The Adopted Daughter: A Tale for Young Persons Page 2

  CHAPTER II.

  Mrs. Meridith also visited the cottages of the poor, and from everyone she heard something of the goodness of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. "Hisfather and mother were kind to us," said one of the old women, "and sois he and his wife also: _she_ lets nothing be wasted in her dairy, orher pantry, and is always kind to us when we go there, and gives ussomething to eat and drink, and often some victuals to bring home withus."

  Mrs. Meridith enquired if there was any school in the village, andon being directed to the old dame's house, who instructed all thelittle ones in their A B C, she determined not to deprive her of heremployment, but endeavoured to find out a younger woman who couldundertake the education of larger children, and teach them plainneedle-work, &c. The bigger boys used to walk to a neighbouring villageto school, and as she found the man had a large family, and bore anexcellent character, she did not set up any other in opposition to him,but engaged to pay him for those boys whose parents could not affordit. Her servants were ordered not to turn any of the poor people awaywithout relieving their wants; and in a very few months the inhabitantsof Downash felt the benefit of having such a kind patroness living atRosewood, as their houses were better furnished, themselves and childrenbetter clothed, and all their beds provided with blankets.

  When the day came for Mr. and Mrs. Campbell to pay their promised visitat the great house, unused as they both were to visiting, it appearedin anticipation a formidable thing, notwithstanding the affability andcondescension of Mrs. Meridith, which they had so amply experiencedin her visit to them; but they dreaded the long train of servants and"saucy footmen" they should have to pass through, having heard that suchwere always more ready to notice any thing awkward than their owners:but they were agreeably surprized to find no such men at Rosewood. Mrs.Meridith's household consisted of no more servants than were absolutelynecessary, and one footman and a black servant were all they saw. Hertable and sideboard were neatly spread, without any appearance ofostentation; and by the great respect with which she treated her guests,she taught her servants to do the same. After dinner, Mrs. Meridith ledthem to the garden and pleasure-ground, and consulted Mr. Campbell onthe improvements she intended; and by every action endeavoured to shewthat she affected no superiority over them. Mrs. Campbell soon lostthe restraint her being a stranger had occasioned, and Mrs. Meridithfound her a sensible, well-informed woman. From this time she grew moreattached to the family, and had frequent opportunities of observing Mr.Campbell possessed a solid understanding, with the strictest principlesof morality and rectitude: she grew very fond of their children, and atlength proposed adopting the little Anna, then about four years old,for her own. "I should have been happy to have shewn her mother everykindness," said she, "but since that is out of my power, let me transfermy affections to her child. Alas! I once had children of my own, butProvidence has seen fit to deprive me of them; this little one willsoothe many a lonely hour, and if she possesses the disposition of herfamily, will not be unworthy of my regard. I have an ample fortune andno near relation."

  Mr. Campbell heard this proposal with silent respect and many thanks,and on her repeating that she had long thought of it, he begged toconsult his wife on the subject.

  Their conversation was not such as many of my readers may suppose; thefarmer recollected she was the child of his only sister, whom his motherhad brought up in the plainest and most industrious habits, "and I hadintended," said he, "to follow her plan in regard to this second Anna;we have only one girl of our own, and I am blessed with health andstrength, and a flourishing farm, and did not fear we should ever findher an incumbrance to us."

  Mrs. Campbell declared the same, and that she loved her equally withher own children; "but yet," said she, "Mrs. Meridith will not take heraway from Downash, she always intends living here, and seems attachedto the place, and we know Anna can learn no evil of _her_. Will it beacting right, therefore, to deprive Mrs. Meridith of the amusement Annawill be, or Anna of the advantages Mrs. Meridith's fortune can obtainfor her? We see riches has not made that lady proud or dissipated, andwith such an example, may we not hope Anna will escape the effects whichwealth and idleness too commonly produce?"

  "If her father should ever inquire for her," said Mr. Campbell, "hecannot be displeased at finding her so situated; though I should fear,was he to know it, it would tempt him to seek her out, in hopes of beingbenefited by Mr. Meridith's kindness to her."

  Mrs. Campbell observed, that his long absence from the place, and thereport of his going abroad, made it very unlikely he should yet bealive, and as he was perfectly indifferent to her fate before he knewthat they should take the charge of her, it was very unlikely heshould think of her now. The fear of offending Mrs. Meridith went agreat way in gaining their consent, and it was agreed the offer shouldbe accepted, but not before old Molly, who had lived in the house whenAnna's mother was born, had been consulted, and prevailed on to give awilling affirmative to the arrangement.

