The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-29


spotted soul was the dwelling place of vir-
tue, adorned with the brightest jewels Of
early piety; for the seed her mother had
sown in her infant heart, Aunt Ellen
fostered with her own precepts and ex-
ample.
1t was thanksgiving day, just ten years
from the day when Walter was attracted
by Mary's prayers in the woods. The
day was clear, cold and frosty, as then,
and the church bells of the city were
ringing out their harmonious peals.-
Mary was standing at the parlor window,
a brighter light beaming in her large dark
eyes, aud a brilliant glow tinging her
cheek. She both looked and felt very
happy, and as she stood there, she sang
in soft, meledious VOICE
"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform,
He plants his footsteps on the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind frowning providence,
He hides smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have bitter taste.
But sweet will be the flower"
She sang those three beautiful verses
and then was particularly struck with their
application to herself God had indeed
moved in a mysterious way with regard
to her. Through all the rough paths of
her early childhood, He had watched
over her. His eye was ever upon her,
and cruel as she was often treated, he
saw that it was for the best.
"Behind frowning providence
He hides smiling face"
Clouds of the darkest hue encompass
ed her pathway, but they were lined with
silver, and that lining was destined soon
to appear. Her Heavenly Father cover
ed her with the shadow of his wing, when
alone and friendless in the woods, and it
was indeed he who led Walter to that
spot.
Nor was all the benefit received by
Mary, Walter watched the unfeigned pie
ty of the child, and her perfect trust in
Gods care, and it awakened strange
feelings and deep emotions in his breast
and eventually led him to embrace that
religion which had been the support o
his sister in her many trials, and shont
with the brightest lustre in the life o
Mary.
Mary stood there now as Walter Muir
rays wife. When she grew to womanheot
he felt that he loved her too deeply t
call her his adopted sister. His feeling.
she reciprocated, and for one year ha,
been his wife.
He joined her at the window and sai
"Mary, this is double, treble thanks
giving day to US. This day. ten yea
ago, l found you in the woods alone an
friendless, and this day one year ago, 20
became my wife"
Mary leaned her head upon his shoul
der, and with an overaowing heart, said
Ten such happy years these have bee
to me, Walter. l was just thinking {
Gods guardian care over me. 1 remem
ber my little prayer uttered in simple fait
how speedily it was answered, and O
what friends He gave me Aunt Ellie
has been a devoted mother, You, ft
years, acknowledged me as your litt
sister, and petted me accordingly. An
now, Walter, my husband, next to m
God, you are, o so dear to me II
gether we will live in each others low
and when the pale angel summons us
way from earth, we will pass over Jorda
to the Paradise Of God, and there forevt
dwell together, where sorrow never come
and partings are unknown"
Walter gazed up into the CLOWN
, countenance of his beautiful young wifi
and pressing his lips with roverenti
!, love upon her upturned brow, said:
"Our earthly home is indeed very ha]
py one, dear Mary, our earthly lo1
unites us very closely, but it is that HON
!; where, as you say, we will, in Gods mel
cy, dwell together, we will, in bliss etel
nal, spend one endless thanksgivin
day."
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