Amelia Haylor

Mrs Stowner

Mrs Stowner

          I lived a happy life at the orphanage. Mr and Mrs Reed and the teachers of the orphanage were nice people. Thanks to them I did learn how to read and write. I enjoyed reading books very much. As well as learning to read and write I learnt many things like arithmetic, art and playing the piano. They even had lessons for sewing and knitting for girls. I became top of the class with sewing and knitting, since I remembered everything Aunt Millie taught me. Apart from Jessica Thomas, I had other friends my age as well; a girl named Tessa Grey and another girl named Molly Stone.

          They told me how they came to live at the orphanage. Jessica told me that she lost her mother and father from typhoid fever at a young age of three years. Tessa was left at the orphanage when she was just a new born baby. Molly's parents died in an accident when she was four years old. I told them of my mother's and aunt's death as well. I still missed my mother and aunt, but the people here were kind to me. So I settled into my new life.

          When I was eleven a big announcement was told; a woman named Mrs Grace Stowner was coming to the orphanage. "She said in a letter she sent to us that she wants to adopt a girl" Mr Reed explained "so girls you must behave and look smart when she arrives". All of the girls, including me, were excited by this news and couldn't wait for her arrival.

          "I wonder who she will pick" said Molly.

          "I hope that Mrs Stowner will be really beautiful and her husband will be really handsome" said Tessa.

          "Whoever she picks" I said "I know that girl will be happy". The truth was I wished to be adopted and have a family who would love me like my aunt Millie loved me.

          Three days later Mrs Stowner arrived; she was a pretty woman, about 38 years old. All of us girls, including me, couldn't take our eyes off her. Even the boys stared at her. Mr and Mrs Reed brought her to the office so they could talk about adoption. We stood and listened outside the door to hear what was going on.

            "We welcome you here Mrs Stowner" said Mr Reed "and we got your letter about wanting a girl".

            "I thank you Mr Reed" she said, she sounded friendly, "I want a girl because I only have sons, three of them, and I want a daughter to keep me company while my husband and sons are away".

          "What girl are you looking for?" asked Mrs Reed.

          "The type of girl I want is a pretty girl who likes to learn, knows good manners and knows how to do sewing and knitting".

          "I think the girl you want is the one we call Amelia Hayler" said Mrs Reed. We heard everything outside the door and I was surprised that they said me. "Amelia is a very good girl and she is pretty smart and she is the best at sewing".

          "I would like to meet Amelia Hayler please" said Mrs Stowner. We quickly ran away from the door to outside in the fields, so they wouldn't know that we had been peeping. Mrs Reed came outside and called me to come inside. She led me into the office and Mr Reed introduced me to Mrs Stowner. To me Mrs Stowner looked friendly as well as pretty.

          "May I ask you a few questions?" Mrs Stowner asked me. "Yes ma'am" I answered. "I hear that you know how to sew and knit well, is that true?" Mrs Stowner said. "Yes ma'am I learnt how to sew and knit ever since I was four" I answered. "I also heard that you like to read, correct?" said Mrs Stowner. "Yes ma'am reading a book is my favourite thing to do" Mrs Stowner looked at me with a smile. "Would you like to come home with me?" she asked. "Yes ma'am I would like that thank you" I answered. I could not believe it; I was going to leave the orphanage and become part of a family.

          I went upstairs to the room to pack my things. I packed up my five treasures, some clothing of mine, and a small miniature sewing kit. Jessica, Molly and Tessa came into the room.

          "You're lucky Amelia" said Molly "your wish of having a new family has come true".

          "I'm happy for you Amelia" said Tessa.

          "I hope that you will live a happy life with the Stowner family" said Jessica.

          "I now wish that you three will end up with loving families too" I said. We went into a group hug for luck.

          After packing up my things we walked down the stairs together and went outside. Mrs Stowner was waiting for me with a horse and carriage. I thanked Mr and Mrs Reed for everything they did for me and they wished me a happy life. After bidding a final farewell to everyone I got into the horse and carriage with Mrs Stowner, and then we set off towards my new home. I waved back to everyone until the orphanage was out of sight. I was still surprised that I had been adopted after only living at the orphanage for three years, but I was happy that I was going to start a new life with a new family.