Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-19
THE PEARL; OR, WHICH WAS THE
HAPPIEST


HAPPIEST.
The early rising sun was just shedding his
beams through the rich damask curtains that
shaded the windows of a luxuriously furnished
room, near the centre of which stood two young
girls, apparently of an age. They were both
beautiful; but the expressions Of their finely
moulded features were different. Helen, the
younger-as she sent her gay joyous laugh at
enjoyed much. Mary, the eldest, seemed more
to have caught glimpse of the true design of
her being, and to have learned more of the tru-
ly useful. They had not been long in this posi-
ton before the door slowly opened, and Il tall
elderly gentleman entered.
"Grandpa! Dear grandpa" they both eager
ly exclaimed as they sprang towards him. and,
leading him to n seat, gently put back his silvery
locks and imprinted kiss upon his time furrow-
ed brow.
"Ahw said Mr.. Ellis, "God has given me
much of this worlds goods, and many blessings
for which | should be thankful, but none do
prize more than the affections of these, my dear
grand children" and he bowed his head as ifin
grateful acknowledgement.
Rising soon after, he took from his pocket a
beautiful pearl, and holding it before them, said
Knowing that | should be absent some time
from you, dear children, have purchased this
pearl, to bestow, at my return, upon the one
that is the happest."
"How kind of you!" they both replied. "But
grandpa" said the light hearted Helen, " do you
not think that may be the surest of it, Tor am
not alcays happy?" and burst of merry laugh
ran through the room.
You may think so now, my dear, but what
call happiness you. perhaps, may yet know lit
tie Of" and he cast an enquiring look upon Ma
ry. She made no remark, but just then tear
escaped from its hiding place and came gliding
down her cheek.
Mr.. Ellis raised her hand to his lip, then gent
ly letting it fall, replaced the pearl, and bidding
them good morning, left the room.
Some few weeks after this time, DIR. M
was shown into the same apartment, where now
lay in almost dying agony, the mother of these
girls She had for several weeks suffered from
a fever which had now reached its height, and
appeared unwilling to quit its hold till death
should come and close the scene.
Mother-dear motherw exclaimed Helen,
" how can bear to see you thus! Sister, what
shall we do 2" and she clasped her hand with ag-
ony.
"Submt humbly to the will of God," was
whispered in an under tone, rs Helen was borne
fainting from the room.
The clock on the mantle-piece had chimed
the hour of twelve, when Mrs. II. motioned to
her friends to approach nearer They did so ;
and she requested them to call her children
Mary and Helen then approached their dying
parent, and bedewed with tears her feebly ex-
tended hand. Mrs. II. raised her eyes toward
Heaven
"May God bless and protect my husband and
our children Y she gently whispered-then sud-
denly her hand relaxed, and fell dropping on the
snowy coverlid. Her eyes closed-their long
silken lashes drew over them-she was dead.
Two or three years from the date of this event
the two sisters, they were sitting alone togeth-
er. Helen's hand had strayed from the keys Of
her piano, to adjust truant curl which had es-
capped from the bondage of the comb, and was
roguishly sporting upon her fair cheek. She
had just consigned it to safer keeping, when the
heavy fall of book as it struck the floor, caus-
ed her to break the silence.
"Come now, Nary" said she, let the little
accident induce you to lay aside your reading
for the day, and join with me to think of the an
ticipated pleasures of the evening for | cannot
drive the pleasing idea from my thoughts, of
our attending together such fashionable and
splendid party. Only think since our dear moth
er's death we have been out but little, but to-
night we shall be highly entertained; and it
will give father, too, so much pleasure to see
us once more gay and cheerful. You will go
most certainly" said she again, addressing Ma
ry.
"Nay, sister, ! may not go tonight" she an
swered 81 have other pleasure to seek after,
and other scenes to take up my time"
"More profitable, ! suppose" interrupted
Helen. "Well then, go alone" and without
waiting for any further remark, she abruptly left
the room.
They did not meet again till tea time soon
after which an elegant carriage drew up to the
door, and Helen, richly attired, was assisted in.
Away whrled the vehicle on the stony pavement
and as the sound rolled away in the distance,
Mary cast one sorrowing look in the direction
it had taken-then drew together the folds of
the curtain to exclude the departing rays Of the
sun, as if wishing to shut out all save her own
reflections.