True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-07-04

penueu ny y lauy. Ano the impression
must have gone abroad from some source
that want Of dress was your reason for de-
clining attending the party. do not wish
to accuse you Of imprudence, but l think
in some way you must have let slip your
real reason. And now from which cause
do you think you would suffer the most, to
appear in dress which might he termed
questionable, or in one obtained as have
no reason to doubt this was 2"
Anna candidly owned she should suffer
less in the former case.
"But that is not everything to be con-
sidered," continued Mrs. Mellow. "Tbis
dress would be far richer one than |
should be able to purchase for you without
depriving myself Of necessaries, or cur
failing my charities, which, as christian,
/ could not consistently do, for such very
questionable, if not positively sinful pur-
pose therefore it would draw down upon
US many unpleasant remarks"
"What am l do with it," inquired An
ma, ~ know not who to return it TO-"
II have not the least doubt from whom
it came, and should have no hesitation in
returning it, frankly stating my reasons, to
M. Wallis Weston"
"But if It should not have been he that
sent it," interposed Anna, blushing.
"It would only be assembling truth for
either you or me-" replied the mother,
"to profess to doubt he sent it. Weknow
very we'll there are few young men among
us able to make 50 costly presents. And
if we are mistaken he certainly will not re-
sent being mistakCn for so muuifcent q
donor"
And without farther delay it was return
ed to him that very day, and the bearer
returned a note Of apology, in which he
offered some explanations which he thought
necessary, to avoid the appearance Of In
delicacy.
The party came off with great eclat.
Beauty, wit, and fashion rivalled each other
in their brilliant displays. Notwithstand'
ing the most fattering accounts Of it were
borne to Anna, she bore her disappoirt.
ment with more fortitude than che believ.
ed herself c,pable of exerting. She wat
far however from being cured Of her folly
} Before week had elapsed her ruling pas
sion again eugrossed her thoughts.
Just at this most important crisis fol
the character of the young lady, Mrs
Meldow was called from home to be ab
sent three or four months. The nature oi
her mission was such as would not possibly
admit Of her taking Anna with her. She
talked seriously with her, represented te
\ her the dangers which beset her and pray
, ed for the Spirit of God to guide her, Fol
several days succeeding her mothers de-
!, parture she was sad and dispirited. He
Z mother had given her lit Of poor fami
lies she wished her to visit, and who's,
! wants she thought demanded daily atten
ton. In her listless hours she referred I,
these and though she felt little inclination
r q sense Of duty bade her attend to them
: She was shocked at the scenes Of sickness
: deprivation and starvation that met he
, wherever she entered. New chords wer
/ touched in her heart, and new channels 70
a her affections opened, which bid fair t
? change somewhat her course Of life. Whe
y she heard 50 many rich blessings prcnoun
ced upon her mothers name, she felt tina
!, indeed her fame was more enviable tha
o that of the most undisputed leader of th
highest circle Of fashion. Mrs Mcldo,
had plaood the utmost confidence in tn
!, good effect which these lessons would hav
upon the mind Of her child. She though
she could not fail to be aroused to scnS
!. Of her responsibility to her Creator whe
IS she saw so many Of her creatures SuffeI
. ing for what He Showerod upon her !
d such profusion. And, perhapS, had sh
j. been left long enough to her own reAe,
, tions it might have had tho desired effec
!, But her young friends soon gathered abo,
70 her aud she was gradually drawn into the
scenes Of gayety and frivolity. She ha
0, not yet neglected her duties, and esc
morniAe found her in The abodes Of pOve
0, ty. In one family in. partiOahr sSO fOlt
o. growing interest: IL consisted Of an i
valid father, and a mother who toiledfro
trI early till late, bat With all her ofota fai
is cd to earn bread for six children, the I
o, dest Of then, numbering but twelve year
20 It was delightful to see with What aaaidr