Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-02-04
llSg9ll D a II IOUS.
THREE SCENES I'M THE LIFE
OF A BELLE.
BY Mrs. Caroline Lee Heutz.
SCENE sEcoND-coNTINUEp

SCENE SECOND-CoNTINUED
Suffer me to ask you, young lady, said
he, laying down the book, with sigh, sif
you find in these pages instruction, conso-
lation, or support anything that as ra-
tional being you out to seek, as moral one
to approve, as an immortal one to desire ?
Ellen was reused to portion of her for
mer animation, by this attack upon her IA
vorite author; and, in language warm as his
from whom she drew her Inspiration, she
defended his sentiments and exalted his
genius-she spoke of his godlike mind,
when the stranger entreated her to forbear,
in words of supplication, but in accents of
command
Draw not similitude,' said he, sbe-
tween holy God, and being who has
perverted the noblest powers that God has
given. Bear with me little while, and |
will show you what is truly godlike, book
as far transcending the productions Of him
you so much admire, as the rays of the sun
excel in glory the wan light of taper.
Then, taking from his bosom the volume
which had excited the curiosity of Ellen,
on account of its apparent fascination, and
seating himself by her side, he unfolded
its sacred pages. She caught glimpse of
the golden letters on the binding, and drew
back with feeling of superstitious dread
1t seemed to her, that he was about to read
her death-warrant, and she inyoluntarily
put out her hand, with a repulsive motion
Without appearing to regard it, he looked
upon her with sweet and solemn counte-
nance, while he repeated this passage, from
bard who had drank of the waters of a
holier fountain than Grecian poets ever
knew:
This book this holy book on every line
Marked with the seal of high divinity
Digine. and with the eternal herallry
From first to last; this ray Of sacred light
This lamp. from on the everlasting throne,
Hercy took down, and ~ the night o. time,
Asl eversnore, beseechIng men. with tears
AnS earnest sigis to rea, believe aud live"
Ellen listened with indescribable awe.
There was power and sensibility in his
accent, i depth of expression in his occa-
sional upturned glance, that impressed and
affected her a. she had never been before.
Forgive me- said he, If, as a stranger,
seeEn intrusive but / look upon every
son and daughter Of Adam, with the ten
dernezs Of brother, and upon whom the
Almighty has laid his chastening hand,
| with feelings OF peculiar interest. If /
were wandering through barren wilder
ness, and found fountain of living water,
and suffered nag fellow pilgrim to slake his
thirst at the noisome pool by the wayside,
without calling him to drink of the pure
stream, would he not have reason to up
braid me for my seifshness /? Oh, doubly
selfish then should l be, if, after tasting the
waters of everlasting life, for ever flowing
from this blessed Book, should not seek
/ to draw you from the polluted sources in
which you vainly endeavor to quench the
| thirst Of an immortal spirit Dear young
fellow-traveler to eternity, suffer me to lend
you guiding hand
Ellen Loring, who had been famed in
the circles Of fashion for her ready wit and
| brilliant repartee, found no words in which
to reply to this affectionate and solemn APP
peal. She turned aside her head, to hide
the tears which she could no longer repress
from flowing down her cheeks. As the
polished, but darkened Athenians, when
Paul, standing on Mars Hill, explained to
them that unknown God, whom they ig-
norantly worshipped,' trembled before an
eloquence they could not comprehend, she
was oppressed by power she could not
define. Agnes, who began to be alarmed
at the consequences of this agitation, and
who saw in perspective Mrs. Loring's dis
pleasure and reproache8, here whispered
| Ellen it was time to return, and Ellen, glad
to be released from an influence to which
she was constrained to bow, obeyed the
signal. Their new friend rose also; Il
cannot but believe, said he, that this
meeting is providential. 1t seems to me
that heaven directed my steps hither, that
/ might lead you to those green pastures
| and still waters where the Shepherd Of Is
rael gathers his flock. You are both young,
bat there is one of you whose cheek is
pale, and whose saddened glance tells a
touching history Of the vanity of all earth.
| ly things. Take this blessed volume, and
substitute it for the one you now hold, and
believe me you viii find in it an inexhaus-