Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-13
Gbuift Iitfraturr,
From Godey's Lady's Book.
THE STORM. 4.
BIZ MARY sRENCER REAsE,

VI ,. THE SIOhn.1 b gt-E atl y
vs M By MARY SPENCER PEAsE- sasil
Daring the lifetime. Of Martina Herbert, i
and through the lingering disease that con-
sumed her DAYS, was she the gentle, loving {
wife. and the tender, far-seeing mother. !
The village natrons held up hertwo mod /
est, pretty-behaved little girls as models tol
their own refractory childrsn, And the vil-
lazs hhsbands held up the pious. prudent
Martina as an example to their own gossip
loving wives. '
And when she died, fhewhite-haired, good
old parson. Mr. Gaylord. preached funeral
sermon over her remains that caused the
tears, from out the hardest heart within the
church. to flow like river from the eyes
The Lord hath given and the Lord hath Ia
ken away said be, IN conclusion. She,
whose only fault was in being too good for
this earth, has gone from where all sin aRd
sorrow is, home TO herown fathers bosom
Martina's last words were to her husband, |
beseeching him that. If he eyerfelt as though
he must give a new mother to their children
he would choose one who would be kind to-
them, and who would bring them up not to
shine ID this world except in truth ard good
mess. Most faithfully did Edward Herbert
promise TO revere the dying behest Of his
wife.
HAiyeat had passed since Martina was laid
down 70 rest III the little village churchyard.
From the desolate heart Of the stricken hus-
band fhe grief tlaat at first refused to be com
fofted had settled into calm, deep sorrow,
that welded with holy faith to the inevitable.
He felt BY little and little, how uhuttera-
bIv lonely be was without the intimate sym
pafhy Of dear wife. He felt also bis own
insuffciency in training Alright his two little
orphan girls That he never could supply
tie place Of the lost. be felt too keeuly; but
thathe might find one who would be moth
erto his little ones, and who would make
once more home around him, was what he
might do. Edward Herbert was God-lovl
ing and Godserving man. Duty was the
strong principle Of his life. However long
" be might himself be. had he not felt that
his dafIings needed the tender watchful
care Of a woman and mother. It would have
been less easy for him to think Of taking e
his sorowipg heart another love, atteF. hay
ing known that Of bis departed Martina
She bad been dead year, and, for the frs
time, be cast about hiIn. seriously and pray
erfdIly, who should be hIs xisest choice. :
Why did his heart revert SO constantly t
Edith Moorei And Why as constantly dii
he crush the rising thought as one that nigh
have been sent him for atemptation by th
eHemy7
1t was true that Edith had been best b
f--aI - N IL -. Met
nd Herbert that Martina had accepted NOR
other company than that Of any other ths
she had entrusted to her the care Of her Ii
tie girls when she would leave them with .
one else True, also, that the ehildre
clung to Edith after their mothers dealt
and she to them, as they or she did to n
BODY else. No one had the power overthe
IN soothing their griefs, or ii checking ar
display Of in temper, as bad Edith Moore :
Alf this Edward Herbert saw and felt y
he felt also that Edith was IN years 50 niu,
child compared with hiihself--for Elwa
was thisty-fve, and Edith scarce twenty
that, IS SIiss Prudence Hook had justly j
marked, she might be the very person
take the entire charge Of 50 important
household, were she not certainly gidd
Or, if not that, most unquesticnabiy
young
Miss Prudence herself had long outgrn
tbdi serious fault, havirg, BY fuh twer
years, the seniority and superiority o.
Eaith. Then, for the first time, Edw;
thought Of Miss Prudence in person as amo
eF to his children. The thought revol
him but, because It did revolt nm, he
CURED TO It again and again, until at L
from its utter unpleasantness, i began
seem 70 him his duty to make her the Q
Fl ofbecoming mistress to his household.
had been % very kind to bis children
bad taken such mothefly interest in tt
sinee bis Wife's death she had tried to {
SOLE him IN bis gfief and had more 4
aaid, proving her great pity for the c
dren- a ~ ~
Ny dear. friend, I beg YOU VIII take
thought Of your dear children that shall b
be you. lfyour inclinatioHs ever lead
to seek Tor a partner, one who, upon Or
turns out 70 be an unworthy mother to Il
they viii always have refuge in my ho
And shall be only too happy in worl
fortheni as would for my oan.s sia
1.-THE children, to be sure, did not see
love Miss. Prudence. Appearing raths
shrink from ber caresses. !; 'sbut then. tho
s,h6y Wit learn Glove her, n I,
N fT79iisi,f -, ~ 3fa@ 9la'fa 1qld