Indiana American, Volume 4, Number 22, Brookville, Franklin County, 27 May 1836 — Page 1

IIWIBIIAWA AMIEIBIKDAW

OUR COUNTRY OUR COUXTRV?S INTEREST AND OUR COUNTRY'S FRIENDS. BY C. F.CI-AUKSOjr. nROOKVILLG, FRAXKLL COOTY, LXBIAAA, FRIDAY, MAY 27, ISSfl. VOL. IV. io. 22.

TERMS OP THE AMERICAN.

in advance $2,5(1 in six months; or $3,00 at the expiration of the year. The Editor will discontinue subscription at his option. VnvERTisEMEsrs. Twelve linos , or less, w ill be inserted once or three times, for one dollar, and 25 tints will be charged ior e-.cti additional insertion PRIZE ARTICLE. Written for the. Evangelical JWngazine. THS BLIND WIDOW .1X1) HER FAMILY. BY MRS. JVLIA II. SCOTT, TOWANDA, PA. "Is it not much that I may worship Him With nought my spirit's breathing's to control? Shall 1 not rejoice That I have learned at last to know kit voice From man's! I will rejoice; my soaring soul Now hath redeemed her birthright of the day, And won thro' cloud to him l.er unfettered way." Jilts. Hcmans' Forest Sanctuary. It is a pleasant tiling to cast, occasionally, life's little cares and perplexities aside, and Ut oppressed memory till up her beautiful casket with the gem-like reminiscences of early years. She brings us the impression of many a bright form, now mouldering in earth she recalls to os many a thrilling scone of the lo.ig, long past, whose very remembrance senJs the warm blood to the heart, and we awake and look round us for the performers of those generous deeds those high and princely acts which were, in early manhood, the themes of our adniiration; forgetting the partiality of change for our fair earth's loveliest features, and that the north wind scatters not more readily the frail Cowers of summer, than docs change the cherished Moslem of humanity. But they leave (thank heaven!) their memory, and wc linger with melinchly fondness upon the Christian fortitude, the self-denial, the pure, impartial benevolence, until, from these, we go back in to the holy principles from whence they emenated, and lose ourselves in contemplating the religion which taught those bllessed ones to gather smiles at the fountain of tears, and overcome the temptations of this world by the low-voiced spirit of pious love. I was but a child when Mrs. Hamilton became a widow; Hut I was permitted to attend her husband's funeral, and never can foiget the small group of darkly clad forms that clustered round his grave, nor how, with childish curiosity, I caught the hand of one of the little orphans, and gazed rudely into his face, to tee if he were crying. Nor can I forget how I turned away and wept, when I saw the widow, with clasped hands, raise her sightless eyes to heaven, and heard the deep sobbings of the eldest daughter, and son, w ho had led their blind mother to the grave, lwept, but with infantile selfishness; fori reflected, what if it were our own dear father w ho was dead, how would Charles and Harriet cry, and how bad we should all feel if our poor mother could not see. Such were the natural suggestions of simple, childish feeling; and so deeply docs the pen of early impression engrave us char acters on the tablets of the immortal mind, that the little scene just described, though of no particular importance to himself, shines forth to recollection as vividly as if but a yes terday's transaction, although many long years have since gone by. JJut to my nar rative. Mr. Hamilton married with very good pros pects ic life. I mean in humble life. lie was the owner of a small dry goods shop in one ofour southern cities, and his well know n honesty and persevering business habits, rendered it possible that he would arrive, if not at opulence, to at length respectable independence. But who, alas! may calculate on the certainty of any human event? Mr. Hamilton had the misfortune to render himself unpopular among his friends, by the open and earnest advocacy of a system of religion which was deemed, in those days, the root of incalculable evils, and the very kernel of heresy. This was an offence not to be toletated, and it injured his business materially. He had, besides, one failing w hich w as not at all calculated to win the smiles of father Mammon; namely, a benevolence of heart, w hich always caused him to shed tear for tear with the unfortunate, and to open freely his purse for their relief. Notwithstanding, however,the unpopularity and too-far-carried effects of his religion, there was little doubt of his having obtained a competency, but for the breaking out of a fire which resulted in the destruction of his hop, and nearly all its uninsured effects. This was an almost overw helming disaster, as it reduced him to the necessity of accepting an offer of clerkship in a large mercantile establishment, the proprietor of which, a Mr. Ward, enjoyed no very enviable reputation. This man had been recently excommunicated from some Christian church, the doctrine of which he continued to advocate, long after his expulsion, for the purpose, it was said, of furthering the more easily, his dark intrigues, under the fair covering of piety. But we will leave his character to" develope itself in the course of these details. Long and faithfully had Mr. Hamilton laWed in the service of "Merchant Ward," as he was called; the avails of that labor barely afford ing his family a subsistence, including he expense of educating his two eldest children the first, a beautiful daughter of seventeen, and a son two years younger; when he Wa taken away by sudden and severe sickMess from the active scenes of life, leaving his "Slicted w ife and five children to struggle unprotected through a cold, uncharitable world!

