The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-06-15

stepped within an apartment, which she
felt was indeed the habitation of misery.
Upon couch by the embers Of waning
fire was stretched woman apparently in
the grasp of the King of Terrors. Several
children, young and squalid, were weeping
on their knees by the side of the dying;
and the tears swelled in the eys Of Agnes as
she heard their sobs and felt their misery.
A further look brought blush of shame to
the cheek of the gazer, for by the fire, ma
king warm draught to give the sufferer,
was one whom Agnes well remembered
having made the but Of her merriment.
This minister Of mercy was Miss A.,
who belonged 10 that despised body called
spinters, and whenever the rich daughter Of
old Calico observed the faded features and
humble dress of the retiring Miss A.
she had made them the subject of rdicule
among her young and equally thoughtless
companions. Now was the spinster's tri-
umph, for the heart of Agnes bowed to the
superiority of her whom she had formerly
condemned.
Without noticing the pair, who stood
contemplating the scene with sad emotions,
this voluntary attendant on misery, proceed
ed with her task of charity. A heavy
groan from the dying woman recalled her
TO the bedside, and she saw that all earthly
aid would be of no avail. The damps of
death were thickly gathering upon the brow
of the sufferer, and the film closing over
the eye, told that her hour was at hand.
My children" murmured the dying pa
rent, the mother triumphing even in that
dark moment, "what will become of my
helpless babes"
" will be to them, instead of the motEer
they have LOST
"And H. said Harrington, stepping for
ward full in the presence of the spinster,
/" will share with you in your glorious, yet
noble work. Let me too, be an agent in
clothing the orphan and giving bread 10 the
motherless."
- also will assist" sobbed the spirit
softened Agnes. X" dear Miss A, pardon
the past, and make me your pupil in the
cause of holy charity"
" God forever bless you for your kind.
ness to my little Ones" hoarsely whispered
the dying woman" / have placed my
trust in the Friend Of the widow, and the
Father Of the Fatherless, and he has raised
me up many friends; my children-,"tht
words died upon her lips, her last LOOK was
upon her offspring. and pressing the hand
of Miss A. to her heart, she passed
away from the theatre Of her many suffer
ings.
Chapter THird-THe Family Group.
One more visit, dear Agness," said Har
ringtcn, as he drew the arm of Agnes with
in his own, and left the spot where deatE
had been busy" We have seen what wo
man can do to smooth the dying pillow
and temper sorrow with the tear of mercy
Let US turn now to a brighter evidence o
woman's usefulness"
Agness replied not, the events ofthe nigh
had quelIed the rash confidence in herself
! with which she started, and with passiv
obedience that argued well for the fruitio
Of her cousins hopes she allowed him
take her where he pleased.
, {" Do you remember George II. ?" aske
t Harrington of his cousin, as they agai
a came upon Main-street.
= George H. the drunkard, whose vii
: and children were obliged to leave him
8 consequence of his incorporate habits :"
i. "The very same" answered the gentle
man, " we are going now to his house.
e and so saying lie rang the bell of larg
n handsome edifce, and servant prompt
' obeyed the summons.
!. A few moments sufiiced to seat them b
fore cheerful fire in an elegant iurnish'
IL al al