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discovered by
the person who now restored them, chatting of their prospects, Frado
attempt- ing to banish the childish fears of her com- panion. As they
were some miles from home, they were kindly cared for until morning.
Mag was relieved to know her child was not driven to desperation by
their intentions to relieve themselves of her, and she was inclined to
think severe restraint would be healthful.
The removal was all arranged; the few days necessary for such
migrations passed quickly, and one bright summer morning they bade
fare- well to their Singleton hovel, and with budgets and bundles
commenced their weary march. As they neared the village, they heard
the merry shouts of children gathered around the schoolroom, awaiting
the coming of their teacher.
"Halloo!" screamed one, "Black, white and yeller!" "Black, white and
yeller," echoed a dozen voices.
It did not grate so harshly on poor Mag as once it would. She did not
even turn her head to look at them. She had passed into an insen-
sibility no childish taunt could penetrate, else she would have
reproached herself as she passed familiar scenes, for extending the
separation once so easily annihilated by steadfast integrity. Two miles
beyond lived the Bellmonts, in a large, old fashioned, two-story white
house, en- vironed by fruitful acres, and embellished by shrubbery and
shade trees. Years ago a youth- ful couple consecrated it as home; and
after many little feet had worn paths to favorite fruit trees, and over its
green hills, and mingled at last with brother man in the race which
belongs neither to the swift or strong, the sire became grey-haired and
decrepit, and went to his last repose. His aged consort soon followed
him. The old homestead thus passed into the hands of a son, to whose
wife Mag had applied the epithet "she-devil," as may be remembered.
John, the son, had not in his family arrange- ments departed from the
example of the father. The pastimes of his boyhood were ever freshly
revived by witnessing the games of his own sons as they rallied about
the same goal his youthful feet had often won; as well as by the amuse-

ments of his daughters in their imitations of maternal duties.
At the time we introduce them, however, John is wearing the badge of
age. Most of his children were from home; some seeking em- ployment;
some were already settled in homes of their own. A maiden sister
shared with him the estate on which he resided, and occupied a portion
of the house.
Within sight of the house, Seth seated himself with his bundles and the
child he had been lead- ing, while Mag walked onward to the house
leading Frado. A knock at the door brought Mrs. Bellmont, and Mag
asked if she would be willing to let that child stop there while she went
to the Reed's house to wash, and when she came back she would call
and get her. It seemed a novel request, but she consented. Why the
impetuous child entered the house, we cannot tell; the door closed, and
Mag hastily departed. Frado waited for the close of day, which was to
bring back her mother. Alas! it never came. It was the last time she ever
saw or heard of her mother.




CHAPTER III
.
A NEW HOME FOR ME.
Oh! did we but know of the shadows so nigh, The world would indeed
be a prison of gloom; All light would be quenched in youth's eloquent
eye, And the prayer-lisping infant would ask for the tomb.
For if Hope be a star that may lead us astray, And "deceiveth the heart,"
as the aged ones preach; Yet 'twas Mercy that gave it, to beacon our
way, Though its halo illumes where it never can reach.
ELIZA COOK.

As the day closed and Mag did not appear, surmises were expressed by
the family that she never intended to return. Mr. Bellmont was a kind,

humane man, who would not grudge hospi- tality to the poorest
wanderer, nor fail to sym- pathize with any sufferer, however humble.
The child's desertion by her mother appealed to his sympathy, and he
felt inclined to succor her. To do this in opposition to Mrs. Bellmont's
wishes, would be like encountering a whirlwind charged with fire,
daggers and spikes. She was not as susceptible of fine emotions as her
spouse. Mag's opinion of her was not without founda- tion. She was
self-willed, haughty, undisciplined, arbitrary and severe. In common
parlance, she was a SCOLD, a thorough one. Mr. B. remained silent
during the consultation which follows, engaged in by mother, Mary and
John, or Jack, as he was familiarly called.
"Send her to the County House," said Mary, in