The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-29

our eyes and ears had ever been open to
the fact, we could never have suspected
the minister to be guilty of such plot a.
gainst our peace That name was asso-
ciated, in our minds, with all that was su-
perhuman. The gray-haired pastor, who
had gone to his grave six months previous,
had sat as frequently on that same oaken
arm chair. and talked as kindly with U.S.
We had loved him as father and friend
and had almost worshipped him as the en-
bodiment Of all attalnable goodness. And
when Mr.. Neville came among US, with
his high. pale forehead, and soul-kindling
eye, we had thought his face also "the face
of an angel''-too glorious for the print Of
mortal passion ! Especially after, in an
swer to an urgent call from the people a.
mong whom he was laboring. he had Fl ank
ly told them that his purpose was not to re-
main among them, or anywhere on his ma
live shore that he only awaited the guild
ance of Providence to home in a foreign
cline. After this much-bewailed disclo
sure Of his plans, we placed our favorite
preacher on higher pinnacle OF saint
ship.
But Sister Ellen was to be married-and
married to Mr.. Neville! And then-"Oh
sister, you are not going away to India J"
burst from our lips, with a fresh gush Of
sobs.
was the first to look up into Ellen's
troubled face. 1t was heaving with emo
tions that ruffled its calmness, as the tide
waves ruff1e the sea. Her lips were firmly
compressed her eyes were fixed on some
distant dream, glassed with two tears, that
stood still in their chalices, forbidden to
fall | almost trembled as caught her
glance.
Sisters! Agnes-Emly!" she exclaim.
ed, in husky whisper. Hush be calm
Don't break 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,
frightened into forgetlulness of our own
grief We soothed her, until she, too.
wept freely and passionately, and, in weep
ing. grew strong for the sacrifice to 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 sobbing, in some
ton, and hurry from her presence to cry
alone.
Our mother had told US the tidings, with
white lips that quivered tenderly and sadly.
No love is so uniformly unsel6sh as a
mothers. surely; for, though she had lean.
ed on Ellen as the strong staff of her de-
clining years, she sorrowed not, aswe did,
that she was going. She was too happy.
in the thought that her child had found
that pearl Of price" in cold and evil
world--a true, noble, loving heart, to guide
and protect her.
Father sat silent in-the chimney corner.
reading in the large family Bible. He was
looking farther than any Of us--to the per-
lis that would environ his dearest daughter
and the privations that might CONE upon
her young life, in that unhealthy, uncivil-
lied corner Of the globe, whittier she was
going. But both our parents had dedica-
ted their children at the baptismal shrine,
when God first lent the priceless gifts and
they would not cast even shadow on the
path OF selfsacri6oe and duty their darling
had chosen.
To come down to the unromantic little
details of wedding reparation-how we
stitched and trimmed. packed and pre-.
pared-how we stoned rasins, with tears
| in our eyes, and seasoned the wedding
cake with signs. But there is little use in
thinking over these things. Ellen was frs,
and foremost in all, as she had always
been in every emergency, great or small
Nothing could be made without her. Even
the BRIDES cake was taken from the oven
by her own hands, because no one--ser-
want, sister, nor even mother-was willing
TO run the possible risk Of burning sister
Ellen's bride cake; and she "knew jusi
how to bake it ~
We were not left alone in our labors; fol
Ellen had been loved by more than the
home roof sheltered. Old and young, poo.
and rich, united in bringing their gifts, re-
pion Of the pastor they were soon to lose
There is something in the idea ofmission
ary life that touches the sympathy Of eve
ry heart which Mammon has not too long
scared. To see one, with sympathies ane
refinements like our own, rend the strong
ties that bind to country and home, com
fort and civilization, for the good Of the
lost and degraded heather, brings toe
strongly into relief, by contrast, the selfish
ness Of most human lives led among the
gaities and luxuries of Time.
/! The day. the hour came The ship wa.
to sail from B. on the ensuing week
and it must take away an idol.
;, She stood up in the village church. tina
all who loved her, and longed for anothe
sight of her sweet face, might look upor
her, and spoke the simple words that shoult
link hearts for eternity. We sisters stood
all around her, but not too near; for on
hearts were overfowing and we could no
wear the happy faces that should grace
r train of bridesmaids. She had cheered u
J through the day, with sunshine from ne
$ own heart, and even while we were array
j ing her in her simple white muslin, like
; lamb for sacrifice, she had charmed ou
: thoughts into cheerfulness. ltseemed lik
} some dream Of fairy land, and she the em
;. tbodiment Of grace and loyeliness, actin
f the part of some Queen Titania for a littl
s. while. The dream changed to far diff
j; erent reality, when, at the door other moth
.er's room, she put her hand into that {