St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-06-28

/ Deeper and deeper in her heart sank
the aching, and her grief grew wild
as her eyes rested upon the form of
ner little, innocent sleeping brother
Now, indeed, she felt that God had
torsakcn her. The future presented
nothing but labor, and want, and lone
llncss. ., had she but one earthly
friend whom she could ask for sympa.
thy, she felt that she, perhaps, might
endure it. But alone, with no one to
cheer and encourage, she felt that the
bnrdCnmust crush her with its weight.
In the same building, occupying the
part opposite her, Alathca had neigh
bora quakcrcss, kind, good wo-
man, n widow who had outl;vcd all
her near friends. She lived upon the
income from small amount Of prop
erty she owned in an adjoining town :;
and, though she was obliged to be her,
self frugal to make her years ac-
counts meet she had yet often con.
trlvcd to do the orphan girl many a
little favor, and to assist, greatly, by
her wider experience, in many Of Ala
thca's little household cares and cX-
| pcnScs.
To this kind friend, at last, did Ala
thea determine to 90 with her weight
of sorrows. The thought was a relief.
She wiped away her tears, arose and
put away her work, and prepared her
little brother for retiring. Half an
! hour attcrward she stood with her
hand upon Aunt Mcrcy's door-Aunt
Mercy, us the ncighbors lovingly
called her. y sound arrested her at
/ tcntion.
See to it, AUNT Mcrcy-somcthing
must bc done" The voice was indis.
tinct she dill not recognize it and,
waiting until she heard the outer door
close, and knew the visitor was gone,
she raped lightly and entered hcr
friends room, as she was privileged
to do, without being hidden.
Aunt Mercy laid her hand gently
upon the head that was laid coniding
ly in her lap, and smoothing the silk
On hair, murmurcd-
Poor child-poor child! Thou
hast seen much trouble for one st
young"
Kindness never fails to draw tears
from the sensitive, sorrowing being
I Anl 50 Alathca wcpt, long and quiet
~, and found relief for her ovcrbur
dcncd spirits.
But what makes thee so sad to
night, dear 2" asked the kind woman
AIathca hid her face. How coul,
she tell Of the strange event of Ill,
evening? But, gradually, her fricn,
drew it all from her.
And is thee sure thee does no
love Ellis Edmunds ?" asked Aun
Mercy, when, amid tears and bushes
the story was finished.
I" | do not know" was the amusing
Iy innocent reply
Does thee think thee would like
to see him married to another ~
Nathca looked thoughtlul. Sh,
raised her head upon her hand, anl
looking up into her friends face, re
piled, earnestly,
No, Aunt Mercy, l don't believe
should. Perhaps | might before"
Yes, child, perhaps thee nigh
have seen it before he spake sucI
words TO thee as he did tonight. But
my daughter, n young, unoccupic,
heart like thine does not often rcsis
an offer Of love from one like Ellis Ed
munds And love that is not resisted
is taken home to the heart and guard
ed .jcaIousIy, and whoever mcddIetl
Herewith causcth PAIN
"Bnt, Aunt Mercy, he will give hi,
love to another and dcspisc me. .
how could be so foolish and unwisc
and apparently Indifferent. And h
has been SO kind to me !"
Couldn't thee send him 4 message
telling him thee hast thought bette
of it ?"
40, no-no-no. would not fO
all the world. Nothing can be don
unless he should repeat to me wha
he said tonight, and, of course, b
never will. o, if could only thin
he wouldn't desPise me, and think m
= an ungratcfuI, hcartlcss being An
Alathca wcpt again, the sad, mourn
inI tears such as she had not She
since the great loss that left her f,
. therlcss and mothcrless.
Good will take care Of thee, m
child" said Aunt Mercy soothingl,
There was a chccrlulncss in her tones
and look of hope upon her countC
nance that told she saw a brighter fl
: turc for her young friend than tn
young girl could see for herself.
1t was late when Alathca sougl
her own room but the soothing word
; and friendly counsels Of her piou
friend had quicted her mind, and he
nights rest was sweet and undi
turbcd.
! But, the morro,c! o, why does I'll
, morrow come to break the quiet slun
! Der we have woocd with faith, an
hope, and prayer, and scIf.control-
< why does it come to bring back aga
e the burden Of life, and crowd us o
1 on to further cares and troubles.
V Aathea sat herself down early
C her sewing, and before the sun wcI
GOWN htE "OIh WAS tbInpiotCu-i
l she had in the house to do. She car
!, fully folded it, and laid it aside unt
t Mr.. Edmunds should scnd-shc fc
: sure he would not come for it. But
e did not come or send, either, and Il
!, next day Alathca sent it to the stor
T. She waited anXiously for the mcsse
ger to return. But he brought not
/ ing but the pay for the work-n
message, and no more work was sen
$ And now how was God going
G "take care of the poor orphan gi
e poor, only so far as gold and silv,
d were taken into the account? for Al
V thea Du Pont was not q commc
V seamstress. She had mind store
d with variety of useful knowledg
II and, though innocent and ineXperien
+ ed, she was one to be admired. III,
mental worth was known and a
! knowlcdgcd throughout the little Col
:, munity around, and her young CT
$ ployer had not felt that he was in Il