have it all your own
way and give your old father kiss" which
she joyfnliy did. "And now you 60 to Mr..
st. Ledger, and tell him from me, that if he
consents to this scheme | shall esteem it the
greatestfavo and satisfaction that was ever
conferred upon me in my life. know
what it is to be thus trusted by such man
| know the confidence on his part which
such an arrangement implies and you may
add, that if hewill only extend to me his
usual indulgence for human folly and fral-
,y will do everything that is in the power
OF an ili-tempered good-fOr-nothing, selfish
old fellow, to prevent him repenting his
bargain. And tell Lettice she's darling,
excellent creature; and have thought so
long though | have said little about it, and
she has been like an angel Of love and peace
in our family; and if she will only go on as
she has done she will make us all happy rs
the day is long, and tell your mother wish
| did not enjoy the thoughts of this SO
much myself, that might have the pleas
ure Of making an Offering OF my satisfaction
TO her"
"Dear! dear beloved papa."
stop little, child. Edgar and you will
have to pay the piper, you know"
So gladly-thanktuIly
Because, you see, my dear, if these two
people marry and live with US, and become
as children, | must treat them in manner
as children, and make a little codicil in my
will and you and Edgar will be something
the worse for it. But, bless you, child
there's enough for all"
And bless you, my honored, generous
father, for thinking 50; that there is. Edgar
and | only earnestly desired this; thank
you, thank you ten thousand times"
| will only detain you for few moments
longer, to tell you that the scheme was car
ried into execution, and fully answered the
hopes OF the generous conriver.
Mr.. st. Ledger found in the attachment
of Lettice, a compensation for the cruel suf
ierings of his past lle; and, under her ten
der and assduous care, he speedily recov
cred his health and his powers of useful
ness. She, whilst performing a woman'
best and happiest part, that of proving the
true happiness of an admirable and a Sill
perior man, contrived likewise to fulfill al
her duties in the most complete and exem
plary manner.
1t would be difficult to say whether tn,
happiness she felt or conferred was til,
greater.
Exceptional people may venture upor
exceptional measures. Those who are
great deal more sweet-tempered, and loving
and good, and reasonable than Others, may
venture to seek happiness in ways that tn,
generality would be mad to attempt.
And sensible, l-principed, right-tem
pered human beings, one may take int
close family intimacy, and discard that re
serve, and those armslength proceedings
which peoples faults in too many cases
render prudent and necessary.
1t was because the subjects of Catherine
schemes were so excellent, that the objec
OF them was so wise.
have now told you now perfectly they
answered upon trial; and am only sorr,
that the world contains so very few witf
whom one could venture to make the samt
experiment.
IL 1