Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-04-25


which ought to awaken pity and admiration
in every breast, Fever once barboring the
thought of numbering her unborn child to
save herself from contulDely ard scornfal
jeers. She had sinned, perhaps, but her child
was inncccnt, and although neither north
nor south, east nor west offered friends or
support, there was ono other way 10 look in
this her dreadful sorrow. God was over ali
and in ell, and although the clear, full eyes
were sunken and din from lonely night vig-
lis, prayers, aud tears, and th. soft young
checks shrunk and faded, yet her purpose was
fixed. Her child, the stamp and seal of her
shame, should live for augnt that she would
do against its life. Heaven bless her true,
strong soul.
Chapter III.-Ber Disappearance.
One morning it was ascertained in the
Rockford family that the highly.prizcd nurse.
ry.mad had mysterously disappeared. The
week before her quarters wages had been
paid her, and she had gone, no one knew
whittier. She had been in the family for
more than year, and Yves universally be-
loved. The children were boisterous in their
loss, and heir mother wes in despair. Neyer
before bad she had so faithful creature in
her household. 1t could not be dissatistac-
ton on lhe part OF the young girl, for only
the week previous there had been talk OF
increasing Ecr wages; her really kind mis-
gress ascribing her altered looks to her TOO
faithful discharge of her duties. But Bei-
nice had expressed herself satisfied with her
salary. Wat could it mean? Blank mys.
tery settled over tie whole affair.
Meanw! lie Bernice hurried away in the
cars to distant town, revolving in her mil d,
her sin, her desolation and its consequences.
She had not the cohsoling story Of mock
marriage to tell to the sympathetic. No; the
naked ruth stood up cold and cruel before
er. Young, unsuspcious and loving, she
wes betrayed by false promises. The world
is full of cases parallel with hers, although
few like her possess moral courage TO bear the
weight of her shame without one thought Of
adding to the weight of her sin the crime OF
murder.
She rcuted n small room in the noisy, busy
city of Illllsbury, and secured the services o.:
an old culored nurse and there one morning
the friendly sun shone in upon one Of tht
saddeSt evidences of mans lawlessness-the
paiid, tear-stained face Of an unwedded moth
tr and that mother but little more than sew
cnleen years of bge, a heart sorrowing and
burdrncd within ber, but With urpeIjurcd
soul, the poor young creature lay with her
cCli, rigid face turned to the wall.
O.hers lad sinned thousand times more
than she, but their sins had bciriendcd them
in not revealing themselves TO the world but
holding all immortal soul within The little la
by form given TO her keeping, she would be
faithful to her trust. This was all.
"It's mighty pert young 'ua.' Gaid the
Old negress, when the babe was month old;
"a young 'uu to be proud on, Miss"
Bernre groaned aloud.
"Can one be proud Of child who has
father ?n asked she, deSpairingly, for With her
straightforward honesLuess, she had told ole
Dinah her story before Der babe was born.
''Deed they can. Pears like, if 'twas
misshaped, or foolish, or anything like that
you feel done ruinated bout it; but laws,
Chile, you jes keep up heart. There's De
Lord a reddy fader ior all LeSe little lambs as
is left to His care"
go Dinah, if only had not to 60 into
the cold world again; i I could only just
look upon your honest face and my babes
and none other, could. bear it."
Dinah tossed her head With some mali
ciousness.
"Jes 70 into tho world, honey, ard fight it
for dis ere child's sake. You'll! be harder den
you was, honey not SO lovin', and trustin'
may b., but ye ken battle all do better i;'r
yer bread and butter. If do worlds scorn yc,
honey, ies pay it back. Ys'vc lad lesson
that wont make ye feel very friendly to'ards
people; but ye must be strong in do promises
of de Lord"
"But oh, think, Dinah," was the dsconso-
late reply, "my little girisa child Of shameF'
A snort of defiance came from the old wo.
man, who seemed an animated statue of pol.
ished ebony.
"Shar chile. dat ar baby's DO worse dan
scores da, are born in de bans Of wedlock.
You loved de villain, and maybe, for de time,
he loved you dat's onsartaiu, howebber. |
haint been scrubbin' nigh on to thirty years
widout havin' some sights shovel me, and as
for dat, getting my old black knuckles
knocked agin the Aints. But alters scd,
{ Las, Dirah, it wont last at most, but a few
years, so jes you shes up you your growlin':
and wild dis view fore her, Dinah shet up.
Now, Missy, dare's your trial put in your
arms, and you jcs keep it dare widout once
thinking to put de responsibility upon de
Lord, or anybody else, and by and by yell
find it growiu' less troublesome, and some
time it'll get down and run away from your
arms"
You may be sure that such reasoning in its
fell like oil upon siitf, smar'ing
wounds.
"If [ had not to part with your honest
face, Dinah, should be almost cheerful"
said the young creature, looking with admi'
ration upon the shining face Of her nurse.
The old woman was repulsive enough, as
far as physical features were concerned, but
she had heart, kind, charitable heart, and
Bernice loved her. There are moments in
this earthly life. of ours when the faithful
kindness of dog is appreciated.
When her babe was seven. weeks old Ber-
nice had to part with the old negress, whose
unpresuming faith had strengthened her own
week soul.
"You have done me much good Dinah;
YOU have given me much strength, and if
anywhere in the,future / have home to offer
YOU, shall want you to come to me. Will
you come2'
"Lar how dc chile talks;n was the old
woman'a reply. "'Deed, honey. I'll jest
come if ebber ye dus send word for me-"
Can you read write or read ?"
Dnah shook her head.
-"How, then, can I hops to find you again 2"
Dinah Thought . while. '