The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-10

blazing fire, when Mr.. Moody, accompanied by
one Of the elders Of his church, who had been
closeted in his study with him for long time,
entered the room Their faces were unusually
grave that of the minister even 81 !, as he oh.
served, in reply to a remark of the Elders
"Verly, the day Of our sore visitation is not
yet passed, for the prince Of evil never wearieth
Of devices, and our enemies are busy both here
and at home. The future looketh dark, and our
hearts might well faint, were it not for the
blessed assurance that G od still reigns. And, as
we would approve ourselves to Him rather than
man, so must we judge in this matter Of our Of
Tending brothers"
While the minister spoke, Aunt Menta was
standing by the window in an attitude OF reyerent
attention but il must be confessed that the good
danes eyes wandered more than once TO the oppo-
site side of the common, along which train OF
clumsy but highly ornamented sleighs, or pings,
as they were then termed was passing at furious
rate.
The younger and gayer portion of the Govern
or's guests were settling their dinner by ride,
and their rapid driving and merry laughter, as
they passed through the streets, was sadly at va
rance with Pnritanc notions Of propriety. As
Mr. Moody ceased speaking, loud cry from the
old dame cut short the Elders reply and drew
them all to the window. Directly in front Of the
house the whole train had come to stand. Some
part of the harness attached to the Governor
sleigh had given way, and the spirited horses, so
suddenly checked in their mad career, were with
difficulty held in by the driver while their strug-
giles to free themselves were frightful. -.
The occupants of the sleigh, among whom were
sew raj laIies e"o"-Aa fo~s paAJpept, lpazaJyyed
Then the gentlemen sprang to the assistance of
the driver, end being joined by several OF their
companions he horses were soon disentangled, and,
by the aid of Mr. Moody's man, John, the broken
harness repaired. Sybil in her terror for the
youag beings in the sleigh, had stood with clasped
hands, leaning against the window frame, watch
ing iptently the movements of the frightened hor-
SEES, unmindful Of the admiring gaze of lady who
occupied sleigh directly in front of the window.
She did not hear the lady's words Of admiration,
or see her touch her cavaliers arm and draw his
attention from his impatient horse TO herself but
she turned just in time to catch glimpse Of we'll
known face and cleaning smile, which sent the
blood rushing to her very temples
"Frederic Vane, as true as live" exclaimed
Aunt Menta," who had also caught glimpse of
the face, using her strongest form of affirmation
Frederic Vane,D repeated the minister; "you
must be mistaken, Menta. The youth still tar
rieth in England"
Nay, believe she speaketh truly, reverend
sir met the youth of whom you speak in the
hall Of the Governors house yesterday, as | re-
turned from my fruitless interview with him."
said Elder Hale.
"Indeed y replied Mr.. Moody, while, for mo-
ment, tno sau, grave vAprrosrvh % mrs ivitares
relaxed into something like smile "perhaps he
hath already grown weary of the worlds vani-
ties-wealtb, honor, and ambiton-and returned
to seek truer happiness here for the youth was
well taught and by no means ignorant of the
things which pertain to mans highest coed Didst
thou learn what brought him to the Province
again"
He came as escort to the Governors ward
Eleanor Meredith, | think they call her, to whom
men say he is betrothed in marriage
All is it so ~ said the old minister, sadly.
"He often spoke when with us of having his for
tune to carve out forgetting, after the manner of
men, that though man proposes God disposes
Yet there was much that was noble in him-much
that spoke to our earthly affections, and grieye"
he continued earnestly, IL deeply grieve to hear
that he hath chosen his lot among our oppressors.
But the power of the world is very strongp
"Who says it?-who says itW whispered
Sybil, suddenly laying her hand upon the Elders
arm.
The vords- and manner, 90 unexpected and so
unusual from her, caused both the old men to
start.
"My child my Sybil,n exclaimed her father
anxiously, as be caught view " her white cheek,
"you are i'll. Some water, MeHts," he continued,
folding his arm about her for q support This
fright has been too much for yoh.D
"Nsy, | am better, my father" she said but
yoshnvs not replied to my question, father Hale"
"Oh, it wds only the vain gossip | WAS COM
PEELED to hear at the Province House, while wait
ing to see the Governor Doubtless you will soon
be better informed by the youth himself But
fear you are little better than coward, to be so
frightened at those horses for all you have grown
into such a tall girl,o returned the grim Elder,
with the nearest approach to a smile that he was
ever known to be guilty of on Saturday after
twelve O'clock
The evening meal WAS over, the chapter read,
and the fervent prayer offered, at much earlier
hour in the minister's dwelling than usual, that
night, for the thck-gathering troubles of his peo
pie weighed heavily upon the old mans spirit, and
ne would be alone with his God
"My child, he said, as he laid his hand upon
her head in blessing, "you are not looking quite
well, and had best seek repose."
Her room adjoined his own, and could he have
seen her an hour later, rs she knelt there, press
ing richly chased locket with its heavy lock of
dark hair to her lips could he have caught the
murmured words" He false-he wed the Gov
errors ward Oh, they do not know him-they
cannot know him as do y he would at least have
made q discovery which, in the usual routine of
their daily life, he seemed likely never to make
He would have teh that his child was a mOman-
a woman in thought and feeling, with the strong
est links in her chain of destiny already forged
and pressing upon her heart.