Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-08

sitting by the centre-table, with book in her
hand. ..t
Helen. Is this YOU l thought you had
gone to the ball. Are you not well!' he said
quickly and with surprise, coming up to her
side. l. 'o ai
am very well, BROTHER, she replied look
ing into his face with a smile Of sisterly re-
gard. But have concluded to stay at home
this evening. l am going to keep you COM
pany.' '".
Are you, indeed. Right glad am | of it !!
though am sorry you have deprived yourself
of the pleasure of this ball, which, believe,
is hn a vary brilliant one. I was jusr going
out, because it is so dull at home when you are
all away ...... .l....s.
Il am not particularly desirous of going to
the ball. So little so, that the thought of your
being left here all alone had sufficient influence
over me to keep me away
Indeed Well, must say you are kind,
Edward returned, with feeling. The selfsac-
ri6cing act Of his sister had touched him SEN
sbly.
Both Helen and her brother played well.-
She upon the harp and piano, and he upon the
flute and violin. Both were fond of music and
practiced and played frequently together. A
part of the evening was spent in this way, much
to the satisfaction of each Then an hour was
passed in reading and conversation, after which
music was again resorted to. Thus lapsed the
time pleasantly until the hour for retiring came,
when they separated, both with an internal
feeling of pleasure more delightful than they
had experienced for long time. 1t was near
ly three o'clock before Mr.. and Mrs. Lindley,
and the daughter who had accompanied them TO
the ball, came home. Hours before, the SEN
ses of both Edward and Helen had been locked
in forgetfuness.
Time passed on. Edward Lindley grew up
sing to his family and society. He saw his
sisters well married; and himself, finally, lead
to the altar a lovely maiden. She made him a
truly happy husband. On the night of his we'd
ding, as he sat beside Helen, he paused for
some time. in the midst of pleasant conversa-
tion, thoughtfuly. At last he said,
DO you remember, sister, the night you
STAYED home from the ball, TO keep me COM
nyr
That was many years ago. Yes, | remem-
Der it very well, now you have recalled II to my
mind
Il have often since thought, Helen, he said
with serious air, that by the simple act OF
thus remaining at home for my sake, you were
the means of saving me from destruction.
How sol' asked the sister.
Il was Just then beginning to form an init
mate association with young men of my own
age, nearly all of whom have since turned out
badly. did not care great deal about their
company; still, l liked society and used to be
with them reguently-especally when you
and Mary went out in the evening. On the
night of the ball TO which you were going
these young men had supper, and | was tc
have been with them. did not wish particu-
larly 10 Join them, but preferred doing so to re.
naming at home alone. To find you, as did
so unexpectedly, in the paror, was an agreea
Bile surprise indeed. | stayed at home with Z
new pleasure, which was heightened by the
thought, that it was your love for me that hac
made you deny yourself for my Qualification
We read together on that evening, we played
together, we talked of many things. In yonl
mind had never before seen so much to in
spire nv own with high and pure thoughts.
remembered the conversation of the young mer
with whom | had been associating, and il
which had taken pleasure, with something
like disgust 1t was low, sensual and toe
much of it vile and demoralzing. Never, from
that hour, did join them. Their way, ever
in the early stage of lfe's journey, saw to be
downward, and downward it has ever since beer
tending. How often since have thought O
that point in time, SO fIll-traught with goot
and evil influences Those few hours spen
with YOU seemed to take scales from my eyes
| saw with new vision. | thought and iel
differently. Had you gone to the ball, and
| 10 meet those young men, no one can tell wha
might have been the consequences. Sensua
! indulgences, carried to excess, amid songs ant
| sentiments calculated TO awaken evil instead o
good feelings, might have stamped upon my
young and delicate mind bias TO low afiec
tions that never would have been eradicated. =
That was the great starting point in lfe-the
period when was coming into state of ra
tionality and freedom The good prevailed
over the evil, and by the agency of my sister
as an angel sent by the Author of all benefits
to save me-
Like Helen Lindley, let every elder siste: be
thoughtful of her brothers at that critical peri
cd in life, when the boy is about passing up tc
the stage of manhood, and she may save then
from many snare set for their unwary feet by
the evil one.
| In closing this little sketch, we can say
nothing better than has already been said BY
an accomplished American authoress, Mrs Far
rar.
SO many temptations she says, 'bese
young men, of which young women know
nothing, that it is of the utmest importance tha
your brothers. evenings should be happily pass
ed at home, that their friends should be You
friends, that their engagements should be tht
same as yours, and that various innocent amuse
ments shonld be provided for them in the fami
ly circle. Music is an accomplishment, chief