oh!
how happy, for her earnest prayer had been answered, and God had at
last given her the blessing of a child, and the little tender life was
even now nestling soft as a rose-leaf in her bosom.

"It was late in the sweet spring-time, which in that southern country is
so beautiful. A hushed and joyous stillness reigned in the house, but
every lip was smiling, from the good old black cook, who was 'so grad
missis ben got her heart's desire,' to the funny little fellow with his
wool standing up in kinks all over his head, who ran of errands, and who
evinced his delight by walking on his kinky head all about the yard.

"Never was baby more welcomed. A daughter, too, just what her parents
desired--a darling girl to be a companion for her mother all day long.

"The nursery was now the most interesting and delightful room in the
house. Though evidences of boundless wealth and exquisite taste were in
every part, until the baby came, it was only a grand, silent, gloomy
mansion; for no young pure voice had awakened the echoes in the stately
halls--no little pattering feet made there delicious heart-music.

"But _now_ what a magic change! How friends flocked to see the wonderful
nursery which the expectant mother had been so happy in preparing; how
they peeped into the bureau drawers, and admired the piles of rare lace
and snowy lawn, which were to enfold the delicate limbs of this favored
child.

"And then the surprising and splendid toys in gold and silver! the
beautiful pictures already hung upon the walls, painted by skilful
artists, telling stories that she would understand almost from infancy,
of 'Little Red Riding Hood,' 'The Lamented Babes in the Wood,' and
'Little Mary and her pretty pet Lamb, who _would_ go to school with
her.' Ah! what a beautiful world was to be opened to the sight and mind
of that sweet spring flower.

"Every day the good doctor came to see the mother and the little baby,
and every day the mother grew stronger; and the greatest delight of both
parents was to look at their new child, and softly kiss its tender
cheek, and feel the velvet touch of its precious little hands.

"Then, very soon, it grew so knowing, and showed such surprising
quickness, far beyond (the _parents_ thought) of any baby ever seen or
read of since the beginning of the world. Of course it was very red at
first, but then the red was such a beautiful shade. It hadn't the least
speck of hair; but what of that? There was a lo