True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-09-16

VI rNoiS oSO sS' 1o"hi pOisOi VI SOOu
Ijudement and strong common sense an(
to her, for l had no choice, | must go.
Looking at the watch which lay upon
the dressing bureau, and which had been
a present from nv step. father upon my
last birth day, | saw that it was three
o'clock. The train l wished to take was
to leave some time in the evening, and
supposed | should be just in time to reach
il.
Five minutes of the precious hour still
remained to me, however, and one sacred
duty must be performed, | could not go
without visiting my mothers room.--
Since the day of her funeral it had been
kept closed, and doubt if my step.fath-
er had once entered it. For myself often
in the quiet twilighIs, when the same
cloud which had now burst so fearfulIy
upon me, had cast portentous gloom
over my heart, l had knelt before the
full length portrait of ny now sainted
parent, and poured out, as l fondly be-
lieved, into her listening ear, all my sor-
rows and perplexities.
Now for the last time | crossed the
corridor, and enterd with fearful eyes
and throbbing pulse, the still, shadowy,
apartment. Carefully drew away the
heavy fold Of Grape which draped the por-
trait, and kneeling upon the crimson cush-
ion at its foot, gazed tenderly and rev.
erentially up into the sweet, mild coun-
tenance of my mother.
There are moments in the souls ex.
perience which defy description-when
wave after wave of such intense emotion
rolls over it-when the landmarks OF
time and circumstance are so completely
swept away, that consciousness loses it.
self among the surging of pillows and The
roar of breakers, and the only after record
which we have of them is found in the
characters which the tempest has craven
upon the very fbres ofthe soul. Such a
moment was this |; looking upon the be.
loved face, the utter desoiation of soul
whibh experienced, the strong yearn-
ings after true sympathy and wise counsel,
and the picture of blind blank despair,
which seemed to lie before me, created
depths in my soul, as the furious, eddy
ing pillows hollow out caverns in the
solid rock.
The tender associations of the past,
too, brouget flood of tears to my eyes,
and this reaction had such an effect upon
me, that when at last | rose, and lower
ing again the drapery of black. reverently
kissed it, and stole with quiet steps out
of the beloved apartment, | was stronger
and better fitted for the terrible reality
before me, than ween had entered it.
AT the door, took my travelling bag,
and, without venturing one backward
look, | hurried down the stairs. In the
front hall was met by one of the servants.
who handed me piece of paper, folded,
saying
"Mr. Atherton bade me give this to
you"
l received it in silence, and was hasten
ing on, when, with voice brokhn by
compassion, he added
MAY God go with you, miss; and
may you find friends in the time of your
need"
"Thank, you, Robert" replied, gra-
tilted for the sound of one friendly voice /;
and, accepting cordially his half offered
hand, bade him warm farewell.
Perhaps, miss, could help you in
getting carriage" he suggested, half in
doubt as to how | would receive The offer.
You are very kind to think of it,"
l replied. cit would oblige me greatly
if you would"
With a zeal which it was pleasant to
witness, he bade me wait an instant, and,
springing down the steps, disappeared. 1t
was scarcely five minutes till he returned,
bringing with him respectable looking
hack, the driver of which readily agreed
10 convey me to the railroad station.
(To BE coNTINuED.)