The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-23

nant and disguised, he had retired from all CON-
petition with his formidable rival. Thus aban-
doned to her own undisciplined Imagination with
the inexperience of child and the passions Of a
woman, she was deceived by false promises, be-
wildered, fascinated, and beguiled into sin.
1t is the same old story of woman's confidence,
and mans duplicity. The rascally writing mas
ter, under pretence Of visiting neighboring
town, left his lodgings and never returned The
last heard Of him, he was the tenant Of a West
ern peuitentiary. Poor Julia, driven in disgrace
from her fathers house, found refuge in the
humble dwelling of an old woman Of no very
creditable character. There was called to visit
her and, although not unused to scenes Of suffer
ing and sorrow, l had never before witnessed
such an utter abandonment to grief, shame, and
remorse Alas what sorrow was like unto her
sorrow. The brth-hour of her infant was also
that of its death.
The agony of her spirit seemed greater than
she could bear. Her eyes were opened, and she
looked upon herself with loathing and horror.
She would admit Of no hope, no consolation she
would listen to no palliation or excuse Of her
guilt could only direct her to that source of
pardon and peace to which the broken and con-
trite heart never appeals in vain.
In the mean time, Robert Barnet shipped on
board Labrador vessel. The night before he
left, he called on me, and put in my hand sum
of money, small indeed, but all he could then COM
mand.
You will see her often" he said. ado not
let her suffer, for she is more to be pitied than
blamedn
answered him that would do all in my pow
er for her, and added that thought far better of
her, contrite and penitent as she was, thsn Of
sorne VINO were busy in hOlding her up shame
and censure.
"God bless you for these words ~ he said,
grasping my hand. 81 shall think Of them often
They will be comfort to me-"
As for Julia, God was more merciful to her
than man. She rose from her sick bed thought
full and humbled but with hopes that transcend
ed the world of her suffering and shame. She no
longer murmured against her sorrowful allot-
ment, but accepted it with quiet and almost cheer
full resignation, as the fitting penalty of Gods
broken laws, and the needed discipline Of her
spirit. She could say with the Psalmist, "The
judgments of the Lord are true, justified in them
selves. Thou art just oh, Lord, and thy judg-
ment is right Through my exertions, she
obtained employment in a respectable family, to
whom che cndeared herself by her faithfulness
cheerful obedience, and unaffected piety. Her
trials had made her heart tender with sympathy
for all in afliiction.
She seemed inevitably drawn towards the sick
and suffering. In their presence, the burden of
her own sorrow seemed to fall off. She was the
most cheerful and sunny faced nurse ever knew !;
and | always felt sure that my own efforts would
be well seconded when | found her by the bed
side of patient. Beautiful it was to see this
poor young GIRL whom the world still looked upon
with scorn and unkindness cheering the dsgpond-
ing and imparting as it were, her owpfstrong,
healthful life to the weak and faint; Supporting
upon her bosom, through weary nights. the heads
&c .Lc=--whn IN ,-4eish Ave ,Saero5 her
touch pollution or to hear her singing, for the
ear of the dying, some sweet hymn Of pious hope
or resignation, or calling to mind the consultations
of the Gospel and the great love of Christ.
al trust said /, "that the feelings Of the COM
munity were softened towards her."
"You know what human nature is,n returned
the Doctor "and with what hearty satisfaction
we abhor and censure sin and folly in others. II
is luxury which we cannot easily forego, al
though our own experience tells us that the con-
sequences of vice and error are evil and bitter
enough, without the aggravation Of ridicule and
reproach from without. So you need not be sur.
prsed to learn that in poor Julias case the char
ity of sinners like herself did not keep pace with
the mercy and forgiveness of Him who is infinite
in purity. Nevertheless, | will do our people the
justice to say, that her bameless and self-sacri.
fcing life was not without Its proper effect upon
themn
What became of Robert Burnet ~ inquired
He came back after an absence Of several
months, and called en- me before he had even seen
his father and mother. lie did not mention Julia
| spoke of her excellent department and her
useful life, dwelt upon the extenuatipg circum-
stances of her error and of her sincere and hearty
repentance"
"Doctorin said he, at length, with hestating
and embarrassed manner, "What should you
think if should tell you that, after all that has
passed, have half made up my mind to ask her
to become my wifep
81 should think better of it il you had wholly
made up your mind, )" said "snd if you were my
own son, | wouldn't ask for you better wife than
Julia Atkins. Don't hesitate, Robert, on account
of what some ill-natured people may say. Con-
suit your own heart first Of all"
al don't care for the talk Of all the busybodies
in town. said he; "but wish father and mother
could feel as you do about her"
"Leave that to me,D said | "they are kind
hearted and reasonable, and ! dare say will be
disposed to make the best Of the matter, when
they find you are decided in your purpose"
al did not see him again, but few days after
learned from his parents that he had gone on
another voyage 1t was now autumn, and the
most sickly season have ever known in Peewaw-
kin. Ensign Atkins and his wife both fell sick,
and Julia embraced with alacrity this providen-
tial opportunity 10 return to her fathers house.
and fulfil the duties of daughter Under her
careful nursing, the Ensign soon got upon his
feet; but his wife, whose constitution WAS weaker,
sunk under the fever. She died better than she
had lived penitent and loving, asking forgiveness
Of Julia for her neglect and unkindness, and in
vokiug blessings on her head. Julia had now for
the frst time since the death Of her mother, q
comfortable home and fathers love and protec-
ton. Her sweetness Of temper, patient endur-
and forgetfunsss Of herself in her lsbors for
others, gradually overcame the scruples and hard
feelings Of her ncighbors. They began to ques-
tion whether, after all, 1t meritorous In them
to treat one like her as a sinner beyond forgive