Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-03-05


] meant to come to-day but our clergyman,
Mr.. Roberts, strongly advised me To come /;
and he said ] could not set out too soon."
And what was your object in coming,
Maria 2"
81 wished to set an example to all the peo-
pie In Oldtown'" was the answer and both
Mrs. Adams and her daughters were quite at
a loss what TO think of their little visitor.
Maria, however, had gained so much cour-
age, that she thought she might venture to
ask a few questions, and she began with,
"Do many children come here, ma'aml"
Eyes, sometimes we have children here.
We're all very fond of them, when they are
good"
"And have you got any armor for little
girls, ma'aml"
This was almost too much for the gravity
of Mrs. Adams, but, determined not 10 let
her see how much she was amused, she de-
termined rather TO encourage her in asking
any questions she pleased, hoping, by that
means, 10 obtain a clue 10 the very extraor-
binary state in which her mind seemed to be.
"Oh, no ~ she said ; "but why do you
want to know?"
al was afraid you had not" said Maria (;
and then, looking very serious, Z" Please,
ma'am, tell me, is this house very near the
Valley of the Shadow of Death :"
'My poor, little child,'' said Mrs. Adams,
drawing her close TO her, and kissing her,
shat none Of US can tell it may be nearer
than we Think
but you won't send me there tonight,
will you - and the child half cried, as she
asked the question. you'll let me stay
and sleep here|
Eyes, that you shall, dear little wanderer,
and ! think you must need sleep very much,
for you look tired, and your little hand is ve-
ry hot"
81 suppose nobody ever comes back here
that's been through the Valley" continued
the child, almost as if thinking aloud.
This touched a chord in every bosom pres
ent, that thrilled through them ; for their
mourning was yet new for one very dear to
them, who had been suddenly hurried thro'
that valley of which Maria spoke.
IL think. ma'am," said she, sit would be
a terrible thing for a little girl like me to 90
there alone without any armor oh please
let Plety 90 with me-oh pray do - said
the child, wondering what she possibly could
have said that made them all cry so.
AT this moment the porter arrived, to say
he was ready, and Mrs. Adams desired him
to tell Mrs. Walker her little Maria was
safe. but very tired, and she would either take
her home in the morning, or would be very
happy to see the ladies, if they liked to come
and fetch her.
81 don't want TO go home" said Maria;
81 only want to go back as far as the Wick
ct Gate, that ! may begin at the beginning.'
ooh, now | see it all :" exclaimed she,
whom Maria was sure must be Charity you
dear, delightful, little creature, you've been
reading the Pilgrims Progress till your little
head is turned, as Pm sure mine would have
been at your age, if | had not had a good
mamma TO explain all to me and as you ne
yer had ii mamma, how could you know any,
thing about itF"
A few judicious questions now drew forth
from Maria the whole story of her pilgrimage,
and when her aunt's arrived, before breakfast
the next morning, they were quite surprised
to find her looking so well, and happy, and
rational as they had been very much fright
ened by Mr.. Watchful's account of what he
called her lightmindedness, and want of dis
erection.
Mrs. Adams begged she might be allowed
to stay a few days with them and before
the time came for her departure, the beauii-
full aiIegory which had so much perplexed
her, was made so very plain, that she thought
she must have been extremely stupid not 10
have found out the meaning for herself.
My young readers will, | am sure, be glad
10 hear that Maria, who has now little girls
Of her own, has long since found the true
Wicket Gate, and is anxious to show to 9TH
ers the privilege of being permitted to enter
it. Few, in the present day, have not great
or advantages than she had {; and if any are
induced to ask themselves the question,
whether, with superior instruction, they are
equally in earnest to obtain, in the days of
health, PIErY for their companion through
thai dark valley, which, sooner or later, all
must tread, my story will not have been
written in vain.