Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-02-01
BY LAURA J. CURTIS.

1t was April when Christine returned
to Woodlandvale. The buds of the will
lows were swelling, and ready to burst
forth; the winter wheat was just pceping
from the ground, and all nature seemed
rousing herself from her long sleep
Spring had got there before her every
thing around her aunt's s dwelling betok-
ened her presonce-thc first hardy flow
ers were unfolding their soft petals, the
leaves danced on the trees, the air was
soft and balmy, the birds had returned
from their Southern pilgrimage; in every
thing she recognized the magic touch of
spring.
Her marriage was to take place in May
and all the family were to be present.
Mrs. rockingham was in her clement
in planning the festivities she had ta-
ken care to select the wardrobe of the
bride, and had set the nimble fingers of
t divers seamstresscs at work on articles of
l wearing apparel for her niece.
e All was happiness and light around
t her.
/ 1t was spring time in her heart and
, though sometimes shadow fitted over
: her, as she thought of the Spanish prov
Y erb, at is not always May it was as
hceting as dark, for loves sunshine speed
lily dissipated it.
a She was one day paying visit to Mrs
q Warner, and had been telling to that kind
: friend some of the bright visions tina. rose
q before her, to which Mrs Warmers only
g reply was deep sigh.
: Why do you sigh, asked Christine.
1T is not that do not rejoice in you,
+. happiness, my child, and pray that it MAJ
:, be lasting-though in this world sorrow
j, must come to all but selfshly grieve
sometimes, atthe downfall of all my hope.
> | had looked forward to such future fo
you! Imagined you toiling in the grea
work field and returning with rich sheave
the fruit of your labors, to the garner
and see your eyes 50 dazzled by love
>, sunlight that you see nothing but bright
- ness in the world. You heed not tn.
fields that are to be brought in from th'
y wilderness of the world, that they ma,
- some time be white for the harvest
oh, do not say SO, Mrs Warner, ex
claimed Christine. 4 confess have 70
y a time been fcrgetful of all but my owl
y happiness; but may / not rejoice in tn
l. good gift that God has given me? An.
y do you not see that, instead of losing me
J. you have gained laborer in Philip. To
$, gether he and | will toll on, cheering cacl
c. other
81 Mrs. Warner shook her head, sadly.
'e 1t cannot be- she said; your duties
y, will contine you to narrower field
But not less noble, interrupted Chris
Of tins
le True, replied Mrs. Warner. But
L, had hoped SO much Of you; l hardl
s. knew how much till see you about t
a. enter on the common lot of woman
IN Christine, your field is the world
5: DO not fear. my fricud,' interrupted
Christincs sweet voice, that l shall for
,e get my duties to my fellows in the mar
ID rover circle around me. will do wha
A lies nearest fne first, and not leave tn,
!. rest undone. | will write; can write
-e Il am sure Of it-words that will reacl
: the hearts of men, and find an echo there
r Do not feel so disappointed; l can dc
Q. much yet
And when shall read your essays
my dcar''
Perhaps never. Essays are too Otter
d read only by those who do not need them
:, Christ did not disdain to convey truth il
parallels. will write in form that will
:, bring my words to all; the good, who
4 seek for the right and true wherever i,
j.. may be found, will hear me; and to the
careless, who would never seek for truth,
. will whisper lessons so gently that they
cannot offend, and yet which may bear
with them seeds which nay spring up in
the heart
But Philip may not wish you to do so.
You do not understand Philip; he
would only urge me on to do all that l
can in this short ifc.'
Christine, said Mrs. Warner, as her
friend rose to go away, Il may have said
too much-you have still high aims-you
will make noble wife and mother, and
there are few enough Of them in this world
In those duties you will find enough to
employ all your powers. God is leading
,-n,, that ,,o<b b,J h1yoJ ba%