The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-17
CHAPTER ".

sent for 10 act rs second WITHSTAND the
pen was put Mt once into my aunt's hand.
felt strongly urged to say few appro-
PIRATE words ON this solemn occasion. But
Mr.. Brufrs manner convinced me that II
was wisest to check the impulse while he
was in the room. In less than two niinuts
il was all overland Samuel (unbenetited
by what I might have said) had gone
down stairs again.
Mr.. Bruff folded up the VIM, and then
looked my way; apparently wondering
whether did, or did not. mean To leave
him alone with my aunt. had my mis-
sion of mercy to fulfill, and my bag OF
precious publications. ready on my lap.
lie might ~ well have expected to move
81. Paurs Cathedral by looking ut II rs To
move Ne. There was but one merit
about him (due no doubt 10 his worldly
training) which have no wish to deny.
He was quick at seeing things. appear
ed TO produce almost the same impression
on him which had produced on the cab
man. lie too uttered a profane expression,
and withdrew in violent hurry. and left
me mistress Of the field.
As soon rs we were alone my aunt re-
cline,l on the sofa, and then alluded, with
some appearance of confusion, To the sub
jcct of her VIII.
Il hope YOU won't think yourself neglect
ed, Drusilla.' she said. i mean to gire
you your little legacy, my dear, with my
own hand
Here was golden opportunity! l seiz-
ell il ON the spot. In orher words, in
stantly opened my BAG and took out the
top publication. 1t proved to be an early
edition-Only the twcnty-fifth-of the IA
NOUS anonymus work believed to be by
precious Miss Bellows), entitled The Ser
pcnt nj Home The design of the book
with which the worldly reader may not
be acduainted-is to show how the Evil
One lies in wait for us IN all the most APP
parently innocent actions of our daily
lives. The chapters best adapted to fc-
male pertSal are. Satan in the Hair
Brush:' Satan behind the Looking
Glass; Satan under the Tea-Table;. 'Sa-
tan out of the Window'-and many 9TH
ers.
Give your attention. dear aunt, to this
precious book-and you will give me all
ask With these words, handed y to
her open, ut marked passagc-one con-
tinuous burst Of burning eloquence! Sub
ject; Satan among the Sofa-Cuslfions.
Poor Lady Vcrinder. (reclining thought.
lessly ON her own sofa-cushions) glanced
nj the book. and handed II back 10 me look
ing more confused than ever.
I'm afraid Drusilla.' she said, i must
wait till am little better, before 1 can
read that. The doctor
The moment she mentioned the doc.
tnr's name | knew what was coming.
Over and over again, In my past expert
cnce among my pcrishing fellow-eres-
lures, the members of the notoriously in
! fidel profession Of Medicine had stepped
between me and my mission of mercy--on
the miserable pretense that the patient
wanted quiet, and that the disturbing IN
fluencc OF all others which they most
dreaded, was the influence of Miss Clack
and her Books. Precisely the same blind
ed n,aterialism (workinS trcacherously be-
hind my back) now sought TO rob me OF
the only right of property that my poverty
could claim-my right of spiritual prop
crty in my perishing aunt.
The doctor tells me- my poor misguid.
ed relative went on. that lam not so we'll
to-day. He forbids me TO see any stranS-
ers; and he orders me, If read ut all,
only to read the lightest and the most
amusing books. DO nothing, Lady We
rintler. tn weary your head, or TO quicken
your pulse'-those were his last words,
Drusilla, when he left me to-day
There was no help for il but to yield
agiin-for moment only, rs before.
ANY open assertion of the infinitely supe-
rior Importance of such ministry rs
mine, compared with the ministry of the
medical man. would only have provoked
the doctor 10 practice on the human weak
ness Of his patient anil 10 threaten to throw
up the case. Happily, there are more
ways than one OF sowing the good seed,
and few persons are better vcrsed in those
way than myself.
You might feel stronger, dear, in nm
hour or two.' | said. ,Oryou might wake
tomorrow morning with sense of some
thing wanting, and even this unprctend-
Ing volume might be able to supply 1t.
You will let me leave the book. annt'
The doctor can hardly object to that!
| slipped il under the sofa-cushions. hall
in, half out, close by her handkerchief and
smelling-bottle. Every time her hand
searches, for either of these il would touch
the book; and. sooner or later (who
knows?). the book might touch her. Az
ter making this arrangement, thought II
wise To withdraw. let me leave you to
Irepose, dear aunt; will call tomorrow.
| looke,l accidentally toward the window
rs said that. IL was full OF flowers, IN
boxes and pots. Lady Nerinder was eS-
trayagantly fond of these perishable treas
ures, and hail habit of rising every now
and then. and going to look Mt them an,'
smell them. A new idea flashed across
INV mind. oh. may take flower" 1
said-an,t got to the window. unsupported,
in that way. Instead Of taking away a
flower added ont, in the shape OF an
other book from nv bag. which | left to
surprise my aunt, among the grraniums
and roses. The happy thought followed,
'Why not do the same for her, poor dear.
in every other room that she enters" L
Immediately said good.by; and, crossing
tho hall, slipped into the library Sam
uel. coming up To let mo out, and sup
posing had gone. went down stairs again.
On the library table noticed two of the
amusing books which the iniidcl doctor
had recommended. l instantly covered
them from sight with twoo of NV own pre-
cious publications. In the brcakfSt-room
| found my annt's hyorite canary singing
in his cage. She was always In the habit
OF feeling the bird herself Some ground
sci was strcwed OH the table which stood
Immediately under the cage, put u
book among the groundsel. In the draw
ing-room found more cheering oppor-
tunitics of cnp,ying my BAG. My annt's
f.vorite musical pieces were ON the piano.
I slipped In two more books among the
music. l disposed Of another in the back
drawing room. under some unfinished cm-
broidery, which new To be of Lady We
rindcr's working. A third little room
opened out of the back drawing-roon,
from which Il was shut of by curtain
instead OF door. Ny aunt's plain old
-