Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-03-01
The TsclnAssee or the store The Task Of Amy
Williams.

WiiiiaGfs.
The FIRE glowed relly in the crate, and il
cheerful light revealed the ncainess an
comforts Of the little room occupied by hrs
Williams. 1t was tie chamber Of an invalid
The sunken cheek. hollow eye, and hecti
cough OF her who sat in Tie easy armchair
told that cousumption's blighting hand hat
marked another victim for the grave. Th,
sufferer, who had scarcely reached the meri
dian of life, moved resslcssly, and occasion
ally groan escaped her lips; but, in gen
cral, patient resignation was the expression
Of her pale countcnancc. The storm was
bowling without, and the large rain ratified
against the windows. twas a dreadful night
Yet Amy Williams had not returned from the
store.
"My poor child my poor child !" several
times escaped from Mrs. Williams, telling the
anxiety of her heart. Suddenly, there was d
rustling at the door, and as Mrs. Williams
turned herhead, Amy, wearieti and drenched
with rain, entered tie room. She made an
effort to smile, but it failed, and she burst
into tears, exclaining
"Oh mother, mother how glad am that
night has come again p And then she brush
ed away her tears. ssWhat child I an, -
Fla, ha And the poor girl strove to laugh
to convince her mother that she was happy.
s'Kiss me, Amy, and then. change your
dress as quick as possible, or you will get
eoid,o said her mother.
s.True, mother. God, in his good provi-
dence, save me from disease till my task be
accomplished -. She kissed her suffering
parent, and then retired for fesg minutes to
change her dress When she returned, her
mother saw that she had beon crying again.
"Come here, Amy, dear, bring your chair
close TO the FIRE, and tell me what has hap
pened to-day to make you grieve." Amy
mt down before the CRATE, but hesitated
moment before she spoke.
You know, motLer,Mr. Harblock, although
one of our distant relations, has treated ME
very tyranically ever since refused his offer
Of marriage. He seems to take peculiar
pleasure in resorting to every petty annoyance
which can render my position disagreeable.
know it is not right; but cold shudder
runs through my heart whenever that man
approaches me. To-day Mr.. Peagreen, who
il a silent partner in the concern, aud who
has often spoken kindly to me, came to the
counter and slipped note into my hand, be-
fore | could draw back. Here is the note.
You will see that it is very, very kind, that
he, young gentleman of wealth and high
position, offers me his hand and heart. But
you know that cannot and will not acco pit
it.o
"Why not, my child Mr.. Peagreen has
the reputation of being as good as he is rich,"
said Mrs. Williams. ssHe is, mother, very
good but do not love him that is nv
only reason" replied the girl ssBut to con-
tinue my story of the day: 1t happened that
Mr.. Harblock saw Mr.. Pcagreen give me
the note, and after that gentleman had left,
ho spoke to me very harshly, and as if had
been coquetting with all the young gentle
men who visit the store. Really mother, I
thought I should sink to the floor, he was 50
unkind."
Here Amy lot her sorrow have way in
tears, for awhile, aud then she continued. L.
"But | thought of you, so very, yerv Iii
and my poor fathers debts, which vowed
to pay, if toiled my life away ; and for
titude came to enable me to bear up against
all the trials ofu.y situation. Yet was, in
deed, very glad when the hour came for leav-
ing the store"
ut Is sad task for so delicate girl to
undertake, said Mrs. Williams, "But, Amy,
why could you not quit that store and get
situation in anotherl The change might not
be SO difficult as you imagine, and then, per-
haps he might be happy"
81 have often thought of that; but Mr..
harblock is cunning; he knows my situation,
and my task, and, by giving much larger
salary than | could get anywhere else, he
knows that he can hold me beneath his iron
rule, till | have accomplished my purpose.
But, indeed, mother, have much cause to
complain"
''Do try and be cheerful, Amy. / know
am great burden to you, but pain to- day
has told me that my time is short in this
world" said the suffering mother.
sob do not talk in that way my dear,
dear mother, for when you are gone, what
has Amy to live for? You are no burden
but blessing to me. See, | am cheerful
now. will forget the store, and all cares.
even that for which labor so hard.
Brave Amy Williams Your strength is
beyond that of giants--thc faithful courage
of the heart engaged in noble task. Bear
up yet awhile, for the light of success must
in tho end beam blessedly upon such a de :
voted soul. Smile, though the tears stirred
by your many harrassing trials should for a
time .overwhelm the effort. Forget the ty-
rannies OF Harblock, Burnem Il Co, and
think only Of the glorious triumph which
Heaven has prepared for the struggles of the
faithful child.
Hsy~T The richest genius. like the most fer
tile soil. when uncutivated, shoots up into