The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-11-12
HOPEFUL AND RE,UrtFUL.
By MRS. HARRIET E. FRANCIS.

The sun shone down on the eauh with a
sof; hazy light, aud The river flowed with a
dull, monolonous sound as if half asleep, iur
II drowsy, universal quiet seemed to have
spread over nature, aud sunk each element
70 rest. But neither the subducd light nor
the dIowsy river was noticed BY MIS-. Sey.
mour, as she sat busily sewing by the cradle
of her sleeping infant. There was a look OF
care on her iair atoa, aud an anxious, sad
expression in her eyes, as il the light of her
life had been dimihed in SORROW, ere aye had
marked her forehead, or stolen The raven lus-
Ire from her hair She had been the pet idol
Of fond father and mother, and no sorrow
ever crossed her path in chiliLood's home !;
an&n one, not even those who always view
,hdEfuture through dark cloud, prophesied
evil for her as she stood by the side Of Clar-
encs Seymou on her bridal morning. Very
fairsand beautiful was she, with look oil
cllngiug tenderness in her eye, as il she had
always had and expected a strong arm TO
uphold her, and lead her through The aowry
pgths' Of life; and competent seemed her
chosen one for that task, with his broad, in
lelecruaI brow, and piercing eye, sofiened,
as he gazed on bis bride, 10 a look oil almcs,
woman''s tenderness.
A handsome mausior, a short distance from
her falhsts, became iheit home, aud for a
few years. shs passed through one unclouded
scene Of joy aud happiness; bu, dark cloud
hovered IN the horizon, and soon spread over
her 5rigR hopes Ikea gloomy pail, making
her daysSof. darkness seem still more cheer
less for The giadness that had preceded them.
Hef gifted and intellectual Lusbrnd had been
welcomed everywhere, and at every gather
ing the wirecup had awaled him; and al
most before he was aware, strong coils were
around him that he had no strength or reso.
luton 10 unloose. Riches, honoi, society
iespectabiliiy passed away from them, and a
miserable cottage, with no tall, noble trees,
or clustering vines, or sweet associations,
wac all tba: now they could caltheir own.
Mrs. Seymour was thinking of these past
scenes as she sat sewing Of the nossy graves
Of her father aud mother; Of the soft, sutdu.
ed light iha, stole in through the houeysuckle
aud sose that fesiooned ia the windows o.
the old home ssof the brigh, Iove.slance from
!, her husbands eye iha, quivered her heart.
!. Strings; and also Of ,ha, hour when the truth
: crsp, into her heart that her chosen one loved
the winecup--aias, too welll--ofher useless
-sfemons;rances, of bitter words, aud bold, a
veried eye, and even Of one heavy blow lha
> sen, her reellng TO the floor but even 'ha
seemed nothing 10 The thought that her dear
innocent boy, cher darling FRAME" woult
be launled as drunk ards child, that no ia
theirs hand would lead him 10 better aorld
s But then the biiierest dreg 10 her cup wefs
the words, "No dfunkard can inherit the
kingdom Of heaven" AL the night previon'
aud part Of that day, that sentence had runs
III her ears until her mind seemed upon the
verge Of madness. What could she do p
She had wspi, prayed and beseeched, and
be was drunkard still. But faith whispered
"God ispowerful; seek his aid once more;'
and anxiousiy she sought her bedroom, and
raised her thoughts in prayer. First low
means and sobs arose, but, as herheari gath
efed strength, she pleaded aloud help from
Him who is mighty 10 save. She asked no
for less trouble and suffering for herself bu
only lead him from The error Of his ways
and win him for an humble follower Of Je
sns. us ~
Lllle dreamed she that her husband bst