The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-03-26


kind OF social recluse, brooding over tn
misfortunes which had so early in life mad
his sky sunless. As clerk, on moderate
salary, he went through his monotonou
round Of duties, all interest in the future
seeming to have died on, of his heart.
At the end Of the year there was gay
wedding in the city; gay and imposing
enough 10 create hutter in certain circles
A young merchant, who had started in bus.
mess at the same time with Hes,on, and be-
ing more successful, had tried another ven.
ture in life, even the doubtful one of lead.
ing TO the altar a maiden who had been
false to her first lover, turning hear,less
from him when the sunshine leit his path.
This had the effect 10 spur into new life
the almost dormant energies Of our young
friend. From that time ho walked abroad
with frmor tread, nni acountenance more
elevated. IL his old light-heartenncss did
not return, he showed cheerful aspect, and
something like a genial side to his charac-
ter. The true man in him was moving
with n new vitality, and throwing of the
dead husks Of feeling which closed around
him closely as cerements.
Ere another year had gone by, an offer
to commence business again-or rather to
become a partner in an old established
house-was accepted, and he started in the
world once more, moving with steadler
step, and with n surer prospect. And he
loved again-luvcd as deeply, and far more
wisely-loved one, whose light Of love for
him was an undying flame that no waters
of misfortune could ever lucnch.
Morris Heston was all right with the
world again and wiser and happier for the
brief but desolating storm which had so
sadly marrcd the beautiful garden OF his
young life. Prosperity crowned his bust
ness efforts, and love made his home a
Paradise.
Now and then he met on the street, or in
social parties, her who had played him SO
falsely in his darker hours; never without
an almost audibly breathcd uttcrancc OF
thanks for the misfortune which had proved
her quality. She was growing yearly into
a bold, Haunting, heanlcss woman Of the
world her once beautiful face changing
steadily, until, to eyes unveiled by sensL-
ality, il wore most rcpcllant aspect. To
her husbands side she was rarely seen to
move, on social occasions with an uncon-
scious instinct, as If twas always pleasant
to bo near him; but plainly preferred any
mans company to his. -. .,
"Thank God for misfortune !" said Hes
ton, almost speaking aloud, on one occa.
sion, rs he saw her turn from her husband
with scarcely concealed disgust, and crown
another man with wreath Of smiles. "ro
me il came blessing in disguise"
II was scarcely month later, when The
husband of this weak, vain, unprincipled
woman, returned from his business one
evening TO find his home desolate, his love
bopelessly wrecked, and his baby worse than
mo,herlcss. His wife had abandoned all
her sacred duties, and throwing love. honor.
virtue, TO the mocking winds, cast her lot
with that Of a false wretch who lured her
from the true path, only to fling her aside
after brief season US worthless thing. :,
"Thank God for misfortune" exclaimed
Mr.. Heston, in the silence Of his swelling
heart, when intelligence Of this sad event
reached his ears. II came TO him, first from
tho lips of his own true wife, who had
grown daily dearer to him since the blessed
hour when she had given hand and heart
together. "Misfortune? Oh, no." he said.
at was not misforune-but blessing =
The sun was shining still in the sky; only
few clouds had hid from me his loving
face"
Almost tearfully did Morris Hes,on gath
or his little children into his arms that even.
ing-looking from thcm TO their mother with
such loving glances, that hali.wondering
and hali-joyfal, the happy spouse felt new
delight swelling in her heart, that gave
new beauty in her countenance.
III bless God, dear Mary" said the young
man, as she came TO his side, drawn by the
magnetism Of his love, "that you are my
wife! My true, loving, faithful wife, and
the mother of my precious babes"
Very softly that happy wife and mother
laid her lips upon tho forehead OF her hus-
band, the touch thrilling him to the limos,
Of his spirit.
Was it misfortune that cloudcd our young
friends life." Mono. Not misfortune, IN
the darker sense-the seeming evil was on
" a blessing disguised. And go, to the
ripht.thinking, the right-feeling, the true.
hearted, will all the darker dispcnsations Of
life prove themselves blessings. Let us be
patient, hopeful, trusting, when the sky Is
shadowed, nor trcmblc at the storm that
seems desolating the earth. The cloudy
tempest is only transient condition OF ma
ture; there is above al, the perpetual sun
shine.
To the right-minded there are no misfor-
tunes.