, 1842-07-23

tilol tillS was q couiSS
from which she could never derive
any enjoyment, while she remained
at home, for her father was neither
able nor willing to crafty her in this
respect, and she had began to fear
that she must always wear the same
brown cambria bonnet and the same
calico gown would always be her
Ego to-meeting dress" And now
what a bright picture has been form
ed by her ardent and uncultivated
imagination! Yes, she would 90 to
Lowell and earn all that she possibly
could, and spend those earnings in
beautiful attire, she would have silk
dresses, one Of grass green, and an
other of cherry red, and another upon
the color she would decide when she
purchased it, and she would have a
new Navarino bonnet, far more beau
tlful than Judith Slater's; and when
at last she fell asleep, it was to dream
of satin and ~laces, and her glowing
fancy revelIed all night in a vast and
beautiful collection of milliner's fine
ry.
But vervdilferent were the dreams
OF Abby's mother, and when she a.
woke the next morning, her first
words to her husband were, "Mr.
Atkins, was you serious last night
when you told Abby chat she might
go to Lowell! thought at first you
were vexed because interrupted you,
and said it to stop the conversation"
"Yes. wife, ! was serious, and you
did not interrupt me, for | had been
listening to all that you and ABBY
were saying. She is a wild thought
less girl, and hardly know what to
do with herr. but perhaps it will be
as we'll TO try an experiment, and let
her think and act for herself. ! ex-
pect that she will spend all her earn
lngs IN fine clothes, but after she has
done so. she may see the folly of it;
and at all events, she will be more
likely to understand the value of mo-
ne. wh1eeq4. sh1a AFTER She hae hllIgG9fdn nee
own way for one year, she may pos
sibly be willing TO return home and
become a little more steady, and be
willing TO devote her active energies
(for she is a very capable girl to
household duties. for hitherto her SER
vices have been principally out OF
doors; where she is now too old 10
work. ! am almost willing that she
should see 4 little of the world, and
what is going on in it, and hope tina,
if she receives no benefit she will a,
least return to us uninjured.
30. husband, | have many fears foi
her," was the reply of Mrs. Atkins
"she is SO very giddv and thoughlless
and the Slater girls are as hair-brain
ed as herself. and will lead her on il
all sorts of folly, | wish that yol
would tell her that she must stay a
home"
81 have made a PROMISE" said Mr.
Atkins; sand will keep it; and ABBY
trust will keep her's."
Abby flew around in high spirits tc
make the necessary preparations toI
her departure, and her mother assist
ed her with a heavy heart.
CHAPTER II.
The evening before she left home
her father called her to him, and fix
ing upon her a calm, earnest and al
most nournful look, he said, "Abby
do YOU eve think?" Abby was sub
dued and almost awed by her father
: look and manner. There was some
thing unusual in it-something IN hi
expression which was unexpected II
him. but which reminded her OF ne
teachers look at the Sabbath Schoo
when he was endeavored TO impress
~upon her mind some serious truth
.Yes. father" she at length replied
81 have thought a great deal latel.
about going to Lowell" ~,
:. "But | do not believe, my child
that you have had one serious though
upon the subject, and fear that
/, have done wrong in %consent'ns t
r LEI YOU 90 from home. If was to
:. Door to maintain you here' and ha
no employment about which yo
| could make yourself useful, l snop II
/, feel no self reproach, and would L |
+ YOU 90 trusting that all might yet .
we'll; but now have done what
migbt at some future time severely r.
|, pent of; and if you do not ~ wish
j make me wretched, you will retul
to rs a better, milder and moi
d thoughtful girl" a,.,sd uore 6
r%iously than she had ever done In NJ
3 life before. Her fathers words re-
dered more impressive by the 'o 'S
. Nd tone with which they we're d