The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-04-22

| A"thOi thuu AoA bOco WullUk HuuuoJ AWAY
so ready to labor in her behalf. And whe
night came, fearing to cause that dear moth
er needless anxiety, Alice lay down quietl
by her side, watching till she had fallel
asleep, and then, rising noiselessly, return
ed TO bef endless tasks. And yet, some
how, the harder she worked the. more !
seemed to grow beneath her weary fingers
The real truth Of the matter was, she ha
overrated her own bowels, and was unawar
Of the much longer time It would take 70
the completion of tie labor than she ha
allowed herself. But it was too late t
think of all this how; the trial must b
made, and Heaven, she doubted not woul
give her strength to 60 through With il. o
happy, thrice happy, are they who have de
served to possess this pure and childlik,
faith, shedding its gentle light oh the dark
est scenes Bf life!
Morning broke, at length, over the distan
hills; and Alice, flnging open the easement
felt refreshed by the cool breeze and glad
dened by the bymniRg Of Tie birds, already
up and ot their prisons, or unchanged q
kindly good-morrow wltB the peasants 20.
ing forth to their daily labor. No wonder
that those rough, untutofad men, gazing up.
ward on her pale, calm face, and listening
to her gentle tones, felt sort tf sipersti.
'ious reverence in their hearts, as though
there was blessing in that kindly greeting
which boded of good.
The widow noticed, with thnt quick.sight.
edness Of affection, which even the very
blind seem gifted with in the presence OF
those they love, that her child looked, il
possible, thought paler than usual, and
for ull the bright smiles that met her every
time, Alice, feeling conscious of her gaze,
looked up from her work-marked how
weurily the heavy eyelids dropped over the
aching eyes; and yet she never dreamed of
the deception which had been practiced in
love to soorhe ahd allay her fond anxiety.
and the girl was we'll conten. that it should
BE so. r. sa a..t
1t so huppehed HAT, about noon, as she
sat spinning in the cottage porch, the new
landlord passed by that way on horseback,
and was strtck with her sad; wearied look
for, of late, she had indeed toiled far beyond
her strength, and this additional fatigue was
almost too much for her. But still that
stern man said, within himself, "it is ever
thus with the poor, they work hard when
octihlly obliged to do SO, and II is Just
for their imprudence and idle.
ness OF other linies. And yet" lie added,
alter, as he turned his horses's
head, half lingeringly. "she is very young.
too.d
Aitb boxed Up at the sound of retreat.
ing footsteps. but tod late for her to catch
that half-relenting glance, or it might have
encouraged. HeF to ash on extension of the
time allbtted her-uy, even if it were bit
one single day; but he had passed on ere the
''"'u eHi Couiu OGhiSn from ner mln0 the
fearful remembrance Of his ftrn1et Harsh.
ness.
Another weary day and sieepiess hight
g'ided on thus, and the third evening found
her still ut her spinning; with tile same
smile bn her lip and hope and trust in her
breast.
SIS there nothing can ID to help you;
lily Alice!" asked her mother, who grlsted
to see her obliged to toll so hard.
"Nuthing-unless you will tell ME solig
Iale of old times, as you used to. years ago,
when was child" ....E &, as
"Why, you are but child new," said the
widow, with mourn'til smile; and. then in.
Aaraly comparing her lot with that of other
girls of the same age, she relupsed into a
rain Of sad aud silent musiDg. Alice knew
hat they were sad; by the quivering lip and
contracted brow. ....... i.
Come, mother dear" said she, ~ am
waiting to hear yout story" s.s..,.,
And then the widow began to relate some
simple "Reminiscences of by.gone times; POS
sessing a stfongs interest for that lonely
girl, who knew little Of life, save in these
homely and transient notwithstanding
nsleep in the midst, through weariness--for
she ever grew weak and exhausted aa night
came on-but presently awoke again, half
bewildered. ~s la. ss@"
"Where was I: Alice!" asked the invalid,
gently.
"Asleep, dear mother, Twas in hopes" re-
piled her companion, with smile.
30, forgive me! could tiot Help IT,
But yott will Rot sit uP very long!"
"Eo, no! Good night"
"Good night; and God bless yous my
child" said the widow; and, few minutes
afterward, Alice, was again the only wake-
ful thing IN that cottage-=if, indeed, she
could be called SO, with her half closed
eyes and wandering thodghtS, although, It
is true, the busy fingers toiled on mechanic.
ally at their task. The very clock licked
with a dull, drowsy sound; and the perpetual
of her wheel seemed almost like
a lullaby! -st7a ~ - &
Presently, the girl began 70 sing i'll low
voice, in order to keep herself awake;
hymns, as usual, low, plaiGtfve and sootk-
ing, while the widow heard them in her
sleep and dreamed Of heaven. But all
wodld not do, and so she arose, IL length,