The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-03-07


faces that should grace train of brides
maids. She had cheered US through the
day with sunshine from her own heart, and
even while we srrayed her in her simple
muslin, like a lamb for sacrifice she had
charmed our thoughts into cheerfuluess. -
Il seemed like some dream Of fairy land,
and she, the embodiment Of grace and love-
illness, acting the part Of some Queen tt
tania for while. The dream changed to
far different reality, when at the door Of
her mothers room, she put her hand into
that of Henry Neville, aud lifted her eye
with look that said: "Where thou goest
will 90, even from all beside!" s--
Tears fell fast in that assembly; though
the good old matrons tried to smile, as they
passed around the bride, to bless her and
bid her good bye. A little girl in a patch
ed but clean frock, pushed forward, with a
boquet of violets and strawberry blossoms
in her hand. se -r....'.
"Here, Miss Nelly--please Miss Nelly,'
she cried half laughing, half sobbing,
picked them on purpose for you!'
Ellen stood and kissed the little eager
face. The child burst into tears, and caught
the folds of her dress, as though she would
have buried her face there. But strong
armed woman, mindful of the BRIDES attire,
snatched the child away. ........ .....,...
"And for what would ye be whimperng
in that way, as if you had any right to
Miss Elen?"
"She was always good to me, and she's
my Sunday school teacher" pleaded the
little girl in subdued undertone.
Agnes drew her to her side and silently
comforted her.
"Step aside-Father Herrick is herep'
said one just then. @ ....... u.a.. 2.
The crowd about the bridal PAIR opened
to admit white haired, half-blnd old man
who came leaning on the arm of his rosy
granddaughter. Father Herrick was su
peranuated deacon, whose good words anc
works had won him a place in every hear
in that assembly.
"They told me she was going" he
murmured to himself, "they say its hel
wedding. l want to see my little cir
again--bless her."
Ellen sprang forward and laid both hel
white trembling hands in the large hand oi
the good old man. He drew her near his
failing eyes and looked searchingly into
her young, soul-lit countenance.
81 can't just see you, darling; and they
tell me shall never see you again! Well
if we 60 in Gods way we shall all get tc
Heaven, and it's all right there" He rails
ed his hand over her head, and added sol
emnly. "The blessings Of blessings be
upon thee, my child, Amen!' r
"Amen," echoed the voice of Henry Ne
Vile and Ellen looked up with the look Q
an angel.
So she went from US! Oh, the last mo-
ment of that parting hour has burnt itsel
into my being forever! Could the human
heart endure the agony of parting like this
realized to be indeed the last-lighted by
no ray of hope for eternity! Would no
reason reel under the pressure!
1t was hard to bear; but have no word
to tell of It's bitterness. She went to he
missionary life, and we learned at last t.
live without her, though it was many montI
before the little ones could forget to cal
on Sister Ellen in any impulse of joy
griee, or childish want. Then the start ane
the sigh oh, dear, she's gone--sister il
gone! And fresh tears would flow.
Gone but not lost, for the First Marriag
in the family opened to US fountain 0
: happiness, pure as the spring of self-sacri
flee could made it. Our household darlin!
has linked US to world of needy aud per
ishing sprits--a world that asks for the en-
ergy and the aid of those who 90 from u
and those who remain in the dear countr,
of her birth. God bless her and her charge
Dear sister Ellen, there may be many 9th
1 er branches in the family--we may be al
scattered to the four winds of Heaven--bu
no change can come over us like that whic
e marked the First Marriage. Hnus