Year: 1860


widen the gulf between the two with whom
he shared his whole heart.


" Thus the summer passed away, the
autumn was nearly spent all the uncles,
aunts, cousins and grandparents had visited
us, some spending week or more with us,
and each leaving the effect OF their visit with
clouds or sunshine, as their natures were
cloudy or sunshiny.


Z" Then we were left TO ourselves until the
commencement of the Christmas festivities,
the anniversary ofwhich we are now celebrat-
ing, when Mrs. Bent, widowed sister of
Edwards mother, came to spend the e'twelye
days with us, and, liking the accommoda-
tiOns well, concluded to remain during the
winter. | was rather sorry she had chosen
our home for her winter quarters, for she
was very self-willed, and what was yet worse,
paid but little homage at the shrine of truth.
She usually found way for her will, and for
this reason feared her, yet feared far more
for Edward than for myself, for her influence
over him was almost without limit. She
seemed to idolize the child. and would not
allow his wishes to be crossed If she could
prevent it. soon learned that was no.
body in her estimation (although by myself
was thought to be quite fine woman for
the times,) and that Edward found Inc less
attractive than ever before he was still civ
il and Obedient, but as sunless in all his bear
ing towards me us the northern side of an
iceberg. Dear girls, don't smile ut my COM
parisons; il you ever had felt, what | hope
YOU never may, the awful chillness of unre-
Quilted affection, you would understand how
felt then.


Augustine saw it all, and was planning
way in which to relieve the house of Mrs.
Bent's presence, telling her in SO many words
that her room was more desirable than her
company, when he was called away upon
important business, which would detain him
from home several weeks. With his kind, ,en
couraging face bent down close to mine, be
whispered, Hope, hope, dear Louisa, and
live as cheerfully as you can; your sunshine
will thaw them yet l could only answer
with sigh, and turn away and weep. Ii
was hard for his sympathizing s)ul to leave
me so unplcasantly situated, but he must go.
Then, with a benediction Of Peace be and
abide with you, breathed as parting bless
ing upon us, he was gone.


+" Alone Oh, what q sense of desolation
settled down upon my SOU when his beloved
form was lost in the distance had every
thing around me for my comfort that my
heart could ask, everything but the love of
his child and that boon withheld, all ease,
comfort and luxury were as empty nothings
to ne. Must it always be thus ? Would
the light never come to chase away the thick
darkness that shrouded all JOY and robbed all
peace of its peacelulness Oh, my heart
my heart cried to myself, will its yearn-
ing never be satisfied? How can live so =?
cannot-l must not. Life was not given
for such cruel purpose. Bnt what can
do? Hope and pray, labor and wait Aye,
that will. II is always darkest just before
the dawn. How often docs the cloud of thick
darkness bear in its folds long coveted bless
ing So came the hour of sorrow to me.


"A few days after Augustine left home,
one of Edwards schoomates came to invite
him to join an evening skating party upon q
pond about half mile distant. 1t was q
dark, cold night in mid-wnter, but Edward,
who thought only of the fine sport with his
schooliellows, asked eagerly, Can go?'-
He always asked leave to go out in the even
ing, instead of running hcadlong no one
knew where, and he was perfectly obedent
too-in this he was model boy. Mark this,
little boys, and little girls too, its observance
as u rule will bring you lifelong blessing,
as it has to Edward Before could reply,
for paused to think of the danger to which
he would be exposed if he went, and the dis
appointment he would feel il he remained at
home, Mrs. Bent caught the troubled express
sion of my countenance, and very promptly
informed him that he could 90 there or any
where else he wished to enjoy himself; she
did not believe in keeping children mewed up
at home all the time The boy took his
leave, and Edward, looking very happy, was
about to follow him, when called him back.
| felt then, ifever was to realize my posi-
ton, was in his mothers stead. Ii seemed
MS though the voice Of the departed spoke to
Inc, saving, BE faithful to my little one.
| said to my heart will stand in my proper
place, and draw the child to me if cam


Mrs. Bent scOwled: Edward came back
with wondering look. With silent lift
ing up of my soul for heavenly aid, l ad-
dressed him:


Edward, my son, wish YOU to remain
at home this evening; it is not safe for you
to 90 out upon the pond when it is so dark,
and it is very cold too. Hark hear how
the wind blows y


AL fear neither dark nor cold, wind nor
water. replied he.


"'Brave boy' slid Mrs. Bent. Dear
me, Mrs. Southside, don't 60 to making
girlish coward of him.


90 will not harm him, Mrs, Bent. but
rather will do him all the good ! can. Will
YOU please allow us to talk without inter-
ruptionT


sMuttering to herself something about my
having more 'spunk than she imagined
from such a meek face, she arose and left the
room. After she had closed the door, held
out my hand to Edward, who stood gazing
in the fire with mingled expression of an.
ger and defiance upon his countenance, and
asked him to come and sit beside me, for
wished to talk with him seriously. He adj
vanced a step and then stopped, saying, |
am near enough-talk away Ii was the
frst saucy word and the last he ever address
cd 10 me. did not heed il. | knew he
was angry with me. and no thought justly,
because wished him to remain at home.


edward, my dear boy said tendcrly,
Il know it is very hard for you to be denied
this evenings sport with your play-fellowss.;
but it is dangerous sport; your father is alb
sent, and without his approval can you wish
to 90 where you may perhaps lose your
life?'


".But the boys do skate there almost ev-
cry night, and don't get killed.


"' Yes, but it was only last week that
three of them broke through and came near
being drowned before they were rescued, and
knowing this dare not trust you on the
pond in the evening"


ga Aunt Bent isn't afraid-she said |
might co.


al your own dear mother was alive and
here where am, do you think she would be
willing TO have her little son out on the