Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-10-28
An Incident of my Childhood.
..,rrNr1rn FROM FOURTH pAeE.1

we'll say here though scarcely necessary
al Of nv story that was an adopted
he large family of my aunt. She was
nd had been so ever since had lived with
~ as will be supposed, was an orphan She
T. her own right good income, though she on
aid in trust for her elder son the substantial ma
srm on which we resided was not poor IN
nos in some sort an heiress: and Mr. Eli
cunts honored friend and her husbands
ny was Joint guardian over me with herself.
k, brought up to fear and reverence him
= Tt te"gbt me to love him. My degradation in
o,os was the bitterest drop in my selfmixed
F. entered the hall, my aunt came out to meet
nc md took me with her into another room. 'sNla-
e. sbn said you are to take your place at the
IL with MS as usual for the present have spo-
~ vour guardian about you, but scarcely know
e. we NAV finally decide upon in the matter
nv are 100 old to be whipped or sent to bed but
ab Won are 10 be suffered to come among US,
"a moi saw we shall never feel for you as we once
or if we seem to do so, it will be because we
rot Your sin iustifes constant mistrust tor
mart. can never think OF you as before under
e. ~ circumstances, | am afraid | don't think
pgbt. even if it were possible But now, come in
. I want no tea," said bitterly. AZ can't see
5r Ellison Oh :! need he have known it z"
g Mabel" was the answer it would have been
hotter had you feared the lie as you fear its dscov
nat down on a chair, and leaned my head on
,,bIe near had not word to say for myself, or
orains, the treatment adopted My aunt wo-
man of severe rectiude, and had brought Us all up
With deep solicitudr, and, believe, prayerful care
She thought living an almost objectionable sin, for
she looked upon it as proof of nearly hopeless NOR
al deprayity and my falsehOod had been an aggra-
waited one Many, with less strict sense of my de-
lnuuency, might have been more severe. | could
not blame her AT least" l said, you won't
make me come in Z"
" No." she replied, and went back to the parlor.
went up stairs to my bedroom, where spent the
rest of the evening No inquiries were made after
me- When it grew dark, | undresSed and threw
mygelfint bed | offered no prayer for Gods for
civeness mine was not much penitence re-
morse Had been who had blasted his
nospects in life by the commission of some deadly
SIM would scarcely have felt morally lost,
more hopeless about the future. My aunt had rep
resented my sin in appalling colors, and my whole
previous education and turn of mind made me feel
it, turpitude strongly the possibility of repairing
it had not been urged upon me, but rather denied
thought it would color and prejudice my whole az
ter life, that had lost cast forever.
scarcely slept at all, and got up mentally sick
physically worn out. | dared not stay away from,
the breakfast table, so made haste to be first down
stairs. The windows of our pleasant morning room
we're open there had been rain during the night,
ard it was one of those fresh laughing mornings
which felt should have so enjoyed once. Once!
yes, it was n long time ago. The whole aspect of
the apartment within, of refreshed nature without,
had eminently pleasant effect; Or rather, tho't
it would have to other eyes. | took seat in the
shade had dim idea q knew not whether it
we're hope or dread) that Mr.. Ellison might come
in before the others; but he did not. He and my
amt came in together, and they closely follow
ed by the children.
He man of about fifty years of age, with a
figure and cOuntenance which, in youth might have
4 i CT.
y from what | suppose were the effects of time to be
30 He had too, air of gravity and retcence,
which rather oppressed stranger unacquainted
gth the minute sympathies, the comprehensive be-
levolenCe it vailed.
He came up to me where sat detected and hum
bed and held out his hand. To my surprise, and, |
pay say, to my exquisite PAIN he spoke to me much
usual could almost have thou ght more tender
II than usual. dared not look up as murmured
ny inaudIble answer. My aunt gave me chilling
good-morning;" my young cousins looked at me
fhyIy but did not speak No one spoke to me Dur
ng breakfast except my guardian, and he only in
Connection with the courtesies of the table and not
being able to bear this crept out of the room as
boon as | dared 1t was the same at every other
neal and all the intervals between spent alone,
msought, unquestiOned, suffering a fiery trial
Don't dwell on the details of my experience that
pay; have suffered much since, but God knows,
l neyer more However, as may be supposed, ] slept
little that night, for nature would bear up no Ion
Der.
The next day came breakfast had passed as be-
Oe and, as before, was stealing out of the room
Fhen my guardian called me back
90! you want to talk to Mabel" said my aunt, 81
pill leave you alone together"
But Mr.. Ellison begged earnestly that she would
lemaln and, to my bitter regret, she consented.
et now there would be no hope for me. He then
placed chair for mo, and coming up to where
food sinking with shame near the door, led me
gently to it. You too forbearng my dear sir, ,
fge1 my aunt: she Is not any longer entitled t
'uch Kindness
She is not :" he returned with bitter sigh ant
hen addressing me: " Mabel, are you truly sorr,
pr this sin of yours ~
The accent of generous sympathy with which tn
ords we're spoken wrought upon me. "Sorry!"
pied in an agony 9 I'm miserable shall Away
miserable! Every one will despse me all my lf
England oh, meant to be so good!'
My guardian took seat beside me. "And now,
asked, you will give up trying!'
looked up eagerly. where would be the use!
sad " A lar'-the word seemed to burn m,
ps but would say it, for | half feared he did no
pow the worst" looses her character once forever
one will trust me again respect me
w. It's dreadful" | shuddered instinctively
Then what is to follow = asked Mr.. Ellison
all effort to be given up, and this dark spot t
read TIL 1t intects your whole character Ar
duties to be neglected because you have failed ii
~ anu are you 10 I'VE on, perhaps TO TOUR score
H."
Pardon my interrupting you, MIR. Ellison in
tfPosed my aunt; e but this is scarcely the way
eat my niece. You will make her think lightly
Pc dreadful sin she has committed she will fame
or compnnctOn extreme, whereas no repentenc
10 be sufficient. Don't try to soften her presen
Presson. would have her carry with her to tn
ave the salutary sense she seems to have of wha
be has done"
too,' said my guardian fervently, "woul
1c i, her lesson she would never forget but