Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-05-28

hrm IN the faith, my child pray earnestly
to God. and he will never forsake you
Sing those beautiful lines. Mary, of which
you used to be so fond, beginning, Softly
now the light of day."
In sweet, musical tone, intermixed with
sobs Of grief, Mary joined her few friends
and sang
s'Softly now the light of day
Fades upon our sight away;
Free from care, from labor free.
Lord. we would commune with thee.
Soon for US the light of day
Shall forever pass away, ::
Then from sin and sorrow free
Take us. Lord, to dwell with thee"
They had but just ceased when she re-
piled in clear, full voice, "Take me Lord
to dwell with thee," and the spirit of the
good old lady had fled and Mary was be-
side 4 lfeless mass of clay, which a few mo
ments previous had been her mother. Now
her mother was in heaven saint-in that
land where ''Sickness and sorrow, pain and
death are felt and feared no more"
On the third day, her remains were con-
signed to the earth, and as the cold, damp
clods fell upon the coffin id-oh lawful
sound-Mary realized that now she was in
deed alone in the world. Who can imagine
her grief-her deep anguish? Almost two
weeks of deep, earnest watchfulness and
prayer for the recovery Of her only earthly
friend, alonging, ardent hope thatsh might
be once more restored to her, and now that
last thread of hope sundered and she left
fatherless- motherless-friendless, in the
world. Picture her thus lonely, ye who
have stood by the bedside Of fading friend.
unconscious that the cheeks bright crimson,
lovely to the view, like night shade, bloom
ed with unwholsome beauty-like moulding
wood, owes to decay alone its wondrous
lustre. Ye who still have hoped, even in
deaths dread presence, but at length have
heard the summons, Ooh, heart-freezing
call, to pay the last sad duties and to hear
upon the silent dwellings, narrow lid the
first earth thrown sound deadiike to the
soul; for strange, strange delusion, then and
then alone, hope seems to forever flee and
the dread pang of final separation to begin y
e who have felt all this, can drop a tear Of
grief and hear a sigh of sympathy for Mary
Emerson in her sad-sad bereavement.
Two months have passed away and Mary's
first grief, having been somewhat softened,
and her little stock of worldly wealth almost
she, too Independent to remain
under roof where all were alike poor and
possess no possible means of aiding the fami-
", whose bounty and hospitality she had
shared since her mothers death. resolves
that she must work /; and hope, the anchor
Of the SOUL supports her as she leaves the
little cottage of her kind, poor friends and
hastens to the lordly mansion of Laura Stan
wood, hoping to find in her friend in this
her greatest hour of need. But little knew
Mary of the heart beating in the bosom Of
this gay child of the world. Little dream
ed she of the cold and heartless reception
awaiting her from her supposed friend Laura.
With heart full of hope, she rings the bell
and soon she is ushered into. the costly fur
nished parlor by servant. Presently
Laura appeared, and with cold, formal bow,
motioned her visitor to be seated. Mary
at once made known the purpose of her err
rand, and in a plain unvarnished manner
told her of her sad condition and begged that
Laura would give her work and aid her in
finding more among her numerous wealthy
friends.
''Where is Charles Ingram why not ap-
ply to him in your hour of need, Miss En-
erson p was Laura's naughty and sarcastic
reply. g.
CHARLES Ingram is charitable young
man. Laura" said Mary deep blush
mantling her till then marble cheek-"but
for two reasons can receive no aid from
him. Having no claim upon his generosity,
it would be very unbecoming in me to ap-
ply to him; and again, he being far away,
he cannot possibly know of my necessities -
t'You astonish me, Miss Emerson; rumor
says you and Charles are to be made one
flesh when he returns from College, and he
surely should be informed of your misfor-
tunes. IF all the rumors I hear be true, 1
think you had best address him a line or
two on the subject. assure you am very
well pleased with my seamstress and feel no
to change" and spirit of FIRE
spoke from out those eyes of Laura's at this
moment, while her limbs shook with con-
cealed rage.
Mary arose, and with a heavy heart left
her, till then, supposed friend. The mys-
terry was now cleared up. Here was the
cause of her dismissal from Mr.. Langdon's
employ. The remarks of that gentleman
about female preachers, coupled with the
and words on the occasion Of
Laura's visit, and Laura's remarks this day,
made the whole matter clear as day. Deep
ly absorbed in such reflections, she meehani-