The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-07-25

and good sense, but persons OF high sociai
positions and fine culture. They had enter
ed upon their work not to secure livelihood,
but with the simple purpose Of gloritylng
their Divine Master, and of doing good to
their fellow creatures. Blessed as she was
with their supervision and instruction, Hates
Improvement was most gratifying. 1t was
the testimony of her teachers, that from the
first she was far better child than common,
and that her acquisitions of knowledge were
easy and rapid. They looked upon her, it
is believed, as among the most promising OF
the little ones who had at any time been sub
mitted to their care. Happy years thus pass
ed away and Kate was approaching woman
hood, when most unexpected circumstance
changed the whole complexion of her future
life. 1t seems that she had an uncle who at
an early age had gone to seek his fortune in
the West. Left to his own resources, and
not kept back by his connections, this man
had exerted his powers so successfully as to
secure large estate. He had never married,
was now growing old, and began to feel the
desire to have some young relation near him
whom he might adopt as his own child, and
make his heir. He had heard in some way
Of this child of bis lost sister, Of the compar-
alive advantages she had enjoyed, and of, the
signs of promise she bad evinccd. Soon his
mind was made>up to take the little girl to
his home, to complete her education at the
best schools, and in every respect to treat her
as his own daughter. Having obtained the
assent of the ladies of the Asylum to this ar
rangement, he lost no time in carrying it out
Kate was soon removed to the West, and for
some years almost dropped out of the knowl-
edge of friends in her native State.
But to some of these at least, she was to
reappear again. A sufficient term Of years
had elapsed to convert the half grown girl
into the mature woman, when one day the
curiosity of the people of Bellevue-Kate's
native town, was somewhat excited by the
appearance on the streets of fine equipage,
which bore gay party to watering place
a few miles distant. The newcomers, how
ever, seemed to have no acquaintance in the
town and passed on without recognition
Soon after this little occurrence, our old
friend Mrs. Ford, was somewhat startled by
request from lady whose name she did
not recognize, to visit her at the neighboring
Springs. Though by this time somewhat op-
pressed by the infrmities of age, Mrs. Ford,
kind and self forgetful as of old, accepted
the invitation. Arrived at the Springs she
found awaiting her handsome and elegant
lady, whose whole appearance and manner
indicated the possession of wealth and famil-
iarity with polished society. Very soon Mrs.
Ford was invited by her new friend to pri-
vate interview, when to the utter aStonish-
ment of the venerable lady, the stranger au-
nounced herself as Kate Summers, daughter
of the poor despiSed outcast of Bellevue
Hates uncle it seems had been as good as his
word, proving himself to be father indeed
Her education had received due attention,
she had become an accomplished woman,
and had already succeeded, or at least, ex-
pected to succeed to her uncle's estate
Handsome, a9alle, intelligent, and possess
ed Of = ss Of wealth, she did not
had selected go of character and position,
and as his wife had just passed through her
native place. Here she could have no wish
to make herself generally known, but felt
that she could not be content to return home,
without embracing the opportunity of hold
ing some converse with the person to whom
she and her poor mother had been so greatly
indebted.
OF the subsequent history of this lady,
1 know nothing, but surely enough has been
said, clearly to show thatthe methods of Gods
providence are only less wonderful than the
methods of his grace. PASTOR.