It was with a heavy heart that widow Hamilton returned from the funeral to her humble home. "The one dear voice" was not there to welcome her; neither the kind hand w hich had Otteil. since the devrlnnpmpnt nf that

dreadful disease, called cataract in the eye, been extended to direct her uncertain steps The pale mourner sank for a moment, overcome with painful emotions, but the many sweet consolations of the faith w hose hopes had brightened her w hole life, and sustained her husband in the hour of death, sent down their precious encouragements to her heart, and gave her peace. "Thou art not an orphan, my little James," cried she, clasping her youngest son fondly in her arms. "Neither are ye fatherless." she continued, drawing closely together her little bevy of bereaved ones, "the Father of the fatherless is yours. He watches you, and will spread his mantle or love over you, and ye shall not be hurt. He watches you, and will gether, in due time, your immortal spirits, with the whole world's purified intelligences, to bloom like sweet flowers, as it were, in his own bright garden forever! The storm of adver sity, 'tis true, is gathering darkly above your heads; but remember the injunctions of the dear parent that is gone, and trust in vour Sa viour. Let your hearts go up to him in fre quent prayer, and believe me, oh my precious, sorrowing ones! believe me, he w ill bless 3 011 he xvill buss you! Oh, who could have seen the gratetul tears of those afiectionate chil dren as they caught tiic in-piring words of their pious mother whocculd have felt their young, innocent heart beating warmly with high, devotional resolves who could have heard their fervent aspirations to Him who once took such as themselves to his bosom, and blessed them who could have seen and felt all this, and said, This is the spirit of Antichrist? Or, rather, w ho could have w itnessed these things, and refrained from saying, This is the light w hich must ultimately daw n upon every cue that cometh into the world? The death of Mr. Hamilton, it will of course be supposed, from his extraordinary small income, left his family in very depressed circumstances. The expenses incurred in his sickness and burial, were considerable; and the widow found herself under the immediate necessity of disposing of her pleasant home, and removing to miserable lodgings, in a narrow bystreet, in oider to save the additional cost of high rent. Here, with tl e assistance of herelde6t son, Robert who, at his father'sdecease, was taken into the establishment of Merchant Ward the slight avails of Marian's sewing, and her ow n smali jobs of nitting, (being the only work her alllicted situation allowed her to do,) she contrived to live; although the strictest and most ingenious economy was necessary to keep them from a state of actual pauperism. But no complaint was made, and when they were all seated around their scant evening lire for Robert staid with them at nights the closest observer could not have detected a single cloud upon their smiling faces, nor heard a sentence from their lips, betokening aught but the most peaceful serenity. And w hen the long evening's sweet and cheerful conversation vras over, they all joined in singing a family hymn, which was succeeded by the lowvoiced mother in prayer and thanksgiving, and the young members of that holy family sought their pillows, with the seeds of eternal life spreading beautifully their warm roots through the soul's deep avenues. Hut the hour of temptation was at hand, for one, at least, of their number; and witty were the snares of his enemy, laid to entrap his victim. . Merchant Ward had, during the lifetime of Mr. Hamilton tried every art in bis power to obtain the services of that excellent man in some of his dishonest schemes. He commenced by endeavoring to sap Mr. Hamilton's religious principles; thinking that by converting him to his own partial system by doing away the parental relationship between man ami his Maker he might destroy that love for his fellow-creatures, which had ever induced Mr. Hamilton to consider their interest as his own. Rut it was of no use, and of this the crafty merchant was soon convinced, and therefore changed thj form of his attack. He next attempted to confound principle with interst and necessity to erase those nice distinctions between Virtue and the form thereof, and load his victim blindfolded, as it were, into "by and forbidden paths." The practiced eye of .lames Hamilton, however, detected all his subtleties and scorned them; as,-also, hir delicately managed hints at bribery; and the ve:,ed and bafiled merchant would have discarded him, but the reflection, that he could rind no one to nil his place. Of the young and inexperienced son, how ever, he hoped different things and many were the guarded lectures to which the unsuspecting young man was obliged to listen, often wondering to what such things tended. It was late one stormy evening, when, in a dark and unfrequented street, some one touched Robert's arm, and the voice of Merchant Ward sounded in his ear. "Robert," said he, "I forgot, to-day, to speak w ith you on a subject of some importance. Hut I presume 't will do just as well now, as this spot seems to be perfectly private. You recollect, I dare sav. Col. Hartley's giving me a check on the Mobile bank, a few days since, while in the store!" "I recollect, sir," replied Robert, aft:ra moment's musing, "seeing him sign a check; but 1 thought it was on a bank 111 this city." "No, no, 't was Mobile, Don't you know he tpoke of its permanency, and also mentioned his extensive interest in it!" "He did; but I have still an unpression that the cheek related to a bank he re." "No doubt you have, but a moments reflection must convince vou of your mistake. 'T's a subject of considerable consequence to me, and it will. 1 assure vou, be greatly to your advantage to rcmember right tor should the matter be called in questicn, as report savs it will, 1 shall oepend on you to evidence the facts of the case. I he thing is undoubtedly coming to your memory? "No, sir," answered Robert, after some pause, "mv mind is quite confused on the subject, ano reflection only seems to confirm my first impression." "Well, it is very Urange," muttered the merchant, inwardly provoked to find the lad s memory so perversely pevtinacious "'tis ve.y strange you should get things so mixed up. You remember the Colonel's mentioning, particularly, the Mobile bmk-vou recollect his signing the check; and 1

