The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-07

less-but don't you really think her exceedingly
indiscreet. MIR. Melroy2"
" Excuse me, Miss Looms," said the Young
clergyman, with manner of excessive embar-
rassment ell have no right TO question the
young lady's discretion and if attempted an
opinion might speak too unguardedly."
+" 30 then you are obliged 10 put guard upon
! your tongue, lest should learn that you consider
me gddy, thoughtless, imprudent, heariless
girl" said our May with lasty earnestnesss "but
tits unnecessary, Mr.. Melroy; knew your opin-
ION OF me long ago."
Then you know" began the young pastor
and he looked still more confused.
Then why moi improve 2" asked Miss May,
in, her kindest tone
- Because answered May, the ncorrigible,
hait-recoverIng her gayety, "because my most en-
ceent cousin has goodness and discretion enough
Tor both of us!'' she added, glancinp upward,
with sweetly sobered expression of conntenance
- because my Father gave me a happy heart and
too many causes for gratitude 10 admit gifts learn
ing the lessons of Sadness
Mr.. Melroy was about TO answer, but he was
interrupted, by knock at the door and our viii
lage physician entered in great haste
g come" said he TO May, "irom the O'NeiIs
the poor woman's worse, and am afraid she
Will not hold out much longer. | advised them
10 send for clergyman; but she says no one can
pray for her like the sweet young lady who visit
ed her tonight. So, my dear, if you will just
good than my medicine"
Our May snatched her bonnet without speak
ing word, or glancng at the aslonlshed faces
beside her; and she was halfway 10 the O'Neis,
before she knew that Mr.. Melroy was by her side,
and still held the hand by which he had assisted
her into the carriage. For some reason, though
tremor crepi from the heart into that pretty
prisoned hand, our May did not think proper TO
withdraw 1t; and soon all selfish thoughts were
disslpated by the scene of misery upon which
they entered. Mrs. O'Ne was already dead
and the NIilers, in whose hands the kind hearted
physician had left her, endeayoring to silence
the clamors of the children, and striving all thew
could to comfort O'Ncil, who, with the true Irish
eloquence, was pouring out his lamentations over
the corpse of his wife.
An there's the swate Teddy who spoke the
kind word to me, said one Of the nuisy group.
sprlnging towards our May, "my milher said She
was heavens own angel, sure"
"Well, come 10 me, said our May, "and |
will speak 10 you some more kind words-poor
thing you need them, sorey"
The children gathered around the fair younp
girl, nosily at first but, she gradually gained
their attention, their clamOrs ceased and she at
last made them consent TO accompany father Mil
Ter to The farmhouse where it was thought best
Tor them to remain until after the funeral of their
poor mother.
I" And you will be very good and quiet" said
leave the hut.
Sure an we will" answered bright bow,
IT 1t be only for the sake of yer own beautiful
face, Miss %
Mr.. Nlelroy had succeeded in administering
comfort to O'Neil, who at last consented TO lie
down and rest; and our May bent like the minis.
terlng angel that she was over the sick couch of
The two children, smoothing their pillows and
bathing their temples
"This is wretched family" observed Mr..
Melroy, turning TO MIR. Day.
cay, but it would have been more wrelehed
still, if it hadn't been for our May. She came as
willingly as the like of her would walk into her
uncle's parIor the minute made her know how
much she was needed and all these little COM
forts are Of her ordering. She sent too for DIR.
Houghion, and left her purse with me to paw
him; but DIR. Houghton says he can't take money
from such angel"
:" Is she always so 2" asked Melroy, in low
tone.
Always 81? bless your heart, don't you know
she's always so, and you the minister! Wby she
10 doing good all the time, she's kind 10 every
body, and no one can help loving her."
" No one can help it," answered Melroy, in
voluntarily and glancing at our May, who was
supporting the head of the little sufferer on her
hand, while she was directing Mrs Day how to
prepare the medicine.
After the sick children had been cared for, and
it was asceuained that Mr.. and Mrs Day, with
one of her sisters would remain at O'Neil's du
ring the night, DR.. Houghton, with Mr.. Melroy
and our May, took leave. The drive home was
performed in silence and young parson Melroy,
after conducting our May to her uncIe's door.
pressed her hand with whispered ' God bless
you!" and turned away
In less than twelve month from the death Of
poor Mrs O'Neil very omnous preparations were
g0iUg forward in the family mansion of Suuire
Looms. They were ended at last by the intro.
duction Of our May 10 the pretty parsonage, and.
although she still laughs very nerrlly, and some.
times overiurns whole passages Of her husbands
eloquence by single stroke Of humor, although
she still prefers doing good privately, and does
not attend every meeting Of the society, where
her happy face appears, her husbands is far from
being the only heart or the only tongue to pro-
nUunce the " God bless youl"
BONA Eide S.r