Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-10-23

10 tNlHhlc Oh Nig SURROUNDING Etboui lyl u .l''~-
meut only to mock our misery, by lighting up the
scoplres Of departed Joys and thcnt1yanish from
our view. L1ino one pretend 70 believe that So
phia had no great reason 70 be SO extremely
wrclched as is described. Her mind was in sus-
pense, and those who are skilled in the arts Of
Iove---who have been taught in the school orsad
experience, tell US, that
Suspense is worse than absolute despair"
But she was soon relieved from this painful an
xiety. After the lapseof several weeks, and Mr..
Thompson had given over sending TO the post Of
fee for some time, as the family were sitting to-
gether one evening after tea, all but the boy, and
not more than an hour after Sophia had finished
copying the verses, in rushed the lad, fourishing
a large letter in his hand, which he pronounced in
breathess trepidation, to be from Mr.. Jackson!
Sophia almost tainted, although she wasnot one
Of those fainting kind Of ladies. Inthoughdes5
haste, she was just going to tako the letter from
the boy, who exclaimed "not you butmy father" ]"
The old gentleman took it, broke the seal, cast
his eye to the bottom, and said with some auima-
ton ''it is from Mr.. Jackson sure enough" So
phia looked all color5 at once, if pale is "A color.
Thompson took out the certificate against his
daughtcr's character. for il was the letter which
had been sent 10 the village as before mentioned.
He first read the letter, then the certificate, and
exclaimed
"Oh what yillainy-what cruclty-what ras-
cality! But Mr.. Jackson is not 10 blanche is
innocent"
He could utter no morc-thrcw the papers to
his wife, and to his daughter, who had caught a
glimpse of hope from the last words which her
father ronouncpd-"Jackson is not TO blame, he
is innocent" But on reading the whole which
unravelled the 'mystcry of iniquity" and dccla-
red the resolution Of Mr.. Jackson to be fixed on
final separation. Sophia's fortitude entirely
lorsook her, and she gave vent TO the swelling
agonics of her soul by acopious shower Of tears.
Mr.. Thompson paced the room with firm but agi-
tated steps, and Mrs. Thompson when she had
read both papers through, was much astonishcd il
is true, and much afflicted aIso but she possessed
genuine piety, and trusted to God to ayengo them
cause. SheeXhorted both her husband daugh.
ter to be calm and patiently wait for heaven 10
vindicatc injured innocence:
"For," said she, 81 am fully pursuadcd that a
Just God will never suffer such dark plot US this
to prosper; nor will he permit such virtue as my
daughterp possesses, to perish in despair 'Whon
the Lord loyeth he chasteneth, and scourgeth ey
cry son. and every daughter to, whom he rece
veth.' This is not the first time We have been in
trouble and seen light arise out of darkness
'What do you meant" said Mr.. Thompson
whose temper was naturally impctuous, andwhosc
mitigation oyercame his patience for the momen
"the light of the old log hut in the pine woods
when you saw it in hames!"
"No my DEAR" replied Mrs Thompson, mild
ly, "the light that shonc upon you when you Were
sick and in prison-tho light Of joy, the gift o
Gods goodness. that shone around you when he
scntthat angelo Of pity, Mr., Jackson, to release yol
and to minister SO bountiluly to your wants."
Mr.. Thompson was instantly struck with {
sense of the improperly of his ill-timed wit, /
wit it could be called, and bocumo tranquil anC
pensive. Sophia, too, listened to ohermother witt
composurc and began to reflect that things wer
not so bad as they might be. She had found on
her enemies and knew the force of thorweapons
Her character might yet be cleared up, and in al
probability Mr. Jackson was yet alive. She a
gain thought Of her little song, which she hat
just copied, and half pur5uadod herself to enter
tain the hope, that there might be something pro
phetic of future good in her finding painted in
the figure of dove.
Still year was long-lone time, and Mr.
Jackson might find some other fair one. Their
was the rub. She however, bore her pangs of un
easiness with silent fortitude, as well as the sensi
bilty of her nature would permit, and the injurie
which she had received with as much patience q
could be expected. There is nothing, however
which wounds the feeling heart so deeply as III
envenomed dagger Of slandcr. Toa soul con
scious Of innocence, it brings an anguish tn
most intolerablc Of all sensations. The pans {
the body are nought compared with those Of tn
mind and no pains Of the mind are more insnE
!, portable thanthose Of innocence accused of gull
The only resort in such cases, when it cannot
Immediately remodied is, to trust in the goodno:
of God to send relief, with patience and rcsigna
I ton. But Sophia had the consolation OF know
! ing who her traduccrs were; a satisfaction who
= every one cannot always enjoy. As for M
: Thompson he was fierce for starting off lorthwit
to the village to bring her enemies to the bar {
t Justice Immediately. His lady, however, pcrsu;
l ded him not to be too precipitatc, but to tai
a some legal advice inthc first place, where nc wa
It Mr.. Thompson therefore went to the office Of {
G eminent attorney, an old friend, who was well a
!. quainted with the whole family, and with &c
h jackson likewise, to whom he made known Il
0 whole affair with all the feelings of father.
Y 81 have in my office, said Mr.. B., the couns,
lor, young gentleman reading law from the V
= lage you mention; perhaps he can be Of son
g service to us both" and he called him instant
when behold! it proved TO be the very you
man who had delivered the papers to Col. JAG
son. He was going to introduce Mr.. Thomps
to him butperceived they were acquainted. /
attorney and client both began to question h
concerning the infamous libel which appeared
. their hands, and he finally confessed that his S
ter had sent the papers to him, and that he h
. delivered them to Mr.. Jackson, believing wi
was stated in them to be true.
. "a more nefarious libel" said Mr.. B., ''v
never uttered. Sophia Thompson was taught
the school with two of my daughters-l h;
known her from an infant, and have every rea:
to believe that she is spotless as a cherub. Tn
rnvilnrc of ho,. for their {