Elsie's children

It was dark and raining a little when the carriage turned into the avenue at Ion; but the whole frontof the house was ablaze with lights, the hall door stood wide open, and a double line of servants inholiday attire, each sooty face dressed in smiles, stood waiting to welcome the weary travelers home.There were many hearty shakings and kissings of hands; many fervent ejaculations: "God bless you, Massa and Missus " "Tank de Lord you's got home again, honey. We's been pinin' for you darlin'sand for de sight of de new baby," and with the last words the voices were lowered at a sign fromAunt Chloe, in whose arms the little Lily lay sleeping sweetly.There was some fretting among the weary little ones, but mamma and nurses were kind and gentle, and a good supper and bed soon cured all their troubles for that night.Little Elsie was roused from her slumbers by a gentle shake, and starting up in bed, found the sunshining and Vi standing by her side with eager, excited face."Come, come to the window " she cried. "It does seem as if I must be dreaming; it wasn't therebefore, I'm sure.""What?" asked Elsie, springing out upon the floor and hurrying after Vi to the window from whichshe had witnessed the burning of the schoolhouse."There " said Violet, pointing with her finger, "there can you see it too?""Oh " exclaimed Elsie, clasping her hands in a sort of ecstasy of delight, "oh, aren't papa andmamma good? How did they ever come to think of it and how could they get it done while theywere away?""Grandpa, Uncle Horace and Cal," suggested Vi. "Oh, aren't you glad? Aren't you glad, Elsie?""I should think so and the boat is ever so pretty. Let's hurry and get dressed and go down and see itcloser."Rowing and sailing upon the bayou and lakelet had been the children's greatest pleasure at Viamede, their greatest regret in leaving it. Knowing this, their ever indulgent parents had prepared a pleasantsurprise for them, causing a small tract of barren land on the Ion estate to be turned into an artificiallake. It was this, shining in the golden beams of the morning sun, and a beautiful boat moored to thehither shore, that had called forth from the lips of the little girls those exclamations of almostincredulous wonder and delig