Spirit of the age., 1853-06-01

Leigh did not despisethe gold. He knew
it could be used to CRAFTY pure and ennobling
tastes as we'll as low ind degrading, and he
valued it now as mems of bestowing happi-
ness on others, and B. resolved to scatter
blessings in his path IS he had once left mis-
cry and sorrow.
From his accumu kted pile, he laid aside
a snug fortune to bel presented as wedding
gift to Laura. For himself and the remain
ing members Of his elmily, he purchased
few acres Of beautifb bly situated land on the
borders of the villa9, and erected thereon a
neat and tasteful nEnsion. Here
"Far from the madting crowds ignoble strife"
He resolved to spend the remainder Of his
days, dividing his time with peacefui agri~
cultural pursuits, his family, his books, and
few choice ends.
Less than year after Herbert's return,
Laura stood ia her bridal robes. The bril-
liant Lucy Ware laid aside her mourning
garb TO act as bridesmaid for her cousin, and
an eminent young physician ofthe village
whom reports said was to be Lucy's future
husband-was her partner on the occa.ion.
Laura assembled all her choice and valued
friends to witness her happy union with the
noble and gifted Lindley Morrison, who was
rapidly rising to fame in his native town and
State. Mrs. Leigh joyfully, though not with
out tears, gave her dear daughter into the
keeping Of the man she knew every way
worthy Of her esteem and love.
A single vague fear damped the spirits o
the happy bride about to depart for, her new
home. She noticed that her step-father, a.
he became more and more surrounded by
the amenities Of social life, recalled all the
sparkling vii and agreeable fascination o
manner that had greatly contributed to hi;
early fall, and she trembed for his resolution
and for the happiness Of the dear ones sht
was leaving She did notspeak her thoughts
but when she gave Herbert her hand a
parting, he interpreted her earnest and anx
ious look. Bowing his head before her, he
said
Laura you fear for me, and am not sur
prised that YOU do. You remember the da,
when you first held my precious boy in you
arms, and how, while you bent over him s
rapturously, I charged you to be kind to hin
whatever should betidc Then was grad
ually sinking downward and l made no ef
fort to avert my fall. And even after wa
aroused to a sense of my responsibility, trus
ing in my own strength, stumbled on, an
might have stumbled on over broken resolr
tons, to the end of my days, had not you
sweet forgiyng spirit, and your example {
selfsacricing devotion pointed me to asourc
;, Of stren.ethss which .aopght Alright, is neFe
sought III vain. | have craven on my soul th
passage Let him that thnketh he stanc
eth, take heed lest he fal,' and with til
warning within me- andwith growing hop
: Of joys above, may | not safely yield to ii
joy springing from the pure earthly source
which God made you the instrument Of +
f serving for me? 2
Laura was satisfied, and amid the ric
blessings called down on her head, she 70
= lowed the lover Of her youth. Now the s.
: ciety Of the happy pair is sought by all Il
e choice spirits in the vicinity Of their abod
f The lovely Isabel is the wife of Mrs. L,
rings only son, and Mrs. Loring, warned |
It declining health and warning years, has r
1 iinquished the responsible dnties Of her {
= fee, and devolved them OF her children.
The merry and generous Kate Halsey
Is also wife and mother, and from her hon
in distant city, she frequently writes
r Laura, pouring out, from the overllowing fl
n ness Of her heart, a gushing tide of joyo
| thoughts, andrwarm, genial feelings.