Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-21

tions almost beyond mans strength TO resist,
and had resisted. Far into that night he
pondered and prayed over the future that
seemed 40 dark and uncertain. Slowly and
surely paralysis was coming upon him but
he thought God would surely take him away
from such fate. Yet, lest he should be
left to face it unprepared he treasured up
strength daily, as only an old and well tried
Christian can. Through sore trials he had
learned to fight, and now he must learn the
harder lesson to suffer and be still
The months Of the long New England
winter passed slowly away, and after
another year we find Cora more devoted than
ever TO her friend on the hill. She never
failed to visit her and received quite as
much as she gave. She grew in mind, body
and spirit, and was in danger Of outrunning
poor little Flora, who often complained bit
terly of being left alone. "Then come with
me-" urged Cora, "Miss Christobel wei
comes all, and even when her older friends
come TO see her, she quietly beckons to me
to remain. You can come and enjoy il with
me If you like"
Eyes do like, | love to hear her talk, too,
but when shall we play ?"
"Ohl" exclaimed Cora, "let's give up
playing; don't care to play. Why, Flora,
we are sixteen years old people do not play
at that age. We are old enough to decide
what we shall do. Of course you know we
must support ourselves. Now, Flo, 1 have
resolved TO follow Helen, TO leave all my
friends and go as missionary. Don't tell
said So but will you go too ?"
"Dear me, Cora, what can you be think
ing of Of course | know we are poor and
must depend on ourselves but don't YOU
tbiply 10 ,yn,,lI ha p;oar 30, 10 -,
some rich and wise and good man, and he a
good wife and mother? To bring ones chill
dren up well would be grand To be at the
head of ones own house, and o how should
love all those children and love to sew for
them !" And continued Flora, wouldn't
have to resist temptation every day, the
temptation to make their clothes dressy and
fashionable? DON'T you think that would
strengthen my Christian character, Cora 2"
eyes, but. Well, Flo, to be frank"
laughed Cora, "you must meet the right
man for this husband of yours You may
be four years, and you may be fifteen fluid
ing him, meantime? well; you might
be learning to please him. If you only
knew whether he liked jellies or custards
best; or whether cold or hot buildings
would suit or how he liked things spiced,
you could be practcing and so become a
perfect wife, ready and waiting for him.
As it is in the dim uncertainty of woman s
future, you dare not choose certain trade,
lest you might miss one Of those golden OPP
portunities that are always in the future.
Blessed be my sure fate, fixed already by my
unalterable will, as fixed as the laws OF the
Modes and Persians. And she danced gaily
out of the room leaving poor Flora half
dazed in the crooked winding labyrinth of
her life and wondering where it would end
"Well, would rather marry if anyone
should ever want TO marry me-" she muir.
INJURED. "Cora would make grand teacher
or preacher. | can imagine her with a crowd
all about her, as she tells the news she has
to bear in her own sweet persuasive tones
that none can ever resist. But if / should
try, even the ignorant would laugh at me
No, will never drag down the cause Of
I Christianity. If cannot proclaim it will
keep the name of God pure and unsulied in
my heart, and all other names there shal
bow down in reverence before it," Ano
Flora's head fell upon her arm, while q
prayer for strength to accomplish this anC
more arose from her heart to that unseer
friend who understood all.
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