Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-09-10

altainable goodness. And when Mr.. Neville
came among us, with his high, pale forehead,
and soul kindiing eye, We had thought his
face also "the face of an angel"-too glorious |,
for the print Of mortal passionl Es, etially
after, in answer to an urgent call from the
people among whom he was aboring, he had
frankly told them that his purpose was not to
remain among them, or anywhere on his ma
tive shcre: that he only waited the guidance
Of Providence to home in foreign cline
After this much bewaed disclosure of bis
plans, we placed our favorite preacher on a
higher pinace of sainlship.
But Sister Ellen was to be married-and
married TO Mr.. Nevillel And then-"Oh sis
ter, you are not going away to lndia!' burst
from our lips with fresh gush of sobs.
was first to look up iuto Ellen's troubled
face. II was heaving with emotions that ruff
fled its calmness, as the tide-waves ruflle the
sea. Her lips were firmly compressed; her
eyes were fixed ON some distant dream glass
ed with two tears, that stood still in their
chalices, forbidden to fall. almost trembled
as | caught her glance
Sisters! Agnes-Emilyl" she exclaimed,
in husky whisper. Hush! be calm! Don't
bre ak my heart! Do l love home less
than"
The effort was too much; the words died
on her lips We lifted her TO the bed, frigt
ened into forgetfulness Of our own grief We
soothcd her, until she, too, wept freely and
passionately, and, in weeping, grew strong for
the sacrifice 20 which she had pledged her
heart
We never spoke another word of remon-
STRANGE to her tender heart; though often, in
the few months that fitted BY us togeth-
er, we used to choke with sohbng, in some
speech that hinted of the coming separation,
and hurry from her presence TO cry alone.
Onr mother had told US the tidings, with
white lips that treubled tendery and sadly
No love is So uniformly uuseIfsh as a mothers
surely for, though she had leaned on Ellen
as the strong staff Of her declining years, she
sorrowed nd, as we did, that she was going
She was too happy in the thought that her
child Lad found that pear! of great PRICE III
i'll cold rnd evil worId-a true noble, low
tas heart, le guide and protect her.
Father sat silent IN the chimney corner
reading in the large family Bible. He was
10 king farther Than any uf us--to the pc is
tho would environ his dearest daughter aud
tHC plNhllpuS t'IHt S''hO upOh hSi
younu life, in thai unhealthy, unciviIized cor.
ner vi the globe, whither she was going. But
buth Of our parents had ded Gated their chill
dren at The baptism Il shrine, when God first
lent the priceless gus; and they would moi
cast even a shadow ON the path Of selfsacri
hoe and duty their darling Ii chosen.
To come down to the unromanc little de
tails Of wedding preparation how we sutch
, ed and trimmed, packed and preparedness
we stoned ralslns, with tears in our eyes, anC
seasoned the wedding cake with sighs Bu
there is little use in thinking over these things
Ellen was first and foremost in all, as she al
ways had been in every emergency, great o
small Nothing could be made without hcT
, Even the brides cake was taken from the ov
!, en by her own hands, because no one-ser
y vant sister, nor even mother was willing t
run the possible risk of burning sister Ellen
bride cake; and she knew Just how much t
IT,"
:. We were not left alone in our labors; fc
S Ellen had been loved by more than the home
N roof sheltered. Old and young, poor an
rich, united in bringing their gifts, regrets an
# blessings, To the chosen champion OF the pas
- tor they were soon To lose. Thore is some
!. thing in the idea of missionary life rhat toucl
If es the sympathy every heart that Mammo
n has not too long scared 10 see one wit
, sympalhies and refnements like our own ren
e the strong ties that bind 20 country and hom
T. comfort and civilization, for the good {
T. the lost and degraded heather, bring
f. too strongly into reliei, by contrast, the sci
$ ishness OF most human lives led among ii
,. gaieties and luxuries of Time.
The day, the hour, came. The ship W;
to sail from B on the ensuing week an
a it must take away an idol
ry She stood up in the village church, that q
1T who loved and longed for another sight
I'd her sweet face face, might look upon her, an
Ell spoke the simple words that should link hear
IN for eternity. We sisters stood all around he
er but not too near; for our hearts were eve
ly flowing and we could not wear the happy
O. ces that should grace a train of bridesmaid
er She had cheerad us through the day, wi
he sunshine from her own heart, and even viii
So we were arraying her in her simple viii
ur muslin, like lamb for sacrifice, she chart
ed ed out thoughts into cheerfulness 1t SCENE
like some dream of fairy land, and she Il
y embodiment Of grace and lovness, acting Il
m, The dream changed 10 far different realit
1e when, at the door of her mothers room, 81
nd put her hand into that of Henry Neville. al
nd lifted her eyes with look that said, "Whe
g, thou goest will 60, even from all beside
ok Tears fell fast in that assembly; thous
ok the good old matrons tried TO smile, as tn,
.r pressed around her, to bless her and bid h
ne good bye. A little girl, in a patched b
Ist clean frock, pushed forward, with boquet
lie wild violet and strawberry blossoms in h
he hand
ht "iIere, Miss Nelly-pIease Miss Nelly
OF she cried, half laughing, half sobbing,"I pic
Dk ed them on purpose for you"
he Ellen stopped and kissed the little Gag
il face The child burst intb tears, and caug
,r the folds of her dress, as though she wou
ly havs ouied her face there But slron
of armed woman mindful of the brides atti
Sc snatched the child away.
ID sand for what would ye be whimpering