Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-09-06

was surprised to find her sitting by the cen
ire table with book in her hand
Helen is this you /? | thought you had
gone to the ball. Are you not well? he
said quickly, and with surprise, coming up
to her side.
Il am very WE'LL brother she replied
looking into his face with smile of sister,
ly regard. But have concluded to stay
at home this evening Pm going to keep
you company
Are you, indeed right glad am of it,
though am sorry you have deprived your
self the pleasure Of this ball, which, be-
leve, is to be very brilliant one. was
just going out, because il is so dull when
you are all away
i am not particularly DESTROYS Of going
TO the ball. So little So that the thought of
your being left here all alone had sufficient
influence over me to keep me away
Indeed Well, | must say you are kind
Edward returned with feeling. The self
sacrificing act of his sister had touched him
sensibly.
Both Helen and her brother played well
She upon the harp and piano, and he upon
the flute and violin. Both we're fond fmu-
sic, and practced and played frequently to-
gether. Part of the evening was spent in
this way, much to the satisfaction Of each.
Then an hour passed in reading and con-
versation, after which music was again re-
sorted to. Thus passed the time pleasantly
until the hour for retiring came, when they
separated, both with an internal feeling Of
pleasure more delightful than they had ex.
perienced for. a long time. 1t was nearly
three o'clock before Mr. and Mrs Lindley
and the daughter who had accompanied
them to the ball, came home. Hours be-
fore, the senses Of Edward and Helen had
been locked in forgetluIness
Time passed on. Edward Lindley grew
up, and became a man of sound principles
"a blessing to his family and society He
saw his sisters well married, and he himself,
finally led to the altar lovely maiden She
made him truly happy husband. On the
night OF his wedding, as he sat beside Hell
EN-, he paused for some time, in the midst
of pleasant conversation, thong htfully.-
At last he said
DO you remember sister, the night you
stald at home from the ball TO keep me CON-
panyF
That was some years ago. Yes, re-
member it very well now you have recalled
it 10 my mind
Il have often since thought, Helen he
said, with a serious air, that by that simple
act of thus remaining at home for my sake,
you were the means of saving me from de-
structlon'
How so p asked the sister
l was just then beginning to form an in
innate association with young men OF my
own age, nearly all of whom have since
turned out badly l did not care great
deal about their company still, | liked So
ciety and used to be with them frequently
especially when you and Mary went out in
the evening On the night of the ball to
which you were going, these young men
had a supper and | was to have been with
them. | did not wish particularly to join
them, but preferred doing so TO remaining
at home alone. To find you, as / did so
unexpectedly, in the parlor, was an agree
able surprise indeed | staid at home with
a new pleasure, which was heightened by
the thought, that it was your love for me
that had made you deny yourself for my
qualification. We read together on that
evening, we played together, we talked of
many things. In your mind had never be-
fore seen as much TO inspire my own with
high and pure thoughts remembered the
conversation Of those with whom had been
assocating and in which had taken pleas
ure, with something like disgust. 1t was
low, sensual, and too much of it vile and de-
moralzing. Never, from that hour, did |
join them Their way, even in the early
stage of liies journey, saw to be down
ward, as il has ever since been tending
How often since have l thought of that
point in time so full-iraught with good and
evil influences. Those few hours spent
with you seemed to take the scales from my
eyes. | saw with new vision, thought
and felt differently Had you gone to the
ball, and to meet those young men, no one
can tell what might not have been the con-
sequence. Sensual indulgences carried to
excess, amid songs and sentiments calculated
to awaken evil instead of good feelings,
might have stamped upon my young and
delicate mind bias to low affections that
never would have been eradicated. That
was the great starting point in life-the pc
Rod when | was coming into a state of ra-
tionaity and freedom. The good prevailed
over the evil; and by the agency of my sis
ter, as an angel sent by the Author of all
benefits to save me-
Like Helen Lindley, let every elder sister
be thoughtful of her brothers at that critical
period in life, when the boy is about passing
up to the stage OF manhood, and she may
save them from many snare set for their
unwary feet by the evil one.