The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-26
Y 70, 1886. Vol. 4o--No. p

rang for her maid. and sent for Sophia, who
came in with light dancing step rare with
her; her face was fun of giee
Il krow what it is, mamma: you want me
to look at your dress But saw it before you
did Frightful. it is, You shant wear it.
dear; not If wear 1t myself
Sophia, you look very pretty this morn
ing, the mother said, with much fondness
and admiration, and a touch of sorrow too,
as she thought Of the disappointment the girl
was about TO have. Never mind the gown:
have something TO say to you"
Sophia looked wondering into her mothers
serious face, as she took a scat beside her.
Life is fun Of trials. Sophy1 the kind
hearted little wording began. NO one is fit
to live who Is not ready to meet small vexa-
tons and disappointmsnts, that perhaps ct
first don't seem small and meet them with
cheerful face One great thing is to remem-
ber-wbat is undoubtedly true-that most
disappointments have bright as well as
dark side Indeed. if one locks over ones
life, it Is uprising to notice how many mis-
haps which we either cried over OF felt we
would Ike TO cry over, ouly we restrained
ourselves, become on review matters of con-
graduation. Do you know Sophy, think
sometimes, when look back over my life.
that what | called my misfortunes have in
three cases out of four become either directly
or indirectly sources of happiness after a
year or two. | don't wish to talk boastfuily,
dear; but / think some of that Is due TO my
own good common sense
She drew herself up with self-satished
air. hut instantly resumed her compassionate
tone, while Sophia looked little anxious,
ret knowing what was coming. She saw
that her mother watched her closely as she
delivered herself of these phiIosophic morsels.
Il shall not delay what have TO saw Mrs
Temple went on, stroking her girls hand
kindly. Il have heard something this morn
ing which renders your marriage with young
Trent impossible"
"Namma" Sophia cried. in great agitation.
@These thirgs happen, Sophy," the mother
continued; these things often happen I
never told any of you girls before, but as
sure you the first man that proposed to me-
and to whom was on the point of being
married-bad to fly from England to avoid
transportation.
"Mamm9" Sophia cried again, but now
srringing 10 her feet, with face white with
fear and rain. TEL me; what is itl He
cunt, o, he can't have done anything
vrongi'
Nothing wrong. dear" she answered. Il
only mentioned my case as in some respects
Ike yours. No; the Brents are honorable
people, but they are beggars this morning,
Sophy-beggars.
Then, in few words as she could use, the
little woman, with most perfect lucidity, told
the story of the disaster, remarking, when
she came TO the maneuvering widow, that the
rector ought to have kept a sharper eve on
his brother.
because we all know, Sophy, that there are
always widows who will do these things if
they can. / should think of leaving
my jewel box all night open ON my front
doorstep as of leaving rich relation un-
guarded-if it was my policy to get his
money. Now, don't cry, DEAR" she added,
seeing her girls tears flowing fast; things
N ght have been much worse
Il am not crying now, mamma" Sophia
said. sobbing, however, while she spoke. II
was frightened at first by what you said AT
least, these are tears of relief, l mean. l
really felt afraid of l don't know what. But
it is only money Perciyal has lost-not char
acter, rot honor"
30, no; bis honor is untouched" /" the mother
replied His character is as good as ever;
and that will, of course stand by him when
be goes in search of employment Besides,
am glad on your account, dear; for even the
most transient connection of your name with
person who had done anything wrong would
be disagreeable"
k1ol1Alii Hdtt ilothulS- DIG wis uTNlnE OH
her tears with great brisl1lss and assiduitv.
1t is pleasant sight to see pretty young
woman wiping her tears away, and feather
ing herself into cheerfulness again.
Excellent good sense, Sophia" the mother
said, looking. at her with great approval Il
always knew, with your sound Judgment,
you would come to this view of the matter;
but l was prepared for little temporary re-
luctance and little girlish romance, and
was prepared to bear it kindly, dear, and to
wait for the return of good sense, which |
knew would not be delayed long. But you
are wise girl, Sophy; nothing like facing
the inevitable boldly, and at once"
But, mamma" Sophy said, lit is not such
great trial Percival can work. We can
both watt
20, then have mistaken youi" exclaimed
the mother. Now, Sorhy, my dear, you
must not be absurd. This marriage is simply
impossible Wait as long as you may, the
young man cannot make fortune such as
you should expect and require. You will see
this some day"
Il promised him l would love him always"
Sophia said, with artlessness which in an
other woman might have seemed affected;
sand am to break my word because my
poor fellow is unfortunatel He has done
rothing. Is he TO lose his money and-and
me toog'
At which dreadful prospect Sophia began
70 cry again, and worked at her eyes with
her pocket handkerchief, which she had
twisted into a sort of ball, as crying women
do.
at is a very nice, kind way of talking,
Sophy," the little diplcmatist said; aand it
does you credit, dear. l almost think / like
You better for it, sweet, sweet girlT with
kiss at each adjective "But we must be
prudent. dear. Believe me, Sophy, nothing
that is imprudent Is ever kind in the kng
run 1t may appear so; it never is-net
kind even to those it seems most to bene-
fit. In life, dear, everything depends on
prudence
Mamma Sophia cried, rising from her
chair for the second time, IF you had told
me that Percival had been disgraced, think
| should have died Ii You had tod me that
the man who spoke to me as he spoke had
any secret dishonor, think | should have
killed myself in grief and shame / know the
world would never have been the same to me
again But his fortune, his money-what is
thati Mamma, promised to love him and
to marry him. and nothing but his own fault
shall make me change. Not he lost ten
fortunesi 1t would be hard ON him." she re-
peated, with another rub of her eyes, ito lose
his mo ey, and then to lose me-"
Mother and daughter, there they sat. The
mother was not angry, scarcely disappointd d,
quiet, confident fully assured that the vic
tory would be en- her side at last. Were not
time and money with her, and who with such
auxiliaries ever lost a battleg And there sat
the daughter, fearful. flu he'd, affectionate
longing TO have her Percival beside her to
console him All, sweet Sophia Temple,
some there we're az well as Percivsl who for
a few of those tender dewy XII ses then bud
ding on thy lips would have lost half the
word. and scarcely sighed as it slipped
awayi