True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-05-28

never absent from each other for any.
length of time, from infancy up to you tn,
they loved as brother and sister seldom
love. Painful indeed was the discovery
that there was but little relationship ex-
listing between them.. They were no
longer brother and sister-they wept To-
gether at the thought; but in the warm
out gushing of their young and warm
hearts, they vowed to be each others (or-
ever. E.n... ....
For years they cherished the fond hope
of passing through life and meeting its
storms together. Bright were their pros
pecls. Hope spread out before ther
youthful fancy, scenes rich in all the va
ried colorings with which love and dis
lance paint The lar-oA glories; while joys,
like the dewy gems Of morning, glowed
in bright proluslon round their onward
path. .~..
But the cloud was gathering, and the
storm, soon to scatter their fond hopes like
leaves before the wintry blast.
He returned from college and commen-
ced the study of law. The writings of
Voltaire, Paine and others fell into his
hands. He adopted their principles
drank in their spirit, and soon triumphed
in the wonderful discovery that he had
no soul TO save, no God to fear, no retri-
button to dread that the sublime truths
of Christianity were mere idle tales
His mothers society became a burden;
and even Ellen's, once so much sought,
so much enjoyed, was now too sober,
too purilanical, too supersiitious for the
young worshiper Of the goddess Of reason
Other society was sought. The theatre
was frequented, as the best school ofmor-
ais. He soon became dissipated, and
reckless--a lost man. His conduct soon
became known. Ellen, his belrothed, a
girl of deep piety, observed with pain the
sad change in his whole character. She
resolved to converse with him on the sub
iect. She told, with tenderness. the fol-
ly of his course, and the consequences 10
which it would lead.
what do you mean ? said William,
suddenly interrupting her, while a dark
cloud gathered on his brow. i suppose
you know that can make enough by my
profession to clear my expenses, and car
ry me through the world
No doubt of that, William ; but you
break The Sabbath, you gamble, you dis
sipate to such degree that it has affect
ed your health and your character, and
now can you expect the blessings of God
under such circumstances 2
Blessings of Cod he replied, in sar-
castle manner. If cannot get along
without the blessings of God, l shall cer-
lainly never get along at all
DO you mean to say, William, that
you do not believe in the over-ruling prov
idence of God-that you do not desire
his blessing!'
AS she said this her voice trembieG
her fore-bodings were about to be reali-
zed--a tear glitiered in her eye.
Il don't believe in any providence he
replied. If there is God, he certainly
does not trouble himself about the indi-
vidual acts of an almost unknown inhabi-
tant of this little world-this far-off speck,
which is but an atom in the midst of
boundless creation
'If there is a God!' said Ellen; 'Oh,
William y and she burst into tears.
William was touched. He really low
ed her and the time was when her tears
would have moved and melted his soul
when her humble, trusting spirit, her
sleadfast integrity, her deep devotion, her
constancy and love, would have thrown
an influence around his fanciful system
in6delity, under which it would have
dissolved like the ice-built palace beneath
the summer sunbeam, and the balmy
breeze. t'h
But he was a changed man.
He seated himself beside her. Come,
Ellen, said he, let US drop the subject /;
| am truly sorry it was introduced. You
can enjoy your opinions and can enjoy
mine.'
oh, do not speak of enjoying such
opinions as those to which you have al
luded. Surely you are not an unbeliev-
or, William?' "'
AN unbeliever' Nop he replied
4 believe in system of religion, philo-
sophical and sublime, which has reason
for its foundation, and which towers up to