The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-10-16
then Happiness willbo myioonssans oompau,

-ion.
! The golden future became Briilanta's pres
sent. l saw. her wreathed with flowers and
sparkling with jewels; admired and fauer-
ed, and hurtyins from one scene Of gaety to
another; but instead Of the companions she
'presumpluously expected. there were only
Pleasure and Excitement, and, at their heels,
Safety and WEAKNESS. gs.,.,. ,,-t,.,.
"Alas n exclaimed Brillanta, ''Happiress
is not yet with me, -but she will come to nay
wedding, with the bridal gifts and festivities;
she will take up her abode in my luxurious
home !" But true love was not required at
the marriage, so Happiness refused TO be
there. Vanity and Pride were among the
guests, and were soon followed with the
fiena DISAPPOINTMENT. Happiness could not
breathe the air they infected.
J Afew years passed. Happiness had
never been, never will be hersw exclaimed
Brillanta. "My husband is so tiresome!
my children teasing my servants so tor
mendns! Il will go 10 foreign lands, will
explore other countries; surely where SO
mary rush 10 seek Happiness, she must be
found"
Away went Brillanta, but The chase was
vain; she csnever got SO much as aglimpse Of
Happiness, though she went on pursuing till
death overlook hor. A mist that had been
gathering round her settled into darkness,
and saw-her no more.
She whom had seen start in the career
of fife with Brillanta was named Serena. She
came foEth daily from home where all
sweet con,entments were, from God-loving
and God-fearing parents, 10 her school tasks.
She had an earnest and sweet countenance,
but what Chiefly struck me abou, her was
unlikeness to the rest Of the world. !.
She was not pursuing Happiness. She
was too modest 10 claim her presence, TOO
humble to. expect. She was so occupied
with her tasks and desires, that she had no
time TO think of herself, but she was eager
enough 10 obtain the acquaintance of Hap
piness for others. What disinterestedness I;
what self forgetlulness she practced 10 a.
chieveihis and strange to say, when she
asked and sought this eluding being, and
when the clouds gathered heavily around
Serena, so that Happiness could not come,
she sent her helpful handmade, Patience,
and Serena was content and grateful. p
"How many unexpected, undeserving
meetings have with my heavenly friend p
Serena would exclaim. Happiness daily sa.
luied her on the lovely aspect OF nature in
household loves, in the prayer of faith, and
the peace of acquiilins conscience. To Sc
rena in due time also came the wedding
day, and with illimitable hope and right
confidence that belongs to that period of a
woman'slife, she said, Happiness, you will
of course preside at this festival"
"Of course,p replied Happiness, "for
where my best friends gather on the we'd
ding day-love, fidelity, and moderation
am ever absent? But remember, my dear
Serena, my stay can not be long; care, trial,
sorrow, must come 10 you; can not consort
with them, but they will prepare you for my
constant society hereafter, and make you rel
ish it keenly." s
Care, trial, sorrow, stern sisters who come
TO all, did come TO Serena, but they were
not always present; their terrors were con-
verted TO a precious ministry by the unfail-
ing presence of Serena's best friend, Reli-
gion. h5 .r.
My eyes followed The whole course OF
this "lraveler between lie and death,o and
| saw that she met Happiness on many an
elevation in her lie, at many bright spot
or sudden turn; and finally, when the gates
of death openedto her, saw her celestial
friend, with open arms, awaiting her, to
abide with them for ever and ever.