Spirit of the age., 1853-05-04


was thought to be dying when he was sent
for N~-~-
Mr.. Ware was a tall, spare man, with
dark hair and eyes. and pale, grave face.
When he first entered the apartment Laura
felt sort of awe of his presence, but her
fears fled away before the sweet, benevolent
smile that broke over his countenance as he
met and embraced his daughter. When she
was introduced TO his notice, he stopped and
kissed her smooth round cheek, saying a
few kind words that sank deep in her mind
because Of the reverence she felt. Then they
all went out to tea, and Mr.. Ware told them
poor Robert jones was dead. This an
nouncement brought sad and serious ex-
preston to each face, for they all knew the
deceased, and his reckless course in the down
ward road to ruin had been made the sub
iect Of conversation in the family. Aud now
the father sought to improve the occasion Of
his untimely aud melancholy end, to Inn
press lesson on the minds Of his children.
1t is but few years. he said, since
Robert was the pride and JOY Of his widow.
eel mother, who looked to him as the comfort
AID support of her old age, and now that
mother is left dcSolate and heart Broken, re
/ fusing to be comforted. Robert learned tC
find delight in the company Of the gay anc
thoughtless. lie turned aside the gentle
warnings and remonstrances Of his parent
saying his strength Of will was sufficient tC
keep him fronftenp;ation and danger. Bu
/ those who boast the loudest of their owl
strength are often the first to fall t.; and so i
proved in Roberts case. He was led or
step by step until he was dismissed by hi
employer as no longer worthy Of confidence
then he became common drunkard. Bu
he possessed a generous, sensitive nature, auC
in his sober moments his remorSe and shame
were great, leading him to make many et
forts to reform. A year ago he signed th'
pledge, and, trusting ia the strength Of neV
resolutions, he left for distant city, in pur
suit of employment. For a time he mad
glad the trusting heart Of his mother, VIII
believed permanent reformation had takel
place in her son. Bot, alas Her fonC
hopes were doomed to be crushed A feV
weeks ago her cherished son was brough
home to her, wrecked in body and mind
and now she weeps over him in her grea
agony, u, he lays there with his senses for
ever bound in that sleep which knows n
waking
The solemn pause which followed this sa,
tfeyiew Of the Young meme li;ets.r,', 'Uashre
ken 10y Mrs. Ware, who asked
Have you hope in his death, my hu;
: band :!
I'VE saw no ray of reason, through a
! his dreadful disease, sufficient to guide us
+ knowledge of the state Of his mind. b
G God is good aud merciful, and many earne
J. petitions have been offered for him
g In the fervent prayers which that mig
ascended from the sacred altar Of that mini
1t ter's home, the lone and stricken widow W
a, tenderly remembered; aud there was war
| response to the supp,ications III the soften,
heart Of each one Of the little group gatlre
"a ed around.
d Mr.. Ware brought before the minds Of
le children such scenes as this, that they mig
+ see life as it really is, and be prepared
TX the snares and temptations, the trials a
m crosses which sooner or later surround t
II path of all. lie wishes them to know a
Is share the sorrows Of Others, and if contemp
T. ting pictures Of woe and distress held th
ir iovous feelings in occasional restraint, who
p some thought was thereby produced, a
they were more purely happy, because
n selfish in their aims and desires. And vt
" happy, and supremely bIest was the low
ic family in the minds Of which Laura M;
tn land did indeed feel herself at home.
v some of the members will come forwi
lis ayair in the course OF our story, let me g
lg Il brief description.
ld The parents and Isabel, the first born, h
been introduced to the reader. Richard
lat thirteen. a noble, generous boy, high spirl
ye and trife wayward, but never rebelf(
elf never guilty Of the smallest fault that
sat not quickly atoneG for. Next is Anna,
ne. Laura's age, fir and delicate, and pure
em the lily Of the valley, with 4 smile and
he word ever on her lip, and with her hands
Id er busy in some act Of love or work of use
Dus ness. Then there was Lucy, with her sp;
the ling eyes aud flowing riugIets, the viii
lch and merriest Of them all, and the one neeC
len most restraint and Maria, whose |;
ice, thoughtful oros and expressive features
Of wealed intelligence beyond her years,
ate, promised character earnest and etici
ira when it should be fully developed Jal
the plump. rosy, frolic>ome boy Of four y
'me was the youngest, and the darling pet
the care Of all the Others, and they were
she bound together as one great heart, in
her sweet ties Of sympathy and love.
ess- Laura was admitted to a full share O
EN- pleasures and employmerts, the atten
her and instructions Of the young member
the the family. and she saw much in the h
hold and in the quiet village, that serve
! at awaken her curiosity and keep her thor
our and feelings protitably occupied. She "
are ed, for the first time, the process Of mi
bells and making butter, and Of making
and pies and cakes. She assisted the
r ar girls TO gather from the garC.en and
ticed ward the seeds which they neatly pu
uliar each kind by itself, in labeled parcels,
She laid away to await the coming of an
was spring. When the days were fine
e she would all trip away over the brown an
n her ked fields, and through tue fading, da
woods, which were made to ring with
er as merry laughter. When the weathe
new not hermit them TO po abroad, Mrs.