A Grandmother's Recollections

came within view of this formidable personage that I did not hesitate and tremble; while I looked wildly around, in the vain hope of discovering a place of refuge. Afte

seemed to be at her command; if Mrs. Eylton sent for a thing she must have it immediately; and I drew my conclusions that "the minister'

article might be; and our waffle-iron, toasting-fork, Dutch-oven, bake-pan, and rolling-pin were frequently from home on visits of a week's duration. On sending for our muffin-rings or cake-pans, we often received a message to be expeditious in our manufactures; that Mrs. Eylton could spare them for a day or so, "but wanted to use them again very shortly." Our parents would buy suc

er sat writing at a small table near the window. A servant entered

d: "I do not know how I can possibly spare Jane this afternoon; Mammy ha

he observed: "Nor do I see the necessity

r minister? I would be willing to put up with some inconvenience for Mr. Eylto

d: "But can you think of no other alternative, Laura, than disobliging Mrs. Eylto

pice of fun in his composition; and the expression of his eyes now rendered her apprehens

, I beseech of you, put in execution any outlandish plan respecting Mrs. Eylton!--Do let Jane go

hat I intended making Mrs. Eylton the subject of a joke? Away with you," he continued, w

ieve, requested the loan of other articles besides our do

r," replied the girl, with d

she requested, and some articles which she did not request. T

ervant departed to e

emonstrated

"Children," he continued, "do you wi

through with-a great many different degrees of intimacy surmounted, before I should ever find myself within the house of Mrs. Eylton; but here was I, without the least warning, to be transformed from the bashful child, who made no sign of recognition save an awkward courtesy, into the regular visitor-and for a whole afternoon! No wonder I took so long t

dare say she has a great many pretty things. There was nothing which gave me greater delight than looking into other people's drawers, and turning over those remnants of various things which are stored away in most houses-in many for the mere love of hoarding. Mamma would some

ouse, and lighted by a large dormar-window; but as soon as mamma mounted the stairs, with the key in her hand, the alarm was given: "Quick! mother is going to the green-ribbon room!" and mamma's ears were immediately refreshed by the sound of numerous little feet moving up stairs at locomotive speed, with the ostensible pur

ream-colored ground with a wreath of faint pink roses traced around it, or a cluster of bright-colored flowers in the centre, arrested our attention, and called forth rhapsodies of admiration. I supposed that everybody had just such a room; and

ortably convinced that Mrs. Eylton must possess the sharpest pair of eyes it had ever been my misfortune to encounter. Finally, we set off; I remember being dressed in a white frock, with a broad sash, and exp

green blind door glimpses of a pleasant-looking garden beyond. We entered the back parlor, where sat Mrs. Eylton attired for a walk, and surrounded by three children, all young

self injured, "you have kept me waiting some time-how is thi

address; but at length she replied, that "s

young as I was, I plainly read in her counten

e proceeded, "Mrs. Chesbury sent them with me to spend

y scenting of the apartment I became very much struck with the appearance of a curious looking little work-stand, containing three small drawers. Immediately my imagination was at work upon their contents; and I determined, if possible, to satisfy my curiosity. Mrs. Eylton had departed without making

he garden, and carefully closing this, I approached the table and attempted to open the drawers. I tried the first one,-it was locked; the second,-and met with no better success. Almost in despair, I placed my hands on the third, and that finally yielded to my efforts. I beheld heterogeneous rows of pins, papers of needles, etc., and was about to shut it in disappointment, when my glance fell on a small box. Small, mysterious-looking boxes always possessed a talismanic attract

countenance. Not knowing what to do with myself, and almost ready to sink through the floor with shame, I stood with bowed head and burning cheeks, the very picture of mortification. But there was no trace of anger in Mr. Eylton's tone, as, kindly takin

his, as I enquired: "Can you tell me where that

slightly faltered, and a tear stood in his eye. "She was m

, and gazed lingeringly upon the portrait as Mr. Eylton closed

"Why did you open the drawer? Do you n

see what was in it

g which should not be indulged in. Suppose," continued he, "that on looking into this drawer, you had perceived some article which you immediately felt a great desire to possess; yielding to the temptation of curiosity would thus lead to the sin of covetousness, and

ing a bunch of keys from a box, he proceeded to gratify my curiosity with respect to the other drawers. These amply repaid an investigation; containing numerous toys and trinkets of foreign manufacture, among which were two or three small alabaster images. One represented a beautiful grey

ith Mr. Eylton. Towards sunset Mrs. Eylton returned; and being graciously dismissed, we went home with the impression that it had been altogether rather a curio