The Van Buren press., 1869-12-07

81 never was more deceived IN any one
in nv life before mother"
"Nor l."
The two sew away in silence; Dicky
ATS cbirping unnoticcd in his bright cage;
the flowers breathe out thsh perfume un
needed. 4T!
I'm sorry and disappointed" contin-
ued Miriam. u thought she would %
such an addition to our set; but IN glad
we found her ont in time :.
"Therc's the door bell now ringing
said Mrs. Merrill.
The person chanced to be Mr.. John
Elmore, the chorister. He is good look
ing enough, and has pleasant ce,and
many bits Of news to relate. re
Mr.. Elmorc made known his errand
II Is something about choir meeting
next Tuesday evening, to learn new
voluntary for the next Sabbath when the
new pastor is to preach his next sermon.
"But you can't guess whom we are to
have in our choir after this continues
John Gilmore ga new member, Miss
Bryson has splendid voice just call
ed this morning and gave her an invita-
ton to join" .....f
"Mr. Elmore?"
"Wellp ?"
The naughty Merrill blood is up now
In moment. ..f.-.5-
"If she sings in the choir, ] don't"
"What do you mean 2"
"Just what have said She is said
not to be very proper person, and II shc
sits in the choir on Sunday, ! leave it y
(" I'm sure / don't know what to do"
said the young man. +" invited her, and
it wonld be the height Of rudcness TO
withdraw the invitation"
Miss Merrill could not help him in this
dilemma, and Mr.. Gilmore left the house
in very uncomfortable state Of mind.
The next Sabbath Miss BrysVn took
her seat in the choir, according to invi-
tation. The church WAS crowded when
she entered, and, as the choir seats we're
in front, she was observed by the congre-
CATION. True to her werd, Miriam Mer-
rill arose and left the choir. The sensa-
tion occasion by this act can bo better
imagined than described
The young lady who sat next 10 Miss
Bryson turned her back to her, made no
offer of her nete- book when she rose to
sing; she seemed to be avoided as one
with the plague. Her face burned Grim
son, and then grew pale as ashes. What
had she done what could be the mean.
ing of all this ?"
Mr., John Elmore had got himself into
a fine pickle. The young lady members
of his choir notified him that they would
sing no more unless Miss Bryson was re-
moved and this diangreeabla task he was
obliged to perform. l
Ho wrote her a note, stating that cir,
cumstances unforeseen by him when he
invited her to become n member Of the
choir, compelled him to withdraw the in
vitation. 1t was very rude proceeding,
but she would pardon him
Many girls would have rallied after the
shock, and defiantly met the inhospitable
world; but not SO with Ellen Bryson.
Whenever she went into society she was
treated with scorn and contempt; 80 at
length she remained at home and grieved
herself sick over it. She was one Of those
Ui0oSOiuS tuub u iSuSu VIM W
unkind frost will so easily destroy.
Very few persons called at the white
cottage, but lynx.eyed neighbors noticed
that Squire Gregory was there with par.
cells and bundles, and that was enough
for them. For had they not been so evil
disposed. they could have easily asccr-
tanned what these bundles contained,
which will be seen presently.
Perhaps their consciences smotc them
a little when DR.. Green told them that
the young lady at the cottage was i'll Of
brain fever, caused by some kind ofwor-
ry or trouble, and that no persons we're
lending assistance.
Several volunteered. Mrs Bryson
treated them coldly, politely; but one
night when Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Merrill and
others were engaged in the little bed
room to perform the last sad Office for
poor Ellen, the bereavcd mether said.
bitterly
"You people in this town have mur-
dcred my child. Tell me now, before her
corpse, why you did it?'
There was no reply. l.......
81 heard yesterday" continued the old
lady, " that it was because Squire Greg
ory was seen to call on her. Shall tell
you what caused his visits? Had you
asccrtained, ere you spread broadcast the
shameful reports that broke my childs
heart and crazed her brain, it would have
been far better. We were poor, that is,
in moderate circumstances We rented
this house, the owner promising to take
his pay in sewing. We neither OF us
were aware of anything being rumored
against Squire Grcgory's character; and
must do him the justice to say that he
has treated us with more humanity than
you all. If this be the means Of lcaru-
ing you a lessen, my child will not have
died in vain; yet pray to God to forgive
you-I am afraid never can
Too late, now the tongue Of SANDER
has triumphed What lesson this mar
rativc should teach
Theyplaced snow drops in her hand,
and looked with tears into her face-the
members Of that choir and the villagers
who had stunned her with contempt 50
shortly before. Too late now! tears of
repentance could not bring her back
again! They had murdered this fair,
sweet flower. where they should have
protected it from this cruel world---ifnot
for her own sake. for the sake Of a dead
father, who sleeps in bloody grave at
Shiloh.
There are many such cases When yOu