remember that said check related to said bank. 011 will, therefore, I presume, have no objection to telling the good jury of the court, should one be called, that you saw Colonel Hartley give me a Mobile check, remembering, all the time, that in

performing this little act of friendship, or, I might say duty, you are materially benefitting youi - se)f.' "I will, most cheerfully, tell them all I know about it," rejoined Robert." for 1 should he Had to oblige you; but I would not, for worlds, testi'y io a uncuuisiance, 01 the truth ol which! am not perfectly positive. ''Poll!" ronliOil tl a i.a.Al,.. Cwl L. haimin it. atall-vo.i l,v i,'-ni f.'r ;' ,rti. and you have got it all yourself, except the little minima. Beside, if that exouisite conscience of yours should ever trouble you, a priest will absolve it. And thou," he continued in a soft, insinuating tone, (feeling the arm he had taken endeavoring to withdraw itself,) "the reward you shall receive will make your family independent, and the day may come that will tee you a partner in my establishment. (July think, Robert, a partner with Merchant Ward!" Robert Hamilton was, by no means, destitute of

ambition; and we will net say that his heart didiad rejected, till at length Marian proposed sell-

not beat quicker at the thought of seeing his dear mother, and her little ones, in a more comfortable situation; or of being, himself, at some future period, in independent circumstances. But w hatever his thoughts may have been, they glided by, like shadows across the dial plate, without marring the pure polish of pious virtue. "You have certainly mistaken my character," said he, slowly, but firmly his line youthful form expanding into manliness, as the tide of indignant blood rushed impetuously through his swelling veins "you have mistaken my character; for, young as I am, I have learned to love and keep my heavenly Fathers commandments. And sooner shall this body be consumed by hunger sooner shall this tongue be torn out by the roots, than it shall infringe one little hair's breadth upon the law which says, Thou shalt not bear false witness, against thy neighbor." "Then, may these curses fall upon thee," shout

ed the enraged merchant, his voice almost chokpd j correctly the 0 nversation had between himself with the hoarseness of immoderate passion "may; and young Hamilton, a few days previous with these curses and worse than these, fall upon thee, j which the reader has been already favored taking baser son of a base father! Ay, and they shall, if: care, however, to put his own dark wors into the 1 have any influence over thy destiny. Presume! mouth of poor Robert. The case seemed too clear not, henceforth, toset thy foot within my door, but j to need any further investigation, and when the beware. Thou hast goaded the lion any may tost i counsel for the defendant commenced cross-exam-his strength!" ination, hisextieme embarrassment showed piain"Say, rather," said a deep voice near them, iy that he was convinced of h;s client's guilt. He "he has disturbed the viper, and may feel his , had asked bat two or three faint, irrelevant ques-

ai;"-s." J P ... r. .