  "She will never be happier in any great house than _here_;" said she,"and as for money, what's the use of having more than is necessary?Sure, sure, a farm-house is the happiest place in the world; alwaysbusy, and something to look forward to from every employment which willbe useful to ourselves and others. I should never wish to see our littleAnna any other than a farmer's wife, such as her dear grandmother was,not but what Mrs. Meridith is a very _good_ lady: a very good ladyindeed: but riches won't make people happy, that's plain to be seen in_her_. How dull she looks sometimes!"

  "That proceeds from the many misfortunes she has met with, dear Molly,"said Mr. Campbell, "and a farm-house is not exempt from the loss offamily and friends, though our's, thanks be to Providence, has been sohighly favoured."

  "If then we are liable to lose any of our children by death," saidMolly, "there seems the less occasion to _give one away_; but you_knows_ best; I would not be the child's hindrance; yet I should notlike her to be taken a great way off, as poor Mrs. Meridith was herself."

  "There is no fear of that, Molly," resumed her master, "for Mrs.Meridith seems inclined to prefer Rosewood as her home to any otherplace."

  "Heaven be praised for _that_," returned Molly, "for sure she has donea power of good since she lived there, and if little Anna is to go nofarther, I can see her as often as I like, for Mrs. Meridith has askedme to come often and often; and told me never to take the children outfor a walk without calling there; and latterly, some how or other, Inever have, for let me go which way I would, the boys always contrivedto come home round by Rosewood, and little Anna would peep and pryabout through the paling, and the hedges, to see if she could find Mrs.Meridith, or the black man or woman; and I used to think to scold herfor it, but _some how or other_ I always forgot it."

  Molly had now began talking, and it was some time before she stopped;for though there were but few subjects she could talk upon, she alwaysfound enough to say upon them; and she did not leave off till she wasperfectly satisfied Anna should be Mrs. Meridith's child, so that whileshe lived she could see her as often as she wished.

  The next time, therefore, that Mrs. Meridith called, and made the sameproposal, it was readily agreed to, and little Anna was called in fromher play with the boys, and the great mastiff dog who was letting themall ride upon his back. On being asked if she would like to live withMrs. Meridith? she replied, "if William and John go too." John was but afew months older than herself, and William nearly seven years old.

  "They shall come and see you every day," said Mrs. Meridith.

  "And father and mother going too?" asked the artless child, "and oldMolly, and Growler," which was the name of the dog.

  Mr. Campbell smiled and said, "she is encroaching on your goodnessalready, Madam, and would bring all my family with her."

  "They shall come and see us very often," replied Mrs. Meredith, anxiousto see the child accede to her proposal without regret, "but _you_ shallbe my little girl."

  "And mother's too?" returned the child, looking towards Mrs. Campbell,whom she had
always considered her parent.

  "Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Meridith, "but won't you call _me_ mother?"

  "_You are_ good Mrs. Meridith," lisped the child; "and I do love youdearly, but I am my mother's own little girl."

  "So then you won't be my little girl also?" said Mrs. Meridith, "norwon't come and live with me, and Bella, and Syphax!" the name of theblack man and woman, of whom Anna was very fond.

  "Yes, I will, I will, and walk in the garden, and play on the green,"her little eyes sparkling with pleasure, "and William and John play too;but then I sleep at home; and Molly put me to bed?"

  "Yes, when you are here," replied Mrs. Meridith, "and when you sleep atRosewood, Bella shall put you to bed."

  "And William and John too?" asked she.

  "Yes, when they sleep there she shall put them to bed likewise," repliedher kind friend, fearful of hearing her flatly refuse to leave them;and not choosing to urge her suit any farther that day, she invited thewhole family (not forgetting Molly and the youngest child who was to beof the party) to dine with her on the next. Nothing could be happierthan the children were the whole of that day; and Mrs. Meridith, afraidof Anna's expressing any dislike to remaining with her at night, wouldhave wished William and John to sleep there, also; but Mr. Campbelladvised her otherways, as it might make her expect it another time, "andI," said he, "may have as much trouble to make my boys willing to returnhome, as you apprehend having to make her stay." Before it was theirbed-time, he took Anna into the garden, and told her she was going tostay all night with Mrs. Meridith; and from leading her to imagine itwas a very great favour, though it could not be supposed she could atpresent comprehend the extent of the kindness intended her, he made hervery well satisfied with the change.

  Molly then took the boys and the little girl home, and Bella put hernew charge to bed, whom, knowing her mistress's intention towards her,she was particularly anxious to please, lest her dear lady should bevext at finding her otherwise. The novelty of the room, and her newattendant, with the pretty little bed which had been prepared for her,all took Anna's attention, and she dropt asleep without inquiring forher brothers: but it was not so with them, and old Molly, who, whileundressing them, talked of nothing but little Anna, and her not cominghome any more.