Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-01-26


and the other lay motionless upon her
breast, looking like the hand of corpse.
The sleep Of the invalid was not rest.
Her breathings were short and quick,
as If crushing weight were laid upon
her heart that she was struggling in
vain TO throw off. Her mother Lnelt
by her side. and laid her finger upon
her pulse. The touch awoke her
" Dear mother" said she, in low and
s'lvery tone. II am glad that you are
here. | am in pain, but ! have had
sweet dreams. ] was in my far.away
home, sitting upon my fathers knee,
w,'h an innocent and happy heart.
My wandcrinss were all over-my
gun was all forgiven-my fathers
hand was upon my brow, and the voice
OF his blessing was in my ear. Mother,
shall not my dream prove true %
Alas. poor child do you forget that
your father is dead. and the home of
your childhood passed into the hands
Of strangers ,"
A shade OF ,hought-perchance OF
memory-passes over her countenanc &c.
Another moment, and her features
giowed again, as she exclaimed with
enthusiasm, II have a house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens
| shall meet my father there, and hear
his words of love. My heart will
ache no more-my cheeks will there
be dry-for God will wipe all nv tears
away" AT this moment, her eye for
the first time rested upon me. Her
countenance flushed with surprise, and
she looked inquiringly into her mo-
Tiers face. God hath sent him. F."
said the mother. as approached
land his GRAND is Of mercy"
Welcome, thou blessed Of the
Lord y exclaimed the girl, raising her
self upon her elbow, while her " hole
countenance glowed with thanLfulness
too deep for utterance; "for | was an
hungered. and ye gave me me meat
l was thirsty. and We gave me drink
was stranger, and We took me in
naked, and ye clothed me-Iwassick,
and We visited mel vas in prison.
and ye come unto me inasmuch as
We nave done II unto one Of the least
OF the children Of God. We have done
IT unto HIN :"
Should live 20 the years OF Meihu-
saleh twice told. never could forrc,
that moment. stood hushed and
awe-struck, yet my heart was full Of
happiness, and every nerve thrilled
with ecstaey. My pride-my evil Pas.
sions-my ambition, were at that mo.
ment crucified. and seemed standing
IN the presence of a holier power than
had yet known. Before me was that
patient girl. her countenance glowing
like an angels. and her eve turned
upward. as If she would claim of the
Saviour the fulflment Of his blesse d
promise in my behalf. II was like
standing upon the verge Of heaven, in
the very presence of the redeemed
In such an atmosphere. Distrust would
fall and lnfdelity would die.
Subsequently, learned the history
OF that girl. II was a common story
seduction-elopement--abandonmen t
-PoveIty-ruin-despair Why then
should l dwell upon such narrowing
scenes the tale may wea'y-it can
not profit OF her dereliciions from
the path OF duty, as it is marked out by
the "Assembly's Cathecism" and the
statutes Of the lawmakers, would
not speak harsbly. If she sinned, she
also suffered. Circumstances rendered
her what she was-circumstances that
swept her along with rcsistless tide,
hll she was forever lost 10 fame fortune
anG friends. Her early life was bright
and full OF promise. She was the idol
OF doating father-the pride of a
brilliant circle-gay, beautiful aud adj
mircd; and the light-winged hours
went dancing by her TO the music OF
her own glad heart. But the iempter
came. In an evil hour, she listened
and fell. Her sincerity, her confding-
ness, proved her ruin. She left her
fathers house, and returned noi-for
conscious Of guilt, she dared not meet
his repfoachful look.
Two years passed awsy-the father
had sunk 20 the grave, and the mother.
lonely and poor, bad found her unhap-
py and repentant daughter. oh, the
fathomless depths OF a mothers love !
The guilt-the agoDy-the shame OF
the past was all forgotten, and the for
given Alice was elapsed 20 her mo-
Tiers heart, rs q long-loved. long-losi.
returning child. Her repentance came
not too late. True. her character vas
wrecked--her friends esiranged--her
health prostrsied. bot He Who came
10 save The lost, poured balm into her
bleeding wounds, and spoke peace TO
her troubled soul.
J came down from the attic. lighter
N heart and purse than / went up
Never before had felt the full force
OF that beautiful aphofism, 1T is more
blessed TO give than to receive" I
had stood BY the side of patient suffer.
ing, aud seen what the gentle minis.
iFations Of Religion could DO l,t the
soul. ] bad irod upon balowed ground
and fed upon heavenly food. A. I
passed again into the tbronged street
aud saw the splendid equipsges Of the
nch, and the palaces that Pride had
piled, feeling Of pity sprang UP 10
my heart for those whom the world
calls honorable; and my spirit wen.