Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-07-12

that ! should tell the child Adeline, for she
had given proofs of a singular nature, arden
and self-con6dent in the extreme. l toot
my hat, and went over to Mrs. Frazer's will
a very heavy heart, for the grief child is {
fearful thing TO me, aud to be the brnger o
evil tidings, that shall stain the pureDess
and calm OF child's thoughts with the ire
| parable shadow of death, is no light thing
J nor easily to be done. | entered into the
| house one day in June:sit was n very swee
Gay, and, as walked quietly into the low
kitchen, saw Adeline, with her head resting
on her hands, and her large eyes eagerly
gazing out of the win1o,, at the gambols o
scarlet -throated humming- bird. l wen
close to her, and thought to myself that
would speak, bu; did not, for saw that, in
| her little pale face, which made me more sal
than before; and had it on my lips to say
'AGelne, are you homesckp (Which was the
thing of al others should not say) when
suddenly she turned about, and answered the
question before spoke it. ..
"Sir," SAID she, 81 wish was in Cuba. |
had just such hummingbird Mt home; and
fed it with orange boughs full of white
flowers, every day; but you have no orange
trees here. and Lave no papa"
"It seemed to me- that the child's angel
had thus opened the way for me to speak,and
began to say some things about the love Of
our universal Father, when she laid her little
hand on my arm with fcarlully strong pres
sure. Mr. Field said she, lis my papa deadn
/ never shall forget the eyes that looked that
question into mine. felt an unveiled spirit
before their eager, piercing stare. did not
answer except by strong quiver OF feeling
that would run over my features, for loved
her father even as knsman, and l needed
to. say nothing more, for the child fell al my
feet quite rigid, and | called Mrs Frazer,
who tried all her nurse-arts to restore ltte
Adeline, but was torced at last to send for a
physician, who bled the child and brought
her round. ..... r.. .... ..U
''In the mean time had gone, home to
prepare my sermon, for twas not yet finished
and the day was Friday; but | kept seeing
that little lileless face, all orphaned as it was
and the Scripture, 'As one whom his mother
comiorteth,' was SO borne in upon my mind,
that, although had previously fixed upon
one adaped to setting forth of the doctrine
Of election, was wrought upon to make the
other the subject of discourse; ard truly the
people wept; almost all but Adeline, ~ho sat
in the square pew with her great eyes fixed
upon me, and her small lips apart, like one
who drinks from the stream of rock.
"The nextday was resting, as my custom
is, after the Sabbath; and IN warm, fair
day, find no better rest than to sit by the
open window, mud breathe the summer air,
and fiji my eyes and heart with the innumer-
able love-tokens that God hath set thicky in
Nature. was, therefore at my usual place,
wrapt in thought, and beholding the laSors
Of small bird which taught her young to
fly, when felt light, cold touch and, turn
ing, saw little Adeline beside me. 'Sir,' said
she, without any preface, when my papa
went away, he left with me letter, which
he said was to give you if he died. So far
she spoke steadily, but there the small voice
quvered and broke down. | took the letter
she profftred ms, and breaking the seal,
found it short but touching appeal to me,a
the spiritual father Of Joseph Frazer, to take
his own child under my care, and be as a
fathe- t. her, nasmuch as his mother was
old and feeble, and also TO be executor OF his
will, of which a copy was enclosed. ] said
this much to the cLild as shortly as could,
and with her grave voice she replied, 'Sr,
should like to be your little girl, if you will
preach me some more sermons Now was
affected at this answer; not the less that the
leaven of pride, which worketh in every man
was fed by even baby's praise; AID putting
on my hat, walked over to Mrs. Frazcr's
house and laid the matter before her She
was not, at first, willing 10 give Adeline Up,
but at length, after much converse 10 and fro,
she came to my conclusion, that the child
would be better in my hands, inasmuch as
she herself could not hope for long continu'
ance: and, as it was ordered, she died thu
next summer. ! sent for my sister Martha
who was somewhat past marrageable years
but kind and good, TO come and keep house
for me, and from that tine Ade!ine was as
my own child. But must hasten over 0
time, FOR am too long in telling this.
In course of years the child grew up, tai
and slender, OF very stately carriage, and
having that scriptural glory of woman
long and abundant hair. ...... ,...
"She was still very fervid in her feelings
but reserved and proud, and fear had beer
I too tender with her for her good, inasmuch al
she thought her own will and pleasure mus
always be fulfilled, and we all know that il
rot one of the ordinations of Providence.
/ "As Adelne came to be woman, divers
youths OF my congregation were given Il
:, call of a Sabbath night, with red apples fo
me, and redder cheeks for Adelne, who wa
scarcely civil to them, and often left them Il
my conversation, which they seemed not Il
relish SO much as would have been pleasing
+ TO human nature
"But my fsainted mother, who was no
wanting in the wisdom Of this world, wa
!; used to say that every man and woman ha
their time Of crying for the moon, and Will
some knew it to be a burning fire, and other
scornfuly called it cheese, and il they get i
either burned their fingers, or despise thei
desire, still oil generations must haze thei
turn, and truly, believed it, when ! foun
+. Adclne herself began TO have "A pining fc
$ something which could not persuade her
, specify. The child grew thin and pale, an