The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1875-10-12

uio oucs 4o0 - se4 - tAoe1ctecsS ~
shs history vf the Bntish COLONIES 70
North America. Agnes Dsnvers eat
alone in the dwelling Of her only pa
rent with her head bowed upon her
hand in the bite ness of early sorrow.
She had wept beside the grave of her
mother, aud sesn three brave and kind
hearted brothers laid to rest ia the dawn
uf manhood, but they all had died
smitten by the hand of their Creator.
and passed from earth in peace aud
hope. She had watched beside their
beds, and gathered lessons Of faith aud
virtue from their parting hour for
her future life. Time had healed the
wounds their death had given, and
though she had cherished their memo
ries still in undiminished brightness,
the smile had returned to her lip, the
sunsh h.ne to her pathway. Her father
get survived, and him she loved and
ceverenced only less than God. But on
he evening on which We would intro-
juce her tO the reader, that father had
oe, n arrested ON the charge of sorcery
aud committed To a gloomy prison,
here TAI await trial whose issue was
scarcely doubtful. for many quite ss
Innocent as he had been condemned
md executed. The unfortunate situn-
ZION OF Mr. Danvers resulted principal
y from his exemption FROM tue error
,ften found st that infatuated period,
aud he had as a Christian minister sed-
iuusly eu,leavored to rend this veil
rom the understanding of his psrish-
vners, aud expose the absurdity of the
popular opi NOUS. H,s Efforts, alas !
lad proved fatal eveu while they par
ialiy succeeded. Many VI his hearers
sere convinced, but their conviction
aud its consequent effects attracted
'uspicion toward themselves. anduuai.
era were imprisoned aud not n few
,ut to death. The fympathy of Mr..
)anvers Was not Withdrawn in taeii
lour of need, and fearless Of the coDse-
Iuences ts himself, he discharged the
,uties OF his office faithfully. until pub
&c excitement reached such n height
hat he became Its most persecuted VIC
tim.
After his arrest many could recollect
Iours passed in converse on the strange
fleets of witchcraft, to which Agnes
Oanvers, though present. took no part.
)ne could remember that she looked
soTruwiul, another that she WAS indie-
lant, some that the color ON her che. k
reqnently varied, and that she wonld
'egIn To speak and check herself ere
he uttered sentence.
''Evsrything proves" thought they.
''t.Iat the Door girl knew her fathti
,Jracticed these black arts, and, loving
,im as she did, it was natural she
hould desire To conceal the truth.
"You seem much interested-ali
.alklug at once. May know the sn6-
e Of your discourse ?" asked u yonbg
uau uf handsome, aud frank aud no.
lie countenance, stepping suddenly
nto the midst Of a group oi those de
Iuirners ON the misfor:upes VI Agnes
Danyers, composed Of some Of hei
nost intimate female acquaintances.-
W occupied had they been in the in-
exchange of several couiectures that
,e had entered the room unobserved.
''Ol Mr.. Dudley. are you here i,
3 50 dark. heard that you had gone
"a a visit to your uncle" exclaimed
sarah Darrell, in whose f.thar's honss
he conclave had met.
80 I had, Miss Darrell, and have
,ut Just returned. A rnmor Of very
Extraordinary character has reached m.
within the last half hour, aud / came
Iither 70 learn its truth OF falsehood.
u / believed you TO be more intimate
nth Miss Danvers than any other per-
on" There Was slight desio" 90
ignihcance, il might be OF sarcasm, IL
he tone Of the speaker
1T is true, have always liked Ag-
aes very much, Mr.. Dudley. 1 have
,nowu her long time. and though j
Iave always Thought her odd, still sue
Ias many good qualities, have often
aid to myself. 1t is not reasonable to
,upppose that / should suspect the in-
luity of her father, else Uf course !
nould have given her up long ago.
"You do not mean I. give her up
row. Miss Darrell, in her hour of ad'
.ersity ?" he asked earnestly.
.Rsally, Mr.. Dudley, don't kno "
a is "A difficult task to reuounce an ear
v friend, but the circumstances -iu'
iced ana distressed what to do. Viii.
on advise me?'
II advise you Does not your owl
:oman's heart prompt you 10 the
ourse you should pursue? Go to hei
immediately, weep with her il you can.
.ut comfort; let her see sIe has ON,
ri.nd left, for doubtless she think.
ierself totally deserted. And il you
AN, prevail her to return home with
vu, and remain until after her father ,
| rial.
"Ssrah's parents will not consent g.
uch tlilg, exclaimed Hanual G.pj'
IN. "and woudrr anyboi iy that has
| :sxard for her could psopos~ IL.
| parents not consent to couutenance
nd protect q helpless aud iunoceu
iri, whose mother is dead, whose faith
E is usjustly charged with a prepos
.rUus crime Let them take care then
lse their day Of woe will come, erie,
ue indignant young man. Are yoI
;oing, Miss Darrell ?" he asked almos
iercely.
"Really, Mr.. Dudley, your manuel
enough to frighten one. cannot e.
lone"
"i vii; attend you," he said NOR,
Gently.
",b; well will get my bonnet.
would risk much to please" she said
na low aud besstating tone as sh'
Jassed him.
Thank you," he replied, but coldly
md instantly, added, following he
rom the room, III had had sister
hould not have troubled you; aud
hought you sincere in your prVfes
ions ot friendship for Miss Danvers.
'f am sincere.
Few words were exchanged IA they
passed on to the house of Mr.. Dsnverl
,aral', indeed, attempted some psthet
c remarks on the sad fate of her dea
r-nd, aud the Inpussibility that she
.uld ever hold mp her head .iu aft-
a,ing n father t.ied aud cobdemDe,
or sUrcery. Mr.. Dadley, however
ieither cundoled with nor encourage,
,er sympathy, but seemed chiefly aux
Jus 10 hurry on.
81 am actually out OF BREATH" sb
aid, almost pettishly, rs they reaches
he door Of the parsonage.
"You will have time To rest now.
yer comoauion said, absenily. Agne
iarted from her bowed position as TIA
,ervant announced her visitors, an,
bringing forward With an expression /,
gratitude, grasped the hands Of he
.riepds.
II have been very wicked" ske sot
bed; 81 imagined myself deserted b
The whole world, and God has sent 70
10 me, dearest. sarah. / thought 20
might fear to coms now, but you nj
aere; aud you will speak W your faith
r for me and get him 10 use his Unfit
nee. IL he with yvu ?" she wbisperes
ior the room was almost wholly dsrh
Il A. IN. I.l