Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-06-18


all that, supporting an aged and invalid
mother, and making smooth her pathway
through her declining years.
Was she happy 3? She who had reigned a
belle in fashions circles? who had been a
petted child in the house Of opulence had
once felt no wish ungratifed that wealth
could bring? Could she be happy in that
noisy mill, working at the gathering looms
from early dawn till night, until every
nerve and fibre of her being ached for rest ?
Yes, she was happy-far happier than in
other days; and had no cloud rested on her
heart, no bitter memory ever wet her pillow
with tears, she would have been fully con-
tent, and that is better than wealth But
there came the sad thought that her father
was gone. to return to earth no more, and
her heart would be filled with sadness, un-
til she would think of meeting him again in
the better land and she would no more be
sad Ivy aha z,
Then somtimes would come the memory
of him whose image she could not yet efface
from her woman's constant heart, and with
that memory came saddened tears, whose
bitterness no one could share, hours to which
no friend could bring comfort save the
Friend who said, "Lo! I am with you al
ways, even unto the end -.
TO the mothers anxious eyes the inroads
that the unusual, unremtting toll made up
on her daughter we're fully apparent, and
the loneliness of her widowhood was made
sad by the thought Of the dark future that
lay before the daughter for whom she once
had cherished such bright anticipations.
But she, too, had learned to rest her bur-
den upon the shoulders of One mighty to
save, and to the widows God she often sent
up prayer for help.
The burning days of summer had come,
aud in the hot rooms of the factory the air
was like furnace. The whir of the ma
chinery. the dust and the heat seemed intol-
cradle Often did it seem to Lizzie that
she would never be able to complete her
days labor, but still she toiled on f!'' -'r
One morning, however, she was awaken
ed by the early bell, and ON attempting to
rise found herself utterly incapable of doing
SO, much to her surprise. She spoke to her
mother. saying:
"Mother, I fear am too unwell to work
to-day, BUTT is nothing serious, 1 hope" ]
But she was mistaken. Ere noon she
was in a high fever. and for weeks she lay
at the point of death But yonth and i
strong constitution finally triumphed, and
she grew convalescent slowly. But thei1
money was all expended, and what sloulc
they do 1t would be some time before Liz
zie would be able to enter upon her duties
in the mill, and in the meantime both she
and her mother must live. - u tlH.a7
One day a friend, who had worked with
Lizzie in the mill, called on them, and found
the latter so Respondent that she inquired
the occasion of it.
After much hesitancy on the part of the
young girl, persuaded by the disinteresteo
sympathy manifested by the other, she final
ly confded to her the circumstances of theil
painful situation
Mary Hale was an orphan, and having NJ
one but herself dependent on her for support
she determined to assist her friend, and a
once offered, with much delicacy. to loa1
Lizzie and her mother sufficient sum, from
her little store in the savings bank up at the
village, to meet their wants until such !;
time as the former should be able to agair
enter upon her duties in the mill.
| The kind offer was thankfully accepted
and Mary took her leave with the conscious
ness of having performed noble act, as in
deed it was. 1t would be many weeks be
fore her friend would be able to save enough
from her earning to repay the sum she hat
SO kindly advanced, and perhaps never b
able to fully do So But Mary felt, ever
should such be the case, that she would no
regret it. She had needed the divine in
junction, "Cast thy bread upon the waters,
and she doubted not the fulfllment of the
promise, 'sand it shall return to thee afte
many days" 49,.
And 50 the days glided on, and our hero
inc was again at her looms in the mill some
times sunshine in her heart, and sometimes
clouds. .... ....
The leaves had fallen and the winter wa
fast approaching, when one Sabbath she &C
componied Mary Hale to church at the low
er end Of the village. The two girls hae
become firm friends, and the latter was nov
boarding at Mrs. Leonards. ,..
The service was nearly through when, al
the congregation rose during the singing o
the final hymn, Lizzie caught glimpse of /;
face in :. neighboring pew which sent The
life blood surging back upon her heart
leaving her face as pale as death. Sht
clutched her companions arm convulsivelJ
and sank down into her. seat The momen
the benediction was pronounced she hurried
her friend from the church and fastened to-
ward home. 4 -'tl- 81 -,l:.5.-...s, .ss '....l
.'What is the matter ?'iexclaimed Mary
as soon as they were free from the GROVE
making their exit from the church. N. "
-.'He is there" gasped Lizzie. "He was
looking me full in the face'' 's1s -;.i, aa
"Who" ci.t aa4-... 1-:, s- t.ea-,a
Robert Hadley I have told you O.
him" ..l. .lE.+ -.- I-ae r..
Before she could say more quick steE
was heard behind them, and in a moment /
hand was laid on her arm f.
"Miss Leonard-Lizzie, is it you?' ex.
claimed voice she well knew and in {
moment Robert Hadley was by her side anc
looking in her face.
Eyes" she faltered, ''itis I but
He cut her short. His calm blue eye;
had quickly scanned her face, and he hao
read the old, old story there, and he exclaim-
ed impetuously:
Il have come to realize my blindness,
and have learned the cause of your letter,
which, fool thatI was, never answered
Until six months ago, knew nothing Of
your change of fortune. A letter from my
mother brought me the intelligence that you
were about to be married to another your
letter, Immediately following, substantiated
the statement, as then thought. Now
am sure it was written under the supposition