"And climbed his knee, the envied kiss to share,"

and to listen to the delightful tale, that could never be repeated too
often: she must bring his slippers, and place his seat near the fire in
winter. And she must "help mamma" in all her concerns; and although such
help was only a delicious kind of hindrance, her bright face and winsome
ways made all tasks light and pleasant. Never had she looked so lovely
in her mother's eyes as she did on the evening of her birthday, when in
her little white night-slip, with bare feet and folded hands, she knelt
down to recite the simple prayer she had been taught that day, as a
reward for good conduct; the setting sun streamed in at the window, and
as its rays lingered among her curls, as if they belonged there, and
were reluctant to leave, the mother thought of a kneeling cherub, with a
glory encirling her head--but blessed God that her child was yet upon
the earth. Long did that picture dwell upon her memory.

After singing her to sleep with a gentle lullaby, such as a mother only
can employ, she imprinted a tender kiss upon the sleeping child, and
having seen that all things were well and safely arranged in the house,
she and her husband left, intending to spend the evening with Mr.
Markley and his family, who lived at a distance of five or six miles.
They were on more intimate terms with them than with any other
neighbors, and took back with them Roland Markley, a boy of ten, who had
spent the day with little Emily, his especial friend and pet, whom he
was never weary of assisting and amusing. It was a pleasure to see the
children together: the little girl looked up to him as almost a man, and
he made her every whim a law. For her he would make the trip little
vessel, and launch it upon the water; for her he would construct the
bridge of stones across the brook, and guide her little feet safely to
the other side.

The conversation at Mr. Markley's house was of an alarming character; it
was said that sure information had been received of a speedy rising of
the Indians, and the Buckinghams were urged instantly to remove to that
more thickly settled spot, where a large blockhouse was erected, and all
preparations were made to give the enemy a warm reception. The addition
of even one able-bodied man to their force was desirable, and they
strove to impress upon their neighbors the imminent peril of their
exposed situation. So earnest were they, and so probable did the news