And little Eliza seconds the effort； by toddling up to her father； and trying to pull the book out of his hand； and install herself on his knee as a substitute。
“O； you little witch！” says George； yielding； as； in such circumstances； man always must。
“That’s right；” says Eliza； as she begins to cut a loaf of bread。 A little older she looks； her form a little fuller； her air more matronly than of yore； but evidently contented and happy as woman need be。
“Harry； my boy； how did you come on in that sum； today？” says George； as he laid his land on his son’s head。
Harry has lost his long curls； but he can never lose those eyes and eyelashes； and that fine； bold brow； that flushes with triumph； as he answers； “I did it； every bit of it； myself； father； and nobody helped me！”
“That’s right；” says his father； “depend on yourself； my son。 You have a better chance than ever your poor father had。”
At this moment； there is a rap at the door； and Eliza goes and opens it。 The delighted—“Why！ this you？”—calls up her husband； and the good pastor of Amherstberg is welcomed。 There are two more women with him； and Eliza asks them to sit down。
Now； if the truth must be told； the honest pastor had arranged a little programme； acomording to which this affair was to develop itself； and； on the way up； all had very cautiously and prudently exhorted each other not to let things out； except acomording to previous arrangement。
What was the good man’s consternation； therefore； just as he had motioned to the ladies to be seated； and was taking out his pocket…handkerchief to wipe his mouth； so as to proceed to his introductory speech in good order； when Madame de Thoux upset the whole plan； by throwing her arms around George’s neck； and letting all out at once； by saying； “O； George！ don’t you know me？ I’m your sister Emily。”
Cassy had seated herself more composedly； and would have carried on her part very well； had not little Eliza suddenly appeared before her in exact shape and form； every outline and curl； just as her daughter was when she saw her last。 The little thing peered up in her face； and Cassy caught her up in her arms； pressed her to her bosom； saying； what； at the moment she really believed； “Darling； I’m your mother！”
In fact； it was a troublesome matter to do up exactly in proper order； but the good pastor； at last； sucomeeded in getting everybody quiet； and delivering the speech with which he had intended to open the exercises； and in which； at last； he sucomeeded so well； that his whole audience were sobbing about him in a manner that ought to satisfy any orator； ancient or modern。
They knelt together； and the good man prayed；—for there are some feelings so agitated and tumultuous； that they can find rest only by being poured into the bosom of Almighty love；—and then； rising up； the new…found family embraced each other； with a holy trust in Him； who from such peril and dangers； and by such unknown ways； had brought them together。
The note…book of a missionary； among the Canadian fugitives； contains truth stranger than fiction。 How can it be otherwise； when a system prevails which whirls families and scatters their members； as the wind whirls and scatters the leaves of autumn？ These shores of refuge； like the eternal shore； often unite again； in glad communion； hearts that for long years have mourned each other as lost。 And affecting beyond expression is the earnestness with which every new arrival among them is met； if； perchance； it may bring tidings of mother； sister； child or wife； still lost to view in the shadows of slavery。
Deeds of heroism are wrought here more than those of romance； when defying torture； and braving death itself； the fugitive voluntarily threads his way back to the terrors and perils of that dark land； that he may bring out his sister； or mother； or wife。
One young man； of whom a missionary has told us； twice re…captured； and suffering shameful stripes for his heroism； had escaped again； and； in a letter which we heard read； tells his friends that he is going back a third time； that he may； at last； bring away his sister。 My good sir； is this man a hero； or a criminal？ Would not you do as much for your sister？ And can you blame him？
But； to return to our friends； whom we left wiping their eyes； and recovering themselves from too great and sudden a joy。 They are now seated around the social board； and are getting decidedly companionable； only that Cassy； who keeps little Eliza on her lap； ocomasionally squeezes the little thing； in a manner that rather astonishes her； and obstinately refuses to have her mouth stuffed with cake to the extent the little one desires；—alleging； what the child rather wonders at； that she has got something better than cake； and doesn’t want it。
And； indeed； in two or three days； such a change has passed over Cassy； that our readers would scarcely know her。 The despairing； haggard expression of her face had given way to one of gentle trust。 She seemed to sink； at once； into the bosom of the family； and take the little ones into her heart； as something for which it long had waited。 Indeed； her love seemed to flow more naturally to the little Eliza than to her own daughter； for she was the exact image and body of the child whom she had lost。 The little one was a flowery bond between mother and daughter； through whom grew up acquaintanceship and affection。 Eliza’s steady； consistent piety； regulated by the constant reading of the sacred word； made her a proper guide for the shattered and wearied mind of her mother。 Cassy yielded at once； and with her whole soul； to every good influence； and became a devout and tender Christian。
After a day or two； Madame de Thoux told her brother more particularly of her affairs。 The death of her husband had left her an ample fortune； which she generously offered to share with the family。 When she asked George what way she could best apply it for him； he answered； “Give me an education； Emily； that has always been my heart’s desire。 Then； I can do all the rest。”
On mature deliberation； it was decided that the whole family should go； for some years； to France； whither they sailed； carrying Emmeline with them。
The good looks of the latter won the affection of the first mate of the vessel； and； shortly after entering the port； she became his wife。
George remained four years at a French university； and； applying himself with an unintermitted zeal； obtained a very thorough education。
Political troubles in France； at last； led the family again to seek an asylum in this country。
George’s feelings and views； as an educated man； may be best expressed in a letter to one of his friends。
“I feel somewhat at a loss； as to my future course。 True； as you have said to me； I might mingle in the circles of the whites； in this country； my shade of color is so slight； and that of my wife and family scarce perceptible。 Well； perhaps； on sufferance； I might。 But； to tell you the truth； I have no wish to。
“My sympathies are not for my father’s race； but for my mother’s。 To him I was no more than a fine dog or horse： to my poor heart…broken mother I was a child； and； though I never saw her； after the cruel sale that separ