Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-05-28

w MNAAa -AAAN ana AAA aHHHNAA ~ N8
velop fortituds for the trial. We were
pleased to hear now from bis lips some Of
those phrases about trust in God and resigna-
ton to the dispositions Of providence at
which we had sometimes felt inclined to smile
when the sleek little fellow spoke them in the
pulpit. Indeed, 50 deep was our commisera-
ton for the T%ectOr's misfortune that we-who
are neither a church nor, Ifear, a very chart
table people-summoned a meeting Of lead
ing parishioners, at which we resolved, by
annual subscriptions, to raise enough to pay
the curates; and thus, without directly pau
perizing our clergyman, we hoped to enable
him to bold his living. In this way Rector
Brent was put in possession of about three
hundred a year-nOt a bad allowance, you
may say; but consider how he had lived
hitherto. The carriage must be put down:
the gardens must be laid out in grass; the
coy dinner parties must be given up; Rector
Brent must, for the rest Of his life, walk the
ways of genteel poverty.
Among the first to hear the bad news was
Mrs. Barbara Temple. That excellent little
woman had n maxim for every change and
chance. and upon hearing the tidings she re-
marked that such was the world-up and
down. "If the ups were always up" she
continued, straying for an instant into philos-
ophy, "the downs would never have a chance.
There was only so much money, so much ease,
so much luck, going. What one lost fell to
the lot of another" At the same time she ex-
pressed and felt genuine sorrow for Mr.. Brent
and for his son, who had always appeared to
her a most promising young fellow.
Shortly after hearing all this, Mrs. Temple
rang for her maid, and sent for Sophia, who,
came in with a light dancing step, rare with
her; her face was full of glee.
Il know what it is, mamma; you want me
to look at your dress. But l saw it before you.
did. Frightful, it isl You shan't wear it,
dear; not if | wear it 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 If the disappointment the girl
was about to lave. "Never mind the gown;
l have something to say to you"
Sophia looked wondering into her mothers
serious face, as she took a seat beside her.
"Life is full of trials, Sophy," the kind
hearted little wording began. mo one is fit
to live who is not ready to meet small vexa-
lions and disappointments, that perhaps at
first don't seem small, and meet them with a
cheerful face. One great thing is to remem-
ber-what is undoubtedly true-that most
disappointments nave a bright as well as a
dark side. Indeed, if one looks over one's
life, it is surprising to notice how many mis-
haps which we either cried over or felt we
would like to cry over, only we restrained
ourselves, become on review matters of con-
graduation. Do you know, Sophy, | think
sometimes, when I look back over my life,
that what l called my misfortunes nave in
three cases out of four become either directly
or indirectly sources of happiness after a
year or two. don't wish to talk boastfully,
dear; but / think some of that is due to my
own good common sense"
She drew herself up with a self-satisfied
air, but instantly resumed her compassionate
tone, while Sophia looked a little anxious,
not knowing what was coming. She saw
that her mother watched her closely, as she
delivered herself of these philosophic morsels.
II shall not delay what l have to say, Mrs.
Temple went on, stroking her girls hand
kindly. 81 have heard something this morn
ing which renders your marriage with young
Brent impossible
Mammal" Sophia cried, in reatagitation.
"These things happen, Sophy," the mother
continued; these things often happen. /
never told any of you girls before, but l as
sure you the first man that proposed to me
and to whom | was on the point of being
married-had to fly from England to avoid
transportation"
Mammal Sophia cried again, but now
~springing to her feet, with a face white with
fear and pain. TELL me; what is it? He
can't, o, he can't have done anything
wrong"
Nothing wrong, DEAR" she answered. II
only mentioned my case as in some respects
like yours. No; the Brents are honorable
people, but they are beggars this morning,
Sophy-beggars."
Then, in as few words as she could use, the
little woman, with most perfect lucidity, told
the story of the disaster, remarking, when
she anne to the maneuvering widow, that the
rector ought to have kept a sharper eye on
his brother.
Because we all know, Sophy, that there are
always widows who will do these things if
they can. l should as soon think of leaving
my jewel box all night open on my front
doorstep as of leaving a rich relation UNI
guarded-if it was my policy to get his
money. Now, don't cry, dear, she added,
seeing her girls tears flowing fast; "things
might have been much worse"
II am not crying now, mamma" Sophia
said, sobbing, however, while she spoke. q
was frightened at first by what you said, AT
least, these are tears of relief, ! mean. |
really felt afraid of l don't know what. But
it is only money Percival has lost-not char
acter, not honor"
20, no; his honor is untouched, y the mother
replied. His character is as good as ever,
and that will, of course, stand by him when
he goes in search of employment. Besides, ]
am glad on your account, dear; for even the
most transient connection of your name with
a person who had done anything wrong would
be disagreeable."
Sophia said nothing. She was drying of
her tears with great brisknsss and assiduity.
1t is a pleasant sight to see a 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 90
always knew, with your sound judgment
you would come to this view of the matter
but l was prepared for a little temporary re
~luctance and a little girlish romance, and
was prepared to bear it kindly, dear, and t.
wait for the return of good sense, which
knew would not be delayed long. But yol
are a wise girl, Sophy; nothing like facing
the inevitable boldly, and at once.n