The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-31

w
It is the one that brought you; but
pray do not think hard of me; dared
not refuse, as my head was at stake
Sir, get up beside me; the way is long,
the sun is hot ard the road is dusty"
"I viii accept, my friend. Your We
hicle carried me two days ago to death;
now, it brings me back to my family.
I ana anxious to get there.
When they entered the town of Ar
ras, night had overtaken them. The
carter would not take any reward: the
priest thanked him and turned towards
Che dwelling where he and his nieces
had kept themselves hid during the
reign of terror.
In a scantily furnished room, under
the roof, sat two young girls working.
An earthen lamp lighted the gloomy
dwelling, that had no other furniture
than worm-eaten bed, table and
two or three chairs. The two girls
sewed in silence. Jane, the elder, with
bowed head, bedewed her thin, white
hands with burning tears: Marguerite
the younger, regarded her, unperceiyed,
and seemed to strive to suppress her
sorrow, but at last, unable to control
her emotions longer, heavy sigh es-
capped her bosom. Jane, after raising
her eyes to her sister, said, regarding
her tenderly:
Marguerite, you know the precept
of our dear uncle, God ruleth; what he
doeth is good" Then she hushed, and
both continued to work.
"Dear uncle!" began Marguerite,
"where is he now? perhaps he is dead.
"Oh, do not say that!" replied Jane.
"The thought frightens me; and still
in the distress in which we are, would
itnot perhaps be better for him; he
would be in heaven! God would have
been merciful to him."
"Jane, answered Marguerite, "God
has algsady been pitifnl to us, for he
has sent us work, while so many poor
are in want of it; we shall at least have
bread, and how many have not ever
that Oh, God is good!"
Yes. God is good, because he has
left us together" At these words the
two girls threw themselves into each
others arms; then took up their worl
again.
Just then there was knock at The
door. The frightened sisters trembled
and held each other firmly, and ex
changing glances of inquiry and fear
a second and louder knock increased
their anxiety; but voice without cal
led out; Jane, Marguerite, it is ], le
me come in!" Hearing the well-knowl
voice, Marguerite rushed to open th
2 door, and received in her arms he
2 go)d uncle, the venerable James Ber
r anger, Jane had sat still, unable t
. move; she. regarded, with a bewilderet
look, the aged man, whom she though
2 dead, or at least in the darkness of th
t dungeon.
"What is the matter, my dear Jane,
: lie said, taking her hand, edo you no
S know me? It is your unclel"
At the sound of this voice, her per
. ception returned, and long sol esca
! ping her breast, she fell round his nee
: without uttering a word.
@Is it possible, said Marguerite
: "you are given back to usl O, moth
$ ing can happen now-you are here!"
After that, the uncle related wha
a had occurred, and how he was set a
Z liberty. Then Marguerite and Jan
It opened the small room of their uncle
e which they had kept shut during b
/ short absence, and he entered it agar
" praising the Lord with his whole sou
IF for he had believed he had left it fol
n ever.
IF Two years of busy work rolled o.
7; Their labor seemed easy to the ma
lie dens, for it supported him who had 7
le ceived them orphans. However, th
Of quiet was interrupted; for God. sene
q, painful trials to his faithful servant
D. The merchant for whom Jane and Ma
b. guerite worked, failed in business;
S, took his departure, and carried vi
b, him a considerable sum Of money til
st he owed them for completed work, al
ne by this occurrence, work failing the
e, suddenly, they were left without su
of port. They found themselves oblig
he to sell little by little Of their clothir
of SO that, to the 1astmoment, they mig
n keep their good Uncle in ignorance
re the dreadful situation in which th
N