Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-03-14

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tears, caught glimpse of the stranger, but her
mind was too much engaged to look further
Presently there was knock at the door. Jea-
nette started, as she was not in condition to
meet the gaze of any one, and she feared it was
the strange lady. She hastened to remove the
traces of tears in basin of water near. A eec-
ond knock, and CHEEKY "Jeanetter' obliged her
to open the door.
80, dear Aunt Mary! how glad ] am you have
come! Had you any difficulty in finding uss'-
and she drew her affeetionately into the room
while she covered her cheek with kisses.
"No difficulty whatever dear. But Nettie,
you are not looking very we'll. Dear child, you
have been ..weepingl Eh, Nettie2 Has anything
occurred to distress your"
"Nothing but troubled conscience"
(which is gr, at deal to my Nettie2'' replied
her aunt, looking into Jeanette's eye with ten
der inquiry. '
"fou shall know all about it, Aunt Mary,
though fear you will not have quite so good an
opinion ocme when tell you how badly have
acted. But you are tired now. Come sit in this
arm chair, and let US talk about something else
frst'
''No, mol light heart first if have..th pow
err 10 remove the burden" "
So Jeanette sat down beside her, and rehears-
ed the scene which had just occurred shade
passed over Auit Mary's placid face as she list
ened, for she knew misunderstanding were often
sprinsins up between the sisters, and sho had
warned them repeatly of the danger in yielding
to variance, strife, wrath, and that th ey which
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God"
W, Aunt Mary, shall ever overcome? am
not worthy of the name of mother, and it seems
like sacrilege to bear the holier name of Chris
tan"
Aunt Mary remained silent rs she passed her
hand caressingly over the bowed head. At last
she said, in an impressive tone:
Jeanette, did you ever reflect seriously upon
the passage weighing its full meaning, t.Jf We
have not the spirit of Christ We are none of his?
The Spirit of Christ you know, is love, peace,
long suffering, ..gentcness. You depend on your
strength fear, Nette; that is the reason you so
often fail. 1t is prayer and watching which
keep the Christians armor bright. The worst
enemy we have to overcome is self; then why.
dazzling, look 10 such source for deiverapce?
Hide Yourself in the clefs of the Rock. There
only is safety" ''....
Jeanette was n child again when alone with
Aunt Mary, not hesitatng to make bare her
whole heart, however troubled. When she lifted
her face it was bathed in tears r'
"My life shows l have not the Spirit of Christ
II not Christs, o, then, whose am l? My pro-
iession, aunty, is but mo ckery."
~ feel assured you are in the narrow way,
else your heart would not be so troubled hy your
Inconsistencies. Remember you have Father.
who has "promised" 10 deliver all who call up
on him.
And so this devoted servant of God soothed
and counselcd the young Christian, until her
heart had taken courage.
A rafting of wheels and confused minglings
of laughter and singing without, drew Aunt
Mary and jeanette to the window. Middle aged
ladies, in demure sun-bonnets, were slowed away
with pretty girlish faces, peering from beneath
saucy looking hats, in close proximity 10 nous
tached youths, aud all the stray corners of the
wagon filled up with curly heads and joyful little
visages.
"This is really refreshing" laughed Aunt
Mary, rs Jeanette returned the many salutes by
mods and smiles. Eagerly she sought her sister s
face, but her heart was grered TO see Julia's de-
termination to avoid glancing toward The win
dow. When, however, she saw their visitor she
smiled and quickened her pace toward the honse
The little ones, foo, when ihey discovc,cd who
had come, were soon clustered about her with
their warm expressions ofwelcome.
As soon rs the last little foot had skinped from
the room Jeanett, approached her sister. The
struggle with pride had we'll nigh overnastered
her. Julia, surely, should be the first 10 seek
a reconciliation. She had been the first 10 otfeud
and the remembrance of her offensive manner
and cutting words kecnly stung the spirit ofJea-
nette. But she could not excuse her part in the
quarrel; it could not have occurred had she ex-
ercised that charity which tcarcth all things and
is kind; and so, with prayer iu her heart, she
extended her hand to her sister. Julia looked
with naughty coldness into her face a moment,
and turned away.
''Sistcr, was wrong, and sincerely ask your
forgiveness"
She conld say no more, for tears choked her
utterancc. Julia turned again toward her in
mute asionishment; she had never before heard
her proud spirited sister make so humble an &C
acknowledgement. The ''soit answer' had evident
ly locsened the grasp of the demon upon her
heart and turned away her wrath, .or tears were
trickling down her cheek, and ooly the light os
sisters love shope in her face.
"My dear sister Ncttic," she exclaimed in
quivering voice, throwing her arms tenderly
around her, "you ore the victor, and shall wear
the victor's crown! Can you forgive me? With
Gods help in the future 7, too shall overcome
O, Father, help us henccfor'h to come OF more
than conquerois through him who hath loved
u.s."
"Amen," responded Aunt Mary, revercntly.
A HoRsE's PETITION TO HIS DRIvRR.-Going up
hill, whip me not coming down hill hurry me
not on level road, spare me not; loose in the
stable, forget me not; of hay and corn, rob me
not of clean water stint me not with sponge
and water, neglect me not; ofson dry bed, de-