Year: 1878




gage. The roads were not always as
smooth as plank could have made them


but the Landscape was varied with
bright-hued autumn flowers scattered
over the far reaching prairie, amid the
rank grass. And travellers always man
age to make the loute interesting with
historical Sketches and bits of western
experience.


Thus we were amusing each other
when suddenly thtre was crash and 10
the passengers went tunbling out upop
the ground, making quite sn exhibition
of gymnastic exercises, without study
ing position; fortunately no one was Sc
riously injured, tbugh there was a
chance of some daay, as one of the
wheels was bs.Sss sl,ssazs


snsi,--s-. a. W
ms, PROPOSED 90 10y travellers that
we walk there snd find resting place
We found the little cottage pleasantly
situated, amid flowers, and surrounded
by young fruit trees.


We were admitted TO the cosy sitting
room by fair young girl who had but
recently entered her teens. Again l en-
countered a pair of bewitching black
eyes 80 like those in the face framed in
the secret chamber of my heart, that l
was sure at once that the beautiful girl
before me was none other than the
daughter Of Harry Steele and 50 it
proved. For in neatly furnished room
l found him in the last stages of con-
sumption; confined to his room, and for
the most part to the couch.


He recognized me almost instantly,
although l had 'grown old snd faded.
And l, oh, how my heart plead for his
life to be spared, the moment my eyes
looked upon his white placid face. l
had believed the old love dead years ago.
But found that it could be easily res
directed, now that the stone had been
removed from the door of the sepulcher,
and could behold him wrapped in the
linen cloths of suffering. His wife, who
had proved faithful and true, had st last
won the true love of his manhood, had
died two years previously, leaving him
with one child, the young girl who had
given US welcome to their humble
abode.


While my travelling companions were
taking a rest from the fatiguing days
journey, took seat by the couch of
the invalid as requested. The great
wish of my heart has been granted "
said Mr.. Steele. ''I have at last beheld
your face once more and have heard
your voice in tones of forgiveness, for the
suffering that l caused you. But the
Great Father of us all is witness that l
had no thought of gaining an affection
that was not returned. You were my
hearts first love, and it was only to save
my parents from sorrow and disgrace
that l married one of their choosing.
She was good and, true. and l learned to
rv-sssIsI her ~ n precious trcss1 se.


g And now when I am gone. will you
not take my daughter to your home and
heart, and love her for the sake of those
old days of happiness? She is named
for you, Fanny Morgan Steele. She viii
not be left dOwerless or dependent. But
l want her to be cherished with the low
ing care Of which she is deserving, and |
know of no one more capable than your
self. You will find her not entirely
stranger, for she bas been taught from
early childhood to love the face OF
Aunt Fanny VIII you not be a
mother to the lonely orphan p


1 made the required promise, just as
the suns last glimmering ray peePed in
at the west window, and as he placed his
daughters hand in mine, he prayed to
Him who careth for the fstherless to
bless US in our new relation. And in re-
membrance of that old summer time l
sealed the promise with kiss upon that
fair young brow.


Before the morning dswned his spirit
passed beyond the portals of that
brighter day, where sorrows and affiic-
tions enter not. Upon the third day we
placed the dear remains by the side of
his wife, meath the wide-spreading will
low of the prairie home. After settling
with responsible person to take charge
of the farm, took my young charge,
whom had already learned to love for
her own sweet sake and started forth to
accomplish the journey that had been so
strangely interrupted.


When returned to my home in the
east l found that it would be quite nee
essary for me to have an establishment
of my own. as I had now the charge of
three little girls.


Little Edith, who is the youngest of
my pets, 1 found crying on lonely road
without friend on whom she could call
for assistance. Her parents had both
died within a few days and she had been
left to the care of a heartless woman,
who had brought her to this place and
left her to find home for herself. To
leave a poor delicate child in this way
was not to be thought of. So l took her
to nv own heart and home. Louise
French, aged twelve years, was pleas
ant companion for my peerless Fanny.
She was a daughter of another dear
school companion who bade me a last
goodbye during my visit.


Each of these dear girls has her own
especial attractions, and what 1 do for
them is a labor of love as well as duty.
They are not perfect, and, like other
children, have their foible, and are a
trial of patience as well as source of
pleasure.


Years are fastening onward, and !
find by my girls increasing stature, both
mentally and physically, that am grow.
int old. But my heart acknowledges
no wrinkles of age. Ny cares are some.
what numerous, and 1 seldom see a day
of luxurious ease, yet / know by the
music of laughter that bubbles up from
snowy throats, and the ripping merry
songs that come floating through the
wide old hall, and the patter OF dancing
feet that are keeping time to pleasant
thought. that Aunt Fanny" is not en-
tirely useless. And yet / shall Away
look back with remorse to those Ions
years spent in slothful idleness. t,
how many homes have | carried com
4 1 4 I