Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-01

| ".
| ~, OF "THE MOTHERS LAST HOPE"
SHE was bright joyous creature sportive as
the butterfly, and lively as wren. think
her now, with her laughing eye and golden
ringlets floating in the summer breeze, and her
look Of roguish archness. know not by what
magic she enchanted all hearts, but every one
loved her. Itwere impossible to designate any
particular beauty of feature, or any one quality
she possessed, that rendered her so irresistibly
lovely. Perhaps the secret of her witchery lay
in the sympathy she elected Little Mary was
motherless child. Her father, a stern, hard
featured man, had brought her to our school, to
remain for limited number of years, week
after her irreparable loss, and TIN might have,
and no doubt had, an influence in attaching US
to her, and in creating the general wish through
out the school Of befriending her. When we
spoke to each other, ii was in our ordinary tone;
but whenever Mary was addressed, change
came over us. The manner became subdued,
accompanied by tenderness of look and voice
almost amounting to sadness; and never was
her name mentioned without the tender appel!
latiye ofdear being added She was known as
the little Fairy. A more suitable name could
not have been obtained. Il, ..,
School girls become deeply attached The
punctilio Of the world has not with them dead.
enod all the finer feelings. They have followed
the same pursuits and the same pleasures par
taken Of the same enjoyments; and probably
shared the same rewards and punishments.
Their joys and griefs have been in unison; and
when the period Of separation arrives-when
the individuals so minging go forth into society
operformtheir allotted duties, assuming each
one of them, the responsibility which every
member of the human family incurs in the
pilgrimage Of life-no wonder it casts shadow
over the youthful spirit or that the heart feels
deeply Mary was the last of our little band
to leave and being among the first, lost sight
ofthe schools darling " for several years.
When next we met, she was the presiding
mistress of her fathers wellordered household.
Never shall l forget the impression produced
upon me upon seeing that resplendent being.
Her features had not materially changed; but
there was the impress of mind stamped upon
them. Before, it was the simple loneliness of
innocence; now it was the full perfection of
womanhood They said she was betrothed:
and that with the sanction of her father, she
was to wed one in every way deserving the
treasure of her young affections.
Again | lost sight of her for many years.
How often in the interim, did memory turn
to the past. How often, when wished to see
reflected perfect picture, did it revert to Mary
in her childhood, and as had last beheld Der.
And then again we met. The buds of early
promise, where were theyP-withered and dead
Blasted lay the flowers of loneliness, with not
leaf to remind the beholder of what had been.
To the sacred name of wife, had been added
the responsible duties of mother. Mary Mon
trose had welded the object of her hearts affec-
ton, and was now the mother of three children.
Gone was the eye Of intelligence, the sunny,
look, the golden hair, the sportive nature. All
had faded like the memory of dream.
She was in darkened chamber. The cur.
tains Of the bed on which she lay were partially
thrown back. Her little ones had gathered
round it vainly cndeavoring to arouse their
sinful mother out Of the lethargic state into
which she had fallen. At the foot, gazing with
that heart-broken expression which so evidently
betrays that hope, the last friend of the wretch
ed, is abandoned, stood the husband, glancing
from one to the other, first to his neglected
children, and then their ine6riate mother! A
sigh amounting to groan escaped him. And
this was Mary Montrose-the beautiful-the
gited-the SCHOOLS darling" There she lay,
unconscious alike Of the grief of affection, and
the urgent necessities Of her suffering children.
1t is wise providence ofthe Almighty, that
the violation Of any sacred duty brings its ap-
propriatc punishment. Mary Montrose was
apparently destined to shine as one of tho
worlds brightest ornaments. Her career had
begun under the most favorable auspices
and how was it ended2
Once again We met
They were bearing her body TO an untimely
grave. The culpability of her conduct had long
estranged the hearts Of every member Of her
family. Not tear bedewd her memory. Hus-
band and children felt her decease as relief;
and she, the loved, the beautiful, the schools
idol, went down to dishonored grave-un-
regretted, unmourned--One OF the thousand VIC
Tins to the blighting sin of intcmperance
PHILADELPHIA IRON MANUFACTURES The
Philadelphia North american states that in
that city and neighborhood there are over ten
thousandpersons engaged in iron manufactures,
whose products ofindustry amount to 81 9. 1857. =