The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-11-30
''What Go you mean, Miss Merrill ?"


not to he Very proper person, and if
she sits in the choir on Sunday, l leave
it."
"I'm sure don't know what to do"
said the young man. "Iinvited her,and
it would be the height of rudeness to
Withdraw the invitation"
Miss Merrill could not help in this di.
lemma, and Mr. Elmore left the house in
a very Uncomfortable state of mind
The next Sabbath Miss Bryson took
her seat in the choir, according to invi-
tation The church was crowded when
she entered, and as the choir seats were
in front, she was observed by the con-
gregation. True to her word, Miriam
Merrill arose and left the choir. The
sensation occasioned by this act can be
better imagined than described,
The young lady who sat next to Miss
Bryson, turned her back to her and made
no offer of her note book when she rose
to sing; she seemed to be avoided as one
with the plague. Her face burned Grim
son and then grew as pale as ashes
What had she donc-what could be tile
meaning of all this?
Mr. John Elmore had got himself into
pickle! The young lady members of
the choir notified him that they would
sing no more unless Mary Bryson was
removed; and this was disagreeable
task he was obliged to perform.
He wrote her note, stating that cir
cumstances unforeseen by him, when he
invited her to become member Of the
choir,compelled him to withdraw the in
vitation. 1t was very rude proceeding,
bat she would pardon him.
Many girls would have rallied after
the shock, defantly met the inhospitable
world; but not so with Mary Bryson.-
Whenever she went into society she was
treated with scorn and contempt; so
that at length she remained at home and
grieved herself sick over it. She was
one of those fragile blossoms that a
rough wind or unlkind 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
GELS ard bundles, and that was enough
for them. For had. they not been so evil
disposed they could have easily ascer-
tanned what these bundles contained,
which will be seen presently.
Perhaps their consciences smote them
a little when d.. Green told them that
the young lady at the cottage was sick of
brain fever, caused by somes kind Of
worry or trouble, and that no persons
were 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, performing the last sad Offices for
poor Mary, the bereaved mother said,
bitterly:
"You people in this town have mur-
dered my child. Tell me now, before
her corpse, why you did it,
There was no reply.
II heard yesterday" continued the old
lady, "that it was because Squire Greg
ory was seen to call on her. Shall tell
what caused his visits ? Had you ascer-
tanned, ere you spread broadcast the
shameful reports that broke my child S
heart and crazcd 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 rlimored against
Squire Gregory'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 learning
you a lesson, my child will not have died
in vain; yet pray God to forgive you-I
am afraid / never can"
Too late now; the tongue of SANDER
has triumphed! What lesson this mar
rative should teach!
They placed snowdrops in her hands,
and looked with tears into her face-the
members of that choir, and the villagers
who had Stunned her with contempt so
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-if not
for her own sake, for the sake of dead
father, who sleeps in his bloody grave at
Shiloh.
There are many such cases. When
you speak evil of any one, and condemn
harshly, remember this overture story
also, never forget that with whatsoever
judgment ye judge, We shall be judged ;
and with whatsoever measure We mete, it
shall be measured to you again"
RWe have grave fears that the New
York Evening Post is falling from grace
II, tbn lovol nburoh It talks ahOut sstha