ion that you'll wear your husband clean out by drawin' so many burdens upon him. I should think a sick wife and two young girl children was enough for a workin'-man to maintain without any more. I declare it is discouraging to have sich a family!' 'Our opinions differ upon that point, madam. Human nature exalts itself in proportion to the responsibilities that are laid upon it. It is for this reason that so many wild, reckless young men become sober, faithful, dignified fathers. They feel the importance of their office, and they have pride to prove themselves capable of faithfully discharging its duties.' 'Well, I didn't come down here to argur with you. Every one to their own way. I never meddle with other folk's affairs, for I've enough of my own to attend to; but I always take the liberty of givin' folks that ha'n't no better counsellor, a leetle hulsom advice, when I see 'em runnin' down hill to ruin. I have the consolation of knowin' I've done my duty if it don't do nobody no good. I'll run down now and see old blind Harris and his wife. Remember what I tell you, Miss Clifford, lay aside that work!' Mrs. Clifford bowed her head and quietly continued her industry, while Aunt Tabby proceeded on her way doin' her duty' by faulting her neighbors, and giving them 'a leetle hulsom advice.' CHAPTER VI. 'The souls of idiots are of the same piece with those of statesmen. But now and then nature is at fault, and this good guest of ours takes soil in an imperfect body, and so is slackened from showing her wonders, like an excellent musician, which cannot utter himself upon a defective instrument.' LORD BACON. THERE is consolation, if not truth, in this theory of the philosopher, and when the secret and mysterious operations of Providence are remembered, and the impartial benevolence of the Creator enters a verdict in favor of its probability, there seems little difficulty in believing the aphorism correct. As the heart derives its sins and weaknesses from its connection with physical existence, why may not the mind, perfect, and acutely susceptible in its distinct being, ascribe its apparent imbecility to the impotency of its organic revelations ? Ellen loved to believe, when gazing upon the sweet countenance of her little sister, that within that snowy brow dwelt an intelligence unknown, unrevealed to the world. Sometimes the vacant expression of her black eye would give place to a transient scintillation of intellect, that could never have beamed from a mind constituted in darkness; and the very habits of the gentle creature's existence, confirmed the fond impression. In the season of flowers, from the dawn to the wane of day, she might be found in the midst of them, twining the sweetest in her hair, and weeping over those which were crushed and faded, as though they were a kindred race. Moonlight was her element-the murmur of flowing water, her music and her poetry. nature. Her attachment to Kathleen Moran, from the hour when that young orphan became an inmate of the same dwelling, was the rivet of her social Kathleen was a year or two her junior, sweet tempered and warm hearted, single in her affections, and possessed of the most winning simplicity of manners. Her sorrows and misfortunes called forth all the sympathizing love of Viola's heart, and her dependance seemed to awaken feelings of guardianship and responsibility that were as a new gift of hope, a new dawn of being in one heretofore so helpless and dependant herself. These tender children were most of the time employed in braiding straw, an occupation both useful and agreeable to them. They seldom failed of realizing a profit of a ninepence daily from their tasks, and this sum was sufficient to supply all their wants. Ellen's school was commenced in April, and prospered beyond her anticipations. Mrs. Clifford's health had so improved that she required no more attendance than Kathleen and Viola faithfully bestowed; and all the necessary domestic labor, Ellen found ample time to perform before school hours in the morning. Mr. Clifford, who was employed upon Mr. Caldwell's farm, always dining with his fellow laborers at the farm-house, a dinner of bread and milk, or other food equally simple, served very comfortably for the other members of the family. Her evenings were devoted to needlework, study, and the instruction of Kathleen and Viola. Thus passed the days in usefulness and comparative happiness. A bright face peeped in at Ellen's schoolroom, just as she had dismissed her school on the evening of the last day in April, and a sprightly voice was heard singing— Alone, alone! the birds all flown |