The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-10-16

1 but the thought that you will be benefited
by the change, and that I shall see you yet
again, makes the parting less painful"
Laura Ackerman raised her head as the
widow spoke, and traces of tears were still
visible upon her cheeks. There was a
choking sensation about her throat, that
for several moments prevented her utter
ance, but at length she said, in sweet,
candid tone
"My dear, kind friend-my only earthly
guide and protector, words cannot express
my feelings at this moment, and 1 can only
hope that may find in my new home
friends half as kind as you have been. [
will at least try to deserve them"
"Mrs. Morgan is good woman," re-
turned the widow, with a slight hesitation
in her manner, cor, at least she used to
be when was intimate with her but whe-
ther a fashionable life has altered her, l
know not. However, be that as it may,
she has offered you good inducement, and
your naturally kind disposition cannot fail
of enlisting her sympathy and regard.
Could 1 sustain you, or did my home offer
opportunities for your advancement in life,
you should not leave it, but as it does not,
| know of no one that would rather trust
you than to Mrs Morgan. Her husband
was one of your fathers friends.'
shall not fear any i'll with the lady,"
Laura said, /" for surely none will desire to
harm me but my soul shrinks instinctively
from the life of the city. 1 must give up
my quiet, secluded bowers,-my feet can
no more tread in the lowered walks of
Natures garden, and the wales and wooded
hooks, where l havea SO often worshipped
my God, will be no longer open to my
steps"
"You forgot my dear Laura" Mrs.
Manfred replied, " that life is not given
for your own enjoyment alone. Heaven
only can see what more extended duties
may devolve upon you in your new sphere
but of one thing you must always rest as
sured that the pure in heart may always
draw an almost infinite pleasure from the
fount of peace within. Look not too much
upon outward things for the true enjoyment
of life."
"Forgive me, if seemed for momen.
to forget your wise teachings" frankly ex-
claimed the true-hearted girl. 81 will not
repine."
For some time the two remained silent.
Laura again bending her brow forward into
her hands, while the kind hearted widow
regarded her with the deepest interest and
solicitude. At length the latter lifted the
small box upon which her hand had been
resting, and while peculiar shade passed
over her aged features, she said:
my child, 1 have now to place in your
hands the last gift of your father. A few
moments before he breathed his last, he
placed in my keeping this box, and bade
me give it to you when you left me. The
gift is simple, but in it1 very simplicity it
is powerful. 1t is type of the life he
would have you lead, and now that you are
about to leave the guardian under whose
care he placed you, this may often be a
rememberance to you of the duty you owe
his memory"
AS Mrs. Manfred spoke, she placed the
box in Laura's hand. A small key wa
suspended to the cover by silken cord,
and with a trembling hand, the girl placed
it in the lock, and threw back the cover.
The box contained nothing but a simple
leaden cross. 1t was some three inches in
length, and bore upon its surface raised
imprint of the Crucifed Saviour. AS Lau-
ra's eyes rested upon that sacred emblem,
her mind ran back to the time where dim
recollection still held picture of her ia
ther, and a starting tear responded to the
feelings that were called up.
And this is my fathers last gift" she
said, as she placed the cross to her lips.
And he would have me live in the life that
is shadowed forth upon its face. But tell
me-" she continued, as a sudden thought
seemed to flash across her mind, " did he
tell nothing of its history for surely about
thing so plain and humble, there must be
some circumstances, some memories ga
thered, that makes it valuable"
! lie told ME nothing ofits past history"