The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-19
III JJME4 PATH

slightest concern for the girl, so far as she
might be affected oy sickness or health
she was only concerned for her children S
dresses. And yet, let US repeat, Mrs.
Fairhaven was not naturally unkind.-
She didn't think-that was the trouble.
The next morning was clear and warm.
One of those sweet bright days that come
in the latter autumn, after deluge of rain.
But Miss Annable did not appear. Mrs.
Fairhaven wondered and scolded. =
"There's no dependence on these people !''
she said, fretfully. 'It's as much as your
life is worth to get them and then you
are not sure of them for day at a time" :"
Ten, eleven, twelve o'clock came, and
still Miss Annable had not appeared
Then Mrs. Fairhaven changed her dress
hastily, Sn6 went to see Mrs. Crosby, at
whose house she had engaged the seam
stress, in order to learn from her exactly
where she lived. Mrs. Crosby did not
smile as they met, but looked at her
with an unrelaxed, almost severe face.
"That girl hasn't made her appearance
this morning. said Mrs. Tairhaven.
"Miss Annabie."
eyes. She came yesterday and worked
ail uoJ Dut tueIS lSu SiSo5u u VI HSI ILLS
morning"
"a circumstance not to be wondered
at" replied Mrs. Crosby, speaking very
seriously. 81 have seen her to- day"
aYou have Where is she 20
DAT home and in bed, where she will
remain for long Time; perhaps never
rise again.
"What p Mrs. Fairhaven's counte-
nance changed. She was startled. On
the instant, Memory, that faithful recorder
whether we will think or not, had presen-
ted certain facts in the previous days
sthat smote her with accusa-
ton.
'sOEe day in your house viii bs all that
she can ever give" said Mrs. Crosby
s'She went to you, according to engage
ment, through cold, driving storm, and
arrived with soaked feet and under-gar-
ment, wet almost to the knees. You did
not offer a change of anything, not even
to pair of dry stockings. You did not
ask her to warm herself by your kitchen
fire, but set her down to work in a cold
room, into which no heat came all day
A hot cup of tea or coffee might have
saved her But not even these were pro-
pided Oh, madam | am not spea king
to hurt or offend, but all this was neglect
On your side, and the. consequences are
most disastrous-may prove fatal y
Mrs. Fairhaven stood confounded.-
She clasped her hands in the anguish of
sudden conviction and turned
pale.
"That | should have done this!'' she
exclaimed.
at is inconceivable," said Mrs. Crosby.
81 have but one excuse to offer-want
If thought. 1t was not indifference, not
humanity tyzbut simple lack of thought.
Oh, my friend [ would give worlds if this
1ad not happened. How will it sound
when the story gets abroad? l shall be
lespised and execrated."
Think, rather said her friend, :'of
he consequences to Miss Annable and
10 all in your power to mitigate them. ..
She is poor, dependent, sick; l might
Utmost say, dying. The surest way to save
Tour reputation is to show your sorrow for ,
he great wrong done, in giving her every !
attention that mother would give child |
t viii be the surest way 20 satisfy your
and the only way to turn
side that public opinion you dread"
Ali that lay in her power was done for
Mss Annable by Mrs. Fairhayen but it
walled not to save the life whose founda- |
ions had been too surely undermined
Hiss Annable never left her room again,
md In few months went down into the |
-alley of the shadow of death. Untiring, |
constant in ministration was
Nrs. Fairhaven; thus atoning for her
wrong, to the utmost In her
,ower But it is easier TO set the elements
f destruction in motion than to arrest the
destroyer after his bonds are loosened.