Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1893-01-12

q few OF them we're vulgar. and somr
were vicious The best ones were good
hearted. but they did not understand
their proud aud sensitive companion.
who did not readily mingie in theiI
conversation and amuzementS The
girl was unhappy; she could not bs
otherwise in uch'circumstanees. and YET
she was too weak and too friendless Ia
better her condition She tried to read
and improve her mind during the win
ter evenings, but the severe work in
twelve hours daily fatigued her -
much that she found IL almost impossi
bic 10 crafty her ambition. Moreover
the woman with whom she boarded
was ignorant, and the house was un
clean and uncomfortable. so that tbs
home life of the girl was unfav
orable for the development Of
her higher tastes Not singular
then, was ii that she finally be
came desperate and began 10 yield e
the weight of the circumstances that
oppressed her. The vulgar talk of her
companions no longer shocked her, ana
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
/ sphere and she knew IL She longed Il
escape from her present condition. &c
save herself from mental and perhaps
moral ruin. to mingIe with better PEG
pie and To enjoy eongenial surroun-
/ ings; but Of what avail was il for her
TO battle longer
Fortunately at this critical period in
the girls career a rich and pillar
thropic man who lived near the factory
became interested in her. lie ascer
tanned that her parents had been re-
fined people, and that the hereditary
traits in her family were good Vie
comprehended the circumstances sur
rounding her. and saw the temptatioEs
To which she was EXPOSED hs
recognized in her n gem in obscurity,
which only needed some person able
and appreciative enough Ia place il
where IL ought To be. Accordingly lac
adopted her rs lis daughter. gave her
a good education and other nc vantages
She became a noble and accomplished
woman. and her benefactOr felt wei
repaid for his kindness. But what
could be said in regard to many cases
like that of this girl, where no helping
hand was extended? IL was sad tC
think of these cases. The fate of the
individuals involved was similar "a
what the destiny of the ring would
have been, had it not been found by
the farmer.
The audience, most of them welI-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 n 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
eratiouS It only needed the sermon tc
overcome his reluctance, anil he imme-
dIately decided to carry out his philan-
thropic plan the next day. Now il
CHANGED that the poor girl whom the
rich man had in 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 hae
founded his story on her experience
She dared not hope. however. that shs
would be fortunate like the poor CIR
in the story, and have Il helping hand
extended TO her. Great then were he,
amazement and Joy when the beuevo
lent man came to 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 4 noted board ing
school in another city. At the end o.
i've years. Mary. that was her name
returned To her benefactor. u beautiful
and accomplished young woman.
Every Sunday Mary accompanied he,
adopted father to church and Iiste nee
to the preaching of Rev. Thomas MouI
light that the fair young woman ap
peared to appreciate his sermons YER
much Soon he began to cultivate he
acquaintance, and made such rapi,
progress that friendship ripened int.
love with surprising celebrity. He wa
more Undetermined than are mos
preachers. however. and h. was dis
heartened by fear which many mani
men have felt He feared that he wa
not good enough to become the hus
band of a superior woman
In the course of a stumbling speecl
IN which he acquainted Mary with hi
desires he said:
II love you. but feel tina. Won ar
too good for me-"
Mary looked at him in an encourao
ing and affectionate way.
IF you knew how great nv obIiza
ton to you is, you would have nor
courage she replied
What do you mean?' ne eagerl
asked
II was in the farrow. and had il No
been for you I would have remained i
it to this day
The worthy clergyman was myst
fed An explanation was in ordei
Mary recalled the sermon and toll
what it had done for her
Mr.. Moulton was greatly pleases
and inasmueh as he was To obtain
good wife by means of this sermon. b
declared that il was the best one h
had ever preaehed-L A. Bolles, i
Boston Budget
Wonderful Echoes
In the Roman Campagna. at the Sc,