It was quite a change for me to find myself so suddenly removed from my
position as teacher in a small school and installed as mistress in my
uncle's elegant home in Walnut Street, Philadelphia. We found Mrs.
O'Flaherty very trustworthy, and well qualified in every way for her
position.
Soon after our return to Philadelphia, my uncle accompanied me to the
graves of my parents. I cannot describe my feelings when I found myself,
after so long an absence, again standing by the spot where reposed the
dust of my loved father and mother. I seemed almost to feel their
presence, and the tears I shed were gentle and refreshing. Seated by
those graves, I, for the first time, spoke to my uncle of the
circumstances which had caused me to leave Mrs. Leighton, and remove
from Philadelphia. He expressed much sympathy for me and said,--
"You should endeavor to banish these circumstances from your mind. You
are young, and, I trust, have yet many years of happy life before you."
I learned from Mrs. Burnside that Mr. Leighton had lately met with
several heavy losses in business. William was still in England. He had
written two or three letters to Birdie, but had corresponded with no
other member of the family.
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