True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-08

seeuleu W pIihS solle unpleasanG CHouSnI
to his mind which were not tery fattering
1t was mystery to him, how May hat
happened to see Ina Mason, and becom,
so well acquainted with his affairs; bu
had he taken pains to look at the pale fac,
that followed him on his way home tha
afternoon, and stopped only when he en-
tered his own beautiful dwelling, he coull
easily have solved the mystery. The re
suit was, that May had strange visitor
one that brought back the memory of many
past scenes. 1t was no other than nt
Mason.
She came before her, a poor, heart
stricken thing; and so great had been the
change since she last saw her, that she
hardly knew her. There was a strange
mournful light in her eyes, and her vDice
though gentle as ever, was very sad; anG
as she told her wrongs to May, it bee sme
so low and plaintive, that it seemed ml,
like music wrung from the last chords Of :
breaking heart.
From her, May learned the business Of
her father; and Ina, when robbed of all
sought, at the request of her mother, one
who had always been a faithful friend, and
who would not deny home to an orphan
while Ina the more eagerly followed the
advice, in hopes of meeting once more tht
friend of her early years-May Vernon
She reached the city and found hel
mothers friend, though death and povert,
had visited her too; but home, such as
it was, she freely gave to Ina. Since she
had been there, she had tried in vain t,
find May, but that afternoon she hal
chauced to see Mr.. Vernon, and followed
him home, and thus her long wished de
sire was gratifed.
That night May Vernon slept upon the
hard bed of the poor but kind friend o
the orphanj but her sleep was sweet, ant
she pressed the same pillow with Ina Ma
son, as she had done years before, wher
both knew no care. As May possessed
accomplishments sufficient to procure hel
own support, she resolved to bring then
into action for the relief of her friends, o.
well as for her own wants. She was al
excellent musician, and to this she turnec
her attention, and her skill soon brough
her plenty of pupils; yet no one woulG
have thought that the gentle music teacher
was the daughter of the wealthy Mr.. Yer
non
For one year, May patiently pursued
her labor, which was profitable as well a.
pleasant, and she experienced more rea
comfort while earning her bread with he,
own hands, than she ever did in the luxu
rious home she had left.
After many vain attempts, Mr.. Vernon
succeeded in finding where May was, an,
that she seemed to be enjoying herself
while he felt sure that he was very un
comfortable, and he could hardly tell why
He sometimes almost wished that he ha,
yielded to her, but then that would neve
have done, to give up to foolish child
such as May was. So he lived on, with
out sympathy or love-
At last disease held him chained, an
what could he do then but think; and tn
more he tried to drive his thoughts away
the more they disturbed him. He foun
that nothing would subdue the haught
spirit like sickness; and when, after week
of painful illness, he made very narro,
escape from death, he seemed change
man. As soon as he was able to write, h
despatched the following note to May.
"MAY-I am sick, and without any on
to care for me. I have help, but no syn
pathy. Forgive my harshness, and com
back to Your FATHER"
May was oyerjoyed at receiving the sun
mons, but there was still another point
win. She had conquered so far, and sh
would conquer all, or share none of til
victory. She now had double task
perform May was determined d that if 81
} went back to her fathers house, that Ii
, should go with her, and that her faith,
should treat her as his own child. 1t W;
5 no easy task to persuade Ina to go, eve
, if Mr.. Vernon would consent to It; f
she remembered too well his chilling wore
n to her when she begged him to spare h
4 home.
o May answered her fathers letter in pc
t so n, and she could hardly recognize in t
l. pale, emaciated being before her, the on