The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-09-04

Our mother had told us the tidings |
with white lips that quivered tenderly I
and sadly. No love is so uniformly un- |
selfish as a mothers, surely; for though 1
she leaned on Ellen as the strong staff
Of her declining Years, she soTrowed not
as we did, that she was going. She, too,
was happy in the thought that her child
had found that "pearl of price" i'm a cold
and evil world-a true, noble, loving
heart to guide and protect her.
Father sat silently in the chimney
cerner, reading in the family Bible.
He was looking farther than any of US
to the perils that would environ his
dearest daughter, and the privations
that might come upon her young life,
in that unhealthy, uncivilized corner of
the globe, whittier she was going.
Both our parents had dedicated their
children to God; and they would not
cast even shadow on the path of self
sacrifice and duty their darling had
chosen.
To come down to the unrOmantic little
details of wedding preparations: how we
stitched and trimmed, packed and pre-
pared-stoned raisins with tears in our
eyes, and seasoned the wedding cake
with signs. But there is little use in
thinking over these things. Ellen was
first and foremost in all, as she had al
ways been in every emergency, great or
small. Nothing could be made without
her. Even the brides cake was taken
from the oven by her own fair hands,
because no one-servant, sister, or even
mother-was willing TO run the risk of
burning Sister Ellen's brides cake; and
she knew Just how to bake it.
We were not left alone in our labors;
for Ellen had been loved by more than
the home-roof sheltered. Old and
young, poor and rich, united i'm bring
ing their gifts, regrets, and blessings to
the chosen companion of the pastor they
were soon TO lose. There is something
in the idea of missionary life thai
touches the sympathy of every heart
which mammon has not too long scared
To see one, with sympathies and refine
ments like our own, rend the strong tie,
that bind to country and home, comfort
4 and civilization, for the good of the los
and degraded heathen,- brings toe
strongly into relief, by contrast, the sell
/ fishness of most human lives led among
the gayeties and luxuries of time.
The day, the hour came. The shiJ
was to sail from b on the ensuin.
week; and it must take away an idol.
that all who loved her, and lOnged 70
another sight of her sweet face, NIGH
look upon her, and speak the simpl,
words that should link hearts for eter
nifty. We sisters stood all around her
but not too near; for our hearts wer
overfiOwing, and we could not wear tn
happy faces that should grace train O
bridesmaids. She had cheered u
through the day with sunshine from he
own heart, and even while we were NJ
raying her i'm her simple white muslin
like a lamb for sacrifice, she ha
charmed our thoughts into cheerfulness
1t seemed like some dream of fairy land
and she the embodiment OF grace AN
lOveliness, acting the part of some Quee
Titania for little while. The dreaT
> changed to a far different reality, wheI
! at the door of her mothers room, she pU
; her hand into that of Henry Neville, an
I lifted her eyes with look that sait
; "Where thou goest will ] CO." eve
&. from ali beside!
Tears fell fast in that assembly
e though the good old matrOns tried I
d smile as they passed around the bride,
e bless her and bid her good-by. \ lit
girl in n patched but clean frock, pushe
forward, with q bouquet of violets an
y
"Here, Miss Nelly - please, Mi
z Nelly" she cried, hall-laughing, hal
e sobbing, 81 picked them on purpose f
Is your
st Ellen stopped and kissed the littl
N eager face. The child burst into teaI
le and caught the folds of her dress,
y though she would have buried her fa
Is there. But 4 strong-armed woma
10 mindful of the brides attire, snatchS
le the child away.
le "And for what would We be whimpe
IS ing in that style, as you had any rigl
!! to Miss Ellen?"
Z "She was always good 10 me, al
d she's my Sunday-school teacher" plea
3 the little girl, in a subdued underton
o Agnes drew her to her side and S
e lently comforted her.
d "Step aside-Father Herrick is here.
u said o e, just then.
The crowd about the bridal pa
q opened, TO admit a white-haired, hal
( blind old man, who came leaning on a.
: arm of his rosy granddaughter. Faith,
e Herrick was superannuated deacol
D whose good words and works had wo
0 for him a place in every heart of III;
r assembly.
"They told me she was going" /
]
. her wedding. ] want to see my lit
T girl again-bless her"
q Ellen sprang forward, and laid bot
her white, trembling hands in the lar,
e hands of the good old man. lie Dire
IS her near his failing eyes; and look,
y searchingly into her young, soul-l
cOuntenance.
e al can just see you, darling; and tho
5 tell me 1 shall never see you again
q Well, well, if we 90 in Gods way '
u shall all get to Heaven, and it's {
d light there" He raised his hand ov
'e her head, and added, solemnly: "r
blessing of blessings be upon thee, n
5, child. Amenw
le "Amen"' echoed the voice OF Hen
Is Neville.
as And Ellen looked up with the look
u an angel.
III SO She went from US, Oh! the !,
81 moment of that parting has burnt its
OF into my being forever, Could the hum
,r. heart endure the agony Of parting Ii
H. that, realized to be indeed the last
We lighted by no ray of hope for eternit
Oh Would not reason reel under the pr
ot sure?
IN Ii was hard to bear; but have
90 words 10 tell of its bitterness. She we
lie TO her missionary life, and we learned
'se last TO live without her, though il "
" many month before the little ol
ily could forget to call on "Sister Ellen"
a any impulse of joy, grief, or child
MS want. Then the start and the sis
rs, cob, dear, she's gOne-sister is gone
a And fresh tears would flow.
Gone, but not lost, for that First NJ
= riage in the family opened to US fot
en- tain of happiness, pure rs the spring
to self sacrifice could make il. Our hou
4 hold darling has linked rs TO n world