The Path of Duty | Page 8

placed her hand in mine. I thought at
the time that I had never before seen so lovely and engaging a child.
The little boy, Lewis, was a manly looking little fellow for his age,
although I feared, from his countenance that he might possess a temper
and a will not easy to be controlled. He somewhat resembled his sister
Georgania, as his complexion and eyes were dark; but he had a more
pleasing expression of countenance. When Mrs. Leighton had
dismissed the children from the room, she turned to me, remarking that
probably I would like to retire for a time to my own room, she called
one of the servants and requested her to show me to my apartment. As I
was leaving the parlor she informed me that tea would be ready at
half-past six o'clock. The room appropriated to my use was very
pleasant, and was also tastefully furnished. At the tea-table I was
introduced to Mr. Leighton, whom I had not before seen. I was very
much pleased by his manner, which had none of that patronizing
condescension with which the rich so often address the poor. I found
him a gentleman, in the truest sense of the word.

After tea, Mr. Leighton requested me to favor them with some music.
Accordingly I seated myself at the piano and played several pieces,
with which he seemed much pleased. He remarked that they were quite
at a loss for music since their eldest daughter, Laura, left home for
school, as their two youngest daughters had but recently commenced
taking lessons. As I rose from the piano, Mrs. Leighton enquired if I
sang. I replied that I sometimes sang to oblige my friends. She asked if
I would favor them with a song. Resuming my seat, I began the first
song which occurred to my mind. It chanced to be that much-admired
song, by Foster, called "Willie, we have missed you." When I
concluded I was surprised to find Mrs. Leighton in tears. She informed
me, by way of apology, that their eldest son's name was Willie, and that
he had been absent for some months in England, on account of the
death of a wealthy uncle, who had made him his heir. She remarked,
further, that he was the life of their dwelling, and they had indeed
missed him very much. I said that I was sorry to have given her pain.
She replied that the song had afforded her a pleasure, although, said she,
"I could not refrain from tears while thinking of my absent Willie."
In order to change the subject, Mr. Leighton remarked that they were
fortunate in securing a governess who could both sing and play, as he
was very fond of music.
When I left Mrs. Wentworth's school I was called an excellent
performer on the piano, for I was very fond of music, and had devoted
much time to practice. We also enjoyed some very pleasant
conversation during the evening, and the more I saw of Mr. and Mrs.
Leighton I felt disposed to like them. When I retired to my own room I
kneeled and thanked my Heavenly Father for directing me to a home
where I had a prospect of being useful and happy.
It is not my intention to give a detailed account of the events of the next
two years; and a few words must suffice for that period of time.
If I had trials of temper to endure from my pupils,--and who ever yet
was a governess and had not,--I also enjoyed much pleasure in their
society. The eldest of my pupils gave me more trouble than did both the
others. Her memory was not retentive; she had also a certain

listlessness of manner during lessons which was at times very annoying.
But it was a very pleasant task to instruct Birdie; she drank in
knowledge eagerly, and possessed an excellent memory. In music she
made astonishing progress, for a child of her years; and she was of a
most affectionate disposition, which made the duty of imparting
knowledge to her doubly pleasant. The progress of little Lewis was
equal to that of most boys of his age. I found less trouble with him than
I had at first anticipated. I found him to be a child that would never be
controlled by harshness, but he was easily restrained by kindness.
As often as I could do so conveniently I visited my mother and Aunt
Patience. Aunt Patience seemed happier than I had ever before seen her.
I think the quiet of her home tended to soften her somewhat irritable
temper.
CHAPTER V.
WILLIE LEIGHTON'S RETURN FROM ENGLAND.
Soon after I became a resident in the dwelling of Mr. Leighton, they
received a letter from Willie, informing