The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-02-09
81. For The RncoRp.
ELSIE CAMoRoN's FRIENDSHIP.


Eyes. It Is just as you say. One cannot
tell who their friends are. Once I thought
had friends could trust but experience has
taught me how unlearned was in the ways
of the world. My heart has been vessel
wrecked upon some unseen obstacle, while
the surface looked smooth and the sailing
fair. Still, the vessel struck and went down,
and / have learned to never build my hopes
on friendship. Not that l mistrust all be-
cause some are false but as general thing,
| think 1t is best to put no dependence in
friendship"
The speaker was lady. and as she raised
her eyes to meet those of her companion there
was q look of pain. on the thoughtful brow,
and as she gaxed into the brown orbs of her
friend she breathed silent prayer that her
young life might never be overloaded as her
own had been.
Elsie Camoron's life had not been all sun
shine, and as she conversed with her young
friend her mind ran back to her own happy
days forever past and gonc. Maggie Lyle re.
minded her of her own gay self, when she was
loved by one whose love she could not return.
How kind he was. Nothing was too much
trouble, II 1t brought happiness to her. Still
nothing in return but friendship. But there
came day to her when she met one whose
every look to her loving gaze was faultless.
OF an affectionate disposition and sensitive
nature. she loved as few seldom do, giving
the whole affections of her warm heart to him,
and he in return was happy by her side. He
was tall and handsome she small and plain,
but lively and witty, and together they spent
many golden hours. In her joy she seemed
to forget the fieeting things of earth, and
sported like q gay butterfly in the gilded sun
shine. But there came break in the great
happiness of her life. She saw her idol crush
ed and broken, shall we says All, no! 1t
were better 80 but to see another claim what
she felt was all her own, her very soul cried
out against it 1t must not, shall not be +"
But, alas grief was all in vain, and she was
left to bear burden that almost crushed the
young life out of the emaciated frame.
| A year went by, but Elsie had never went
outside of her fathers gate. Friends came
and begged her to take up the broken thread
|
felt that she could not be happy there as in
other days. II was on a stormy Sunday even
ing when she yielded to the entreaties Of q
friend, and for the first time for more than a
yeAr rhe entered the village church. Little
by little her friends drew her out among
them; but they missed the gay Elsie of old.
Still, she found that in her great sorrow and
disgrace she had kind friends, of whom any
one might we'll be proud. How kind they
are, she would think. "God is very good
to me-" But the sensitive nature had many
battle to 6ght for every slight and GOODNESS
was felt, and the cause was always thought
to be that Of the past, which clung to her like
black demon of despair
| The weeks and months heightened into
years, and once more while with those she
thought was her friends she was left to the
tender merces of one who betrayed the trust
reposed, aud again she was left to suffer,
victim of unfaithful friendship. Now the
warm, trustful nature grew suspicious and
unhappy. She vowed that never again would
she trust any living being. She had formed
a friendship With lady, who became part
| VI uOI very scit, anu ia buSi Ptdhn thoy SOh-
suited together about the various matters of
interest. She loved this friend, and no plan
for any enjoyment could be complete without
it was shared by this loved one. So passed
one happy winter and summer. Then 1t was
that the worm entered the bud, aud she found
this, too, was only an empty dream. And as
she lay on bed of sickness she prayed to die,
and murmured, "This too, they call friend
ship"
Was 1t any wonder that Elsie Cameron lost
faith Ia all her felow-mortals? She felt that
though she had many kind, true friends, who
had always kind word and pleasant smile
for her, still her heart craved one above all
her own one who would love her better than
all others one to whom she might tell all
her little trials and joys one whom she could
trust. But this was not for her.
1t was bright day in the fall when she,
accompanied by friend, went to call on a
lady in neighboring town. This lady was
a stranger, but she welcomed Elsie kindly
and entertained her in most pleasant man.
ner. Elsie's heart went out toward her, and
she felt that she loved her, although it was
their first meeting. She grew restless, for she
longed to sit at the kind lady's feet and tell
her all her own sad story. But 1t was a deli
cate matter and she must let It rest. She felt
that she might have sympathy, for she knew
this stranger had not passed cloudless life,
for she knew her family history of later years,
heipg connected with the family by the mar
rage of her cousin to this lady's cousin.
In days gone BY Elsie bad become acquaint-
ed with a lady for whom she held very high
regard, and when the storms gathered over
the brightness Of her life. hiding ell her JOY
under the dark clouds, even then she had been
to this persons house, and when she bade her
| good bye and went TO her home, she was In
yited to come and see her again whom she
could.
Several years had went BY and now It hap
pened that this person and the strange lady
were firm friends. Elsie was not sure, but
she judged this woman to be the cause that