National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-02-01
The Second Great Commandment.
BY JOHN JONES.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself," read old ParsOn Deane,
and the words fell solemnly and
slowly from his aged lips,-fell up
on ears that heard them and yet
heard them not. Mrs. Smith was
listening to the preacher with the
utmost decOrum, and at the same
time wondering how Mrs. Jones
could have the impudence to parade
her cotton velvet IN the church with
such "a flourish. Farmer A-was
congratulating himself upon having
for once in his life gotten ahead OF
Squire BIN trade, and there
was scarcely person present who
was listening with the heart to the
solemn command, or who was not
mentally violating it. Yet there
was one woman who heard the
words, and who treasured them in
her heart.
She was widow, and was now
patiently waiting the day when her
earthly pilgrimage would end. Her
whole life had been spent i'll deeds
OF mercy and love, and she was
happy now in the consciousness Of
duty alone. She had faithfully iul-
filled the command to love her neigh
Dor as herself, and there was not a
person in the village but could bear
testimony to this. Yet she was
meek and humble, never firing in
her offices of mercy, and never
thinking she had done enough. Par
son Deane often told his wife that
Hannah Lee was a saint Oh earth.
This day she listened earnestly to
the words Of the preacher. praying
that she might profit Icy them. Then
she went home with her heart full
ot them.
1t was very late in the afternoon.
Mrs. Lee was sitting at her window
watching the setting sun as ii threw
its Slantlng rays over the pretty vii
/ lagc. While sitting thus. her attcn-
/ tion was drawn 10 a woman. who
was slowly ascending the hill that
IL to the little cottage. The new
conner was plainly dressed. and was
closely veiled. She walked with an
uncertain air, as if hesitating wheth-
er to approach the house or turn
back. She was evidently a Strang-
person resided in +.
In a few moments the strange wo-
man had reached the door. She put
ont her hand, as if to knock, and
then drew back. Her hesitation,
however, wa. cut short by tlto wild
ow, who opened the door and said
PLEASANTLY
W ont YOU come III =
The stranger entered, and follow,
cd Mrs. Lee silently into the little
parlor. and took the seat to which
the widow pointed. Without speak
inc. sn,. raised her veil, ard for II
moment the two women sat tac'hS
each other. 1t was very sad tace
the Younger revealed a very beau
tiful face. but full OF deep care and
suffering. The widow sat gazing at
her in utter bewilderment.
"You are surprised to see me,
Aunt Hannah" said the woman
sadly.
" Yes, Lizzie, very much surpris.
ed" replied the widow gravcly.
- Are you. sorry | have come 2
E {" cannot tell YOU that until
know Your purpose in coming"
" | will tell you," said the woman
| wcarily. am sick OF the life
have been leading. want to try
and be a good woman. Icame bacl
here, to ask my brother to help M
to do something by which | coult
| live honestly but he turned mt
from his doors, auntic. He woul,
r not keep me. had 10 place to g'
to pass the night, and came here t,
: ask you to let me sleep here. | vii
G go away in the mrning.'
Where will you 90 to Lizzie p
Back to the old life she an
4 swered drearily. Z" am fit for moth
:. ing else, but to die"
4 ARE you fit to die7" asked tn
widow gravc!y.
i The woman shuddered.
+ " Don't talk to me i'll that way,
o she said. Z" Only let me sleep her
n tonight. and tomorrow l will &
II away"
;, The desired permission was givcl
and after the early tea, the strange
/. was shown to her room, pleasan
fresh little chamber, SO ditierel
from the gaudy apartment she la
If been inhabiting that it made h,
heart ache. When this was dom
Mrs. Lee set out to have talk wit
G Parson Dcane.
o Lizzie Hammond, who had thu
he sough1 her hospitality, who was
n yoIng woman, born aud raised
t. =, and the sister of one OF ii
1t most prosperous farmers in Il
ii neighborhood. Six years before 81
e. had taken that fearful step which
a- woman takes but once, and had bee
II. discarded by her relatives, and co
. demncd, ! those who should ha'
shielded her, to life of sin III
shame. She had not been seen
Us the village duringall those six year
II. but in a gay city of the land, h
~ name had been notorious and inl
" nous. Yet no one knew the "
~, mans heart; no one knew, nor car
:" to know, how little she was accoul
u able for her fall, or how her hca