Year: 1864




"He is coming! he is coming ]"
exclaimed Mrs. Tanning, seeing an
officer, well dressed, directing his
stops toward, her houses and man
behind carrying portmanteau, and
running toward the door to open it,
Mrs. Tanning threw her arms around
his neck and welcomed the old Major.


1t was ten years since Mrs Fan
ming had seen her brother, and she
anxiously scrutinized every feature.-7-
His forehead was slightly wrinkled,
his hair had silver hue; but, take
him altogether, he had not, as he said
himself, been too much the victim of
time. His eye was bright, his mouth
smiling, his features large and open.
He was a man whom at first sight
one could not help admiring and hk-
ing-his countenance as bright as a
beam of sunshine through winter
clouds. As. for Mrs. Tanning, the
last ten years had borne on her Aav-
lily and severely. The trials of Wild
owhood and the anxieties of mother
had faded her beauty at that ago,
which in some women may be consid-
cred the prime of life.


After having welcomed her guest
with as much Joy and heartiness as
she could, Mrs. Tanning led him to
the room prepared for him, and then
wished to leave him alone for awhile;
but he detained her, asking a thous-
and questions about her son. This
subject was too interesting for her to
leave, and she therefore remained
talking for some time longer. The
excessive love which the mother en-
tertaincd for her son requires little
explanation before we proceed any
further.


Deprived of her husband soon after
they were married, and having but
an only child, Mrs. Tanning centered
all her strong affections upon him. =
In him she found consolation in her
trials; she loved him dearly, and de-
termined he should never leave her,
and she should give all her thoughts
to his happiness. There exists in a
woman's heart a great deyotedness,
which naturally shows itself in every
action, and is often carried to excess.
Young girls long for the day when
they will be mothers, they beforehand
adorn their children with every gift
and perfection we read of in fairy
tales.


Mrs. Tanning was not wiser than
the rest; she made up her mind that
her son Robert would be genius, a
wonder, and that his name would be
known all over the world. To be
more certain of this she directed her
most assidious attention to the well
doing Of the child. Thus made such
nidol of, Robert thought the world
was to bend to his wishes and COM
mands and, accustomed to this state
of things, he knew nothing but his
own will and pleasure. All and each
which surrounded the widow were
employed for his amusement and
praise. The friendship and love
which were shown the mother she
only acknowledged as owing to the
good qualities and behavior of her
SOM. Brought up by such hands, and
in such ideas, it was not surprising. to
see Robert often ill-tempered and un-
grateful for tho daily favors he receiv-
ed. Mrs. Tanning was blind to her
sons faults, and all her excessive love
was completely thrown away upon q
reckless youth who had not the sense
or intelligence to appreciate the love
of his mother. She wished to play
the part of an Almighty Power, but
was thwarted, and in consequence
was rewarded by ingratitude and for
getfulness. She began to feel this
bitterly, but dared not own it to 9TH
ers. 1900


The reputation of the child was dearer
than her own. How could she accuse
her son of ingratitude ? No one knew
better than herself his disposition and
whim; and how could she stand q
public confession ofithem?


SO when her brother inquired after
his nephew, twas. with the greatest
Joy she told him Of his good qualities
and accomplishments. SO happy was
she in thus speaking of her son, that
she forgot the travellers wants, till a
long yawn, which unwillfully escaped
reused her to the sense of hospitable
duties; but she found he needed no
other refreshment but Sleep y


"How foolish / am to keep you up
at this time of night, after so long a
journey said she, rising from her
chair. 81 shall have time to speak of
Robert another day, as you do not
leave us for some time. Go to bed,
brother dear, and to-morrowyou shall
SOC him."


She wished her brother good night,
who Immediately threw himself ON a
couch, just as he was, and was soon
in Che arms Of Morpheus. When he
opcnened his eyes again It was morn
ing; the light stole in through the