A Grandmother's Recollections

t little brothers and sisters to place themselves in convenient positions for being stumbled over, to the great annoyance

't allow such doings, I'll be bound!" or "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Master Clarence? What will your grandmother say to that!" The nursery was in a state of

e also hinted, at the same time, that it would be well for me to lay aside a little of my self-sufficiency, and accommodate myself to the humors of my grandmother. This to me!--to me, whose temper was so inflammable that the least inadvertent touch was sufficient to set it in a blaze-it was too much! So, like a well-disposed young lady, I very

what if she chose to consider me a child, and treat me accordingly? The idea was agonizing to my feelings; but then I proudly surveyed my five feet two inches of height, and wondered how I could have thought of suc

e, I intended to rise and make her a very stiff courtesy, and then deliver a series of womanish remarks. This, I say, was to have been my first appearance-but alas! fate ordered otherwise. I was caught by my dignified relative indulging in a game of romps upon the balcony with two or three little sisters in pinafores and pantalettes-myself as much a child as any of them. My grandmother came rather suddenly upon me as, with m

onsequential air, I experienced the uncomfortable sensation of utter insignificance-I encountered the gaze of those full, piercing eyes, and felt that I was conquered. Still I resolved to make some struggles for my dignity yet, and not submit until defeat was no longer doubtful. People

breath with passion till it became black in the face. Many a thumping have I given you, child, to make you come to, and someti

rved: "Not much of the Bredforth style-quite an Arlington." I drew myself up with all the offended dignity of sixteen, but it was of no use; my

akes you humbly obliged to such a person for coinciding in any of your opinions. Instead of the dignified part I had expected to play, I looked very like a naughty child that has just been taken out of its corner. The impression left upon my mind by my grandmother's appearance will never be effaced; her whole tout ensemble

three beads of a necklace-a sleeve or breadth of somebody's wedding dress-locks of hair-gifts of schoolgirl friendships-and all those little mementoes of the past, that lie neglected and forgotten till a search after some mislaid article brings them again to our view, and excites a burst of feeling that causes us to look sadly back upon the long vista of departed years, with their withered hopes, never-realized expectations, and fresh,

ny ruffles as would fill a modern dressing gown. There were also fairy slippers, curiously embroidered, with neatly covered heels; and anxious to adorn myself with these relics of the olden time I attempted to draw one on. But like the renowned glass-slipper, it would fit none but the owner, and I found myself in the same predicament as Cinderella's sisters. In vain I tugged and pulled; the more I trie

he many disappointments before us! How little can we deem that the heart which then is ours will change w

med in. "Death w

er, as she looked me full in the face, "Wh

they should be careful not to engross the conversation, and also, that quiet people were always more interesting than loud talkers. I resolved to try my utmost to be quiet and interesting, though at the same time it did occur to me as a little s