The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-05-22
From the Southern Rsld and FIRES
W0MAN,S POWER.
pr AAnr AoNEs, OF MoBnE, ALA.

-
Silent and glittering lay the snow-covered
earth beneath the starry heavens; dark, motion
less shadows fell around the old farmhouse for
there was no wind to toss the icy branches OF
the leafess trees Without the house, all was
still as death; Within there was death ITSELF
Through the halfdrawn curtains Of the west
window. the stars looked down upon the marble
1 brow and casped hands of one who slept in the
Lord Helen thought the stars grew brighter
as they gazed upon her sisters gentle face
They seemed to CLEAN with the same soft radi-
ance as the dark eyes now closed forever. She
saw again the ffail sufferer growing daily more
feeble the fever-bright eyes the rose-hushed
cheeks, and the last sad farewell when the young
wife and mother bade adieu to the bright world
! leaving her darngs to the care of "her own
cherished Helen" Tears started TO Helen's eyes
as she heard the low, regular breathing of the
/ sleeping babe, and watched the husband tossing
ia his restless slumber: To her guidance had
the little Alice been committed; to her kind
words and consolation had the young wife left
her husband WMt could her efforts avail to
raise the almost broken heart? How could She
scarce more than a child herself watch over,
and lead into the right path, that little soul Civ
en- to her charger Long and bitterly Helen
wept for her youth and helplessness many an
earnest, pleading prayer for strength and light,
rose from her anxious heart.
"Ilelenn said a soft voice beside her ; 'fear
not to undertake your sisters charge. wo-
mans power is great my child; come with me
and will show yon."
Helen raised her head, and beheld tall, slen-
der woman, clothed in a floating white robe,
wearing on her bosom a delicate snowy lily
She knew it was her mother; with strange
feeling of happiness she felt the soft fingers close
upon her wrist, and in an instant she was pass
ing swiftly over the trackless snow On they
went together, until far in the distance, Helen
saw the domes and spires of great city. Soon
she was within its limits scarce knowing how,
she stood within a rich, warm parlor, filled With
gems of art and with the costly trtes of wealth
and luxury. An old man and a young girl sat
silently beside the fire. The girl was very young
she was not pretty. Helen's loveness seem
cd still more fresh and bright by the contrast !;
yet in the soft-grey eyes, in the small, express
sive mouth, one could trace the beauty of an
angel. soul. She was pale and slender; her hand
trembled even beneath the slight weight Of her
head She quickly checked low, weary sigh,
as her glance fell upon the gray haired man.
"Father," said she, gently; Twill you not fer
give Willieg May not call him here to cheer
this lonely EVENING"
flush, darling" said the old man; ''let us
not speak Of him. Why do you sigh, Marion
Arc you not well "
"Ycs, father, it is well with me now but for
give him for his sake, or for my own; do SO at
the prayer of his dying sister,"
Not dying, Marion" said the old man in a
startled voice; mot dying. Come here, my
daughter, and tell me you did not mean hat"
The erl arose. and with a slow step came to-
wards lin. She did moi 90 &c his cfen araaiis
but kneeing down laid her head on his breast
and drew his arm around her.
"Do you not know" said she, in clear, sweet
tones, ''that will not long be with you, father
/ am gong Iast; OF our once happy iireside cir
Gle, you and Willie will soon be the only ones
left on earth. VIII you two live apartl VIII
you go alone to our graves, father, while you
have still son? | would weep even in Heaven
if Willie were unforgiven. Happier would he
be weeping over your grave, than living depriv-
! ed of your confidence end love"
"Send me the boy, my Marion. Tell my son
| forgive him all, his fault his unbending pride. "
She crossed the wide hall and knocked at the
opposite door Helen saw young man seated
near the table, gazing fixedly upon an open let
ter he held in his hand A few cold ashes were
strewn upon the hearth, but~there was no fire,
and the air was chill and damp. Marion saw
this in one instant as the light upon the table
blazed high, and went out. But there, sitting
in the cold and darkness the young man told
her the tale he had never breathed before. He
told her of her companions jealousy; of their
false accusations; Of the gradual coldness and
unkindness Of his deceived teachers; Of the
stormy scene when he struck his accuser, and
gave tho lie to a superior "1e had not meant
to do it; but his passion overcame him. Ht
knew his masters had written to his father o.
the disgraceful conduct laid at his door, but he
was too proud to justify himself to an angry
parent"
but. Willie" whispered Marion, ''you were
: his pride and hope; think how disappointed hC
was when you came home dismissed from Col
lege."
"Yes, Marion, know but he believed mt
F guilty of all, and | was too naughty to explain
Listen to the rest have sought in vain fol
employment this letter gives the death-blow t.
NV lat hope. will not depend upon an un
lust father, but what can dor
Not unjust, brother; he has sent for his boy
will YOU not go to your cid gray haired father
who will soon have only you to lean upon?"
Helen heard the low-spoken blessing of thu
loving brother; the fervent aspiration of prais,
TO Heaven; she saw the son seek his father =
the sister, with bowed head, give thanks to hel
Father in Heaven
"A child" said the voice near Helen, ''whos'
pleading has won a soul from ruin. BLESSED
are the peace-makers, for they shall be caleC
the children of God"
f On and on they went again, Helen and he
mother; the broad, well-lghted streets becam
r narrow and dark. Curses fioated on the al
, from low, wretched huts Through ragged cur
tains and broken windows Helen saw dark, vii
f lainous looking men, gaunt, halfstarTed women
children young in years but old in vice, all bar
tering their last possessions for that curse Q
' civilization-liquor. She caught glimpses of tr
. umphant villains round the gambling tables, an
' saw their victims stagger away-some to thei
[ wretched homes to beat their wives and child
4 rem some to the river, TO cast away the las
q precious thing they called their own-the in
r mortal soul. Sickening with dread and horror
4 Helen followed her guide until they stood sti
n before gambling saloon, more squalid than an
!. they had yet seen. As they stood there sh
n saw three men, or rather two men and boy
n enter the room the boy seemed to feel th
# greatest repugnance for the smaller of his con
Y panions He avoided him assiduously, and wa
i rewarded BY a malicious sneer. The first glanf
p at the other mans face told Helen why th
I youth was in that haunt of vice. Twas han'
a some but a wicked face cunning--triumpha
p successful cunning-spoke in every line of h
q face From his black, brilliant eyes, shone IL
n satisfied look Of one whose efforts at lengt
10 have been rewarded
;. Come, Harry" said he to the young maj
a suppose We try our luck to-nightY
10 mo" was the answer. 81 do not wish
- play now Come" said he in lower tone, q
/ nj cto,- hare. Ca,na har,,a with naf for a Will