Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-08-22
lis sisters towards him a very tender re-

with two three others, quite ultimately
For a month or two, Helen noticed that
one and another Of these young irieDds
called every nov and then for Edward,
and that he went ont with them and stdid
until bed tune. But, unless his sisters
were from home, he never went Of his
own accord. The fact OF his being out
with these young men had, from the
first, troubled Helen, though the reason
of her feeling troubled she could not tell
Edward had good principles, and she
could not bring herself To entertain fears
of any clearly defined evil. Still SEN
safion ot uDe asiness was always produced
when he was from home ~ the evening.
Her knowing that Edward would go
ont, after they had all Jeff, vas the rsa-
.on why Helen did NOT wish 10 attend the
ball. The first thought Of this produced
nm unpleasant sensation IN her mind
which increased the logger she debated
the question of going away, or remaining
nj home. FINALLY, she decided iha. she
would noi GO This decision took place
nfier the interview with her mother, which b
was onfy hall an hour from the time Of
starting.
Edward knew nothing Of the intention
nf his sister. lie was N his own room,
dressing to go out, and supposed, when
he heard the carriage drive from the
door, that Helen had gone With the other
members of the family. On descending
To the parlor, he was surprised to find her
sitting by the centre 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, COM
ing up 10 her side.
L am very well, brother she replied,
looking into his face with a smile Of SIS
terly regard But have concluded to
s,ay AT home this evening. I'm going To
keep you company.'
Are you, indeed right glad am ] of
il, though | am sorry you have deprived
yonrsclf The pleasure of this ball, which,
! believe, ia,o be very brilliant one -
was lu-i going out, because II Is so dull
when son are nli away
L am not particularly desirons Of going
o. the bail So l,,lr so, that the thoughts
of your being LETT here oil alon. had
sulhclen, influence over me to Keep me
awav.'
Indeed Well, | must say YOU are
kind Edward returned with feeling -
The sacrificing act of his sister had
touched hlm senslbiy.
Both Helen and her brother played
we'll She upon the harp and piano, and
h. upon the flute and violin. Both were
fond Of music, and praclis"d and played
frequently together Part of the ever.
ing aas spen; 20 this way, much TO the
satisfaction of each Then an hour pass
ed in reading and conversation, after
which music was again resorted to-
Thus passed the time pleasantly until The
hour for retiring came, when they sepa-
rNrd, .boih-Yiih an internal feeling oI
pleasure more delightful than they had
experienced for a long time. Ii was
nearly three o'clock before Mr.. and Mrs.
Lipdey, and the daughter Who had ac-
companied them to the bail, came home.
Hours before, The senses Of Edward and
Helen had been locked in forgetlulness.
Tine passed on. Edward Lindley
principles---a blessing 10 his family aud
society. lie saw his sisters well married
and he himself, finally led to the altar a
lovely maiden. She made him truly
happy husband. On the night Of has
wedding. ns he sat beside Helen, he
paused for some time, in the midst Of n
pleasant conversation, ihoug gh,iuliy. AT
last he said
Do you remember, sister, the night
yon staId at home from the bail TO keep
me company 2
THAT was some yeurs ago. Yes, !
remember it very we'll now you have re-
called it to my mind
Il have often since thought. Helen
he said, with 4 serious air, that bv that
simple act of thus remaining at home for
NV sake, you were the means Of saving
me from de sirucion.
How so ? asked the sister.
Il was nat then beginning to form an
intimate associniion with young men ol
my own Hsa. neailv all al whom since
turned oul badly. did not care great
deal about dheir company si'!l, ! liked
society and used 10 be with them Ire.
qUrntly when you aud Mary
went out in the evening. On the night
ofihe ball ia which vou were going, these
young nen had supper, and was to
have been with them. did not wish
particularly 10 Join them, but preferred
doing so To ncmaining AT home alone. -
10 lind you, as did so unexpectedly,
in the parlor, wus an agreeable surprise
indeed. / staid at home with new
pleasure, which was heightened by the
thought, that il was your love for me that
had made you deny yourself for my graft
tic alton. We read together on that even
ing, we played together, we talked Of
many things. In your mind | had never
before seen as much to inspire my owo
with high and pure thoughts. | remem-
berrd the conversation Of those with
whom ! had been nssociating, and is
which had taken pleasure, with some
thing like disgust. II was low, sensual,
ard too much oft vile and demoraliziDg.
Never, from that hour, did ! join them.
Their way, even in the early stage Of
hlr's journey, ! saw To- be downward, as
u has ever SINCE been tending. How
often since have I thought OF that point
u, time So foil iraugh with good and evil
influences Th sc few hours spent with
you seemed to take the scales from my
ries ! saw with new vision,
thought and fcl, differently. Had you
none tn The ball. and | io meet those
Young men, ~ one can tell what might