The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-07-04

ldtner was recovering, so tBe meek uauSu-
ter was resigned, since the little ones would
have him to provide for them. t...r IA.
Alice was returning home from visiting 6
the Lester family one day, and had just
emerged from cross street into Broadway,
when saily decorated sleigh passed, filleo
with ladies and gentlemen of her ac9uain-
tance. She did not observe them, but Clara
Morgan caught sight of her, and said to a
young man by her side
"Well, if there isn't Alice Durand coming
out of Ann street, and on foot too What
in the world can she be doing there!'
Not visiting any of her friends, l ina
CINE" said Mr. Benton
"There is no knowing; she takes very
curious freaks sometimes. Only think of
her purchasing a cheap set of furs, when to
my certain knowledge her mother wanted TO
have some like mine"
"She certainly could afford the most fash
iOnable and expensive"
"Of course; and that's what makes it ap-
pear SO strange"
1t seemed somewhat strange to George
Benton too, for he had heard the circum-
stances of the purchase from his sister, who
was with Alice at the time !; but still he be-
lieved that she must have a good motive for
ably. So thought he, she has been to see
some one in Ann-street, where only poor
families live-that is fact number two" and
he began to make deductions, vet reserved
the final Inference to be drawn from further
premises. Fact number three was furnished
not long after. 1t was on this wise. He
was at large party, and searching through
the crowded rooms for Alice, whom he pre-
sumed to be there, his attention was arrested
by the conversation Of two young ladies'
Yes, Bel, it is as you say, beautiful
dress, but not half so pretty as | intended
TO have it. You know that elegant embro-
dered robe of Alice Durand's: Well | de
termined to have one like it, but the only
person | know Of who does that kind OF
work had to get sick just as wanted her"
How provoking That's always the
way with these needle-women; they think
nothing Of disappointing US. ! never would
employ her again if | were you"
Nor shall 7 Jane Lester has done her
last work for me" said the speaker, no other
than Clara Morgan.
"Yes, Miss Leste, has done her last work
Of that kind. You are quite right, Miss
Clara"
They both started. I, was DIR. Weston
who spoke. lie had heard their heartless
remarks, and there was unusual seriousness
in his tone.
why, what DO you know of hcr :" ask
Cd one of them.
THAT she is very i'll and will not recover
Indeed, | think she would have been in her
grave before now, but for the kiade>t of care. =
- | am glad She l. 80 fortunate" said Miss
Morgan, with a sense Of relief at is not
every one in her situation that can afford a
good nurse"
- Nor could she, but for the goodness Of
one in similar circumstances to yours
Indeed, but you do not mean that anv
one of orr circle is exercising such uncal,ed
for condescension :"
- do mean that there is ono young lady
Of nay acquaintance, of or circle, that can
both devise and perform generous deeds,
however lowly the object"
80! whom are you speaking, doctor:''
now Inquired Mr. Benton, who had been an
observant listener.
II must mention no names" replied Dr.
Weston, with smile. "She would not
thanh mt for making public her Dii~s. cha
rites -
Yet you have actually done it," said one
Of the young ladies.
II have commended the actions without
giving to the actor the notoriety she would
shun; and let me add, my dear girls, her
conduc; is worthy of imitation
- 1t is plain TO be seen some one is to be
canonized as saint, or sister of mercy, to
say the least said Clara, as soon as the
doctor passed on.
at must be Alice" unused Geo Benton,
81 know of none other TO whom DR.. IVES
tons words can apply. and half suspect ii
is some charitabl mission that keeps her
from here tonight"
1t was spring morning in April Jane
Testers couch had been drawn to the win.
dow, that she might share in the sweet in.
fiuences Of that glorious morning. She lay
there, calmly thinking of the present and
the future when Alice Durand entered the
room.
To her Kind inquiries, how she had passed
the night, and how she felt this morning,
Jane replied
"Oh, comfortably, quite comfortably
mucn pain, but patience to bear it; little
sleep, but many pleasant thoughts
~ have brought you the first spring
flowers from our gard n. Are they not
beautiful"
They are, inteed. THANK you for them,
and oh much more for the flowers of peace
and hope with which your kindness has
cheered my pathway"
Think not of that, dear girl" said Alice
with much feeling, :" | have been far happi
er for the little l have done than it could
possibly render you"
- will tax your kindness with but one
more request; it is, that your father vii
permit US to remain in this house until
am gone. You know that next week VIZ
should move, as father must take smaller
building now"
THAT is all arranged; he will not move
at all, but stay here free Of rent; and vii
come sometimes to see the children. They
shall not want"
God 0less you-hc will bless you. But
they will not be long dependent on your
charity; as soon as my father is able"
Call it not charity it is only help which
the stronger should give the weaker in time
of need"
A look of grateful satisfaction overspread
James pale face. She clasped her hands
closed her eyes moment as if in sien
prayer, then whispered, "-Nowy you will reat
to me-"
Alice had already taken from her pocke
the little Bible whose precious contents hac
long been the sewing girls solace, and which
she had requested Miss DuIand to keep a:
a memorial of her.
as there any particular chapter you would
like to hear!" she asked
This morning reminds me of the resur
rection; read, If you please, the fifteenth o
1st Corinthians" .r.
Alice complied, and while she was reading
that sublime argument on the doctrine of
future life, Mr.. Lester and children hat
quietly entered the room. When she cam,
to the words, 90 death, where is thy sting
o grave, where is thy victory :" the dyins
girl repeated after her those exulting word.
| with such an energy as to cause all to turI
their attention to her, and 10! with that tri
umphant exclamation on her lips, the breath
had left her mortal body! Her freed spiri
had "put on immortality"