Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-02-09

laid up none of her treasures in that last
ing store-house, where she can enjoy them
in another and higher existence. Yet
let US not mar our present joyous meeting
by reflections of this distressing nature
Let US hope for better things while we
gratefully own our blessings
Accordingly, care and severe thoughts
were cast aside for the time, and the pleas
ant pastimes proceeded.
The whole group, great and small, sur
r"unde the rural board of their smiling
contented little hostess; for every little
delicacy within her means, and the com
pass Of her culinary knowledge were spread
upon this social board.
| think may truly declare my daugh-
ter said Mrs. Wrightway, this is one o.
the happiest days of my life
All joined heartily in the chorus, And
so do [ ;'' and so do [ ; and SO do L. pass
ed from every one around the table.
While this joyful group, in this peaceful
garden, under this venerable oak, were con-
graduating themselves on the blessings that
surrounded them-a messenger came fly
ing through the garden with troubled
haste, and thus addressed the mistress of
the feast:
Your cousin Minerva, impIores you to
come to her Immediately. She arrived at
home this morning and found her husband
with his throat cut and lying by the side
Of his dead baby. Her state is desolatc
and horrible indeed. Oh! come to her
without deIayn
As might be expected, the whole party
were filled with consternation-with horf-
ror. Mary and Minerals sister set out at
once and fastened to the wrctched girl
She was in a state Of frantic agony, in
which renorse was plainly an ingredient
though she strove to conceal it. Con
science again reused, and applying merci
IeSs y its scorpion sting-the seeds Of
grace sown in early life, struggling with
the hard, sterile, stony crust of infctelity
which had been so Iaboriousy spread a
boYe the natural, genial soil prepared by
the Great lIusbandman to receive His own
precious seeD unseen by mortal eye, were
still sufficiently alive to pierce her guilty
conscience, and cause it to dart its sting in
to her wretched soul.
90 cousin ! 0 sister she shrieked
see see what he has done 90! cruel
cruel, O. cruel man TO murder me,
his wife-his child
The conscientious christian cousin, now
resolved-suffer what the victim might, shG
SuOuid hiIU " Ot1 'ftIOIAi ErsSe-
this two-fold murder. In this course alone
could she be saved, with the help of Cod
grace and mercy, and the goads of con
science.
No Minerva said she calmly and sol
emnly-' see what you have done. Thi
is your work, and that of your false, viii
philosophy, your impious philosophy
which has taught you to defy your Make
and the Saviour who died for you to for
felt the blessings of eternal life, with all tn
earthly comfort and peace you might hav
enjoyed And you are the murderess c
your husband and both your Children
| God wilIrequire their blood at your wretch
ed hands, poor misguided girl
Me. me! she shrieked with eyes star
inc from their sockets, as she darted bacl
wards to the farthest extremity Of ii
chamber with appraised hands, as if war,
ing off the avenging sword.
'Yes, you, Minerva still calmly repea
cd Mary. Yes, yo~ have killed your hu
band and both your innocent children
your beautiful, promising children. Yc
first neglected, abandoned--then murde
ed them. You who were once a child
God, lamb of His fold, an heir Of etern
glory, having received the sign of the or
cited Saviour on your infant forehead.-
Repent, misguided, rebellious girl pc
G chance even now forgiveness may be you
S God is full Of mercy to poor, blind SHINE
e because His precious Son has died
r them.
/ Leave me leave me. O, do not mo
mer and the frantic woman shricked a
: raved, till exhausted she sank on the flo
: and reason left her. She was raying n
: Mae Oh! it was an appalling scene.
a course of preparation for the funeral of
II deceased, money was called for, and scar
:, was made for one dollar. The banker W
9 applied to, he stated that all was gone, I
e a farthing remained of the once ample f
e tune. Woman's Rights, dissipation,
r glect, extravaganza, and numerous robb
e, les consequent upon negIect-had consu
y, ed all.
+ Immediately after the interment of
lie husband and authorizations came in g
c. seized all. House, furniture, valnab
r scarcely leaving clothing for the misera
survivor. Minerva Broomc was now
t. where she commenced her career-in p
I'd ertv--with the addition Of guiit--a reT
r. bate before her God.
IN The unfortunate woman was taker
i'd the peaceful home Of her cousin NJ;
ce where she was tenderly nursed throug
TX, long, lingering sickness, during which
raj mind Of the wretched dupe of fanatic
remained clouded, almost without hop
'er recovery.
he At last the mist was cleared away,
lg- at intervals the bitterest remorse posse,
hts her soul. Yet at intervals, too, the
rts philosophy returned with all its unnat
ler power-and hardened her struggling
eir Mrs, Wrightway and Mrs. Lovetr
ex- her old Sunday School teachers, ur
nal- the sternest duty demanded it, did
and leave her side. Night after night,
tht day after day did they watch and pra,
'itl this lost sheep of the fold.
til, The Bible was read in her room e
len. day by these pious friends, though