Eastern times., 1855-09-27


occupation she declared her intention to de-
vote herself 1t was to her slight thing that
her friends opposed this measure, and offered
to herself and children an almost luxurious
home; her plans embraced more than mere
provisions for her own and children's neces-
sites. Ten years hence, reformed and be-
loved husband would be released from prison !;
and she knew how depressing to him would
be the prospect Of commencing life anew,
without friends, without character, without
money, with a family depending upon him for
support; and for the exigencies of that period,
she now aimed to prepare. Day and night
she toiled soon her little work-room was ex
changed for larger, the number of her ap-
prentices increased, and experienced assistants
were employed; and, by-and-by, she was not
able even to superintend, alone, her extensive
establishment; her patrons were numerous,
and included some of the wealthiest and most
aristocratic families of the city.
Meanwhile, her attentions to her husband
were unremitted, her visits frequent, her con-
versation cheerful and encouraging, elevating
and ennobling; and thus was effectually coun-
teracted the evil influence which the severity
OF prison discipline might else have exerted,
the overbearing domination of naughty officers
or the 'evil communications which corrupt
good manners Never longed the hungry for
food, or the thirsty for water, more than James
May longed for these occasional visits from
his wife; and it would not be easy to decide,
whether the love which he had felt for her in
the earliest days of their affection was CON-
parable TO that which he now manifested.
Time hasted onwards, and gradually slipped
away the ten years, which, in prospect, had
seemed almost interminable. Never for mo-
ment had the true heart of the wife been turned
aside fom her purpose,-the ultimate and
complete redemption Of her husband. Never
for moment had she regarded with favor any
of the manifold schemes of her friends to pro-
mote her own interests, dissociated from those
of her husband, nor listened to their entreaties
that she would disconnect her fate from his.
And when, at the expiration of the eighth year
of his Imprisonment, friends interceded for a
lover of wealth and influence, who had laid at
her feet his heart and fortune, urging her ae-
ceptance of him on the ground that her hus-
bands already heightened term of confinement
had legally divorced her from him, and that
the eager aspirations of her gifted and intel
lectual son demanded extensive means Of i'm
provement, and the frail and delicate health of
her daughter a freedom from care and labor
that could not otherwise be obtained she
spurned them from her presence with an out
burst Of contemptuous Indignation which made
them quail before her, and forbade them any
farther intrusion on her private affairs, in tones
of authority and decision that precluded reply.
The day came at last, ,-longwished for and
desired and James May was liberated from
his long durance, and set without the prison
walls. Oh, the joy with which he was well
coined by his little family! His wife and his
children clung around his neck, weeping for
very gladness; and, as his own tears mingled
with theirs, he asked again and again, Can
yOu, indeed, be so glad that am released =
The neat and tastefully arranged rooms of
their dweling-how magnificent they seemed,
by contrast, with the stern, rugged and con-
tracted cell, in which he had dwelt for the last
ten years. How luxurious seemed their fare !!
how ample their accommodations Every
thing that the watchful love of his wife could
suggest had been done 10 render this first
evening of his return pleasant; and, when a
few of his former acquaintances who had ap-
proved of and sympathised in the measures of
Frances relative to her husband, came, by pre-
vious invitation, to pass the evening with
them, and spake kindly and encouragingly to
the lepentant man, his feelings overpowered
him, and he hastened from the room, to dis
burden his heart of the grateful emotion which
overfowed it, in thankful prayer.
But when, on the next day, he expressed
some anxiety to obtain speedy employment,
and his wife brought forward small book,
showing her amount of bank deposits to ex-
ceed somewhat thousand dollars, which she
/ placed in his hand with the request that he
would consider it his own, and use 1t as such
and when he learned what constant toll and
/ rigid economy had obtained this sum, what
love had prompted the labor and sustained his
wife throughout her tolls and cares, James
May bowed his head upon the table, and wept,
as man seldom weeps, until his whole frame
was convulsed with the violent emotion
Frances said the grateful being, when
he could speak, taking her hand reverently
within his own, your love is only surpassed
by the love of Christ and like his, i64e be-
slowed upon so unworthy an object, that, al
though it has become my very element of life,
am yet overpowered by it. OH if ever
again neglect and forget you, as have done,
may God neglect me when most need his
aid, and forget me, when he calls home his
children to heaven )
The next day clerkship was offered to
James May, through the tireless exertions Of
his wife, and the amount Of severely earned
money received another appropriation, no
less one than the betrayal of his noble sons
college expenses. Time passed away, and
Frances May saw, with unutterable gratitude,
| tbat bo~ b,e 4 3. .of,.,ootop xu,e ,orr,,ao-.