CLAUDE SPENCER. CHAPTER I. "And she thought on him last in her prayers at night, And she looked at him last as she put out the light.”—Barnes. "So she drooped and died before him, Fading slowly from his side; Three fair children first she bore him, Then before her time she died."-Tennyson. "TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. LADY wishes to take charge of two or three children. They would receive a su perior English education, combined with religious training, and a mother's tender care. Terms: Two pounds five to Three pounds per month; according to age. No extras. Address, Mrs. Wallis, Laburnum Villa." Such was the advertisement that met the eye of Mr. Spencer, as he carelessly looked over his morning paper. "Ah!" exclaimed he, "just the very thing; superior education, religious training, and a mother's tender care; all for Three pounds per month. It really is nothing to pay for such advantages. I shall write at once." Mr. Spencer wrote his letter, then threw himself back in his chair, looking like one who had not only fully determined in his own mind what course to adopt, but to be perfectly satisfied with himself. "Yes!" once more exclaimed he, "I could not better fulfil my promise to her, and my duty to them. And if conscience troubled him just a little, in spite of all his reasoning, it was entirely set at rest by the entrance of the maid with the complaint "If you please, sir, will you come and speak to Claude; he will not give over playing with his ball, although I have told him more than fifty times this morning, and now he has broken a window, and hit me on the head with it." |