The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-04-19


met for two years, but we have kept up
our intimacy by occasional correspon-
dence and we have always been on the
best of terms"
After being led to the witness stand,
Nellie said:
"Most gracious queen, this woman
is dear friend of mine, and has al
ways treated me most kindly: but her
neglect lately has caused me to make
a mistake which will probably mar my
llfe's happiness. Six months ago I
wrote and requested her to give me ad-
vice in avery important case, the cir
cumstances of which she understood
much better than I did. Fourteen
weeks waited patiently for the answer,
and waited in vain. Again I wrote,
and waited as before. Atlast, becoming
desperate, acted according to my own
knowledge and judgment, and after
ward discovered TO my CONSERVATION,
| that had made a terrible mistake.
Yesterday I received the long-looked-
for letter, which contained full expla-
nation of the affair and some good adj
vice; but it was no use then; it had
come too late"
Yes-yes, remembered-and it was
all through my carelessness. I might
have written sooner, but the writing
was put off day after day, until I had
almost forgottenit it entirely. Poor Mel
lie! My procrastination has nearly
ruined her / was not after all, such a
perfect creature as had thought myself
to be.
When Nellie returned to her seat, the
queen looked upon me with pity, and
inquired:
"Have you any thing to say in self
defence?"
But 1 only bowed my head in shame.
Another witness! An invalid, whom
had always befriended. What could
she say? wondered, as with totter-
ing steps she made her way slowly to
the stand.
"My testimony is not of much ac-
count" she said, her voice faltering a
little, as though she were unwilling to
speak. 81 have been very i'll, and this
lady visited me and brought many
delicacies which l could not afford to
buy. But she is continually making
promises that she is sure to forget.
She tells me she will come to see me on
certain day, and I lie and watch for
her from morning to night. About a
week after I generally heard that she
had forgotten all about her promise.
The offence seems trifing, but no one,
except an invalid, knows how an inva-
lid will watch with intense longing for
an expected visitor whom it is a delight to
meet; and what sore disappointment
it is when the visitor failed to make
his appearance. +"
Yes, that was all true. But l never
thought so seriously of the matter. l
did not suppose my forgetfulness would
cause her such disappointment. How
A third witness This was my ~ Sis
ter; one who had been to our family
nothing but disgrace! What could
she say against me? 1 said indignant
ly to myself. "She ought to hang her
head in shame, but instead she is hold
| ingit erect, and looking straight into the
queens face"
"Most gracious queen" she began,
"this lady is my sister, unforgiving
and relentless. A few years ago met
with great temptation to which I
yielded. How 1 have suffered since
then, and what a terrible remorse has
been mine, only God knows! Tender
and merciful as ever, he has forgiven
me; the good Shepherd has received
his wandering sheep; my parents have
taken back their erring daughter; but
my sister refuses to recognize any tie
between herself and this sorrowful, pen
itent woman"
How stubborn and unmerciful l had
been I could now plainly see. l had
thought myself justifable in shutting
ter, but had been acting the Pharisee,
there was no doubt; and now | did not
feel worthy to look upon the counte-
nance made bright by the love and
forgiveness of our blessed Saviour.
The next witness was our minister.
1 was sure that he hadn't any cause for
complaint, yet he seemed to consider
that he had.
"Most gracious queen" said he,
"the supplicant is member ofthe con-
gregration which 1 have in charge.
She is liberal contributor for all char
liable objects, and is foremost to assist
in the financial enterprise ofthe church;
but she is very irregular at the Sabbath
services and the weekly meetings, a
fault which is very discouraging to a
pastor. The most trifing excuse, such
as company, little rain, a slight head
ache, will keep her from church; but
she will surmount these same obstacles
to attend concerts, sociables and other
entertainments.
Again was 1 convinced. Never be-
fore had I looked at the matter in that
light. l had been fair-weather Chris
tain. Hereafter l would try to deserve
better name.
Any more? Yes, did l see Alright !?
Was that my husband, he for whom l
would have died 1t was he, indeed. One
of the sharp-eyed, black-garbed judges
detected the secret which he had endeav-
ored to hide. He, too, could speak
against me! Oh, where had l failed
in my duty toward him?
"Most gracious queen," he faltered,
s'the only fault that can ascribe to my
wife is GOODNESS. She promised to love
and honor; she does honor, but seems
not to love. During the first few years
of our married life she was all that one
could desire since then she has grown
cold and distant. When l return in
the evening to my home, weary in
mind and body, no wife is ready to
cheer me with loving welcome. She
is always visiting, or she is up in hel
tertainment for church or home. My
caresses she always resists, saying thai
we have been married too long tor sucr
n