The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-25
RAVENNA, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 1854.


And how is Rose Somersl' asked he, endeav-
oring TO speak 10 tone OF unconcern. Has she
| forgotten her old schoolmate and friend?
i am afraid che is forgetting you, answered
little Mary, looking thoughtfuIy down, for when
asked her fhe other day if she did not want to see
you more than any body in the whole world, she
said if she were little girl like me perhaps she
would, She did not look glad either, for Il9eaw
the tears coming into her eyes when she said it,
Harriet smiled, but Augustus seemed infected
by Mary's sadness, aud remained silent for some
time, gazing steadfastly on the blazing hearth. Il
was then his mother had leisure to observe his
countenance, now in repose. and TO note the chan
ges two years had wrought. He was much thin
ner, aud she thought paer too, though the ftful
glow of the fire made it difficult to Judge of the
natural hue of his complexion. There was con :
traction of the brow and an indeseribable express
sion about the mouth. caused by slight qnsering
of the under lip, and the compression ofthe upper
This expression was the more remarkable iu him,
as bis face had ever been distinguished by its joyous
frankDess and yivacity. He looked up, and meet
ing his mothers mild and earnest gsze, seemed
conscious that she was reading tablet of unu,ter-
able thoughts; for, he reused himself from the alb
straetion in which he had fallen, and talked and
smiled as he was wont TO do in his more boyish
days. Before the hour for retiring came, Mrs.
Norwood drew small table near the fire. on
which the family bible was laid. Harriet placed
lamp at its side, and little Mary slid down from
her brothers knees, and took low CHAIR as if ac-
customed to more revarential attitude when lis
tening to the word of God.
My dear Augustus. said Mrs. Norwood in a
tremulous voice, this is the hour when we have
always most tenderIy and feeIingy remembered
you. We rever surrounded the family altar without
invoking blessings your head and praying that
you might be shielded from temptation and sorrow
If you still retain your love for this precious Book
and this haowed hour, shall feel that my pray
ers have been answered.
augustus did not answer, bnt he, opened the
book, slowly turned over the leaves .pausing and
then going on as if irresolute where to select a
portion of its contents. The color on his face
heightened, till his very brow became crimson.
Excuse me tonight, dear mother,' said he has
| tily. i am hoarse and weary from riding so long
in the cold. Besides am occupying place that
yourself or Harriet had better FILL" 81. azz-
He rose as he spoke and took the seat far,hest
from the light, avoiding the anxious gances that
| followed his footsteps, while Harriet, occupying
| the one he had vacated, began to read. At first
her voice faltered, but gathering irmness as she
proceeded, settled into sweet solemnity of tone
appropriate to the holy truths she uttered. But
when the book was closed and they knelt down iu
prayer, it was the mothers low accents that me
the ear. When death had entered the domes.
tic circle and sntten the master of the household
who like the palrarehs of ancient days had offer
ed up the morning and evening sacrifice, Mrs
| Norwood had gathered her orphan children
around her, and in the deep humility of a stricken
and wounded spirit, laid her lonely offerings on
the shrine consecrated by the manly devotions Of
years. She was not ashamed to life up her voice
as well her heart, to him who is the widow =
God and the Father of the fatflerless-aud her
children thus educated in the hallowed atmos.
phere of prayer and praise, learnt to realize the
omniprese nee Cf their creator, and to feel that
there was an eye that never slurnbered or slept
constantly. looking at their naked hearts. Sever
| al of her younger children bad died, and theil
mother yielding them up r faith to their Redeem
still bowed her head in prayer. and said ..F ath
er, not my will but thine be ooue." Little Mary
who was born since her fathers death, was the
church yard, she shed brightness and fragrance
over the home then made desolate by grief. Ane
now when happiness and cheerfaness once more
gladdeped the domestic scene, she, in her swee
and joyous childhood, was the nucleus rount
which the tenderest cares and fond affections gath
cred. Young as she was, her heart even whis
pered its response to her mothers aspirations anc
petitions, and she was as much afraid to think al
evil thought as to do an evil action. But let u,
leave Mary to develope her guiIeless character, a!
she is called into action, and follow, Augustus tt
his chamber. where he is left alone with his owl
soul. He looked round on the we'll remembered
walls-the pure white curtains, the neat simple
furniuire,-ihe shelves filled with well selected
books, till every object seemed to turn into an &C
cusiDg spirit and upbrad him for his moral dere
LECTION. And there was the hallowed spot, where
he had been accustomed TO kueel in prayer. ane
his guardian angel was wont TO descend to beal
I'D the SOULS incense to heaven, after having shet
from his wings the blessings with which they
were laden As he pressed his cheek on that spot
less pillow, he thought of the visions of his early
youth, and the sweet image of Rose Somers gil
ded before him SO distinctly, she seemed to move
between him and the pale moonlight, like soft
and rosy cloud. Affections that had gded away
in the polluted atmosphere to which he had been
exposed, now rose fresh and redolent as in life's
younger spring. And hand in hand With them
came virtuous resolutions to aid and sustain them
The past scanned dream, dark aud troubled
one, but IFS very darkness served to exalt by the
strength of contrast the brightness of the FUTURE.
He had been save The more dishonored because
willing one, bot now he was determined to
burst his bonds. and rejoice in the liberty he had
SO shamefully surrendered. He rose in the MORN
ing. in the full vgor of these upright resolutions,
but they were made in the confidence of his own
sire myth, and he yet to prove the instability
and weakness of human will, opposed to the pow
er Of Temptations and habit.