The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-02-24


in the factory were commonplace, not
few of them We're vulgar, and some
were vicious. The best ones were good
hearted, but they did not understand
their proud and sensitive companion.
who did not readily mingle in their
conversation and amusemcnts The
girl was unhappy; she could not be
otherwise in suchcircumstances,a and yet
she was too weak and too friendless TO
better her condition. She tried 10 read
and improve her mind during the win
ter evenings, but the severe work in
the factory during ten and sometimes
twelve hours daily fatigued her SO
much that she found il almost impOssi-
BILE TO crafty her ambition. Moreover,
the woman with whom she boarded
was ignorant, and the house was un-
clean and uncomfortable so that the
home life of the girl was unfav-
orable for the development of
her higher tastes. Not singular,
then, was it that she finally be-
came desperate and began TO yield TO
the weight of the circumstances that
> oppressed her. The vulgar talk of her
companions no longer shocked her, and
she gradually adopted words and ex-
pressions which formerly nothing
would have induced her TO use. She
was deteriorating. Like the ring in
the furrow, the best in her was becOm-
ing dim. She was out of her proper
sphere and she knew il. She longed TO
escape from her present condition, to
save herself from mental and perhaps
moral ruin, to mingle with better peo-
pie and to enjoy congenial surroun-
ings: but of what avail was it for her
TO battle longer?
Fortunately at this critical period in
the girls career rich and philan-
thropic man who lived near the factory
became interested in her. He ascer-
tanned that her parents had been re-
fined people, and that the hereditary
traits in her family were good. He
conprehended the circumstances sur
rounding her, and saw the temptations
20 which she was exposed. He
recognized in her a gem in obscurity,
which only needed some person able
and apprcciative enough to place il
where il ought 10 be. Accordingly lac
adopted her as his daughter, gave her
a good education and other advantages.
She became a noble and accomplished
woman, and her benefactor felt well
repaid for his kindness. But what
could be said in regard 20 many cases
hand was extended? 1t was sad to
think of these cases The fate of the
individuals involved was similar TO
what the destiny of the ring would
have been, had it not been found by
the farmer.
The audience, most of them well-to-
do persons, were much impressed by
the sermon. One wealthy member of
the church was especially impressed.
II happened that he had become in
terested in 4 girl whose circumstances
in life were almost identical with those
Of the one whose story the pastor had
related. The man had thought of
adopting her as his daughter, but he
had been restrained by selfish consid-
erations II only needed the sermon 20
overcome his reluctance, and he imme-
iiately decided to carry out his philan-
thropic plan the next day. Now il
chanced that the poor girl whom the
rich man had ia mind also heard the
sermon, she occupying one of the free
seats near the vestibule during the
services. She, of course, was aston
iShed and wondered whether the
preacher had heard of her, and had
founded his story on her experience.
She dared not hope, however, that she
would be fortunate like the poor girl
in the story, and have helping hand
extended to her. Great then were her
amazement and JOY when the benevo-
lent man came 10 her and made his
proposition. She accepted it with pro-
found gratitude. Her new guardian
was especially anxious that she should
be well educated, and it was not long
before he sent her to a noted board ing
IN, has eft A nf
five years. Mary, that was her name,
returned To her bencfactor. a beautiful
and accomplished young woman.
Every Sunday Mary accompanied her
adopted father to church and listened
to the preaching of Rev. Thomas Moul-
ton. The minister noticed with de-
light that the fair young woman APP
pcared TO appreciate his sermons very
much. Soon he began to cultivate her
acquaintance, and made such rapid
progress that friendship ripened into
love with surprising celebrity. He was
more humble-minded than are most
preachers. however, and he was dis
heartened by fear which many manly
men have felt He feared that he was
not good enough to become the hus-
band of superior woman.
In the course of n stumbling speech
IN which he acquainted Mary with his
desires he said:
Il love you. but feel that You are
too good for me"
Mary looked at him in an encourag-
ing and affec;ionate way.
''If you knew how great my obliga-
ton to you is, you would have more
courage" she replied.
What do you mean?" he eagerly
asked
II was in the furrow, and had IT not
been for you l would have remained in
it To this day"
The worthy clergyman was nysti-
fed An explanation was in order.
Mary recalled the sermon and told
what it had done for her.
Mr.. Moulton was greatly pleased,
and. inasmuch as he was to obtain n
good wife by means of this sermon, he
declared that il was the best one he
had ever preached.-J. A. BoIles, in
Boston Budget
ON MANY SUBJECTS.
LA BRUYERE use 10 say il poverty is
the mother of crimes want of sense is
the father.
THE little old republic is going to
make some of its own Swectening.
Switzerland is building its first sugar
refinery.
THERE are looms in the old world.
The linen manufactured vaa,.lv in Emo