The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-08-27

SeHSlDly DeCoAC pdiiiihl ~ AIAh Ao VIII
suited Rimerse more rarely, combatted his
opinions, or acted contrary to his advice, in
order to assert his independence. Rimerse,
accustomed to advise as one commands,
had taken offence at these attempts of free
dom; their intimacy had, by degrees, be
come less, a secret bitterness had insinuated
itself into those hearts formerly united !;
every day sowed a seed of discord; chance
made it suddenly germinate and grow.
A field, formerly undivided, had been
shared between the two cousins. RimerSe
wished to make the dividing line by a row
of poplars which he planted during the alb
sence of Ottman. The latter, on his re-
turn was astonished that the boundaries
should have been laid out without his con-
sent. He-eomplained to Rimerse, who re-
piled sharply; the dispute ended by a quar-
rel, soon followed by lawsuit.
1t was this to which Rimerse had just al
luded, and which had already lasted seve-
raj months. To the friendly relations of
the two cousins had succeeded hostility
which was manifested in a thousand little
ways.
Rimerse related these to the traveller
with revengeful sentiment, which in real
! ity betrayed more regret than anger. 1t
was clear that what he found it the most
difficult to pardon in Ottman was the de-
struction of their former friendship.
The stranger, who had listened atten-
lively, did not attempt to combat his preiu-
dices; he knew by experience that the
mind blinded by passion loses itsreasoning
powers, and that in order to enlighten it we
must wait until ray of sensibility or good
sense finds its darkness. He contented
himself with appeasing, by soft words, the
feverish irritation of his companion, and
adroitly recalling remembrances which
might restore serenity to his soul.
AS they conversed they had continued
their journey, and the roofs of Allaman be-
gan to show themselves through the mists
of evening. Warmed by the walk and
by the recital he had just given, Rimerse
asked his companion to turn aside few
PAGES towards grove of willows which he
pointed out to him, and where they would
find fountain we'll known to laborers.
AS they arrived, they perceived the chill
dren to whom the stranger had distributed
his tin cups, assembled around the spring,
from which they were drinking freely
Almost at the same instant, and from the
other side of the grove of willows, Ottman
appeared; he was returning from the
fields, and thirst had attracted him also to-
wards the fountain.
The two cousins stopped, surprised and
embarrassed They seemed at first to hes
itate, as if they would have retreated, but
the presence of witnesses, and the fear of
seeming to yield, detained them. They
advanced with slow steps towards the
spring, on the edge of which they arrived
at the same time.
Both were visibly affected. 1t was the
first time for several months that they had
been so near each other. Their eyes met;
something of their former sentiments
awoke in their hearts in spite of them
selves Meanwhile they maintained 81
lence, and Rimerse drew back in order to
allow Ottman to drink first
The latter was STOPPING to the spring,
when one of the children smilingly offered
him the cup which he had just filled. Ott-
man took it mechanically, and had raised
it to carry it to his lips, when his eyes sud
denly rested on the inscription, and he
stopped The stranger, who had observed
all, hastily seized second cup, which he
presented to Rimerse, repeating, in an un-
der tone, the gentle evangelical precept.
The two cousins remained for moment
hesitating; but their children were there,
strangers to their differences, and playing
together beside the spring; the setting sun
was bathing them with its purple light;
the breeze, which was stealing through the
willows, cooled their veins; comfort opened
their hearts to tenderness. Ottman was
the first to look at his cousin and extend
his cup, repeating,
Love one another"
Rimerse started, stepped forward, and
the cups met in a fraternal toast
The stranger, who had approached,
seized the two hands left free, and, ap-
preaching them to each other, said, with a
smile,
81 believe the poplars may henceforth
grow in peace"
will cut them down tomorrow" ex-
claimed Rimerse with emotion.
"No," said Ottman, let them remain in
token of alliance, that they may one day
shelter our united families"
Rinerse did not reply, but he opened
his arms, and the two relatives embraced
each other,
When the first emotions had passed
away, and they had recovered their COM
posure, both warmly thanked the traveller
eve are indebted to your cups for this
reconciliation" said they, and we shall
each preserve one as memorial"
Keep it also as warning" replied the
stranger; "you have just had proof that
a word of advice seasonably given is new
er lost Always liable to changing emo
tions, man needs to find in everything
around him influences and counsels. He
should despise no means of reminding him.
self constantly of his duty. Upon these
poor tin cups the workman has traced gold
en- words, which may arouse hearts long