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

Bile and prominent brow-her dark and al
most flashing eye, too, told of 'good blood
coursing in her veins" Turning to her
daughter who had just entered, she said:
"Well, my daughter. you are home earlier
than usual this evening" are you unwell, or
what is the matter %
Il am well, mother" said Mary, .'but we
had not much work in hand this evening
and I thought as you were alone and no
doubt lonesome, would return earlier and
come and sit by you and read some instruc-
tive book for our mutual advantage and thus
cheer your sad heart, fol. you have been re-
markably sad of late, mother
.'Did your employer give his consent to
your leaving so early ?"
ssHe was not in, mother, but Miss Austin,
whom you know is our directress, gave me
permission, said Mary.
''Sit down beside me then and read a
chapter from the Bible"
Mary did as directed-and then fastened
as it grew darker to arrange her table for tea.
While the two thus sat alone at their frugal
repast, brisk rap was heard at the door.
Mary rose, and taking the lamp, opened the
door, and Laura Stanwood, gay, lively
girl of Mary's own age. entered, and crying,
as she took seat i'm the cozy little parlor,
s'Oh, Mary, an exhibition takes place
tomorrow evening and we shall have splen-
did time no doubt, all our pieces are COM
mitted perfectly. Our good superintendent
gave us great praise at our last rehearsal,
and said he never in his life knew anything
so handsomely done, or heard pieces more
perfectly and accurately recited. L am 60
ing to wear my white swiss dress, trimmed
with pink and blue, which must certainly
attract attention from all sides, and am
determined none shall excel me- I have
my part perfect, and Prof. Lightthought has
taken much pains in teaching me my proper
address as well as attitude and he thinks
am perfect You know he is very cele-
brated tutor !; I engaged him because wish
ed to shine on this occasion and perchance
make Mr.. Frank .
Laura, permit me to interrupt you for
a moment" said Mary, kindly, 4 have no
doubt your Sunday school exhibition will
pass off well and you will acquit yourself in
a manner which will cause your friends much
pleasure, but | fear you are overlooking
many important considerations. For what
purpose, dear Laura, are you to exhibit
yourselves before the public? For what
purpose are you to display your talents in
the delivery Of your pieces? For what pur-
pose have your friends selected from rusty
volumes and modern writings, pieces appro-
pirate for you to speak and perform? For
the display of your dress-for the -love of
popular appreciation and empty praise? Or
for some purpose other than trivial and
vain sportive spirit, of worldly show and
empty passing praise, in words light and tri-
fling, soon to be forgotten? Why all this
preparation-all this study--all the ardu-
Gus pains taken by kind friends and your
good superintendent? Pray tell me, dear
Laura, for what purpose p
why" said Laura, slightly blushing,
'tfor the purpose Of raising money for the
purchase Of new books for our library. Our
old library is getting stale and we want new
books-and I do hope Mr.. Collins will see
to our having more interesting books in our
new library. I am worn out with such
books as Poor Joseph alice Ashdon,
The Golden Chain, and scores of others
such as these, in which poor children and
old women, worn down and hidden in some
Questionable part of our great cities, so
largely enter. Why not speak of the lives
and adventures of those who have seen fash
ionable and respectable lives? and
Laura, you forget" said Mary-hurt at
the thoughtless and giddy manner Of her
comprehensive these same persons have
given every evidence of christian endurance
and faith and their examples, while they
show us the goodness of God in his kind
proyidenees over them, teach us to love him
and obey his law. You forget that these
books. which you seem so to dislike, are but
collections Of good examples for our improve
ment, and will, if properly followed, lead
us to happy hereafter. But there is an
other object in view-you expect to raise
funds for the purpose of spreading the Cos
pei and furnishing Bibles to these very poor
of whom you were speaking in terms SO
slight sit not so %
Eyes, the superintendent said so, be-
lieve," said Laura, carelessly playing with
several objects upon the centre table.
''Then here is wide field for charity,
and while you are exhibiting your talents
before the admiring audience, you should
be inwardly breathing prayer to the Giver
of all good, that he loosen the purse strings
Of the rich, that your treasury should swell
to such fullness that not howell be without
the Bible and the Gospel of Christ"
But, Mary, none in our church are so
poor that they are without the Bible, or at
least have the means of procuring it or any
other book they desire.
care there not many Of other denomina-
tons, Laura, who not only want for the