Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-02

had been to seek the divine mamma for
the pilgrims il was his task to guide
through the wilderness Of life. He
looked from one to the other, i'm grief
and amazement. Aunt Debby had
seated herself on his entrance, and be-
gan TO rock herself backward and for
ward, and TO sigh and groan-saying il
was hard thing TO be called such hard
names at her time fife, sc. I stood,
my cheeks glowing with anger, and
my heart violently palpitating with
the sudden effort at sclf-control. He
approached me, took my hand. and
said, My dear Mary There was az
fiction in his tone, but there was up
braiding, also; and drawing away my
hand, | wept in bitterness Of spirit
As soon as | could summon up suffi-
Gent steadiness Of voice, told him the
cause OF my resentment, and declared,
that | would never again enter a place.
where ! was exposed TO ridiculc and
ccnsure, and from those, too, SD i'm
measurably my interiors IN birth and
education. Dearest Mary exclaim-
ed he, turning pale from agitation, YOU
cannot mean what YOU say. Let not
such tribes rs these, mar the peace of
this holy day. Igrievc that Your feel
ings should have been wounded: but
what matters il what the world saws o.
our outward apparel, if our souls are
clothed with those robes Of holiness,
which make US lovely in our Makers
eyes: Let us 60 TO the temple Of Him,
whose last legacy TO man was peace. -
Though the bell was ringing its last
notes, and though saw him so pain
fully disturbed, | still resisted the APP
peal, and repeated my rash assevcra-
ton. The bell had pealed its latest
summons, and was 10 longer heard
Mary, must | go alone" HIS hand
was on the la;ch-.hcrc- burning
flush on his cheek, such as had never
seen before. My pride would have
ylclded-my conscience convicted me
of wrong-i would have acknowledged
my raShness, had not aunt Debby,
whom thought born to be my evil spi-
nit, risen with long-drawn sigh, and
taken his arm, preparatory TO accompa-
nying him. No, said l, you will not
be alone. You need not wait for me.
In aunt Debby's company, you cannot
regret mine.
Surely, my heart must have been
stcelcd, like Pharaoh's, for some divine
purpose, or | never could have resisted
the mute anguish of his glance, as he
closed the door on this cold and unmer-
tied taunt. What hours of wretched-
ness ] passed in the solitude of my
chamber. ! magnifed my sufierings
into those of martyrdom, and accused
Mr.. l. Of not preparing me for the
trials of my new situation. Yet, even
while reproached him IN my heart, |
was conscious Of my injustice, and felt
that ] did not suffer alone. Ii was the
first time any other than words OF kind
ness had passed between us, and il
seemed TO me, that barrier was be-
ginning 10 rise, that would separate us
forever. When we again met, tried
10 retain the same cold manner and A.
verted countenance, but he came un-
accompanied by my tormentor, and
looked 10 detected and pale, nv petu.
lance and pride yielded 10 the reign OF
better feelings. ! had even the grace
To make confessions, which were re-
ceived with such gratitude and feeling.
] was melted into goodness, transient.
but sincere. Had aunt Debby remain.
ed from us, all might yet have been
well; but after having visited awhile
among the parish, she returned: and
her presence choked the blossoms of my
good resolutions. thought she never
forgave the offending cpithet had q.
ven her IN the moment Of passion. II
IS far from my intention, in delineaiing
peculIarlties like hers, 20 throw any
opprObrium on that class Of females.
who from their isolated and often un.
protected situation. are peculiarly sus.
ceptble TO the shafts OF unkindness
or ridicuie. ! have known those
whose influence seemed az difFusiye
as the sunshine and gentle as the dew.
at whose approach the ringlets Of
childhood would be tossed gaily back.
and the wan cheek Of the aged lighted
up with joy; who had devoted the
glow of their youth. and the strength
81 their PRIME, to ac.s Of iilial piety
and love, watching the waning fires
Of llie, a. the vestai virgins the fame
OF the altar Round such being, as
these, the bcatitudcs cluster and vet
tie ban Of uniceling levity Is passed
upon ibe maiden sisterhood. Bu, |
wander from nv path. IT. not her
history ! avn writing 20 much as nv
own; which, however deficient IN in.
eldeni. Is not without lie moral power.
experienced one source Of mo1i6.
cation, which have not vet mention.
ed 4 may even seem too insigniG-
cant 10 be noticed, and vet il was terri
bly, grating 10 my aristOcraiic feelings
Some of our good Practitioners we're in
the habit of Iavishing attentions. % re-
pugnani 30 me. that did not hesitate
10 refuse them; which / afterwards
learned gave great modification and