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

shall be most grateful, aud God win bless you
| for the act"
"Anearnest assurance Of the pleasure which
she felt in being permitted to watch over the
children, and, in any degree, to minister to his
comfort, satisfied him; and, from that timef
the subject wasno more alluded to. Indeed,
very little conversation of any kind took place
between them for Mr. Grant seemed now to
shun the family circle as carefully as he had
sought it. The greater portion of his time wac
spent in retirement and study. and he appears
to have lost all taste for social enjoyment since
she, who had frightened every scene to him,
had passed away.
Miss Mason had taken, almost matter Of
course the whole direction of the, household, and
he teIt no anxiety for worldly things: He saw
his children well and hapny, improving in
their education; and, thopghshe superiatended
| part of that education, tie gsnera conduct of
it was left to their fond and efficient soverness.
And what had Ella, the once gay and bril- ?
liant Ella. who for more than eighteen.years
had sported through life, scarcely eonseious d
tue existence of such thing as care
what bad she to reconcile her to a life of con.
scious watchfulness and never.ceasing thought
She had the smiles of an approving conscience,
the affection of the little ones for whom she
lived, and the hope of being one day permitted
to present them, in the world above, to tho
mother from whom she had received the
charge. And, as she watched the growing in.
tc!ligence with almost mothers pride, or felt
their little arms twined round her neck, and
their warm lips pressed to her cheek, She
thought herself fully repaid for every hour Of
anxiety, every feeling Of, responsibility and
care. .fhe weight, too, had come gradually
upon her, and was therefore less heavily felt.
At first, she was simply the teacher Of The lit.
tie ones; then, as Mrs. Grants health gave
way, one duty after another was assumed to
relieve the invalid, until, long before hef. death,
she had under her direction the entire Charge
of the domestic concerns, and, when that took
place. she became the. nominal, as she had be.
fore been the real, head Of the family - zS'o'
But this was too peaceful and happy q state
to remain altogether undisturh and minors,
for some time IN circp'stien IN the;e eodgrega-
ton Of which She was 81 meaabsr and slr.
Grant pastor, began to reach Miss Masou.
She had always looked upon her nlinisteras as
being apart from the rest Of the world; one not
to be spoken of lightly, nor approached with
even the sha dow Of disrespect; nor had daily
comparatively familiar intercourse with him ever
removed this impression from her mind, Nv erds
would fail to express her griat and Indignation
at hearing, from one whom she had deemed a
/ friend, that the name of this honored being had
been coupled with her own in light words aud
lighter jests. and that his comparative seciusion
from his people had been attributed to other
causes than grief for the wife he had SO tender.
ly loved. so deeply lamented. .ssis3$ s-l
'An angel from Heaven would not escape
censuse from those who would speak thus Of
Mr.. Grant. she exclaimed, unable. to- restrain
te expression of her Indignation. IF ever
there was being on earth whose lie might
challenge the closest scrutiny, it is his
Il have no doubt you think so, Miss Mason
said her gratiied informant, smiling malicious.
ly;s but others ,-~'s -ss.+..,.s =
'Othersy she interrupted, impatiently. And
who knows Mr.. Grant so well as pr - y~'
',No one, certainly; but | was only going to
observe that they would scarcely think you
disuterested Witness -.
4 withering reply rose to the lips of the ex.
cited girl; bat she felt that it was worse than
useless to proiong the conversation, and, sup
pressing her feelings, directed itinto anothe.
channel; and the lady visitor, having succeeded
in the object of her call, and obtained fresh
material for gossip, soon took her departure,
leaving Ela,to thoughts sad and agitated be.
vond any she had ever known before. And
vet it was rather feeling than thought, for OF
thought she was just then scarcely capable;
but the emotions awakened by what she had
r k~.1so ovH- loo ri
ing her head on the arm OF the sofa where sue
was sitting, she wept unrestrancdiy andbitterly.
ITO be Continued.