Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-18

er, for they attended the same school. These
two children were very differently lispositioned,
and very differently brought up. Louise was
proud and naughty. Poverty in her eyes was a
disgrace and crime, and she thought nothing
too severe for the poor to suffer. These views
she learned from her mother. Mrs. Gardner
moved in one exclusive crcle-the bon ton of
New York. Without its precincts she ncv-
er venuretl, for all others were beneath her.
Louise, taught to iningle with no children ex-
ccpting those of her mothers friends was grow
ing up believing herself even better than they.
The teaching that Marian Hayes received was
totally different from this. Mrs. Hayes was ac-
knowlcdscd by Mrs. Gardner as one of her par
ticular friends yet though she moved among
that circle, se was far from being one of them.
Her doctrine was the text her little girl had
used "TLe rich and the poor meet together,
and the Lord is the Maker Of them ALL" This
she taught Marian, there was no distinction as
to wealth and position; that the distinction was
age, and to pity the poor and destitute and
that "pleaSant words were as sweet As honey
comb sweet to the SOUL" little kindness was
well, and was ever ready to dispense her gentle
influential, or ragged and INDECENT as the boy
she had that cold morning bcfriendcd.
4 gay and brilliant throng were assembled in
the city Of Washington. Congress was in ses-
>on and the hotels were crowded with strang-
crs. 1t was an evening party. The brilliantly
lighted rooms were filled with youth and beauty.
Standing near one of the doors were two
young ladies, busily engaged conversins togeth-
cr The elder Of the two suddenly cXclaimcd--
"0h, Marian, lave YOU seen Mr. Hamilton,
the new member from W 2"
"No, but have heard q great deal about
him."
"Oh, 7 want to scc him so badly. Mrs. n. is
going to introduce him to us. wish she would
make haste, lave no patience"
"Don't sl'cak so, Louise, wish you would
not Lc SD trilIing," said Marian.
A singular smile played around the mouth OF
tall, handsome gentleman who was standing
near the girls; alt, as he passed them, lie scan-
ned them both very closely
In u short time, Mrs. N came mp with
Mr. Hamilton, the new member, and presented
hin, 10 Miss Gardner and Miss Hayes. As they
were convcrsing together, Mr. Hamilton said /:
"La,licS we have met before"
But Louise and Marian declared their igno-
rance of the fact.
at has been long years ago, yet have not
forgotten it, nor single sentence uttered du-
ring that meeting. I will quote one that may
recall it to your memory" The rich and the
poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker
Of them ALL"
The rich blood tinged the checks of Marian,
but Lonise still declared herself ignorant as be-
FORE Mr.. Hamilton glanced for moment at
AIarian then turning to Louise, he said
"Lons years ago, a little boy, ragged and dir
ty, seated himself upon the steps Of stately
dwelling on Fifth Avenue, New York, and was
there busly engaged trying to read from bit
of paper, when his attention was attracted by
two little girls, richly dressed. The eldest Of
the two particularly attracted him, for she was
Us beautiful rs an angel; but as they came near
to him, she lifted up her hand and exclaimed:
Boy, what are you doing lerc 2"
"rhe boy answered that he was trying TO
read. The child Of aifluencc deridcd him, and
said that she had heard Of intellect in rags, and
he was the very pcrsonifcation Of it. Her com-
panion's answer was, that 'the rich and the
Maker of them ALL Tile elder girl drove the
took him into her dwelling and warmed and
fed him there. When they parted, the little
girl said, syou must not forget Marian Hayes
And Miss Hayes, he never has forgotten her.
That ragged, dirty boy is now before you, ladies,
as Mr.. Hamilton, the member of Congress and
allow me, Miss Gardner, to tender my thanks
to you for the kind treatment Of that Loy.'
Overwhelmed with confusion, Louise knew
not what to say or do.
In pity for her, Mr. Hamilton rose, and turn
ing to Marian. said:
II will see you again, Miss Hayes" and he
left them.
Louise would not stay in the city, where she
daily met with Mr.. hamilton, and in a few days
returned to New York, leaving Marian, with
the consciousness Of having done nothing to be
ashamed Of, and enjoying the society Of distm-
guishcd congressman.
Marian and Mr. Hamilton were walking to-
gcthcr one evening, when the latter drew from
his bosom an old and well-worn primer, and
banded it 10 Marian.
"From this" lie said, "thc man who is so
distinguished here, first learned to read. Do
you recognize the book 2"
Marian trembled, and did not raise her eyes,
when she saw the well-remembered book. Mr..
Hamilton took her hand and said:
"Marian, Jimmie has never forgotten you.
Since the day you were so kind to him and gave
him this book, his life has had one great aim,
and that was to attain to greatness, and in after
years to meet that ministcring angel who was
the swcetncr Of my days Of poverty. When |
left your house with this book, [ returned to
my humble home Ten times happier, and went
| assiduollSy to work to learn to read. My
mother was an invalid, and ere long | learned
well enough to read to her.
When my mother died, found good friends,
and was adopted by gentleman in ". AS
his son / have been educated. a year ago lie
died and left his property to me- Of all the
pleasant memories Of my boyhood, the one con-
nccted with you is the dearest. l have kept
this primer next to my heart, and dwelt upon
the hope of again meeting the giver | have
met her. | see all that my imagination pictured
and ask if the dear hand that gave this book
cannot hc mine forever 2"
Louise felt deeper grief than ever when Ma.
rian told her she was to become the wife of Mr.
Hamilton, the poor boy whom she once Spurned
from her door, and derisivcy called "intellecl
in rags" But she learned Il severe lesson, anC
one that soon changed the whole current of hel
life. For while she Stunned Mr. Hamilton
but by persevering kindness lie made her fee
easy in his presence, and she the acknowledged
friend Of the Congressman and his noble wife
Years have passed since then, and Louise i.
training up a family of little ones but sue il
teaching them to dcspse not intellect in rags
but to be guided 10y Marian's text The ricl
and the poor meet together, and the Lord is TIT
Maker. Of them all"
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