Elsie's Girlhood

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER IV.

  Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth What joy is welcomed like a new-born child?

  --MRS. NORTON.

  "Massa wants you for to come right along to him in de study, darlin',jis as soon as your ole mammy kin get you dressed," said Chloe, onemorning to her nursling.

  "What for, mammy?" Elsie asked curiously, for she noticed an oddexpression on her nurse's face.

  "Massa didn't tell me nuffin 'bout what he wanted, an' I spects you'llhave to az hisself," replied Chloe evasively.

  Elsie's curiosity was excited, and she hastened to the study as soonas possible. Her father laid down his paper as she entered, and heldout his hand with a smile as he bade her good-morning, and it struckher that there was an odd twinkle in his eye also, while she wascertain that she could not be mistaken in the unusually joyousexpression of his countenance.

  "Good-morning, papa. But where is mamma?" she asked, glancing aboutthe room in search of her.

  "She is not up yet, but do you sit down here in your little rockingchair. I have something for you."

  He left the room as he spoke, returning again in a moment, carryingwhat Elsie thought was a strange-looking bundle.

  "There! hold out your arms," he said; and placing it in them, hegently raised one corner of the blanket, displaying to her astonishedview a tiny little face.

  "A baby! Oh, the dear little thing!" she exclaimed in tones ofrapturous delight. Then looking up into his face, "Did you say I mighthave it, papa? whose baby is it?"

  "Ours; your mamma's and my son, and your brother," he answered, gazingdown with intense pleasure at her bright, happy face, sparkling allover with delight.

  "My little brother! my darling little brother," she murmured lookingdown at it again, and venturing to press her lips gently to its softvelvet cheek. "Oh, papa, I am so glad, so glad! I have so wanted alittle brother or sister. Is not God very good to give him to us,papa?" And happy, grateful tears were trembling in the soft eyes asshe raised them to his face again.

  "Yes," he said, bending down and kissing first her cheek, and then thebabe's, "I feel that God has indeed been very good to me in bestowingupon me two such treasures as these."

  "What is his name, papa?" she asked.

  "He has none yet, my dear."

  "Then, papa, do let him be named Horace, for you; won't you if mammais willing? And then I hope he will grow up to be just like you; ashandsome and as good."

  "I should like him to be a great deal better, daughter," he answeredwith a grave smile; "and about the name--I don't know yet; I shouldprefer some other, but your mamma seems to want that, and I supposeshe has the best right to name him; but we will see about it."

  "Better give little marster to me now, Miss Elsie," remarked hisnurse, stepping up, "I reckon your little arms begin to feel tired."And taking the babe she carried him from the room.

  Nothing could have better pleased Mr. Dinsmore than Elsie's joyouswelcome to her little brother; though it was scarcely more than he hadexpected.

  "My own darling child; my dear, dear little daughter," he said, takingher in his arms and kissing her again and again. "Elsie, dearest, youare very precious to your father's heart."

  "Yes, papa, I know it," she replied, twining her arms about his neck,and laying her cheek to his; "I know you love me dearly, and it makesme so very happy."

  "May I go in to see mamma?" she asked presently.

  "No, darling, not yet; she is not able to see you; but she sends herlove, and hopes she may be well enough to receive a visit from youto-morrow."

  "Poor mamma! I am sorry she is ill," she said sorrowfully; "but I willtry to keep everything very quiet that she may not be disturbed."

  That evening, after tea, Elsie was told that she would be allowed tospeak to her mamma for a moment if she chose, and she gladly availedherself of the privilege.

  "Dear Elsie," Rose whispered, drawing Her down to kiss her cheek, "Iam so glad you are pleased with your little brother."

  "Oh, mamma, he is such a dear little fellow!" Elsie answered eagerly;"and now, if you will only get well we will be happier than ever."

  Rose smiled and said she hoped soon to be quite well again, and thenMr. Dinsmore led Elsie from the room.

  Rose was soon about again and in the enjoyment of her usual health andstrength. Elsie's delight knew no bounds the first time her mammawas able to leave her room, and take her place at the table with herfather and herself. She doted on her little brother, and, if allowed,would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was aplump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her fatherforbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she wouldromp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms,or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, shecould not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby.

  The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, sheexhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if hedid not envy her papa.

  "Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away witha half sigh.

  A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee,and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie,or I ten years younger."

  "Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly.

  "Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you wouldlike me better."

  "No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck,"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman butpapa."

  The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and madea great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after hisbirth than before.

  Once he spoke of him as his first grandchild.

  "You forget Elsie, father," said Horace, putting his arm round hislittle girl, who happened to be standing by his side, and giving her atender, loving look.

  He greatly feared that the marked difference his father made betweenthe two would wound Elsie's sensitive spirit, and perhaps even arousea feeling of jealousy towards her little brother; therefore, when hisfather was present, he was even more than usually affectionate in hismanner towards her, if that were possible.

  But Elsie had no feeling of the kind; she had long ceased to expectany manifestation of affection from her grandfather towards herself,but was very glad indeed that he could love her dear little brother.

  "Ah, yes! to be sure, I did forget Elsie," replied the old gentlemancarelessly; "she is the first grandchild of course; but this fellow isthe first grandson, and quite proud of him I am. He is a pretty boy,and is going to be the very image of his father."

  "I hope he will, father," said Rose, looking proudly at her husband.And then she added, with an affectionate glance at Elsie: "If he isonly as good and obedient as his sister, I shall be quite satisfiedwith him. We could not ask a better child than our dear littledaughter, nor love one more than we do her; she is a great comfort andblessing to us both."

  The color mounted to Elsie's cheek, and her eyes beamed with pleasure.Mr. Dinsmore, too, looked very much gratified, and the old gentlemancould not fail to perceive that the difference he made between thechildren was quite distasteful to both parents.