Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-08
VOLUME 1l---.NUMBER u.

Of life he had refused to hear. She was now his
only companion, for his youngest son, who had
undertaken the eareof hlmin his sdeclining years,
had fallen a victim to consumption; and his ami.
able wife lived only to see her daughter reach the
age Of sixteen. Yet her spirit, early impressed
with the truths Of religion, and moulded after the
pattern Of heart that embraced all its kindly
love, possessed a strength and maturity far above
her years, and with skilful hand and cheeful Il
face she now minisiered to the wants of her aged
grand-parent.
In an hour Nina returned, and communicated
to him the rapture Of the poor at the invitation.
"And yet" she added, 81 think the bare feet Of
the little ones will be rather cold when they en-
counter the snow."
al had just been reading, Nina, that we should
clothe the naked as we'll as feed the poor. So
take this purse and see that all are comfortably |
supplied before tomorrow evening"
Nina took the purse, and as soon as she could
get her tea things set aside, she prepared TO 20
out for the purpose Of executing her grandlath-
er's order.
At 1.-THE door she met Henry Welland, who was
real friend, as well as a sincere admirer Of Nj
ma. $50 you are going out, Miss Raymond" }"
said Henry.
81 am going shopping, and should much like
your advice in my purchases" said she gaily.
| He readily consented to accompany her, and
desired to know which of the fashionable shops
| in the little village she intended patronisng.
| "Mr. Avis first, ,andthen the best clothing shop
you can recommend" returned Nina.
A liule puzzled TO understand her, he led the
way TO the only shoe store in the place. Here,
after duly consultinghis Judgment, she purchased
L G.. hor .b,h hoJ Ill H..
afternoon calls, and insisted that Henry should
not consider it a disgrace to act as porter on the
occasion. Henry packed ihemin a basket which
the shoe merchant Obligingly furnished, and then
accompanied her toa shop where readymade clo-
thing was to be obtained. Here she ordered gar
ments for the most destitute, and then, after pur-
chasing a warm shawl for Aunt Peggy, Nina
sought the dwellings of the wretched, and with a
gentle hand dispensed the bounty of her grand.
father. The little ones shouted for Joy at the un.
looked for supply, and the grateful parents with
fearful eyes and subdued voices returned count.
less thanks and blessings. Aunt Peggy forgot
i, that her shoulder had been so lame for a week
that she could not raise her arm to her head, and
threw on her shawl as handiIy as girl, declaring
she would rather trust Miss Nina's taste than the
best mliner in New York.
Henry was by no means an unmoved spectator
Of the scenes he witnessed in the homes Of these
, wretched ones, and recalled the words of Christ
: 81 was naked and ye clothed me-"
On their way back, Nina told him of the guests
that would sup with them, and Of the plasure sht
! anticipated in their society.
sand ynot Ihelp youtodo the honors Of tht
l table on the occasion!" asked Henry.
"Then you will not turn from poor Rose a,
i from Opoluted being, will you!' 'eargerly deman
ded Nina.
"No, pity her more than blame her, thougl
: she will not long suffer the misery that is break
ing her heart"
5 "Then come, Henry, you will be more thar
/ welcome" aidNina, as they reached the door o
the old mansion of the Raymonds.
&c The next morning. Nina rose before day to ge
+ all things in readiness; for she had insisted on be
IL ing her own servant andto crafty her, her grand
&c father had consented to the arrangement on con
dition that her cheeks did not grow pale nor he
g eyes heavy. Healthy exercise had only render
g cd her more ruddy, and it now became matte
o' Of no little pride that his Nina was so accom-
70 plished house-keeper.
ID When the bell rang for the religious exercise
10 ofthe day, Nina was in readiness TO accompan
o. her grandfather to the church. The old ma
y leaned heavily on his staff with one hand, Will
IL Nina took the other in her arm, and with slow
"' measured step, walked to the house of prayer
0 1t was beautiful sight to see that silvery hare
man leaning so trustingly on her young arm
Id while her fair brow was upturned with such
lr look of devoted love as told heart all unse
er fish, and nearly allied in purity to the angels thi
at hovered near her. And then at church she S
lie kindly found the text and the hymn, and hepe
him to hold the book, and itseemed as though sh
ly had no thought for any other being. He saw
er all, and sometimes felt that in her was centre
nd all the love that had ever blessed his pathway, OF
- ly more pure and unsel6sh, as though even hel
OF he had foretaste of the Joy of that society til
n constitutes half the bliss of Heaven.
ly When the exercises ended, Henry WelIar
'r met them and lent his armto support the toterir
9r. steps of the old man, while Nina fastened hon
Re, TO spread the table. In short time the old d
lot ning room was we'll filled with their humble guest
ry who, Notwithstanding their poverty, looked
/" though they would not ask to change places wi
'ly any of the naughty ones Of earth, so happy hi
Ter this one actof Christian ncondescention made ther
"a The old man took his sseat atthe head of the tab
and at his right hand sat poor Rose, holding IN h
ht arms aninfant that promised to rival even her fat
for beauty. Then came old Mrs. Dale, Aunt Pegg
IN and the poor widow, Mrs. Wells, and half SEQ
of little expectant mouths; while on his left s
,d the old blind fer, old Mr.. Dale, and the revol
er tonary hero Perry, fanked by two or three hu
be cry boys, who, with longing eyes regarded Il
m. baked meats and puddings while old Mr.. Ra
he mond implored blessing. Henry and Nj
lot found themselves faithfully employed for the fl
eet twenty minutes, but even the hunger of the wrt
ched is soon appeasod when plenty looks them
vn the face, and the garrulity of the old men so
is made them forget the present as they reverted
the past, and lived over the days of hope and i
! a that they had known in early life. Even Ro
ite smiled as she listened to their curious egenc
n.alH Han i l.