The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-29
Whole Number 1900

1
why, Henry" said Mrs. Webster, / never
knew oelore' that you We're SO vain of your dis
eliminating powers Most men are satisfied if
they can lind out woman's real character, after
having lived with her some twenty years, or more.
But you can see quite through them in half an
houri You are, really, mere of novice in these
affairs than had thought you.'
No doubt seem to you little demepted; but
indeed. wish you could see this Miss Earnest
I'd be willing to leave the matter to your judg-
ment, binding myself to abide the decision'
Under these circumstances, 1 might be- unwil-
ling to countenance your romantic 1--we affair."
But cannot find out where she is, A. Hard.
amer's can, of course. learn nothing more about
her. said the young man. ..-=,+
Would you kn W her if .you were TO meet her
anywhere?' said Mrs. Webster.
OF course would. Her sweet face is always
before me; and her voice has been like music in
my ears since,'
Really, Henry! am concerned for you. I'm
afraid Cupid has struck you in the eye and par
italy blinded you
Perhaps he has, Mrs. Webster. But if that be
the case it is not my fault, if see with peryert-
ed vision
Well, Henry, do not know how to advise you
at present But something may strike me, after I
think about il; SO | shall expect yon to come and
see me pretty often.'
Il shall surely do that, Mrs. Webster for there
is no one else that can talk to on the subject go
near my hoart.'
4 was going to say, that was sorry you had be-
come so infatuated with this mysterious stranger;
but, il this, perhaps, would be wrong l have,
however, young lady here, who is going to reside
with me, [ expect, for some time and did flatter
myself that yon would find her particularly inter-
esting.' x
'Who is she, Mrs. Webstei?' he asked, with ar.
apparent interest.
ITS OF no particular consequence anything about
another than the interesting stranger would havs
no particular interest for you,' replied Mrs Web
ster. l.ss.e. s-s5 s'..s.- gz-a-.s.,~i- f
We'll, can't say that it would he said indif-
fereptiy. ~
That is too bad, Henry! But I'll punish you
for if, see if doh'f.'
IN trust to your tender mercies. madam said
the young man, smiling.
After her visitor had retired, Mrs. Wets'e re-
turned TO the siting-room, and joined her family.
The reader has, of COURSE recognized in this visit
or, Mr.. llerton. Mrs. Webster now found her.
self placed in a new and responsible position Al
! though her impressions in reference to Anne were
of the most favorable character possible, vet, she
! was too prudent woman to be governed altogeth-
er by first impressions. Anne's statement of her
n erview with I,lerton had caused her a ser;-
ous thought, but her conversation with the hitter
had awakened up, in her mind, a lively concern;
more especially, as the fact of Anne's being in her
family, rendered her responsibility very great
For the present, she resolved to do nothing but to
keep Ierteo, if possible, ignorant of the fact that
| Anne was in the house, and trust to the develop
ments of time.
Every day. Anne became more and more en-
deared to her, until she began to look upon her
with the fond aud partial eyesofa mother. Above
all, did she love her for tho deep aud confidng
principle of religion by which her whole lie was
governed. 1t was not religion of obtrusiveness
nor of imposing forms of external sanctity. But !,
was calm. peaceful, unwavering confidence in
the wisdom and goodness of Divine Providence
i aud constant obedience to all the commandments
internally. well as externally.
DO you doubt the provideuce Of tie
Lord Anne, when passing through the clouds and
the shadows ? she said TO her, during one of the
Interesting conversations she was in the habit oi
holding with her.
Il have rarey doubted of late, Mrs. Webster,
she replied, though weak human nature has often
shrunk and trembled even as the patient viii
shrink and trembe when the physician probes 6
dangerous u!cer.'
b
Il cannot say, with you, that do not some
times doubt said Mrs. Webster
when we remember. resumed Anne, tina
the Lord has taught us, 10 addressing him, TO saw
Our Father, we will perceive that there is really
no cause for despondency, be the circumstance
ever SO much shadowedb by uncertainty. In many
places in the Bible, we are audedYo under tn
tender name of children. Even as father piel
his children is the Lord represented as regard
ing u.s.
lit is little strange, Anne that while conscious
of the truth given to that tbs Lord is Faith
er, we cannot feel the child-like confidence tha
wo ought to feel,' said Mrs. Webster.
This arises, altogether, Mrs. Webster, from
our unwilncnessto TO sacrifice every thing for spirit
uul good. Until this shall be the case, we canno
feel confidence under what are called adverse
: Providences. We will not let consciousness:
that Iniuite Goodness and Wisdom w II do n
things for the best, GENE down into the viii, an
thus enter fully into the affections of the mind
Until we SO fully approved of all that our Heaven
= ly Father does, to- love it, cannot but suffe
painful doubts when the day of trial arrives
, i readily perceive that it is much easier t,
understand truth than to be willing TO do it,
, said Mrs. Webster.
y And just SO far replied Anne, 'as there i
a harmony between the will and the understand
:. ing are we in righ; suites of obedience. To d
the truth, willingly, is to love it, and when we love
10 do ANYTHING, its performance is delightful to us.
Bit il is yer,y hard, Annie, to do what is op
, posed to our selfish feelings
No one knows that better than do madam
But, without eff,rt we can gam no victories. fh
| = =.