The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-20

Anu sue Delit uOWu ONGT tIlt UBu
and kissed the lips and check of the sick
girl, tenderly, while her eyes grew dim with
tears. .sHow changed in few short years. ~
she added, as she took profered chair.
"Who could have dreamed, seven years
ago, that we should ever meet thus ~
In short time, as the first shock and
surprise of meeting passed of, Mary Will
liams, or rather Mrs. Harwood, entered into
a serious conversation with Mrs. Graham,
and her daughters, in reference to the past,
the present, and the future. After learning
all that she could Of their history since
their fathers failure, which was detailed
without disguise by Mary-Anna was too
feeble to converse-Mrs. Harwood turned
to Mary and asked suddenly
Do you know this cape, Mary ?" allud-
ing to one she had on.
80, yes--very well.o
You worked it, did you not ~
"Yes.n
"For what price ~
"Two dolarso
Is it possible! bought it of Mrs.
for French, and paid her for il fifteen dol
lars.''
Fifteen dollarsp' calculated Mary, in
surprise. How shamefully that woman
has imposed upon me! During the last
two years, have worked at least ore hum
dred capes for her, each of which brought
me in only two dollars. No doubt she has
regularly sold them for French goods, at
from ten to fifteen dollars apiece.''
"No doubt Of it. |, myself, have bought
several from her during that time at high
prices, all Of which may have been worked
by you. | saw you in her store few days
ago, but did not recognise you, although
your appearance, as it did several times there
before, attracted my attention. | had my
suspicious, after had learned from Mrs.
-- who you were, that you had wrought
this cape, and from having overheard you
ask her for an advance Of six dollars, as the
price OF three capes, was pretty well salts
fed that two dollars was all you received
for it. | at once determined to seek you
out, and try TO aid you in your severe strug-
gle with the world. 1t was only last even
ing that learned from my brother where
you lived-and ] also learned, what re-
joiced my heart, that there was about occur
ring favourable change in your circum-
stances. II, however, your health should
permit, and your inclination prompt you to
do SO, will take care that you get much
better price for any capes that you may
hereafter work. They are richly worth ten
and twelve dollars apiece, and at that price,
have no doubt but that can get sales for
many.o
ssBless you, Mary! bless youl' Anna
said, smiling through gushing tears, as she
rose up in the bed, and bent over towards
her old friend and companion. "Your
words have fallen upon my heart like
healing balsam ~
ceived the head of Anna upon her bosom,
while she drew an arm round her waist, and
bent down and pressed her with tenderness
and affection.
A better day had truly dawned upon this
ruined and deeply afflicted family. Mrs.
Harwood and her brother continued TO be
their steady friends. For a year Alfred re-
mained in his new situation as an efficient
clerk, and at the end of that time had his
salary advanced. During that period, Mary,
and Anna, whose health had become meas
urably restored, employed all their spare
time in embroidery, which, at the excellent
prices which, through the aid of Mrs Har-
wood, they were enabled to get for their re-
ally beautiful work, brought in handsome
addition to their brothers earnings, and this
enabled them to live in independence, COM
fort and responsibility. AS for Ellen, her
husband had become truly reformed man,
and provided for her comfortably.
1t is now nearly two years since this
happy change took place, and there is every
appearance that another and still happier
one is about to occur in reference to Anna.
Charles Williams is seen very often, of late,
riding out with her and attending her to
public places. The reader can easily guess
the probable result If there is not we'd
ding-party soon, then. appearances, in this
case at least, are very deceptive.
X ATE