The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-01-19
CHAPTER XI.
SOME INDICATION OF A CHANGE.

SOME INDICATION OF A CHANGE.
is there any one whom you would like to in
Vie, Anne 2! said Mrs. Webster.
'You know, madam said Anne Earnest, in re-
| ply, sthat have few or no friends beyond this
house; and yet there is one whom l would like to
see here, if her presence would be agreeable to
you.'
And who is that, Anne 2
| 1T is Mrs. Anderson. You have seen her here
frequently, and have often heard you speak kind
ly Of her.
L will invite her; and she shall be truly well
cone,' said Mrs. Webster. THE more see of
her the more she pleases me. She seems chang
ing fest; and changing by the constant activity of
good principles. Affecting circumstances have done
much for her. Would you like to have her sisters
! invited =
No. madam Such distinction would only
infame their false pride. Mrs. Anderson will only
find encouragement from it, and it will strengthen
her in the performance of her duties. Ifeel much
interested in her, for she is struggling alone with
many oppostions, without and within. Her sis
tes despise her, and treat her with all manner of
unkindness. An invitation from you may alter
their estimation of her real character, and change
their conduct towards her,
Il like your suggestion very much, Anne,' re-
piled Mrs. Webster. There are few precepts
more binding upon than that which teaches US
to help those who struggling against .heir evils
Her father has become much reduced of late,
understand 2
He is now,' said Anne, reduced so low as to
leave his family entirely dependent upon his daily
| efforts for subsistence. All of his property is
gone. But this, in my view is not his only mis-
fortune. Except in Mrs. Anderson, doubt if he
has an individual in his fumiy who feels Cor him any
| true sympathy
Than that. Anne, should think there could
be DO greater misfortune
And yet, Mrs. Webster, it is one consequent
upon his own negect.of the true interests of his
family. Like too many others, he allowed his
daughters TO grow up in idIeness, and in the vain
pursuit of pleasure in dress and dissipation. In
stead of teaching them, that only while in the per-
| formance of duties to others are we in the right
sphere of action, they were left to draw the too
prevailing conclusion that others were TO minister
to their pleasures. INDUCED in everything, is it
any wonder that, in the end, an inordinate selfish
desire should be formed that could not in any de-
gree sympathze with another, especially when
theiro sources of false pleasure were suddenly
cut off At present owing to the darkness of
their internal perceptions through sefshness they
are unable to look upon their fathers misfortunes
in any other light than affecting themselves
and can even censure him for mismanagement in
his business, and consequent injustice to them.'
/ Surely said Mrs. Webster, in surprise you
must be mistaken in supposng them SO utterly lost
to every genuine impulse of true feeling
;. wish, for their and their fathers sake, it
were onlyan imaginary conclusion replied Anne.
/ have too often heard them express themselves
in reference to their father in way that justifes
my remark, even if did not know, as l do, that
they feel and speak as have intimated
How true is it, remarked Mrs Webster.
'sthat wrong beginning, if not corrected makes
nn evil ending. But, Anne, to change the subject;
l hope you and Mr.. Ilerton have concluded to re-
main here after your marriage. Icaunot part with
you at least for time.'
Il don't know what his intentions are, Mrs.
Webster replied Anne, 'for we have not con-
versed upon the subject But as far as am con-
cerned, nothing would crafty me more than to re-
main with you. We will spend few weeks, you
know, in Virginia, with Mr.. Ilerton's family, and
when we return, we shall, of course, be glad to
find our home here, until other arrangements can
be made
Look upon it my dear child, as your own homo
as much as if it were your mothers house, said
Mrs Webster, in a voice that slightly trembied.-
And, after your husband, let me claim the next
place in your affections
Never, while I live, my dear madam, replied
Anne, with emotion, can l forget your kindness
aad your love. In my heart, your place is next to
that of my own dear Mother
No higher place can desire to hold, Anne
The mother, who so steadily, under prvations and
toll, continued TO sow the seed and water the ten
der plants of good principles in your mind, should
ever be first in your affections
20, Mrs. Webster she was woman pure in
heart and upright in intention 1 wish you had
known her, Annes voice was broken with emo
;, ton.
I'VE would have been frends, Anne, had we
known each other truly. But it was OF Providence
chat this should not occur
1t was Mrs. Webster, and that Providence is
wise and good
Il need hardly tell you my dear child, that only
in such an acknowledgement is there true happi-
ness to be found. This lesson you have long since
learned.'
: Not SO perfectly replied Anne, but that it
will Dear frequent repetition. We are too much