Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-05-28

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silence. There was a struggle in her mind
the past came wildly before her, aud for a
time pride triumphed over goniler emotions;
but the true and more constant spirit that per-
vaded her, nature, again asserted its sway
She feared that Martha was not a fit compan-
ion for her noble Amy, but she also felt that
the power 10 benefit the wild, unframed girl,
was hers and where one person is made bet
ter, it is impossible but that the influence
should be extended. BY making it her
daughters ambition TO elevate the moral
character Of poor Martha, she would destroy,
in a great measure, the bad influence which
the latter might have. The two young girls
would not be constantly associated for A.
my, who had with great industry cultivated
a fine taste, was occupied every afternoon in
teaching drawing and painting in several
schools. Mrs. Brooks had sufficient time to
dry her tears, while Mrs. franklin was bu-
sy revolving her proposition in Ter mind
The anxious, warm-heaIted Amy, understood
her mothers countenance well enough 10 be
| assured that a favorable answer was coming,
and she felt perfectly content when Mrs.
Franklin said, slowly,
"Well, if your daughter desires l., | an
willing to try her awhile. Whether she sue
ceeds, must depend upon her own efforts =
4 Nbhlh hth1 NV Aiht ufl' bhN ] ldNb lNhE
known that poverty and widowhood united,
call for kindness from friends. If 1t will
oDlige you, let her come as soon as you think
best"
Mrs. Brooks crimsoned to the forehead. as
she mostinarticulatel expressed her thanks;
a vague feeling that her nature was far
less kind, humbled and soltened her-a faint
desire TO merit the tender look of sympathy
which Amy bestowed, found place in her
heart. She arose hastily, and after bidding
Mrs. franklin adieu, wIung the hand of the
fair girl, who cordially held out hers, and
whispered her TO present her regards to Mar
tha. The next trial which awaited Mrs.
Brooks, was TO get her daughter TO accept the
situation provided for her: this was no easy
task, for the young lady was extremely self
willed. After her mother had eXpaliated very
eloquently upon the good qualities of Mrs..
Franklin and Amy, and the neat, cheerful APP
pearance of their little home, Martha impa-
tiently exclaimed,
ado tell Inc the pilh of the matter ?-what
took you there! I"
"Well, my dear, you know that we are 60
ing 10 ruin as fast as we can, and unless some
thing is done for our support, we shall ~starve,
some of these days"
"Oh, yes, ] have heard that every day foT
a year. | suppose You want me TO 20 out
and drudge 10 keep the boys in idleness-but
no, indeed | am all ready to go to ruin, if
! have got TO do that. Its their place TO sup
port us, and | will not reverse it, no matter
what comes. Let things come to the very
worst pass; then, if they find out am obsli-
nate, they will ge' into some business"
"They will never take care Of us!' an
swered Mrs. Brooks, bursting into tears.-
"Oh, Martha! you arc the only one in the
world that l can place any dependence upon
don't be so hard hearted If we do not
befriend each other in our Affections, who Will
feel an interest in US !"
The young girl was silent a few moments,
and the fire that glowed in her determined
eye faded away before a mist of tears. She
was not really bad at heart, but she held out
against her mothers persuasions, as she would
have done against those of any other person
who advised a course Of which she did not
approve. They were not accustomed to. the
soft inlerchanges Of affection, and therefore
il was that Mrs. Brooks had so little power
over a firm nature like Alartha's. But she
had, at last, touched the right chord, and her
brief expression of confidence in her daughter
gained her point. The next day Martha
Brooks and Amy Franklin were seated side
by side, their fingers and tongues alike busy.
Martha melted beneath the frank and friendly
sweetness Of her companion, and her heart
filled with unaccustomed joy, at the thought
Of being cared for by one so good and lovely.
When evening began to close in, she felt
a positive reluctance 10 quither new quarters,
and found il required an effort to start home.
1t smoothed the anxious brow Of her mother
TO hear a relation Of all that had passed. Mar
tia dwelt, with a mingling of admiration and
sadness, upon the pleasure the return Of Fred
eTick from his business seemed 10 give. His
warm, respectful tenderness 10 his mother
his fondness for Amy, and the couGding ai-
lection with which il was returned on her
, part-how different was il from the buster
g ing department of Stephen and Tobias!
"Ah, mother!" sadly exclaimed the young
girl, "why are We 50 different? never
: could become like Amy if | should try a thou
: sand years-and yet, when | was there, | felt
t as gentle and kind as if / had been brought
i up as well as
Martha paused and Redeemed. She knew
y that her miserable education had been but lit
r tie calculated to curb wrong impulses, aud &c
mould her character so that she might have
been worthy the regard Of the gentle anC
n, good. Mrs. Brooks keenly felt the half.ut
K tered reproach. With more mildness than
I'd usual, she replied,
y sit is never too late 10 i begin to do WELL
IN "Perhaps not. But the later the more dil
o, icult. If should live at Mrs. Franklin's al
together, | am sure | would change rapid,
for the better. Bot, mother, | did rot Inea.
l. to hurt your feelings Martha continued, a
H. she noticed her mothers face grow pale.
ne "Nou would be glad to leave me, then
I'd ! never thought to see myself Of SO little il
1t, terest 10 my children. ] have no earthly 10
ne amid all my sorTows.''
"Don't think so, mother - returned Ma
ne tina, touched with feeling, as, for the first Tim
e. in years, she pressed a warm kiss upon he
IL parents cheek. Then she blushed ather III
re accustomed display of affection, and, tumin
ID; away in aluttered manner, caught up a brooi
ut and began 10 sweep. TO dispel the choking j
IT. her throat. The mothers tears fell taste
n and, as the busy swe per threw a furtiy
nd glance upon her, the so(tened gaze that Wa