The Adopted Daughter: A Tale for Young Persons

education she had proposed for her own children, had she not been deprived of them. But though she wished Anna should know every thing necessary to adorn the station in life she intended her to fill,

r cousins were not more expert in running, driving the hoop, and such amusements than herself. All the old men w

or: she deserved a better husband, for there was not a prettier, nor a mo

hing which she thought she could eat! and when she died"-here the poor old man wiped a tear from his eye and could say no more. In short Anna was caressed by a

r friends, would consider that it is not for any thing extraordinary in themselves; or any particular merit, or talents which they possess; but for the sake of their parents, or because of some misfortune, perhaps, which is attached to them, those who are good and benevolent are inclined to noti

f, and Anna had never been used to see any other, the exchanging her coloured frocks for more white one

f clothes," said she to William, "how wel

hey are whole in every part; and should I be happier if I had more buttons on my coat? I don't think you are more s

more in the drawer; and Bella has nothing to do, but to

e coloured ones you used to wear, and eat and drink as well; and sleep a

her protégée, who was now about seven years old, all she wished her. She took no notice of what she had heard,

a thoughtless air, "she does it so well,

o," replied Mrs. Meridith, "cannot

bting she had heard her plainly. "Be

command, rather than in a farm-house, for the first four years of her life: I must alter my plan with her, she will expect too much and be disappointed,-as I sh

busy now, she can mend it another time, or if you wish it," continued she, "I will try if I can

tearing your clothes: if you considered others you would be sorry Bella should be forced to work for you; her eyes are not good, and she is

ing with shame, and no little anger, as she thought Mr

han you are now." The tears stood in Anna's eyes, and for the first time she almost wished herself again there; but she took out a needle and thread from her work-bag, and began the task she was quite unaccustomed to. Already the ren

sk Bella to begin it for me, Mamma? it is impossible I should kno

la is very busy," re

girl in a more humbled tone, and after she had pulled it

e darning, which she returned into Anna's hand; well knowing that she could never finish it for it to be worn any more; but the frock was of little value in Mrs. Meridith's opinion, if Anna might be taught a lesson of humility by it. She contin

it?" asked Mrs. Meridi

, "my cotton is

y, she made her sit down by her, saying, she feared her eyes were directed more to the window than her work. Anna could scarcely suppress her tears; ye

, "of the trouble you give Bella

ing into tears, and hiding her face in

that you will be more careful, and more t

longing to be reconciled to her kind friend, who soon gave her th

se I lost them, and because your grandmother was a kind nurse to me when I was a baby, and I knew your mother when she was a little girl, but more because you were unfortunate, and had lost your parents, though they were w

adding to the happiness of others, not taking from it." Anna's tears

ndeed I have nothing to be proud of, but I have given Bella a great deal of

scene might be impressed on her memory, and prevent her thinking so highly of