American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-04-18
od, and that's all about it," returned the


their steps homeward. The good old
folks watched them as they crossed the
meadow, aud the farmer was the first to
speak.
"What beautiful prayer he made, to
be sure p
"And she," putin his wife, 81 could
have listened to her singing all night"
Il ike to hear her talk, especially
about our little Mary" and he drew his
hand across his eyes.
"Yes, yes" her voice trembled as she
spoke, "she comforted me more than any
one else. All! if l were only christ
ian like her"
1t was evening and while Mr.. Chase
was doing duty for friend at distance,
Agneta and Louise Gardner sat in long
and earnest conversation. At last the
younger lady threw her work aside, ex-
claiming
"Oh my friend, what must | do ?"
"You have not told me what your
deep sorrow is yet" replied Agnotta,
"but in all his distresses a Christian has
need OF prayer; let me urge you to
pray"
II cannot; at least not as | once did"
"Then you have not forgiven him who
LAID this sorrow on you?
Louise looked up in surprise.
at is strong language, know" said
Agnetta, "but is it not true?
The girl burst into tears.
"You cannot understand my grief,it is
trial you have never undergone"
Agnetta felt the truth of this, and
they wcpt together.
''It is not that you have given our
heart where you can hope for no roturu?"
inquired the young wife at length.
For a moment Louise hid her face
then with sudden energy. she cried
"Ask me no more, but help me, help
mo to crush this love forever For it
must" her voice sank to hollow whis-
per, sit must be done he is the husband
of another now"
All noble Agneta, to hear this and
give no sign, that she might spare the
burdened heart the pung Of knowing
that he was hers no more. They knelt
together and the young, the happy wife
prayed for the stricken one beside her
What wrestling with high Heaven, what
burning words of agonized entreaty, what
gentle, me ting adjurations in the name
OF Him who died"
:;hoy rose, and after some minutes Of
unbroken silence, Louise threw herself
into the arms Of her new friend.
"Ah. Agneta," she exclaimed, "surc,
Iy our God has taught you how to give
me aid know He will hear those pray
ers and help me to act Alright"
The brides heart was full.
Louise continued
"And once hated you"
"llated - cried Agnota, starting
eyes, when you first came here, but
you have won me by your love; and now,
oh Agneta, what friend have l, an
orphan, in the world, like my pastors
wife?"
Agncta embraced her fondly, and from.
that time she was an elder sister to the
neglected Louise Would the result Of
her tuition be known go ask the people
of Mr.. Meyburn's charge, and they viii
tell you that their minister's wile-for
such Louise is n6w-is all they can de-
sire.
"Is it possible, dear Mrs Chase, that
you have invited Miss Perry to stay with
you whilst her house is being painted?'
SO spoke the deacon's@ife one morn.
ing as she stood beside her friend in the
kitchen.
"Yes," said Agnet looking up from
her pie crust, II have done SO, Mrs.
Green
"Aner all the i'll natured remarks she
has made 2"
"Just so. | mean to cure her."
Mrs. Green's face grew brighter 81
sit at your feet" she said.
"Nay" replied Agneta, "let us rath-
er sit together in the place that Mary
lOved-learning of Him who, when He
was reviled, reviled not again."
Il shall have a miserable time of it"
said Miss Perry to her friends, "but l
cannot bear the smell of paint, and there
fore | shall CO.
This was all the remark that the kind
Invitation of the yonng wife elected
But Agneta was never dauntel; She had
determined to cure Miss Perry, by Gods
blessing, cure her she would. Night and
morning she remembered this in her
prayers; early and late she pondered the
means to be employed. Knowing itwa
grief to him she loved best Of all things