The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-09
IN ADVANCE.
n UNI B ER 5

Mr.. n. returned with Heller to tea, and
much was he, as well as myself, annoyed
by Helcn's merry glances, as she in her
own style related the whole to her parents
proposing that should write Il book, ell
titled, The Ecclesastic in search of his
Agnes"
After tea, Helen betook herself to tho
piano, her parents went out to pass the
evening, and Mr.. n. seated himself bv my
! side.
You will, hope" said he, forgive
me Miss, s., that have so long been blind
to your merits, but must confess that un-
til yesterdays conversation, your youthful
appearance and extremely retiring man
ners have led me to think you scarcely
more than n child, though own your his
tory has deeply interested my feelings
1t is too late to apologize, for the many, to
you foolish speeches have made. Ihave
indeed discovered Agnes. l shall be like
Mr.. r. and blame my lively cousin for ma
king me talk before you, causing you to
remain to hear me, for she has told Inc all,
and how very fearful You were, that l
should know you to be the author of the
sketch upon my sermon. You surely need
not have regretted it in the least am
sure | never shall myself, but shall ever
consider the publishing of that piece hap
py mistake"
trust, sir, that you will not for mo
ment think that | wished to deceive YOU
1t was only my Over-scnsativeness in not
wishing TO be known as .:llfYuIeI, and the
dread that you should knDw't6at | pre-
sumed to enlarge upon your discourse, that
has caused me TO be silent when Helen has
teased you so numerically; and lerc we
both laughed heartily as we brought to
mind some Of her sallies to her cousin
lie resumed,
g L am bitterly deceived in Miss l.. and
although thought her to be the Agnes 1
songhty-l could not in the least reconcile
her in my mind, as the kind Of person
whom supposed Agnes to be; had on
/ y. known ynu better, | might soon have
guessed nearer hone. Last evening,
filGa Mfhen IJlas gaye Miss I. to understand that
lug to me, as friend of yours, which, when
she afterwards learned that YOU were one
of this family, she tried to rctract, saying
she would be happy tc renew the acquaint-
ance. left her, disgusted at her heart
lessness, and it was the thought that one
whom thought talented and amiable, as
well as pious, could appear SO much the
reverse rs she did last evening, which
caused my seriousness to-day. Supposing
her to be my "heau-idcal" rs Helen says,
| sought in vain for qualities in her, which
now see ought first to have looked for
in yourself"
Quite abashed, endcavc rsd to change
the conversation, and rs Helen ceased her
music and came to my relief, | succeeded,
but from that hour Mr.. n. and myself
We're the best of friends, our friendship
soon ripenning into affection. and few
weeks after, in the same hour that Helen
became Mrs Merton, was converted into
a minister's wife, for nothing would suit
Helen but tha t their wedding and my
own should take place together. Hub
crt's parents had come to claim me as their
adopted daughter, but took me to their
arms rs their own child.
With many tears parted from Helen,
who Immediately started for the South,
but we have since had many happy meet
ings, as she every year or two visits the
North, and we have thrice journeyed to
her home in the sunny South. She is the
same light-hearted being, and even now
rallies my husband about his first Agnes,
who is still living in single bessedness.
Directly after our marriage, Mr.. n. ac-
cepted call to settle over new society,
and |, not then eighteen, entered upon the
duties of a ministers wife. l had yet to
discover, that when societv hires pas
tor, they consider that the wife is hired
als,', and pick flaws in her with the same
impunity they use in finding errors in her
husband. / had also to learn, too that tho
conversation, the housekeeping, the every
action, indeed. Of spastor's wife, is discuss
ed with the same freedom with which the
pastors sermons are criticised but the
! years Of my married life have been truly
happy, and have nothing Of which to
complain.
When my little Agnes was year old
for by no other name did my husband
ever call me until after the birth of my
girl, when he bestowed the name upon her
when she was a year old was one day
startled by Mr.. r., Helen's uncle, entering
in n great state ofexcitement. lie abrupt
ly placed paper in my hand, and point
ing to an advertisement, fell brcathless in
to chair. Dreading knew not what, I
read the following lines:
The subscriber, wishing to gain inte.-
ligcncc Of one Clara s., who resided in this
city three years since, will generously re-
ward any person who will give tho desir-
cd information. Inquire at the ---
House, for
ADAMS. Room No. 90"
The first thing | thought was, that it
, was ruse Of George Brown 10 discover
me, and so expressed myseIfto Nj. r. and
my husband. I had heard nothing of
him since tho note I received when hc
sailed from b., and | had never dasej to
venture to his mothers house since, AMI
had heared nothing Of the old lady what.
ever.
IcoscLrDED oSrouRTnrAeE.I