Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-03
Cbairr Iitrraturr.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
THE PEARL;3
OR. WHICH WAS THE HAPPIEST
BY I. A. MACK.


The sun was Just shedding his newly
fisen beams through the itch damask
curtains that shaded the windows of a
luxuriantly furnished room, near the
centre Of which stood two young girls,
apparently nearly Of an age. Thee
were both beautiful; but the expressions
Of their finely moulded features were
different. Helen, the younger,-as she
sent her gay joyous laugh out at inter-
vals-told the observer that she appa-
rently enjoyed much. Mary, the eldest,
seemed more to have caught a glimpse
Of the true design of her being and to
have learned more Of the truly useful.
They had not been long in this position be-
fore the door slowly opened, and a tall,
elderly gentleman entered.
"Grandpa! Dear grandpa! they
both eagerly exclaimed, as they sprang
toward him; and, leading him to a seat
gently put back his silvery locks, and
imprinted a kiss upon his time-furrowed
brow.
"Ah," said Mr.. Ellis, "God has Civ
en- me much of this worlds goods and
many blessings for which | should be
thankful but none do / prize more than
the affections Of these my dear grand
children" and he bowed his head as il
in grateful acknowledgement.
Rising soon after, he took from his
pocket a beautiful pearl, and holding II
before them, said,
KNOWING that I should be absent
some time from you, dear children, |
have purchased this pearl, TO bestow at
nv return upon the one that is the hap
piest."
"How kind Of you they both replied.
But, grandpa" said the l~ight-hearted
Helen, !" do you not think that | may
be the surest Of it, for am ! not dhOGyS
happy" and a burst Of her merry laugh
rang through the room.
"You may think so now, my dear, but
what l call happiness J6u perhaps may
vel know little Of and he cast an lndui-
ring look upon Mary. She made nc
remark, butiust then atear escaped frGn
its hiding place, and came gliding down
her cheek.
Mr.. Ellis raised her hand to his lips;
then gently letting itfall, replaced the
pearl and bidding them good morning
left the room.
Some few weeks from this time, DR.
NJ was shown into the same apart,
ment, where now lay, in almost dying
agony, the mother of these girls. She
had for several weeks suffered from
fever, which now had reached its heigh
and appeared unwilling to quit its holc
fill death should come and close thu
scene.
"Mother-dear mother !" exclaimed
Helen, "how can | bear to see you thus
Sister, what shall we do :" and SHIT
clasped her hands with agony.
"Submit humbly to the will Of Cod
was whispered in an under tone, as He
len was borne fainting from the room.
The clock on the marble handicapped
had cbimed out the hour oftwelve, wher
Mrs H motioned 10 her friends Il
apuroach nearer. They did so; and sh,
requested them to call her children
MARY and Helen then approached thei
diving parent, and believed with tear
her feeble-extended hand. Mrs. H
RAISED her eyes to heaven
"May God bless and protect my hus
hand and our children |" she gentl
vbispered-then suddenly her hand re
y laxed, and fell dropping on the snow
roverlid. Her eyes closed-their longs 81
" lashes drew over them-she was deaC