The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-31
A LEAF FROM A LIFE.

SIpoHiHp anu sOIucllillcS cooking. she
always seemed thoughtful and careful,
and there was hardly anything about
Homework which, 10 use herown phrase,
'she could not turn her hand to-
Beyond a yes or mo" she seldom
ever ventured in conversation; and vet
che had an intelligent face, and once.
when entered the room where she was
waiting for me- she put down book
suddenly, which she had probably been
looking at
"Haye you ever read it?" | asked.
"Yes, a long time ago, when was
younger she said, signing, and she
never spoke of it again
One day, my sister came 10 see me
from New York, bringing her little girl
who Is remarkably beautiful child.
Mrs. Morrison started at sight OF little
Belle, and singular shadow passed over
her face Then she turned away, and
saw her quickly wipe her eyes. won
dered who the child reminded her OF.
Little Isabel seemed attracted by tho
silent plain woman, with the scar on
her left cheek. She often left her TOYS
TO 60 up close TO her and look up into
her eyes. II almost seemed as if there
was mute language between those
two
Did you ever see a prcttier child?"
l asked. as she sat stitching, with lisa
bel prattling to her doll on her lap.
"pll show you" she said, quietly,
dropping her work; then, shy as ever,
hastily taking it up again.
What were you going TO show me?"
asked. You have made me curious.
and you must let me see it.
She smiled sadly, put her hand nerv-
ously in the bosom Of her dress, and
presently | saw picture--a little face
quite as lovely as lsabel's, with the same
golden hair, the same sunny blue ewes.
why, who was this9n ! asked, in
some surprise.
ut was my little girl" she said, her
eyes on her work as she stitched away.
at was taken for my father two years
before she-was-- before she died." she
added, with forced composure, "or ]
should not have been so fortunate as 70
possess likeness"
And was she all you had2" | asked
"Oh no. there were two more, boys
they we're
She stopped for moment, drew q
long breath. and added, ina trembling
voice, They were all killed"
KILLED" | cried. "Who-how were
they killed.
dts a long story" she replied Il
seldom speak Of those days, TIT pains
me"
"No wonder | said; land you shall
not talk about them now, though con-
fess should like to hear your story.
And this charming little facet Were
none Of them lcit?'
None
Then seeming to wish to crafty me,
she said, "My husband had friend in
Washington who procured him a posi-
ton in the Indian country, when mylit-
tie Carrie was two years old, Just the
age Of this little one. We went out
there young confident and strong.
"Aleck-that was my husband name
began 10 make money. We expected
70 come back rich My twin boys
they were twins were born there, |
loved the wild, free life, the more be-
cause Aleck grew so much better there;
for he was weakly before we went"
"iIow long did you live therePn /
asked, after long silence,
"Almost ten years, My boys were
brave little fellows, and the life we led
made them grow strong and handsome,
We were just thinking of returning,
when the trouble began.
"The Indians thought they were i'll
treated by the officers Of the post, and
they would come over sometimes, and
use abusive language Aleck was very
quick.tempcrcd, and knowing that they
had no reason for insulting US, he threat
ened them,
They never forgot it. One day MY
little boys went out on their ponies
only mile OUTPUT they never came
back mean they never came alive.
lhey we've ulought back, both shot
through the heart
at nearly cra2cd Alcck. for he
thought the world of those bows. Al.
most forgot my own misery in trying to
comfort him He never attempted TO
conceal his hatred of the savarcs after
that, and made enemies Of all who came
near us, Some Of them protested TO be
friendly, and seemed sorry for what had
happened, but Alcck distrus,ed and
hated thom all, and the end was hisown
death"
"Do you mean that they killed him,
too?"
Yes, they did. They surprised us
one night when the troops were away
They killed him before my eyes"
She stopped sowing and dropped her
face in her hands, There she sat, very
still, but do not think she shed n tear
Don't tell me more if IL pains you
So" l said, unable to restrain my own
tears.
At las, she lifted her head. ats all
over; they can't die again, you know"
md she smiled droOrily,
"Thoy took me with the child" she
! continued, land they travelled all night
VI had heard how such things were done,
} nd managed to ill my pocket with
Deans, and dropped them along the
pry a y, ,,.. ,,-,
i small of her uge that they had put
w. on the horse with me. The child
yoke, only clung TO me, Once
4 l(R xtlut / .l,A,,,,,,,a, al