' I was happy then; and when
two years later, I pressed my daughter to my heart, and bade her adieu,
for the first time, without a thought that it might be the last, I was
happy; and when I pressed a kiss on the cheek of her infant child, and
grasped the hand of my noble son, her husband, I was happy; for so full
was my cup of joy, that I had forgotten the drop of bitterness which I
had tasted therefrom. But, alas! it was not so full to overflowing that
there was not room for the draught that was to be my portion. They
sailed for America, to visit his home, when, after the settlement of his
estate in this Western world, they would return to make glad their
father's home; that day has not yet come! A year elapsed, and I had no
tidings of them, yet I would not permit the thought to dwell with me
that I should never hear from them more, and another year passed on
before the despair entered my soul, which has been to me a burning flame
ever since. I gave my possessions to the keeping of another, and left my
native Italy, to cross the deep, if I might learn of the fate of my
children. I went to the place he had told me was his home, but I met
with only strangers there.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230