The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-05-24

disappointment and the failure of her plans.
To her not only the month but the whole
year, seemed to have been one of fruitIess
Ieffort-al( broken and diSionted- her
hours of religious duty had been encroached
upon, and disturbed. She had accomplished
nothing that she could see, but to keep her
house and family in order, and even this, to
her saddened mind seemed to have been but
Iindferentlv done. she was conscious of
warnings for more earnest life than this
Unsatisfcd longings for something which
she had not attained, often clouded what,
otherwise, would have been bright day to
her; and yet the causes OF these feelings
seemed to lie in a dim aud misty region,
which her eye could not penetrate.
What then did she need? To see some
result from her life's work? To know that a
tgolden cord bound her lie thread together
into unity ofpurpose--notwth outstanding thew
seemed, 50 often, single and broken .
She was puiie sure that she felt no desire
to shrink from duty. however humble, bat
she sighed for some comforting assurance of
what 1as daty. Her. cnnlovments' conflict
ing as they did with her tastes, seemed 10
her frivolouS and useless Vt seaml to her
that there was some better way of living,
which she from deficiency in energy Of cha,-
actcr, or Of principle, had failed to discover.
As she leaned over child, her tears fell
fast upon its youngbrow. .''.'.I
Most earnestly did she wish. chat she
could shield that chld from the disaopaint-
ments and mistakes and sclf-reproach from
which the mother was then suffering
that the little one might take up life where
she could give it to her--all mendad by her
own experience. 1t would have been con-
fort to have felt, that in fighting the battle,
she had fought for both; yet she knew that
so it could not be--that for ourselves must
we all learn what are those things which
make for our peace u s...s. .ag. ..r#
The tears were in her revcs, asshe gave the
goodnight TO her sleeping da lghtel-then
with soft steps she entered an adjoining room
aud there fairly kissed out the old year on
anther chubby cheek, which nestled among
the pillows. At length she sought her own
rest .s .r.ss.... s... a..r ...
Soon she found hcrSelfin singular place.
She was traversing vast plain. No trees
We're visible, save those which skirted the dis
tant horizon, and on their broad tops rested
wreaths of golden clouds Before her was n
female, who was joUneying towards that re-
gion OF light. Little children were about her
now in her arms now running by her side,
aud as they Travelled, she occupied herself in
caring for them. She taught them how to
place their little fcet-she gave them time
ly warnings of the pt-fallS--She gently If
ted them over the stumbling-hlocks When
they were weary, she soothcd them by sing
ing OF that brighter land, which she kept ev-
er in view, and toSaras which she seemed
fastening with h r little flock. But what
was most remarkable was, then, all unknown
to her, she was constantly watch ed by two
angels, who reposed on two golden clouds
which hoated above her Before each was
golded book, and pen of gold. One angel
with mild and loving eyes, peered constant
II over her right shouldar-another kept
strict watch over her left Not deed, not
word, not look, escaped her notice. When
good deed, word, look, went from her, the
angel over the right shoulder with Glad
smile, wrote it down in his book; when an
evil, however trivial, the angel over the left
shoulder recorded it in his boo'1-then with
sorrowful eyes followed the pilgrim until he
observed pentence for the wrong, upon
which he dropped tear on the record, and
blotted it out, AMI both angels rejoiced.
To the looker-on, it eemed that the travel
Ter did nothing which was worthy of such
careful record. Sometimes she did but blthe
the weary feet OF her little children, but the
angel over the right shoRlder-wrotei it down.
Sometimes she did but patiently wait to lure
back little truant who had turned his face
away from the distant light, but the angel
over the right sh0Hlacr-wrote it down.
Sometimes she did but sooth an angry feel
ing Or raise dropping eye-lid, or kiss away
little grief, but the angel over the right
shoulder-acrote 10 dopR. @.. q
| Sometimes, her eye was fixed so intently
on that golden horizon, and she became so
eager to make progress thither, that the little
ones, missing her care, did anguish or stray.
Then it was thai the angel over the left shouI
lder, lifted his golden pen, and make the eutry,
and followed her with sorrowful eyes, until
he could blot il. out. Sometimes she seemed
to advance rapidly, but in her haste the little
ones had fallen back, and it was the sorrow
ing angel who recorded her progress. Some
times so intent was she to ginl up her loins
and have her lamp trimmed and burning,
that the little children wandered away quite
into forbidden paths. and il was the angel
over the leJt shoulder who recorded her dill
gence.
Now the observer as she looked, felt that
this was faithful and true record, and was
to be kept to that journey end the strong
clasps of gold on those golden books, also
Impressed her with the conviction that, when
they were closed, it would only be for future
lopening.
Her sympathies were warmly enlisted for
the gentle traveller, and with beating heart
she quirkened her steps that she might over
! take her. She wished to tell her of the an