The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-10-18

erously supplied by Mrs. Norton-and
many a happy heart blessed the hour
which brought her among them.
AS the thunder which suddenly rends
the heavens when not cloud on the blue
expanse has heraIded the coming storm
was the calamity which now as suddenly
burst over the head of Mrs. Norton
She retired at night to her peaceful
slumbers, supposing herself the mistress
of thousands. With the early dawn there
came letters to the cottage, telling her that
all her worldly possessions were swept
from her. The man to whose care her
fortune was entrusted, had basely defraud-
ed her Of every cent, and now bankrupt
had fed to a foreign land.
The stroke was severe one. She must
have been divine to have resisted the first
shock which the tidings caused her. But
that over, like brave and noble spirit she
rose to meet it. Her treasures were not
all of earth--in heaven her hopes were
garnered; and although henceforth her
path in life might be in rougher spots, and
through darker scenes than it had yet ira
versed, to that heaven she trusted to arrive
at last.
1t happened, unfortunately, that the
halt-yearly rent Of the cottage was due that
very week, and Mrs. Norton thus sudden
ly deprived of her expected funds, had no
means to meet it. Where should she raise
two hundred dollars! Her courage, how
ever rose with her trials. A little time to
look into her affairs-a little time to form
her plans for the future, and she doubted
not she should be able to liquidate the debt.
Unusedsto asking for favors. she yet cour-
ageousiy went to Mr.. Humphreys, and
stating candidly her inability to meet the
rent, requested few weeks indulgence.
The deacon was not caught Mapping
Evil news always travel with seyen-league
boots-and long ere Mrs. Norton knocked
at the door of the farm house, it was known
throughout the village that her fortune was
gone.
Now the deacon, good man that he was,
was 'giUen to his idols and Mammon
was one. Moreover he owed the widow
a grudge, as we already know, and the old
leavcn of sin was at work beneath the
crust of piety.
He was accordingly well prepared to
receive her. And sorry, very sorry was
the worthy deacon, but he had just then
most pressing necessity for the rent-he
really must have it, if not in cash, perhaps
Mrs. Norton might have some plate to
dispose of: he would be happy to oblige
her in that way, for the Lord forbid that
he should deal hard with any one-6m the
amount must be paid when due. Wait
he could not--and if the rent was not forth
coming on the day stipulated in the con-
t-why-why-he was very sorry
but he should be obliged to take other
measures, that was ALL
Mrs. Norton soiled not her lips by ma
king any reply to this Christian Shylock
ON expostulation or entreaty-but coldly
bowing, she took her leave.
AS soon as she reached home she sent
for silver smith, brought out her valuable
tea set-doubly SO from havine been the
marriage gift of her father, requested its
appraisal, and then duly attested as to its
weight and purity, it was forwarded to the
clutches of the deacon.
Mrs. Norton met with great deal Of
sympathy in her misfortunes. During the
few months she had resided among them,
the villagers had learned to love and res
pect her. Even the poor came from their
humble homes, and with looks of sympa-
thy and outstretched hands rendered their
offerings-their hard earned wages to the
kind lady who had taught their little ones;
they would work for her-they would do
anything to serve her. With sweet smile
Mrs Norton put back their grateful gifts,
and thanked them in gentle tones for their
love-to her far more acceptable boon
than gold could buy.
Again Silver-Fall cottage fell back OH the
hands of It's owner.
Dismissing her attendants, Mrs. Norton
took smaller and cheaper house. Her
choice and beautiful furniture she sold,
only retaining sufficient to render her now
humble residence comfortable. The avails
of the sale amounted to several hundred
dollars-enough at any rate, she deemed,
for present necessities, while she trusted
in the meantime to find some means of
subsistence by which she and Grace might
support themselves.
Ana Grace, too-sweet Grace-sang
like sky lark, and made her little white
hands wonderfully busy in household
matters. Hubert Farlie was yet absent,
though his long and frequent letters brought
Joy TO the heart of his beloved
And had Naomi forgotten her friend in
this season of trial! Not SO, forbidden as
we have seen from the society of Grace