Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-11-26

tons fully interested her, success seemed CERTAIN
the prize was Just within her grasp. Yet, wheth-
er busy or at leisure, in the broad day or the
quiet evening, stole to her heart the invitation,
Come unto me-. She listened at last. 1t be-
came dear to her. She accepted and lived
With inexpressble grief did she now review
the years she had spent in the acquisition of mere
human lore With grief she remembered her
forgetfulness of social duties. My wasted
years! My wasted years. she exclaimed, sadly
Yet, notwithstanding the depth and sincerity of
repentance, she found it very difficult to walk
in the narrow path she had chosen. Her habits
cf thought and action, her hopes and fears par
took of that sefidoatry which religion so utterly
condemns. All her life plans, too, required not
notifications, not the alteration of parts, but en-
tire change. True, they included development,
but the development of the intellect alone
They shut out the heart. They excluded all
provision for eternity. 1t was net easy to break
the bonds she had drawn so closely around her
Ii required frequent struggles and many sacrlfi-
ces, but by prayer she conquered. Watch
fulness submission, love, changed her whole in
ner being.
Had Clara selected her own duties she would
have preferred those of an active nature; would
have wished for great occasions, for great sacr-
fees, for great abors Bat to one of her tenn
permanent these would have been far less useful
to her than the unnoticed, and, apparently, cir
cumscribcd sphere allotted her. Mrs Mordaunt
was an invalid, and, unconscionsly, became, ar
bitrary aud exactng from the eyer-increasing
weight of incurabe maadies Clara soon be-
came invaluable to her No one so lightly gil
ded over the treby carpeted chamber, none 50
carefully bathed her brow none read so feeling
w in voice so modulated to her sensitive ear
Clara superintendent the arrangements Of her
wardrobe, received her guests, made the family
purchases; answered applications of every kind
while she watched every indication Of her uncle's
wishes that she might also assist him. lie had
been very ambitious in his youth Intense, pro-
Itrlclod study had shattered a constitution origl-
Inay delicate, and permanent arrangement Of
nerves made him a constant sufferer. This sui
rering was heightened by his mode of life. He
wrote much, yet, though the labor Of transcrI-
bing irritatcd him almost beyond endurance, he
could not be persuaded to employ a Secretary
| Having obtained his confidence, Clara proposed
herself for the Office Her care, neatness and
cheerfuness could not fail to please and, soon,
she began to exert over him an influence in the
highest degree hcathful. He was very fastd
GUS writing and rewriting until the finished
copy bore little resemblance to the original, and
when she saw him harrassed by the want of the
proper word, and confused by his innumerable
alterations, she gently drew him into literary
discussions or introduced favore topics of con-
versaion He requested her to aid in correc-
ton To qualify herself for this she examined
thoroughly the principles of criticism, and pur-
sued uncongenial and tedious ilvestigations.-
Her uncle was capriclous in his choice ofhours,
and she seldom made any positive engagement
lest it might interfere with them. Mr.. Nor
daunt no longer came Gom his study with flush
ed cheek, wild eye and distorted countenance,
Satisfied with his progress he was often prevail
ed upon to ride or walk with his neice, and it
was his pleasure to sit whole evenings with her
at his knee, laying plans Tor the morrow, select
ing subjects for examination, suggesting differ
ent modes of treatment aud cricsing the liter
airy abors of others.
Nor did Clara conhne herself to the home
circle. Accompanied by servant she herself
distributed her charities. The sunny smile, the
word of warning or counsel, were often Of more
value than the pecuniary aid. Many howell
was rendered comfortable, many child taught,
many an individual of both sexes provided with
regular employment through her means. What
was the industry Of Julia CIeaveland, with her
lounges and ottomans, her light reading, her PIN
cushions and needle-books for mscaIed charity
sales, compared with that of CIara's, even though
the services of seamstress and French waiting
maid relieved her fromthe minor cares, which
would have interrupted the ful6llment of her
great duties?
i. L,