Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-05-27

some childish knitting, raising her soft, pen
sive eys as the heavy breathing of her faith
er, or the whistling winds assumed differ
ent key.
The night brought neither sleep nor quiet
ude for Martha. She bethought her Of
Aunt Harding, and the greateful refuge
which her heart and home WDpld have offer
ed but that dear one was now among the
dwellers of that city whose foundations are
from the beginning. whose builder and max
er is God. She bethough her of '..Our Fa-
ther," whose words are, to His children, 81
will never leave thee nor forsake thee - but
she felt no claim to such promise. And
so it was that her first prayer was offered a
mid the darkness of that cherries night.
She had not asked .samiss," and speedily
4 the answer llfsj came. A fair form, prompted
by an unseen hand, came like an angel of
deliverance, and unloosed the fetters of pow
erty and wrong. Ellen's parents had re-
moved West, and as her fathers business
called him to she resolved, at his re-
quest, to accompany him, and visit again
her native city. The story of Mr.. Wen
dell's downfall was not long in reaching her,
and devising plan which she was sure
would meet Martha's cooperation, she has
tened to lay it before her, with all that de-
Ilicacy so grateful to sensitive heart.
s.We shall always remember Mrs. Frank
lin," said Lizzie, as the street door closed
on Ellen.
ssAnd I hope we shall always remember
God. too" replied Martha, with evident e.
motion
.'What good news we will have for Fa-
ther," continued Lizzie; ''oh, here he
comes p and the slight figure opened the
door ly,xexclaiming as she caught his
thin hand, II guess you don't know why
we are SO happy" and looking to her sister,
she added, now you tell him, Martha y
Smiles of gratitude lit up the pale face OF
Mr.. Wendell as he listened to his daughter S
recital, and hope kindled anew her fires in
the place of cold and faded embers.
Ellen's plans being cordially seconded by
her father, were accepted by Mr.. Wendell,
and it was arranged that they should start
in company, for the West, as soon as both
parties could leave. Ellen in the meantime,
had written home, making some suggestions
that might come too late if she waited to pre-
sent them in person. Martha had abun-
dant labor for the interim gathering up the
remnants left from the sale, the articles cal
lowed by law" the family pictures, SO highly
priced, and other articles Of only personal
value, all of which were to be put in readi-
ness for the prospective journey.
A month had passed, and the changed
family sat by Western freside. Among
the thrifty dwellers in the village of B
Mr.. Wendell had caught new life from the
quick pulsations Of energy and success a
bout him, and by the aid of his friends had
entered into business with a degree of his
former spirit. Martha, by tactand prudence
had neatly furnished their sitting room and
bed-chamber which, with another room for
domestic purposes, comfortably supplied
them Mr. Franklin, Ellen's husband, be-
ing President of the Board of Trustees of a
newly organized seminary in the place, had,
as Ellen desired when she wrote him from
the East. brought the name of Miss Martha
Wendell before his brother officials, which,
with his influence, secured her the position
of Preceptress. She entered upon its du-
ties in two weeks after her arrival, Lizzie
being by turns the skilful house maid and
the ready scholar.
Three years of Western life were number
ed. Mr.. Wendell had secured comforta-
BILE competence for himself and daughters,
and more than ALL had learned from the
Great Teacher those lessons so long neglect
4 ed. Martha still continued teaching, with
abundant success; how much of her charac-
ter few years had developed; how many
of its traits, like gems imbedded in their
earthly stratum, had never shed forth their
lustre, but for the hand that wrought them
out. No studied formality had overgrown
her spightly, attractive manner. which SEEM
ed the natural expression of her cheerful,
blooming features, and became so we'll her
girlish stature; true, the education of the
heart had brought out some points Of express
sion and softened others, while her presence
was vested with dignifed grace, which was
in part owing to her position. In her sew
eral relations she sustained the character of
true woman. winning by persuasion, plant
ing flowers of love by the stony wayside,
and receiving anon their grateful odors.
| With the drawing Of the fourth year was
heard the rustliag of the Death-angeps wing
Martha and Lizzie stood by the bedside of
the dying, moistening the sufferers pallid
| lips and wiping the death-damps from his
brow There, too, were Mr.. and Mrs,
Franklin, and Mr. Hamilton, their beloved
pastor, breathing forth that sympathy which
is the offspring Of true friendship. ''How
different from my mothers death scene !'
said Martha to Ellen, as she sat on low
footstool at Ellen's feet, while the latter.
with a kind of motherly magic, soothed the
aching head that rested on her lap, and with
words of comfort stilled the sorrow of
throbbing heart. ''It's such comfort to
know that everything has been done that