American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-01-22

direct her steps Alright, and having
poured out her soul in prayer, she
calmly thought over the future; for her
self she did not care, but Oh! could
she bear the thought of seeing her dear
foster-parcnts come to want-they who
had been so good to her? No, the
thought was agony. She had health,
and was fast acquiring a good ,eduoa-
tion. Why could she not teach for
her support2 Oh, she would! Now
she had something to spur her on. -
Yes j will teach, and nothing that T
can do shall be left undone. And we'll
did Minnie keep her word aE1 ...
How thankful 1 am" said Mrs.
Bell, after Minnie had left the room,
THAT we have been able to give Min
ME as good an education as She has
that we have neglected nothing that
was in our power to do for her good; ;
she has been dear good child to us"
Yes, she has been all that we could
ask and there is but one thing that
troubles me--we will have nothing to
leave for her support. O.! that she
cpIld find some clue to her family I
feel that I am fast fastening to the
grave; that ere long ] shall be called
to leave this earthly house of clay. to
enter one not made with hands, eterEal
in the heavens; and the thought of
leaving our Minnie a homeless orphan
| might say, to bear the SCOTS and ieers
of a cold, unfeeling world, is a source
Of grief to me- i.
Minnie is a very extraordinary
child; our good pastor informs me that
she is advancing rapidly in all her stu
dies, in music especially. OF this last
| am very glad, for should SHE have to
support herself, she can teach music,
which think is less laborious than any
thing else, and you know she has such
a sweet mellow voice" s"@ "
Again Minnie is on her way to the
pastors. Slowly she walks along-her
countenance is very sad-thoughts of
the past are csowding think upon her,
and such are her thoughts. g Have [
mother, and will I ever see her !?
Oh! why was | torn 50 cruelty from
her? A. faint memory of beauti full
woman comes before me. Could it be
my mother? Yes, 1 feel it is. Me
thinks see a beautiful home, but why
do | pine for that love which I have
no hope of ever gaining-have l not a
kind, good mother, and has she not
done all in her power for my happiness?
Why then do Iyearn for another's love?
But God is good he will never for
sake those who put their trust in Him.
And while musing so, Minnie had seat
cd herself on little grassy knoll by
the way-sidc. From musing of the past
her mind wandcrs on to the future
the dark impenctrable future she
longs for the timet to come when she shall
be able to 60 forth into the wide world
that she may do some good and while
thus muslng she is startled by the ap-
proach of young gentleman, appa-
rently about twenty years old. lie,
too, Is in a musing mood, and walks
slowly along with his gun on his shoul-
der, not noticing the presence of Min.
ME until close to her; he started and
begged pardon for the intrusion, saw
ing that ne had been out cunning all
day, and that he scarcely know where
he had wandered to. Minnie inform
ed him which road led to b. See
ing Minnic's books he asked her what
she had been reading. "I have not
been reading" said she, "but am on
my way to recite to father Norton"
He is your teacher is he? have
you large school?"
so, no; he does not teach school
he is our pastor, and dear good old
man he is--he comforts the sick and
dying, and imparts wisdom and knowl
edge to all who seek his assistance;
the poor and needy always find friead
in him, never was he known to turn the
beggar from his door. o. he is very
good said Minnie earnestly. So much
did she love the good pastor, and so
enthusiastic was she in his praise, that
she forgot that she was speaking to
stranger. Coloring deeply she bid him
a hasty good morning, and hurried on
her way, thoughts of the handsome
young stranger filing her mind.
Howard Weldon, the stranger that
Minnie had met, was student from
cold YALE and had como to tho viii
lage of B. to spend vacation in
hunting, which he was so fond of. He
was young man of medium height,
his low broad forehead and firmly set
mouth gave evidence of intellect of no
ordinary degree. Tho dark chestnut
hair that fell in graceful waves around
his temples, his sweet smile and rich
mellow voice, at once bespeak for him
the confidence Of all who meet him. -
From his dark complexion and accent
~ q. L. 4 4 = -