The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-23
From tho Lady's Book.
EVENINGS AT A FRIENDS.
BY MRS, SARAH E, FARLEY.

BHte; Wnat PERCUSSION Dl roses! as beautiful
too, as il they grew in the bower by Bend
meer's stream Yousee have helped my
self 10 bouquet, Miss Darey.'
That's right, and you have Shakespeare's
authority. Sweets 10 the sWeei;' or 30 thee
sweet as some render it,
hope you will read Hamlet to US soon, but
! should like might 10 learn something more
Of these canee or their donors rather. This
one excites my curiosity, il is so very rich.
There's quite fortune n gold upon it,
That'was the gl!t of my wealthy and liberal
but somewhat eccentric uncle Baster lie
was one Of those rare beings on whom nature
and fortune had both layJsiIed theH choicest
gifts. not more rcmarkaBIefor personal heau- -
~ and great powers Of mind, than for his un-
affected Piey, hs active benevoleuce, his uni
Veresl charity. One really fell pleasure n
looking at his couneHRnce, il was SO radiant,
SO happy. All loved hum; rich and FoOr, old
and young, the evil aud the good, all were his
friends and he The friend Of alIr 1t was ther
with the greatest diepeasurs, that the congre-
CATION Of Mr.. M received the announce
ment OF an intended marriage between George
Baxter and Jane Atkinson. Nothing but The
displeasure could equal The surprise.
Miss Atkinson was notorious throughout
the town for her cross, irritable, unbearabIe,
temper. She never checked or concealed il
10 the least, and no one Of her acquaintance
supposed man could be found 10 make Jane
Atkinson hls wife. True, she had good ualu-
raj endowmenls; but they we're all ovsrsrown,
or cast into the shade by this shtewdish dis
position. Her crossness did not appear in par
oxisms like that of other ill.tempeted people,
but was always alive, never lulled 10 sleep, for
ever bubbiing over, like fountain of soda. On
their marriage they we're established in the
handsoIneeI house on the pleasantest street in
town James taste WAS consulted, her opinn
ion followed ia all things, and heard much
said OF the convenience and styIe Of their ar
rHngemenls But angry at the marriage and
frightened, by the reports of those who at
tempted visiting the iIl-assoned pair, did not
60 10 the house. | saw my dear uncle every
day in the street, al bis coun!ng-roo at nv
mothers house, or in the church, but never at
his own dwelling until come months subso-
| quenl 10 his marriage.
One summer day on passing the open door
| and hearing loud scolding, Istepped 10. what
is the matter uncIeP called al the Top of nv
voice. 'ludeed my dear boy do not know
he replied, rising from his book and advance
ing TO meet me. Jane siezed Tho book he left,
and seemed about TO send il al his head, NV
uncle turned aud caught her arm.
''Strike me ifyou will, Jane,' he said, 'but
find some other weapon, beseech you than
this sacred book
'Jane Immediately left the room, and | adj
dressed my uncle:
'Wl you tell me uncle, why you married
that girl? cannot believe il was love- know
it was not wealth. But what The inducement
was cannot imagine
He seemed thoughtful moment, and then
| replied: Il do not think it inconsistent with
proper candour of character, sometimes to con,
ceal from the world the motives which actuate
me in matter that affects myself only, and
have therefore never made public my rea-
sons for this act. The world, TOO, would call
me fool if they knew my motives, but YOU
deserve my confidence end shall have it, You
! know, my dear William, | had never felt any
sorrows but those of others. Since my birth
had never been visited by pain or sickness,
by lose Of friends or wealth, or reputation.
Every thing prospered with me, and The mis-.
fortunes most common to human nature seems
ed forbidden 10 crcss my path The love of
God and man was early shed abroad in nv
hearT, and daily delighted in the works of
creation and providence. | felt as if need
ed some trial, some sorrow, to Withdraw nv
affection from world had found so pleasant
! thought ii could be known what was in
man until he had passed through the furnace
! of afflicon, that my Christian character need.
ed some test feared that what had taken
70. love TO God and mis- creatures, was merely
a comPlaicenCe OF feeling arising from this
combination of fortunate circumstances, |
thought poverty might be proper trial, and
therefore gave literally and neglected The
means Of accumulaliug, but shll my purse was
| full.
b"My parents urged my marrying. and
| thinking it would be a severe trial, and thera-
fore Wholesome discipline 10 my spirit, 10
have always an uuquiet and unhappy home,
married with that very intent and expectation.
(knowing James infrmty oftemper, tha, pa.
tence might have her perfect worS.
''lndeed think you have had enough of
such discipline exclaimed, do you expec,
your patience will last through lrel would
no, endure such thraIdrom for; a day do YOU
not repent?'
''No. Ithas. I hope, shown me the weak.
ness OF mans wisdom, the impotence Of his
own unaided judgement, and led ma IN nlsca