Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-05-02
do time narrated hor whole life to the present

and desolation being rife IN the wori1 put
have mingled so little with it that l DO no
know how to judge"
As Bernice finished her narrative she pu
the same question to Mrs. Spaulding that sh'
had asked so often b.fore, il there was an!
person thereabouts that would be willing u
take her and her babe and allow herato worl
in return for her board, until such time a
her child should be old enough to warran
her in receiving wages.
"Why, DEAR" said Emily, "my husbanf
aud were wondering who | could possibly
get to help me this summer, when your low
knock broke up the conversation. Perhap'
we can arrange it Gor you to stay with u.s."
-"But your husband" said Bernice, witt
trepidation. "He may object to-me.s
@Never,n said Emily, warmly. He is a.
much better than Las you can we'll imagine.
"Is it possible that am likely 10 remair
with you 2" was the eager quastion, as in hei
earpestness she laid her hand upon that o1
her hostess.
"Why, YES, dear" was the reply; az think
so. Atleast, thematter rests wholly with you.
aThen no wonder my feet trod the rough
highway so zpalously without my di7ining
whittier went. My heart swells to bursting
with specchless thankfulness. | am not for
saken of the Lord :.
"Wc never are, dear; and now Just lie
down beside the babe, until go down 10 the
field to acquaint my husband with your prov
idcntial arrival"
Tossing pillow beside the sleeping infant
Mrs. Spanlding started for her husband, but
could not forbear looking in upon her own
child, and thanking God, as she leaned over
it, that it had good father, and resolving to
be sister and friend to the poor, friendless
girl whom God had sent to her home.
Coming back from her e-rand in the dusk
| of the evening, she came seftly into the sit
| ting-room, hoping to find her guest asleep.
What does he say?" questioned Bernice,
starting up nervouSIy, feeling almost as II
TEMPORAL salvationrested upon the sentence.
{" He says you are good brave girl. BE
bids you tarry with MS until you yourself will
the departure"
A fush, like the glow of sunset, flushed
over TIE pale face, lightipg:the clear eyes with
aHow good, low coed you arcl"
Why, yes, maybe; but we keep thinking
that perhaps, if not ourselves, our children
may wander on the earth knowing no friend
but God; and if we do as We should do, you
know, dear, He will never forsake us. Now,
and. STOPPING, she raised the infant in her
arms with true, motherly tenderness OF
marner. come, dear, you are weary and
need relt."
"Not until on this very spot, where He
showed ME that He had not cast me off in
anger, hut proved to me that he had guided
nv wauderings, knecl in thankfulness."
She slipped down beside her babe, and
Emily, deeply moved, sank softly beside her,
Mr.. Spaulding in soft slippers approached un,
heard, and looking il. at the door, ne retrsatsd
zs.iisenll with fhes feeling that he should nos
intrnde upon the scene.
"There, DEAR" when they were once up
stairs, 'lie down es quickly ss possible, and
sleep in peace;" and she kissed the mother
and her babe as she withdrew.
Bernice shed the happiest tears that night
that had ever fallen from her eyes. The
sorrow and shame through which she had
passed had taught her where to look for
strength; and Loldng her Two bands out in
the darkness she thus sighified that she gave
them to the Almighty palm to hold and guide
her through life. Peaceful sleep, Ike brood
ing dove, lowered over her.
Long after her eyelids were closed from
utter exhaustion, Emily Spaulding and her
husband conyerscG upon her sad tale. They
were united in their wish for Ler to remain
with them.
In the early morning the tuneful birds
aroused the wanderer from sleep, and lifting
her head from the pillow she conld not real
izc that her wanderings were over. She arose,
for the family were astir, and taking from her
small bundle dark, substantial dress, she
arrayed herself quickly, and leaving her babe
asleep, she descended the stairs and entered
not without trepidation, the presence of Mr.
Sneuldine and the rest of the family.
g You ave up early, Rernce," said her hos
tess, smiling upon her. Bernice Whatley
Mr.. Spaulding,' she added.
Mr.. Spaulding simply said "Good morn
ing" and shook her hand in strong, earnest
sympathetic manner that conveyed world
Of meaning from palm to palm.
"Now, Bernice, )" he remarked, as they sal
around the brealfast-table, make yourself
entirely at home at our table and in our house
Act yourself freely"
aIhank YOU" gss the low response.
Vixen the meal was over and the baby
dressad and laid in Master Harry's unused
mih-for it was one of those good babies
that seldom ciied-Emily went about beI
morning work, and Berllice assisted with
quick and ready hand. She proved herself
an expert dairy m&id, cAnrniHg the thick,
rich cream into golden butter, sailing and
printing it in way that entirely won Mrs
Spaulding's confidence.
And the new barn went up without com
| plant from Emily, for no one could make
such nice puddings and pies as Bernice, she
always having natural tact that way, aided
bv the tuteIage of the economical Dame
Midge. What o treasure she proved hersel
TO the over.taxed housewife her Cheerful
unvarying temper acting asa scdatiye upon
the rather. nervous organization of Emily.
It was pleasant sight of a summer eve.
ming to look in upon the group in the sitting
room. Mrs. Spaulding sewing upon the fami
Tvs work. and Bernice, in the easy chair, with
her baby on one knee and two year old Har'
ry on ,he other, his little tongue running Oh
in wild, blackbird kind Of Cabling con.
cerninp the baby. Master Harry sometime;
took in his head for Berry to rock him tc
sleep, and Emily permitted it, in turn rock
ingihc fatherless stranger babe upon bel
And the color, faint, it is true, as the tinss
of sea.shel, came stealing to Bernice',
cheek, and the sad mouth grev sf a rich car
nation. The babe-Nlarah-wa lovely
child, showing plainly enehgh that the stair
of illegitimacy did not mar her physical for
matioD. A fast and firm friendship grew ant
strengthened daily between these two. womer
so strangely met; and Emily caugh, hersel
wondering how she could live without thi
essential twinself Rerniee was such reso
lutte and courageous soul too for, did DANCE
menace, she calmly stood in front, receiving
- 100 Goroo b1ou,c