The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-07-06
CHAPTER XVI.


Now if the reader will bear us company on
brieftour la clairuoyont, we will take hasty part
ing glance at the principal personages of our story
Half a mile from new but thriving and beauti-
full village in thriving and beautiful western state,
there is pleasant gothic cottage. not large, nor
aristocratc, NOR hung about with absurd and ex-
travagant Orientasms but what is far beIter,n neat
tasteful. and convenient. The eastern windows
look out upon the blue lake and wharf, where
are visible the dark ehimneys of the swift steam
er, and the white canvass of more unpretending
craft; and far in the western prospect lies the
grand old forest. The front of the house is al
most covered with the sweet scented 'Multifora.'
that some beauty loving hand has twiued and train
ed till it seems a part of the cottage itself. This
is the home of Tracy Hammond and his beloved
Constance. He is lawyer of undoubted talent,
with extensive practice, and is fast rising to dis
tinction. He isknown otmerely for sagacity and q
clear shrewd judgment, but for ncorruptble integ-
rity and his regard for Law the minister of JUS
tice, and the great pillar of universal Right. The
i'll gotten gains of the usurer and 'devourer of wild
ow's houses pass not through his fingers, and his
purse is closed to the bribe of the orphans herIt
age. "A rare lawyer" one says, and it may be
true. but such lawyers there are, and will be-
ertheIess. He is not rich, but indie peudent, and
is laying the foundation of what if he chooses, may
be magnificent fortune.
But it is not only as lawyer that he is known
AS politician he is acquiring no little influence
and popularity, though his motto is one of oldeu
time that +" all men are born free and equal.''-
He is earnest and active in promulgating what he
believes the true principles of Christian politics
shrinking from no duty and fearing the frown of nc
man or body of men. IT, as his friends confident
ly predict, he shall one day represent his adopted
state on the National floor, we shall surely hear
from him, defending the cause oftbe slave, openly
fearlessly, yet ever with temperance and courtesy;
forhe will nev er forget that the Shareholder as vel
the slave is a brother, and that the All-tathel
| loveih every creature he hath made.
Constance is happy as it is the lot otany to be
on earth. lfever her spirits eye turns mourntul,
ly to the dark page on her past history it dwells
there but moment. The living Present with
its ceaseless prophecies, its cares, its duties, and
responsibilities, occupies her mind, and offers Its
work for her hands. Her domestic occupations
are light, and thanks to the hours spent IN Aun
Deborah's kitchen. are not entered upon in igno
dread, or finished in ignorant dissatisfaction
She loves her hueband with her whole heart, anG
is proud of him, as one whom the good delight te
honor; and he returns her love with tenderness
that strives to bauish from her heart the recollec
ton of past suffering and bereavement.
Alice Hammond is married TO professor in one
of the New England colleges, and her place-ont
for which she is we'll ftted-is among the bright
est intellectual stars of that armament. Mrs
Hammond divides her time between her two child
rem. Constance has almost as dear place in he
heart though Alice is her own daughter.
frankie Maitland is married also, and to whom
of all persons in the world, but minister; yes
regular orthodox clergyman. though of the p"o
/ gressive order. His sermons are emiuently prac
tical for he holds that religion is truly of Chris
save that which applies itself fearessly and faith
fully to the reduction of sin and suffering in th
world. In the great fight between good and evi
in which he is engaged. he is willing that all wht
will should labor with him, bringing their owr
weapons. and striking where they choose. so tina
the temple of Error feels their ioke and trembes
| He would not that the Church should say to those
outside her pale, " Because ye wear not the gar
ments that we wear, and came not hither by the
road that we came, we will not have you hell
us to destroy this giant that we have found in the
widerness,-we will not beat down the door ofh
dungeon, and let the prisoners go forth freeunles
We retire from it with your unsanctifled weapons,
! for he knows aud reveres the beautiful instinct o
brotherhood in the human heart as underlying al
| ~. ov,I ria uto tnon aad
and rituals. He believes with the Rev. Alber
Barnes that no power out Of the Church coulc