The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-26
Moral Readings,
An Absent Brother.
ny CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH.

are some fine passages. Tho object of the
work is TO show the superiority of religious o.
ver worIdIy ond SINFUL pleasures, and the fol-
lowing passage closes with Il sweet thought.
Two gay and thoughtless girls called upon
Laura, a young lady ofpiety and elegant ac-
complishments, but who seldom went into
company. The young ladies' commenced,
rs soon as the first reserve wore Off with OK
CARNATIONS ofpW and indignation at her be-
ing so immured; assuring her that she ought
ut that moment to be doing the honors of the
tublc to her brothers visitors Laura mildly
replied that she was under no restraint-that
her mode of life was precisely what she
wished, and that it was the greatest possible
kindness in her brother to indulge her wishes.
80, suppose yen have NOT got over that
shocking affair of your poor fathers death
yet; and wish to be retired for longer time
ont ofrespoct to his memory. We'll, nobody
can blame you for that, but you will never
get up your spirits by living like nun in a
cloister."
~ do not doHy" answered Laura, ''tlat
should under any circumstances wish to re-
main, MS you say, retired for some time long
or; but will not make n false excuse. 1t
never was and hope never will be, my de-
sire to mix in those parties of pcaure that
you have been describing"
"And why not, may we ask? Is it not nat
urai NJ your age TO like plcasure?r
"My idea of pleasure, said Laura 'is some
thing that plcases me; and can fancy moth
ing but fatigue and restraint in round of
visiting and dressing. have noticed that,
among those who live in what the world calls
pleasure, there is great difference of opin-
ION and taste, as TO what itrcaly consists in:
only on one point they are all agreed, it must
he something that drives from their minds
all thoughts Of God and eternity"
A,,l L eli IL
had spoken least; "such gloomy subjects
would damp all the enjoyment oflifo."
every true, Bell, )" said her sister, shut one
thing is to be said for Miss Keith: she has
never been out. She is like person born
blind, who has no idea how Pleasant it would
hc to see. Poor thing! am sure Ipity her;
and i'll was cooped up as she is, dare say
should he as fond Of thinking of death, to
get rid Of such n miserable existence"
Laura took no notice of this spccch it panied
her, as implying censure on those whose
memory was most precious to her. The
young ladies' proceeded to look over what
was lying about and seeing some music, Bell
inquired, "Don'tyou think it wicked to pay?"
then opening the volume, Dear, dear pro-
test Kate, here's nothing but that fiIsty old
Handel. The bare thought of his noisy clang
splits the drum of my ear"
Having criticised the rest of the music, they
turned away wiha shrug. 2lutc saying, ado
sou draw, Miss Keith"
"a little"
"Any thing besides churches?" asked tho
young lady, with look so desponding, that
Laura could not forbcar smiling as she re-
piled, 'My drawings are chiefly sketches of
the surrounding country; but will show n
portfolio ofvcry fine prints"
After looking at two or three, Kate sud
denly called out, 20, Bell! look at this head
is it not the very image of Frederick" Bell
agreed, and they appeared to forget their af-
tcctation, and every think else, in the delight
that the engraving afforded them.
"You must know, Miss Keith, Frederick is
our brother; great deal older than we. He
was quite father to lIs, for eiost our pa
rents very young: and you can't think how
very dearly we love him. 1t is now six years,
since he went to India; and he is on his way
back, with large fortune, and lie will settle
ut home and take us to live with him. We
reckon ofit talk 1T, dream about it. The
friends we live with arc we'll enough in their
way--but so different from our own brother.
owe have fifty disagrceablc things to put
up with, Saddle shut VIC comfort ourselves
by thinking how different it will be when we
live with Frederick; and indeed ] think we
DO nothing now but with view to that. We
practice his tavovite music, and try to rccol-
lect all his tastes, in dress aud everything: for,
you sec, setting aside our love for him. if we
don't suit his habits I've may not like us 10 live
with him.
IL have no fear of that" interrupted Kate,
che would never break his word; and it is
because know that good or bad, he will
take care of us, | feel anxious to please him in
every thing. But we are firing Miss Keith,
talking about n person she never saw"
ooh! no, non exclaimed Laura, who with
sparkling eyes was naZtnr on the sisters, ell
joyihg this burst of nature! and eager to take
advantage oft. IL never could be tired of
hearing sisters praise brother. Besides |
am much in the same situation myself. |
have friend who is now absent, and with
whom hope to live in his own home Like
your dear brother he has been everything TO
me, and a great sacrifice too-the giving up
of more than can tell you. Like you,
find comfort under all present veXations i'll
looking forward to my abode with him:
strive to do what know he would have me
do; and accustom myself to the ways that arc
best suited TO his house. Like you too, | re-
ly not upon any deservings of my own for so
much happiness, but upon his promise, which,
he will not break; aud love him because he
first loved me-"
"IIowvcry curio,Is?" said Kate, but Bell
hung her head and was silent.
Laura resumed, "Goes it make you melan-
choiy, and spoil your present enjoyments, to
be thinking ofthis absent brothcr?"
Dear! how can you ask such foolish
question, begging your pardon? 1t makes
things seem OF no consequence that would
VcX us were they TO last;& it keeps us in good
spirits to ENJOY the more what is agreeable"
''Ehen you have answered for me-" said
Laura, with great auimation; sand YOU see
your kind pity is not needed. | am not made
melancholy bV thinking ofthe precious f-ienI