Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-08-05

he wished her.e back again in the shadowy soil
ude Of her own home.
rs Mrs. Adrian at home ?" was inquired of the
ldy gnl, who came to the dOor. The answer
'eing in the affirmative. the ladies' entered. and
we're shown into a small but neat sitting room. on
walls of which were portraits in crayou, Of four
IS lovely children as ever the eyes looked upon.
The sight of these sweet young faces stirred the
saters of sorrow in the heat of Mrs Lnrnr. and
he hardly restrained her. tears. While yet her
| pulses throbbed with quicker beat, the door
! ,pened and woman entered, on whose rather
| pale face was smile OF pleasant welcome.
My friend Mrs LOring," such was the intro
ductiOn, "of whom spoke to you several times. 7
The smile did not fade from the eountenauce Of
Mrs. Adrian, but its expression changed as she
| took the hand of Mrs. Lorng. and said:
| Il thank you for tie kindness in calling"
| Mrs Loriug returned the warm pressure with
which her hand was taken. Her lips moved slight
ly but no word found ut,erance. Not the feeblest
| eG,rt at a responsive smile was visible.
awe have both been called to pass through the
fire." said Mrs. Adrain, in more subdued tones,
though the smile still played around her lips
Happily, One walked with US when the flames
were fercest, or we must have been consumed"
1t was now her voice reached the heart Of Mrs
Loring. The eyes of the selfish woman had droop-
ed to the floor, and her thought was turning in
upon itself. In the smile that lowered about the
lips OF Mrs Adrain, she had sen only indifference
NOT sweet resignation The words Just .pO-
ken, but more particularly the voice that gave them
utterance, unveiled TO her the sorrow Of kindred
sufferer, who would not let the voice of wang
disturb anothers sar, nor tie shadow of her grief
fall upon spirit already under cloud. The
dropping eyes Of Mrs. Loring were raised, with
half wondering expression, TO the face OF Slrs
Adrain. Sill hovered a smile about those pale
lips; but its meaning was no longer myst ry--
the smile was loving effort t. send light aud
warmth to the heart Of grieviug sister. From
the face of Mrs. Adrain the eye OF Mrs Loring
wandered to the portraits Of her children on the
wall
"All gone!' The words fell from Mrs Loring's
lips almo uvoluntarily She spoke from new
impuse-pity for a sister in sorrow.
AL" Was answered. "rhey were precious to
me-yery precious-but God took them"
A slight huskiness veled her voice.
beautiful children" Mrs Loring still gazed
on the portraits. And all taken in a year. o,
how did you keep yOur heat from breakiugl"
"He who laid upon NE so b ayy burden, gave
me strength to bear it, was the low reply.
al have found DO strength in a Ike afflictioo,"
said Mrs Loring sadly.
Praying is well bat it eyails not, unless there
be also doing"
"Doing?"
"Yes the faithful doing of our duty. Sorrow
has no antidote like this"
Mrs. LOring gazed intently upon the face of her
monitor.
when the last heavy strokes fell upon my
heart" continued Mrs. Adrain 'shattering it. as IL
seemed to pieces, l ay for little while stunned
weak and almost helpless. Bat as soon as thought
began to rIn clear, said to mysalf-Is there
nothing for my hands do that you lie here idle
Is yours the only sUG-ring spirit in the wordy
Then | thought Of my hUsbands sorrow, which he |
bore so silently and maDfully, striving to lock |
away from bis own grief that he might bring |
comfort TO me- Is it not in my power to lessen /
for him the gloom Cf our desolate household" " l /
asked of myself felt that it was, aud when next
he returned home at the days decline, l met him |
not with face Of gloom as before, but with as |
cheerful countgnaGce as it was in my power TO |
assume. | had my reward | saw that | had /
lightened his burden, and from that moment, half
the pressure Of mine was removed. Since then /
have never suffered my heart 10 brood Idly over
its grief but in daily duties sought the strength
that never is given to those who fold their hands
in fruitIess inactivity. The removal of ny chill
dren Lighter ed all lone duties, ard took away
objects Of love that felt must be in measure re-
stored l had the mothers heart still And 50 I
sought ont motherIess little one. and ttbered
her into the fold of my love. All, madam this IS
the best balsam for the berraved and bleeding af
fectons, that | can tell of. To ME it has brought
comfort ard recOnciied me to losses, the bare an
ticipatiou of which once made ne almos; beside NY
sell with fear Sometimes, as sit with the ten
der babe l now call my own, resting on 10y bosom, |
q thought Of heaven goes pleasantly through my |
mird, and picture to myself the mother OF this |
adopted child as the loving guardian OF my cwn
babes, now risen into the spiritual kingdom Of our
Father. 1 cannot tell you what thrill of ,leIigh,
such thoughts at times awaken -
Mrs Loring bowed her head upon her bosom
and sat in silence for some monents Then she
said:
''You have read me lesson from which I hcpa
to profit. No wonder ms heart has achnd on with
undim:nished pain. have been selfish in my grief
There is nothing now to live for have repeated
to myself over and over again, until l believe tue
words"
Nothing to live foI!' Mrs. Adrian spoke in 8
surprised voice. "In the Image and likeness OF
God We were all made; aud if we would have tie
lost beau'y restored, we must initiate God in our
lives. lie loves every one with div lie tender
mss and is ever seeking 20 bless IA. live would
be like him. we must love each other, and seek each
others good. He has given us the ability to i'm
part blessings, and made true Lappine=s to depend
on the exercise Of this ability and if We fold our
hands and ST; in idle Tepinings. htPpiness is not
poss BILE. How fully have proved this"
And God helping me, will prove the oppo-
site" said Mrs Loring, speaking form the warmth
of oew impulse. "LO0g enough have beer ST
tcg under cloud
while the bright sun shone far above in the
clear heavens" added tie frend with a smile Of
encouragement.