The weekly standard., 1870-08-10
1t is not serving God
To quit the laws of nature.h

A visitor came in, and Diana's face re-
turned in an instant to its usual strained
composurc.
1t was the fashion of that summer 10 pre-
tend that Weston was not rural enough, and
to seek lower depth of retirement. A
fayorite resort was the Shaker village"
twenty miles away It was not large COM
munity, yet exceedingly we'll to doin world
ly gear.
The Shaker produce is always first in the
market, and as they manufacture everything
that they use, it would be mireclc if they
did not grow rich faster than their neigh
bors The principal building in our Shaker
village was large square house of gray
stone, hewn by the brethren from one of
their own quarries; it stood in green field
crossed with gravelled walks, leading to q
pond several miles in length.
After hot, dusty ride from Weston, the
coolness of the stone house fell like bene-
dlction on our party, which included the
Cliftons, Mary Sumner, and few more of
the same clique.
We we're met at the door by Sister Aure-
liza, round, bustling old lady, who made US
as heartily welcome as if all the Shaker set
tlement were her own farm. Her isolation
from the world had never blunted the edge
of her hospitality, and it was not the only
proof of the shrewdness of 1.-THE elders"
that she was made mistress of ceremonies in
the only house to which strangers are ad
mitted.
We went into square room lined with
wooden panels, having floor white as
securing could make it, furnished only with
q huge oaken table and plenty of rush bot
toned chairs, hard in the seat and perfectly
uncompromising as to the back.
On our entrance, another sister, who was
braiding straw, turned little more to the
light and away from U.s.
My eyes were at one drawn to this silent
figure, who seemed wholly intent on her
work and tool. no part in the volublc atten-
tions of Sister Aurclia She wore the com
mon dress of coarse gray flannel, cut after
the most ungraceful fashion that it ever en-
tered the mind of man to conceive.
This sister wore it with certain natural
grace, which made it a different costume
from the one which clung SO desperately to
Sister Aurelia's plump figure. Her plain
| to hide the profile, according to that wise
Oudhcl uy-laW WHICH uOlOS llldt lilt SlSEt Ol
the feminine profile is a temptation to the
unholy passion of love. This envious cap
hid her face entirely, and I watched in vain
for the slightest turn of her head.
| "It's master tedious ride from Weston
out here any time but especially in the mid
die of summer. Seems to Inc its about time
we had spell Of weather." said Sister An
relia, with rich laugh which told of good
living and a contented mind.
My statue turned her head at last ~
have used all the braid you gave me for this
straw, Sister Aurelia.'
"There's some more in the third row
seventh drawer from the top, Sister Lois,
said that noble housewife, as she straight
way laid u hand on the right knob and drew
out the braid.
One entire side of the room was lined
with small drawers, unlabelled and all con
tanning material for womcn's work.
Sister Lois had that rare voice which, likt
flute in full orchestra, would be audible
above chorus of mutitudcs. She glanced
along our line. rested an instant on Mrs
Clifton, and then was silent and busy as be
fore.
"The voice of st. Cecilia asking for he
harp" whispered Mary Sumner. She mus
have been thirty, yet her skin had the deli