The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-25
THE TEMPTED.

THE TEMPTED.
i don't believe brother will be here tonight
that l don'r,'- said little Mary Norwood, rubbing
her eyes that wnked and ached from gazing SO
long from the window. i won't love him if he
don't; such pretty bright night too
You bad better go to bed, my child,' said Mrs.
Norwood. smoothing down her waywarI ringlets,
you are getting very sleepy, nnd Augustus will
not be here minute sooner from your watching.
No but want to see my doll he's going to
bring me- and besides am not hit sleepy. moth
err and she opened her round blue eyes to their
widest limits to prove the truth of her assertion.
Il don't believe Augustus would know Mary if
he saw her any where else,' said Harriet Nor
wood, looking lovingly on her little sister, "she
has grown SO much, aud altered too, within the
last two years.
He would know those big blue eyes of hers
any where answered her mother, smiling, 'es-
pecially when she puts on that round look as he
used to call it. hope he will not be changed, but
bring back the same sunny countenance and inge-
nuous smile, that distinguished his face from
thousand He aoiH, if he has preserved the sun
shine of his heart undiuined, and its fountains
pure from corruption. There are SO many tempt
atoms in a large city, have sometimes trembled
for him, considering his youth, and the proneness
of the human heart to wander from the straight
and narrow path into the wide road that leads to
ruin.
oh, mother said Harret warmly, i know he
is the same. Such an affectonate disposition and
ardent feelings as his, united with such upright
principles and such high sense of honor, could new
er change SO soon. would scarcely be afraid to
stake my life on his neorrupted integrity
Rose Soners could not have defended him
with more warmth replied Mrs. Norwood, sm-
ling at Harriets glowing cheek and earnest
countenance, but you little know mother heart,
you think there is not eloquent an advocate
in his behalf pleading in my breast as yours
'Hark! exclaimed little Mary jumping up eager
ly and running again to the window, Z hear bells
how sweet they jingle it's brother know
Mrs. Norwood and Harriet followed the rapid
footsteps of Mary, and gazed abroad upon the
pure expanse of snow. that, scarcely yet tracked
by the footsteps of man, sllone white and dazzling
in the moonlight. light sheet had fallen during
tbs latter part of the day. and the sun, to Mary 8
bitter grief had gone down in clouds; but after a
while the moon was seen paIely struggling through
them, then lining and edging them with briteniDg
silver, till at length they melted in her deepening
radiance, and she looked down, unveiled and glori-
Gus, on ofthe most beautiful scenes of the uni
verse-a wide landscape covered with smooth,
undrfted snow that reflected its white lustre back
through the cold still air-and looked so sweet and
pure, one might forget in gazing that sin or sor-
row had marred SO fair a world. Mary:s quick
ear had not deceived her-the merry jingling of
bells was distinctly heard; they rung faster and
faster. nearer and nearer-a sleigh covered with
sweeping buffalo skins came dashing up to the door,
| young msn sprang out, and wac welcomed at the
Threshold by three-fold embrace, and smiles and
tears mingled together like April shower, and
still those clasping arms were around him when
he stood by the blazing hearth, whose ruddy light
contrastedi beautifully with the cold spIendor
abroad. .st = zss5i So si,s s5.. Z - s.. l.. .1t
/ .Hew well you look, Augustus, said his mother,
as soon as she could speak, for deep joy is never
| loquacious. I- l5- IN
! And you too, dear mother; you never looked
SO young; and what shall say ofttle Mary here,
whom left no higher than my knee?'
.Aint grown tall, brother?' cried she, standing
on tip toe, and trying stretch out her little short,
fat neck.
Yes said he, laughing. and lifting her in his
arms as he apoke, .and those round blue eyes
have the same particular look of astonishment l
always loved to excite
| He pressed her warm rosy cheek against his
| cold one, while his mother warmed his chilled
hands in hers; and Harriet took off his osty cloak,
and drew his chair close to the glowing FIRE.
There is no place like home,' exclaimed he,
looking round him with glistentrg eye. "A well
come like this would repay one for long life's
lie. feel as if | were a boy once more, might
almost say girl, for girls softness is stealing
over my heart .-,. s.-
He bent his head over Mary's faxen ringlets,
and she thought the snowfakes that powdered
his hair were melting in drops her cheeks
She took this favorable opportunity of whispering
in his ear very particular questions about the
dolls in the city, which received the best practi
cal answer in the world, in the appearance of a
waxen doll half as large as herself, which could
open and shut its eyes, and which put her into
such an ecstacy of joy and admiration it is doubt.
ful whether she slept during the whole night
His mother and Harriet, too, had each their re-
spective gifts, testimonies Of affection whose value
can only be known and priced by those who have
felt the warmth of such psieome home.
Havn't you brought something pretty for Rose
tool' said Mary. Don't you want to see Rose
1 Somers!'