Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-05-15

the fold of my love. Ah, madam +! this
| is the best balsam for the bereaved anC
| bleeding affections that I can tell of
To noe 1t has brought comfort and recon
lciled me to losses, the bare anticipation
OF which once made me beside myseli
with fear Sometimes, as sat with the
tender babe now call my own resting
on my bosom, a thought of heaven goes
pleasantly through my mind, and pic
tare TO nyseif the mother of this adopt
ed child the loving guardian of my
own babes, no. risen into the spiritual
kingdom OF our Father. 1 cannot tell
you. what . thrill of delight such
thoughts at times awaken ~
Mrs. Loring bowed her bead upon her
bosom ana sat in silence for some mo-
n1ents. Then she said
You nave read me a lesson from
which bope to profit. No wonder nv
heart has ached on with undiminished
pain. have been selfish in my grief
"fhereis nothing now to live fur,' 1 have
repeated to myself over and over again,
until believed the words"
Nothing to live for!u Mrs. Adrian
spoke in surprised voice 'Ta the inn
age and likeness of God all were made !;
and If we would have the lost beauty
lives. He loves every one with divine
tenderness, aud is ever seeking to bless
US. If we would be like Him, we must
love each other and seek each others
good He has given US the ability to
iinpart blessings, and made true happi-
ness to depend on the exercise of this
ability and if we fold our hands and sit
in idle replnings, happiness is not pos
sioie. How fully have | proved this ="
"And, God help me, will prove the
opposite" said Mrs. Loring, speaking
from the warmth of new impulse,
"LODg enough have I been sitting under
cloud "
while the bright sun shone far above
In the clear heavens" added the friend,
with smile Of encouragement.
MAY we see this babe you have
called your own ?" said Mrs Loring.
The little one was brought, and. as she
lay tenderly clasped to the bosom of her
new mother, giving even more of bless
edness than she received, Mrs. Loring,
after her lips had touched, with lin
gering pressure, the pure forehead. said !:
Your action has been wiser and bet
ter than mine, and you have had your
reward. While the waters of love have
grown stagnant in my heart, sending
up murky exhalations to darken INV
sky. yours have been kept sweet and
pure to mirror the bending heavens, I
thank you for the lessonn
She wore different face on return
ing home than when she went forth so
reluctantly. There was q rift in the
overshadowing clouds, and few rays
of sunshine came warmly down. Even
the inception of good purposes had
moved the long pulseless waters, and
the small ripples on the surface were
catching the light.
A few weeks of unselfish devotion to
the life duties awaiting her hand on all
sides wrought wonderful change in
Mrs. Loring In seeking to be useful
to others, her heart wGs comforted; and
when into that heart. ever yearning
with mothers undying love, a babe
left helpless and friendless in the world
was taken, the work of consolation was
completed. She sat under cloud nc
longer. Above her arched the beautiful
sky, bright through the cheerful day
and when the night of grief for the loss
of her precious one returned, as it would
return NJ. Intervals, thousand stare
made beautiful the azare armament.