And at that moment two human figures passco. j iuih, vi it , w. nu a in, mmiv uguru them, but slowly, as if to witness the result of the j strode fearlessly through the room, and after conconferenoe. The merchant turned upon his heel j suiting the prisoner a moment, and w hispering to w ithout another word, and Robert hastened home; his lawyer an emphatic "Sit down!" took the lat-

to relieve the a.ixietv of those w ho, he knew, must be wondering at his long absence. ''What ails you, Robert!" said his little sister Rose, as the light fell upon his face at the door "w hat ails Robert, Marian!" "You are very pale, my orother, said Marian, layin-r aside her work "I hope nothing has bap- .,? "Are vou 6ick?" added the anxious voice of Mrs. Hamilton. 'No, mother, l am only a little melancholy. I have been strongly tempted to night ana "And you ie6isted" half exclaimed, half inquired the" widow, hurriedly. 'Yes, mother, 1 did.' Thank God! thank God!' came from the full Leart of Mrs. Hamilton. 1 ilid resist.' continued Robert, 'but Heav en know s whether it niiy not be the ruin of us ajj 1 Vonr not that, mv beloved child." she reolied, clasninsr her nands affectionately round his neck J ... ... . , .. 1 , ! 'thou hast foiled thy most bitter enemy, and dear er, far dearer art thou to me, with thy pure unspotted heart, than if thou hadst returned laden with the spoils of many conquered nations. Fear not but trust in Hi in who never forsakes the innocent, and thou shalt ever find cause to rejoice!' The circumstances of bis meeting with Merchant Ward were soon related by Robert, with the exception of what had excited in his mind a suspi cion of forgery. 1 his he carelujly suppressed, and alter a cm hnei and chantauie comments, me . . . ....

evening passed away, as if nothing had hap- the poor victim looks down w ith melancholy longpcned. ing into the gloomy grave, and would give worlds

It was but a lew days alter tins, mat, as ivouert was strolling through the city, hoping to find some employment, he met John Surrey, a former companion, of nearly his own age, who was living w ith Merchant Ward, and with whom Robert had associated on terms of affectionate intimacy. "We were all sorry to lose you, Robert," said John, grasping his hand, "and I guess Master 'l! be sorry, too, some day and this brings me to a secret, which I want you should promise to keep for me." '1 do not like secret, John,' replied Robert, they are very apt to make mischief.' That is because they are not well kept. This will hurt nobody, unless it is told, and I hope you will not reluse to gratify me into small a matter.' 'Why, certainly not, rejoined the warmhearted", unsuspecting boy, "if it can do no harm." You promise, then,' said the other, "not toreveal w hat 1 am going to tell you.'" "! , "Well, then, here it is; the very eyetooth of old hardhearted Ward;" and he took from his pocket an elegant gold repeaUr, suspended by a chain ol great "value. Robert drew Lack with a look 01 painiu' astonishment. 'It cannot be possible, John," said Le, "that vou heave really really " " "That 1 have realty learned hocus jwcus, you would say, Bob. There is nothing truer. 1 assure you; and master is undoubtedly looking lor it, by this time. Now, he wilt suspect me, 111 the start, aiH 1 want vou to keep it lor me tili the fuss is over, and then you shall have half it is worth." "Oh foolish, ruined boy!" exclaimed Robert, 'what 'have you done! bid you not know that a irreater eye than Merchant Ward's. was upon you! nd that you might as well expect to escape the shaft of death, as the thunderbolt of retribution ol thv God1 Go back to Mr. W ard, John, confess, before him, and your heavenly Luther, your fault; and you may yet obtain mercy. But as not me to become a oai taker in your wickedness. ' m I an idiot. Robert," answered the boy .sullenly "that you expect me to beg forgiveness ot a ... very creed is re re ige.'-lint 1 see you . ,i;s,fd to befriend me, and I suppose 1 m,,st Ktand cr fall by myself." And Uartirg ofi

.abruptly, he was out of sight ere Robert could renew the exhortation, which rose with redoubled tenderness to his lips. It was on thn evening succeeding this event.that a loud rap was heard at the door of widow Mam.

