The Van Buren press., 1875-02-02

in itself dethrones the mind, and threat
ems to destroy the soul, with that OF an
innocent and humble. lived girl, in an un
pretending garret, pleading with tender
words and fearful eyss that he would
abandon drink and game, and tell me
which is the loveliest of the two.
NY disposition was to stay the fearful
dissipation of my life. But as often as
made promises, so often did break
them. The ladies with whom was ac
quainted, proudly drew in their gorgeous
robes as they passed me, lest by a mere
touch Of my person. they should be SOIL
ed. often passed the beautiful hirt
Ada Williams, hut not word or look ol
recognition passed between US.
| had often visited Luella and Mrs, w
but my bitter expericnc, thought, had
sered my heart to all love impressions
] But one morning, just after day, as
reeled out Of a saloon. on Market street
where had been spending the night in
debauch, | came face to face with Luella,
who was on her way to the factory. She
bowed her pretty head, and said, kindly
Good morning, Mr., Parker" And
heard her murmur, SIS she passed on, "
must save him, by Gods help"
Those words endeared the sweet one
who uttered them to my heart There
was one who LOVED me, spite of my vi.
ces, and there was no hypocrisy in it eli
ther. She was the guardian angel that
was to defend me in the hour Of dres,
temptation; she was the one to step be-
tween me and the vice, Of my life; she
was to draw aside the veil that hung be-
twixt the present and the past, to show
me what was and what | am; the fairy
that was to turn aside the fearful current
Of my life. Yes, it was to her pure soul
the words of sacred writ were to come
overladen with exquisite bliss, " He that
lifteth fallen fellow creature from tbs
dust, is greater than the hero that con.
Quers the world"
A few n.hts after this occurrence,
found myself ascending the stairs thai
led to the apartment where Luella ano
her mother lived, there and then to voc
and win the heart of this pure and saint
ed maiden.
told her of my love. She listened
and the pearly tears that gistened in he
eyes, and moistened her blushing cheeks
told me that nv words Of love fell on
recprocasiug heart. Lifting her guilt
less face, she said:
"Do you really love me, Willie p"
"Ycs, Luclla, | do. Love yOa will
all the power end capacity of my nature,
| replied.
~ wonld have you prove it. fo'
have made confession you must nov
do penance,' to prove your sincerity,
she replied merrily.
"Wcll, tell me what it is: / long t
fperrorm It, that I may receive that 'ab
solution which removes all the obstacles
that impede my way to your favor,
replied laughingly.
"Well, them" she replied, " in the frs
place you must abandon drink and ga
ming in the second place you must es
chew your evil associates entirely, an(
thirdly, must wear again the ring whicl
your mother gave you. Will you &C
cept the tcrmsY'
"Luella," said tenderly, "you asl
much of me, bu: by Gods help l viii
try to fulfill it
"And will pray for you, morning
noon and night" she replied.
"And so will r. said the mother, th'
tears falling down her careworn checks
and light of purity sparkling from be-
coal black eyes.
After visit of exquisite happiness
returned to my boarding. house, my mnt
freighted with rapture such as | haC
never before known.
NV repeated visits TO Luella, created
suspicion, and Dame Runner had whisp
cred it around that the clever, witty Viii
lie Parker was about to marry factory
girl, and the report was taken as evidence
It was said, that "was getting low
s'raewn."
WAS there no reason, dear reader, fo
nv loving this girl9 Had not her con
d8ct toward me proved that she Uds
friend indeed? Had she not respected
nj, even loved me, when my conduct hat
IXaced me outside Of the pale Of decen
sScictyp When rich girls OF my acquan
tshee, turned away from my reeling form
with loathing and disgust, this little an
gsl, despised, because a poor factory
gfrl, spoke to me, and, by her kindness
wooed me to be better man.
Tell me, dear reader, why are thcs
"factory. girls" so much despised VIII,
is.it, that when girl has independence
ehoush to dare to make q living, sht
should fall ontside the pale OF respecta
blity Is tia disgrace to labor mann
ally Is it crime to be poor9 Is it
mortal sin to make our homes among th'
poor and the humblep Is it a barrier t'
respectablity to be the offspring ofpoo'
parentagep If so, then the Blessed Re
decmer sinncd for he was born OF a pool
Virgin and tradition hath it that h'
worked at the carpenter bench Of his los
ter.father; when He entered upon His
ministry, He had not place whereon to
Law His head. lie loved the poor because
there was mole of rel igious fervor ant
humility among them than among the
rich and favored ones Of earth. What
did he mean when he said: =" 1t is easier
for a camel to go through the eye OF
needle than for n rich man to enter the
kingdom Of heaven" if it was not that
riches have a tendency to turn aside the
humility Of the heart, and unfit it Tor the
performance Of religious duties
| have mingled in what is called good
society, and have drank deep dranghts OF
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