The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-12-22

1
terest of the story, it shows how much OF
the religious instruction of the day fails
to reach the hearts of the young. MARY
is thus described by Mrs. Stowe. ave
that have seen pictures, think, as we look
ON her girlish face, with its lines of statu-
esque beauty, on the trcmulous, half-in-
famine expression of her lovely mouth,
and the general air of simplicity and pu-
rity, of some old pictures of the girlhood
of the Virgin"
Itwas easy enough for Mary to believe
in selt-renunciation, for she was one with
a born vocation for martyrdom; and so,
when the idea was pnt to her of suffering
eternal pains for the glory of God and
the good of being in general, she respon-
ded to it with sort of sublime thrill,
such as it is given to some natures to feel
in view of uttermost sacrifice. But when
she looked around upon the warm, living
faces of friends, acquaintance, and neigh
bors, viewing them rs possible candidates
for dooms so fearfully different, she some
times felt the walls of her faith close a.
round her like an iron shroud, she Won
dered that the sun could shine so bright
ly, that flowers could flaunt such dazzling
coIors, that sweet airs could breathe, and
little children play, and youth love and
hope, and thousand intoxicating influ-
ences combine to cheat the victims from
the thought that their next step might be
| into an abyss of horrors without end
The blood of youth and hope WAS sad
dened by this great sorrow, which lay ev-
er on her. heart, her life unknown
to herself, was sweet tune in the minor
kay; it was only in prayer. or deeds OF
love and charity, or in rapt contemplation
of that beautiful millennial day which her
spiritual guide most delighted to speak Of,
that the tone of her feelings ever rose to
the height of joy
Among Marys young associates was
one who had been as brother to her
childhood. He was her mothers cousins
son,-and SO, by sort of family immu-
nifty. had always q free access to her
mothers house He took to the sea, as
most bold and resolute young men will,
and brought home from foreign parts
those new modes of speech, those other
eyes for received opinions and establish
ed things, which SO often shock establish
ed preiudices,-so that be was held as lit
tie better than an infdel and castaway
by the stricter religious circles of his ma
tive place. Mary's mother, now that Ma
ry was grown up to womans estate
looked with a sevpre eye on her cousin.
She warned her daughter against too free
an association with and So
We all know what comes to pass when
girls are constantly warned not to think
of man. The most conscientious and
obedient little person in the world, Mary
resolved to be very careful. She never
would think of James, except, of course,
in her prayers; but as these were con-
stant it may easily be seen it was not
easy to forget him.
All that was so often told her of his
carelessness, his trifing, his contempt Of
orthodox opinions, and his startling and
bold expressions, only wrote bis name
deeper in her beart-for was not his soul
in peril? Could she look in his frank,
JOYOUS face and listen to his thoughtless
laugh, and then think that fall from
masthead, or one nights storm might,
-ah, with what images her faith filled
the blank Could she believe all this and
forget himl
Wehere omit portion of the story,
commencing where James introduces him
self.
She sat down moment at the window
thoughtfully watching where the after
noon sun was creeping through tho stats
of the fence in long lines of gold among
the tall, tremulous orchard grass, and un-
consciously she began warbling, in low,
gurgling voice, the words of a familiar
hymn, whose grave earnestness accorded
well with the general tone Of her life and
education =;
| Lille Is Inc tllIlt 10 serve Tie Lulu t..ff
The time to insure the great reward"
There was a swish and rustic in the
orchard grass. and a tramp Of elastic steps
then the branches were brushed aside,
and young man suddenly emerged
from the trees a little behind Mary
He was apparently about twenty-five
dressed in the holiday rig of sailor on
shore, which well set off his fine athletic
figure, and accorded with a sort of easy
dashing, and confident air which sat moi
uncomfortably on him. For the rest q
high forehead shaded by rings cf the
blacklist hair, keen, dark eye, a deter
mined mouth, gave the impression of one
who had engaged to do battle with life
rot only with will, but with shrewdness
and ability.
He introduced the colloquy by stepping
directly behind Mary, putting his arms
around her neck and kissing her.
| aUhu Iarras 10 aaid Mary. starting uI