The Argosy — page 275: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

254 Mrs. Henry Wood. was indulged in every possible way, but could not be spoilt. It may be said, with all truth and with all reverence, that the Hand of God was upon her, and that she was ever in His keeping. ‘“ Thou wilt hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, and I shall be safe from fear of evil.” I have never heard this verse read in church without thinking of my mother. Her grandmother supplied her with unlimited pocket-money ; but where in most cases it would have been exchanged for dolls, toys, and bonbons, in my mother’s case it was invariably spent in books. When she was seven years old, Mr. William Price died after a few months’ illness; an illness which had baffled the skill of all physicians, who could not even guess at the nature of his malady. He suffered no pain ; yet no relief could be obtained; no food could be digested. He gradually faded and passed away. After death, when lying in his coffin, it was thought right to take in his little grand-daughter—of whom he had been so fond, and who had returned all his affection— for one look before the last sad office was performed and the face was for ever closed to mortal eyes. The act was, no doubt, prompted by a good and kindly feeling, but it was a mistake. ‘The child, peculiarly imaginative, sensitive and impressionable to the last degree, was so terrified and affected by the sight that she fell into violent hysterics, and for many hours they feared for the result. In time she calmed down, and the effect dis- appeared ; but the impression remained, and was never forgotten by herself in after years. LUT. AFTER the death of her grandfather, changes were made in the household, and it was decided that the little girl should return to her ownhome. She had only been lent for a time. For her, this meant the commencement of a new life. At her grandmother’s she had been made the first consideration ; had been indulged in every way ; her every wish had been studied, as much as it was possible to do so in those days of discipline; but her sweet nature, as I have said, could not be spoilt. She now became the companion of her father, whose cultivated mind greatly guided her from that hour, and, no doubt, had consider- able influence in directing the growth of her intellect. Over and above her governess, he superintended her studies and indicated her reading; and she ever looked up to him with the deepest reverence and affection. I have remarked that he was a man of great mental power; a refined and polished gentleman, as well as one of the most ac- complished scholars of his day; looked up to by all, respected by high and low, ever known as the friend and protector of the poor and suffering. ECONNIECLIOO KS, EC)