Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-13

to her.
Mr.. and Mrs Grant, into whose family she
had entered were still Young. and they soon
learned to regard Ella rather as a sister than
stranger, and she sometimes forgot, for little
while, that she was not at home. To the chill
dren, she gave the warm affection of an elder
sister, scarcely second to that bestowed upon
her own their mother filled place in her heart
never before satisfied, kind and thoughtful as
her mother or aunt Hetty, yet so near her own
age rs to render their intercourse perfectly ia.
nilliar and sistcr-like while to MIR. Grant, stle
soon learned to look up as L something almost
more than human. He was, indeed. rare
character, in purity of life and calm dignity of
manner, Just what we imagine Il minister oi the
gospel should be, yet gentle and cheerful, and
in the family circle. affectionately ly joining III
every plan that couli give pleasure to the hum.
blest member of his household, with as much
! apparent interest rs in the lottler duties which
! claimed his first attention.
And here Ella, for the first time. saw the
beauty of religion, and the charm which it can
cast over even the every day transactions OF
ollfe, and was led to seek and find a partclpa-
ton in its blessings. No wonder that she loved
those who had been the means of leading her
to happiness of which, in the brightest days
OF her prosperity, she had never dreamed
But, holy as seemed the happiness of that
little household, it was not destined to last
Mrs. Grants health, always delicate, began TO
decline; and though no means were lett untrled
which the most devoted affection could suggest,
she sank, after many weeks of suffering, Into
an early grave.
1t was few hours before her death, that,
Iro,Ising from heavy slulnber, or rather letnar-
fcnildren tobe brought to her. TlIcy were soon
gathered at her side; tie youngest, babe OF
six months old, his fathers image and name.
sake, clung round her. frightened by the dark
eied room aud, the labored breathing OF ns
dying parent. The others, old enough to un-
'iderstand something OF the scene, turned, sobbg,
to their father, for the comfo which he so much
needed for himself He drew them to taelr
mothers couch, and taking their little hands In
hers, already cold and clammy witt, the dew OF
death, sue spoke few brief words OF counsel
and of blessing. Then nlotioning tor Ella to
come closer to her side, she whispered, in tooes
now scarcely audible
Promise me you will never leave them when
Il am gone" ~ ,+
For an instant she did not reply ); tears
choked her utteraucp. and before she could
t command her voice, the dying mother, taking
her silence for denial, murmured again Il
(" Ella, my friend, my sister, you will not re-.
fuse my last request; You will not leave my
children to the cure OF strangers"
: Her husband had bent down to catch the
whisper, and he turned Il look Of such appeal on
Ella, that had hewavered, it must have decided
her. Bnt hers had not been the silence oi hesl-
tation. but Of uncomfortable emotion; and, by
an effort repressing the sobs which almost sut-
focaled her. she uttered
II Twill never leave them--ncver! and bend.
inp her head over the infant in her arms, she
yielded to fresh burst oltears.
4 am satisfied rnurmured the sufferer, faint.
ilv. and her face was bright with a lofty ialth.
God will take care Of them and you will not
forsake them. Lift them up Henry, that may
kiss nv children once more.
The father raised the older ones TO receive
the parting embrace, but the babe lay on Ella $
bosom, and rs she bent down to place 1t Tor
an instant in its mothers arms, Mrs. Grant
raising herself with sudden energy, ciasPed the
child and her who held il to her breast
you will never leave it Ella I! she repeated
you will never forsakc my child
Never as hope to meet you IN Detter
worIdr answered the weeping girl,
God bless you, dearest, and give you
strength to perform yonr promise : and, relsas'
ing her shc pressed her cold and quive'inS lips
u,on her Infants brow, and sank back eXlaus-
ted in her husbands arms.
Ella hurried with the children to the nursery,
and returned to watch beside her dying friend.
A brief period closed her earthly existence; ;
but not until she had again, almost unconscious
of having dine so before, asked and received
ELIAS promise never to leave her little ones,
while they needed her care.
And the VOW made at that sad hour vt part
inc, and again renewed rs she trod alone be.
side the cold form of her who lad been to her
as dear sister, was faithfully kept.
A year had passed since the death Of Mrs
Grant. and Ella, or Miss Mason, as every one
but the children called her, was still the pres.
ding genius of the bereaved family. She had
never lett them for Il day, scarcely for an hour.
Her fathers efforts had retrieved his affairs, and
he had returned to home which, though less
luxurious than her early residence, was lar more
splendid than the comparatively humble one
she occupied But, though the affection which
she bore her early friends and her own dear
p family was neither changed nor essened, she
conli not leave what she felt to he her post OF
r duty. ner did she wish to do so.
~ had