Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-25
CtOitr giterature.
From the st. Louis Observer.
MINNIE LAURIE
The Pastors Daughter.
BY CARRIE ELWOOD.

Come 90 with me, kind reader, to qui-
ct little cottage on the banks of the bold |
Merrimack.' 1t is mild lovely day, and |
the October sunlight is falling beautifully |
upon this world Of ours-the footstool of
Omnipotence-and it's softened light lin
gers lovingly around that little cottage
home Well it may, for this is the we'd
ding day of sweet Minnie Laurie, the aged |
pastors cherished and only daughter
Her usually merry face and laughing eyes
wear thoughtful, subdued look, for she
realizes that it is no trifing thing to pro-
mise to '1ove, honor, and obey" for life
but, as she raises her eyes, half timidly. to
the one standing by her side, she feels that
it will be no task, but lifetime pleasure
And who could look upon the noble form,
and proud intelligent face Of the happy
bridegroom, without saying mentally, if
not aloud, "she has chosen wisely?"
Friendsfock around the newly married
couple to offer congratulations the pastor
stands apart with bowed head and CULVER
ing form his heart swelling with a fervent
prayer to God to guide them Alright in their
course through life, and to made them His
earnest and true followers.
Seventeen years ago, when the spring
flowers were blooming, he stood beside the
open grave Of his wife she who had for
more than half score Of years borne ife's
joys and sorrows, by his side, had gone to
Join the angel throng all robed in white"
and had left to the care of the stricken
father three little ones, to be his compan-
ions and solace. Charles, manly boy Of
ten years Walter, aged six; and baby
Minnie, whose little heart could not real
ize the loss she had sustained, but who crow
ed and cIapped her tiny hands to hear the
birds sing, even though they sung near
where they were placing her mother in
her dreamless home. Mr.. Laurie mourned
deeply for the mother of his children, but
he knew that in God she had trusted-that
she had passed through the dark valley,
leaning upon His arm, and to the same
God he endeavored meelly to commit tho
interests of himself and his little ones.
Years passed, and brought with them
their thousand changes of time and place
A widowed sister of Mr. Laurie had taken
place in his home, and cared for his chill
dren as kindly as any but mother could
care for them. Charles and Walter hac
grown to manhood, and gone forth into
the world to battle with its realities, anC
learn for themselves of its stern trials anC
soul-sickening disappointments. Minnie
had become as lovely flower as eve
bloomed upon the New England's shore.
Her father loved her fondly, and earnestly
for she inherited not only her mother
features, but the same sweet, ringing
laugh and amiable disposition that wol
his heart ere his head was 'silvered o'e
by the frosts of many winters
When she was entering her seventeenth
year, there came to the village Mauric
Eldrdge, young lawyer, who ''wooed an
won" our Minnie. To him she gave, with
out fear or reservation, the wealth of
J heart that was rich with love; and, stanG
: ing together, they looked through the lon
vista OF coming years, fondly hoping ths
, the future would contain for their hear
5 only happiness. Alas, that
CLOUDS may dim life's glowing page,
And beauty fade away"
: Before the first anniversary of her we,
S ding, Minnie, with her husband and br
e theirs, stood beside the still form, and gaze
upon the placid face of their father wi
s had lain life's burden down and gone
s Join the loved and lost in a supremely ha
e py existence. His life had not been
,f vain, for around his inanimate clay assel
n bled those whose love he had won by |
If kind interest, and fatherly care-tho
If with whom be had rejoiced in days
gladness, and who had received his tes
and sympathy when sorrows cloud hu
heavy and dark. Many, too, for whom
had prayed when they drank of the wor
rs wood and gall Of repentance, and o,
OF whom he had shed tears Of happiness a
lr- thanksgiving, at their adoption into t
er fold of the good Shepherd. But they'll;
: dear old Father Laurie to rest, mourni
~ their loss but rejoicing for his great ga
knowing full we'll that he had gone to
abundant reward.
he In few months after the death of N
1HinI MES father, Mr.. Eldrige, having fair pl
80 roc+r of cucceSs in a new fiaId canclI,,