The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-10-27

scene. Tbs man gave aims, and loved
to pray staIding in synagogues, but he
possessed not charity. Truly, "thes
quality of mercy is not strained"
The Hall reached, Amy paused, like
fawn at bay, before the gateway,
where two stone lions crouched, as if
to warn of all intruders. Drawing a
little nearer, and glancing in, she be-
held what seemed a glimpse of Paradise.
Fragrant flowers bloomed, and birds
fitted about, gathering sweets, and
ehirping their satisfaction. Under
vine-wreathed arbor sat Harry Ainsley,
with cigar between his teeth, and his
dog, a huge Newfoundland, lay stretched
out at his feet. His sister. Bess, a
oueenly brunette, half reclined on
rustic seat near, robed in some light,
fieecy fabrie. Even as Amy looked this
naughty. dark woman put out fair,
shapely hand, and caressed the dog +;
as She did so, costly diamond ring
seemed to emit scintilant sparks, and
catch radiance from the sun simmer
ing through the green foliage.
Amy turned away, completely dis
mayed.
.iCan this be the man with whom |
have chaited so familiarity ?" she cried.
.'Oh, is it possible that they can sit thus,
with every luxury, and | stand here,
homeless, and oh, so very wretehed
Her head ached and throbbed most
painfully, and there was a feeling OF
weariness stealing over her. The green,
waving grass looked cool and refresh
ing; SIZE almost wished to put her
burning face in it for few moments.
Leaving it ali, however, she wended
her way to the river, her iavorite haunt
She stoDd silently contemplating the
scene, giving vent to the storm raging
within only by the spasmodic twlching
of the lips. or the contraction of the
beautifully arched brows. She knew
that it was nature only that could ex-
orcise the demon rising in her heart,
'Thelife given thee is all failure,
all mistake" cried out the spirit with
i in, which would no longer be quelled,
but moaned and sobbed and walled out
its agony unheard. Atnwart the sun
set sky the gloomy walls of st. Agnes
stood outlined.
ssWhat are churches or creeds to me
cried the spirit, mockingly; 'for even
while | knelt at the shrine, and asked
for mercy, the blow fell. /"
Twilight took the place of evening,
and the river went on its way singing
its strange, weird song, Down on the
shore clouched Amy, the bright hair
sweeping around the bowed form, until
| il Law like curls of gold in the sand.
From her home in the sky Venus looked
pityinglv upon this stricken one.
Presently Amy lifted her head, and
upon her upturned face the star shed
her beauty.
ct is the star of promise !" she cried,
her face lighting up. "The star OF
Bethlehem away back in the past pro,
claimed redemption to Sustained
, world; the life given me cannot be
mistake! will be up and doing, and
learn to labor and to wait"
After the lapse Of few weeks Amy
said good-hy forever to the little school
) house, and turned her face olty-ward
' to begin bitter struggle with poverty
: Her life was very lonely at first, and
: she grew weary of her toll. But she
: turned her attention to art, and in hel
! firm resolve to achieve fame all els'
was forgotten.
X x x
The fashionab1es were In the city foI
" the winter. Naughty, imperious Bes
e Ainsley had wearied of everything
u even her own name, and consequent,
/ changed it tq that Of Mrs. Leon Mon
? tague her almost palatial residence
r was constantly thronged by artists ant
authors for she boasted of gathering
). the 6terati about her.
Vi It was reception night. Bess passe'
It among her guests, dispensing smiles an
h pleasant words, herself observed of al
d observers. Standing apart, leaning
against a statue Of Minerva, Am
/, lie Roy was quietly scanning the ga
: crowd not a few paused TO cast
questioning glance upon this woman
IS whom men called gifted.
le "Who is she?" asked the world
S. And echo might have answered, g
mendioant's ehild.8
l. "Sister Bess," said Harry, approach
is ing where she sat with city belle o
his arm, "what rising artist are 20
a lending countenance to this evening.
lg s"There are several present" ST
e. replied, "bqt pre- eminent stands MI
is LIE Roy. ssThat is she" she said, a
dressing the gay belle, with the coll
n, clear-cut face and sunny hair; she do
V, rot look like one to be patronize
ed Harry" she continued, "you certain
er remember that girl? She once taug
IS, a school near Ainsley Hall you kno
,r, a most delightful Irritation was brokt
he in upon, at which you waxed exceedin
til " wroth, disparaged sehnoi-manage
ng and church generally, fnishil
ps with quotation from Shakespeare "
er "Mrs. Montague, cried the bel
Ito edo tell me all about it am sure
he shall be highly edited"
ed "Allow me" responded Harry. 9
,ut the first place my sister errs I did I
ng intend to Airt with Miss lie Roy 5
ice was an orphan and the trustees, W
nd professed to be God fearing men, turn
ed her out, homeless and friendless: a
lth / think I remarked at the time Il
ith mercy and charity were cardinal virtue
ng, and, moreover, that with devotio
nd yisage, and pious action we sugar
as over the devil himself"
s.1[ou were very demonstrative oy
eys Miss LIE Roy said the belle, sneeril
ing . ly; 80 ,...,. ..d b :,
i've gravely,- !. :
md s.She is refined and intelligent; i,
er, our democratic republic, there IS
it aristocracy, education and moral wol
ty, should form Its basis.R
she 'sYop forget one great essentia
ny. retorted his sister. maliciously '.ge
m birth"
hat He stroked his mustache complace
in ly-
ees Heed but the bearing of tree,
les, And if it yield wholesome fruit
Ces A shallow, envious fool is he
20 Who spurns it for its forest root
ioy But really, ladies, would have to t.
bud myself away if Venus and all the gra
- .,-a,.,, y1s,,,. 14,sff, mo n ranQIn a