Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-09-10


"God bless you! my daughter, y
was the faint response of Mrs. Dane
"you have made my last hour happy
the Almighty bless you !"
That blessing sank deep into the
heart of Ellen.
Pale and fearful, Ellen Dane turn
cd away from her mothers grave-nt
longer child. but woman, with d
worpan's duties and responsibilitie!
resting upon her. Her young hear
was strong within her; but unaccus
toned to struggle with the world
what could she do7 Whittier could
she direct her stepsl Her fathers
brother offered her home in his fam.
lily, but he didn's want the boy, he
had quite enough of his own. Anoth.
er relative, in 4 distant State, propn.
,ed adopting her brother, but Ellen
declined, knowing bu, too well he
would be 10 him not kind protector,
but harsh and cruel master.
Ellen had heard Of a far.oif place,
where many Of her own sex gained
humble but honest livelihood, by the
labor of their hands, and she resol.
we'd to seek it. She, therefore, sold
the wreck of their property, and, ia.
king with her her brother, then but
nine years of age, she bent her way
to the Granite State;" entering the
noted manufacturing town d..
There, with q strong, hopeful heart,
though feeble hand, she toiled day
after day, week after week, feeling
well repaid for every pain. every pri.
valion, by the increased strength and
hcalthful bloom Of her youthful
charge; who carly cviaced unusual in
,elligcnce. and thirst for knowledge.
which she was resolved should be
gratifed.
A year passed slowly by, and found
her still toiling on. Not even the
voice of love, so dear to her woman's
heart, could lure her from that lowly
path. A manly form sought her side,
manly voice wooed her; yet, though
her loving heart plead strongly i'll his
favor, she swerved not. -H
"I cannot leave my brother was
her firm reply. as he warmly urged
his suit. "Nor can consent to bring
10 my husband q double sbnrthcn: =
vainly he argued that she had done
her duty by him; that it was not
right for her to sacrifice her health
and every hope Of happiness to his
advancement. Vainly did he por.
tray, in glowing colors, tho light of
a happy home, the comforts with
which he would surround her; she
was firm.
"Bnt your health is failing, Ellen
ho said, earnestly. "Your feeble
frame will sink under such unremit-
ting toll. You will die, and then what
will become of hint"
A slight flush passed over her pale
cheek. and her eyes beamed with a
nure holy lipht. as she raised them to
Heaven. "God will temper the wind
to the shorn lamb" she murmured.
The Father Of the fatherless will
be with him. | will not lorsake him
as long as live."
In the selfshness of his soul, he
spoke Of his own blighted hopes, re.
preaching her for giving pain to a
heart SO devoted to her.
Ellen was strongly moved-the
tears sprang to her eyes. But firmly
repressing her emotion, she calmly
said, "You have a strong arm, u pleas
ant home, and many friends. He has
only mel will not leave him." And
SO they parted.
"She is incapable of loving" he
exclaimed bitterly, to himself, as he
turned away; utterly hear,less."
Hear,less Had he seen that pale
brow, heard tha, low wall of anguish
the touching prayer that asccnded
from her lips to the Great Father, du-
ring the still watches Of that night.
would he have deemed her heartless ?
AT lastly the most rigid economy,
Ellen gained the summit Of hor am.
bition, which was to place her brother
at school, in neighboring State. Al
lowing herself 10 rest, no relaxation,
she surrounded him with every COM
fort her slender means would allow.
Denying herself every mental advan-
tage, she afforded him every facility
Aor study, carefully concealing from
,lim the toll and privations they cost
,er.
The departure of her brother, left
, Allcn, as it were, alone; yet, she was
t alone. Hc was still with her,
lon whose st:ong arm she had ever
tned with the confding trust of
D kldhood.
Three, four, FIVE years passed slow
, tround, yet she still pursued her
! Jet way-the report of her broth
! rapid progress in his studies, the
: dy talent he exhibited, filling her
Aid heart with joy, and cheering
! b path of toll. And, though her
, nj brow grew still paler, and her