The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-19

minutes passed after sending up my card be
fore she made appearance. l began to hav'
misgivings as to the state in which | shoulI
/ find her.
A rustlng of garments on the stairs-th'
pleasant pa,tering of little feet-thc music
of child's questioning voice-and then Mrs
Goldsmith entered, leading a golden-haire'
little girl of ,amc three summers by the hand
One glance into her pale, calm, humanizet
face told the story ofsufrerins and triumph
She had been down among the seethinl
waters of sorrow andadvirsity, but had riser
above them in the strength of nobler anC
purer love than had burned in her heart il
the days of wealth and luxurious ease.
'Itwas kind in you u call, sho said, Al
she stood holding my hand and looking a
me with gntifed expression on her face.
Il am gricvcd,' | said, using the common
form ofexpression, 'to find, that since m!
absence from the city sad changes have me
you.'
She smiled family as she answered, God,
ways are not our ways
But his ways are always best, l sale
quickly
'Always-always,' she replied, tho smil,
growing sweetcr about her mouth.
Though our feet turn to them unwilling
ly,' l remarked.
Very unwilingly. as in my case.'
We were seated. The sunny.haired chile
was in her arms, her head laid back, and hel
eyes turned lovingly upward. Mrs. Gold
smith looked down upon the sweet face AM
left kiss upon it.
Your grand-dauGhtcr"
Yes, and she's darling little sirl' Hcl
arms on which the child lay, felt the loving
impulse that was in her heart, and drew it'
form close against her breast. noticed the
movement, and said, in my thoughts, 'ie'
His ways are Neutrality-suspicious.
There has been much lost, she said, in the
earnest talk that followed-'much lost, and
much gained; and the gain is greater than
the loss. Oh, into what blind, sc fish, sin.
ful state had fallen when that sterner yisi.
tatiOn and discipline came, and sunk for a
time in utter despair. Then | became con.
scious that struggle for very life had come,
and that not only for myself. but another
also-a struggle in which victory would be
reached only IN the degrees that | had in
myself the elements Of strength. In the wreck
of my husbands estate everything was lost,
Our elegant home and luxurious furniture
receded fron poss sion, fading away, in our
bewildermcnt andgricf, like dissolying view
or the passing scenery in a play. My frs,
distinct impression was like that of n man in
the midst ofoyerwhcming water, and began
reaching about fear'ully, in my thoughts for
a way OF safety aud escape. Then the despised
and condemned one-he from whom we had
turned ourselves away in bitter scOrn-camc
and spoke such kind, true, tender and manly
words, that my rebuked and smittcn heart
bowed before him in something OF reverence.
| saw in what loving trust and confidence
my daughter leaned upon him, secure and
stcadast, while against nc and my other
child the floods swept icrcely, and it seemed
a, Il no power colld save Us.
'Ah, sir, God led us down into deep,
dark, frightfu! valley, only that he might
show us the way to mountain of love,
rising heavcnwarj, beyond. could not 90
in through the door opened for us in such a
manly, Christian spirit, and sit down in idle
ness, with folded hands. The generous con-
duct of my daughters husband inspired me
with desire to return benefit, for benefit
and though here, under the law of iilial love,
| try daily to let gratitude express itself in
service; and so, in useful enployments,
find new life in which peace dwclls. Mar.
garet will not be idle or dependent. 1t !:
not the wish of her excellent brothcr-in-law
that she should teach; but duty has led he'
into the right way, and she is cheerful and
happy
Not in the external things OF life, Isaid
as she paused, 'can the heart find rest
Nor without thcm,' she replied. I'VE
must make them the minister of useful SER
vice; must dwell in them, as life dwclls IN
true forms, directing and controlling them
for those good uses they were intended tC
serve
Then said l., they will be as Aaron's rod
in hand-a staff for support. and not a'
Aaron's rod ON the ground-a singing ser
pent. Il From Harper's Nep MOnthiy MGga
;ine.