! ilton. and on its being-opened, two police officers jenterod, and seizing Robert by the arm, pronounced him their prisoner "And of what, gentlemen, am I accused!" asked he, eveing them with a look of calm surprise. '5ut l'w was that look changed to one of deep . 111:11:1 "i,l"" " ""m "ls 'ulcr pocsei. one ci the officers produced the identical watch which he had seen in the hands of John Surrey! The w hole itruth and its fearful consequence- flashed upon him it once; and turning away from them, he said, in a mournful voice, "Mether, 1 fear it is all over with me. I am caught in the foils of the adversary, and see no chance of escape. But pray forme, dear mother; for, believe me, I am innocent." And he tore himself from the sobbing group that surrounded him, and accompanied the officers to prison. One moment gave the widow to tears, and petitioning for Ileaven'a aid, but the next was for action. Counsel must be obtained; but how, alas, could it be, without that general stimulator to ; g-iod deeds money'! Various plans were tho't of. ing ner i.arp, a present irom tier dear lather. 111 his prosperous days. A sale was ultimately effected, and the services of a young and inexperienced lawyer, (the only one, however, with whom they were acquainted.) were immediately engaged. The trial came on at an early dav, and Merchant Ward and the treacherous Surrey were nearly the first to enter the court-room. The prisoner was soon called, and llio spectators were surprised to behold, instead of a dark, heartless looking c:lpr,t, a lad of frank, open countenonce, on which lat an expression of sweet, but melancholv resignation. "That does not lock like guilt," exclaimed one, a6 he passed. "It may be but tle hypocrisy of its callousness," was the reply. The trial commenced. The evidence of the officers who arretted the prisoner, was first taken. and then aroe John Surrey, w ho detailed xerv mons.when a stern voice, Irom the farther end ol : 1 . . W' . 1 1 .. ...11 1.. tl , ter a place. ' Ti the Peoplo'6 Lawyer," 6aid an old gentle man near Robert, in reply to the question, "Who is he!" "'Tis the People's Lawyer; the best anc wealthiest man in the city, and one who never pleads except when he sees oppression preying upon poverty and innocence. Merchant Ward had best look to himself; for, an old man's word for it! something is going wrong." The People's Lawyer, ns he was significantly termed, was a man aged about twenty-eight, posscssed ot superior beauty of person, and it was said of commanding eloquence, which was often successfully employed in the cause of the widow and orphan. He was. therefore, the fear of the oppressor, and the almost idol of the poor, and honest. He was master, moreover, of a penetration of mind which, in some cases, seemed almost intuition. And as his dark eve now glanced upj on the face of the witness, it seemed to read his character at once. Me gazed for one long moment, sternly unci fixedly upon his quailing eye and vary - ing cheek thn raising his right hand, a id point- - . - : 1 . .. 1 ... 1 :.. ;ng his fore-finger at his very heart, he cried in a voice that might have staitled the conscience of a Nero "John Surrey John Surrey knowest thou not that the eye of the eternal God is upon thee! Knowest thou not that his pen hath this day written perjury against thy soul! Aim knowest thou net, oh. thrice miserable young man! that he will lay in thy sickening bosom the liery coilings of that worm which dietli not, hut writhes and writhes, and sends its deadly venom into all the 1 , 1 c .1 i J f 1: J 1 ,;l : cnanneis 01 1110111:111, miu icnm", mm uum for its co d seremtv; Knowest thou not that peace shall visit thee no more, day nor night, forever, unless thou dost recall the dark words w hich thou hast this hour spoken? Look at thy victim, deluded boy! think of his affection and brotherly kindness to thee, and then tell me how thou will feel to see his youthful form wasting away under the cruel labor of a state's prison. Tell me how thou will feel to see his friends weeping over him. as one deod ay, worse than dead disgraced and all for a few false words of thine. Look, young man, and tell me." The eve of John Surrey turned involuntarily towards the prisoner's box, and his cheek grew paler, ind his lip quivered; fur memory as busy at his heart. He thought of the unvarying gentleness of that injured friend of ihe many little sacrifices he had made for his comfort and gratification; he thought of their many sweet moments of tender intimacy, when Robert had talked to him of heaven, and called him dear brother, snd his own black treachery rose in hideous contrast. He forgot Merchant Ward and his bribe he forgot his own danger he forgot every thing save thino- sae present injustice and former love and rushinc forward, and throwing his arms round the neck of Robert Hamilton, he sobbed out a full confession of Ids own and his master's base schemes for Robert's ruin, upon his bosom. Tw ice did he enraged merchant rise twice did he attempt to speak but the eye of the People s Lawyer frowned him dow n, anil he was glad to escape unnarmed, out of court. Who shall describe the joy of the little family of Hamilton on the evening of Robert's restoration to their society! "If 1 could only see your benefactor, the People's Lowyer," said Marian, "I am sure I should quite worship him. And did you not find out where he lives Robert?" "No: in the hurry of the moment, I suppose, he forgot to mention his address. Hut I remember, perfectly, the few words he spoke to me, on leaving. 'Go home,' iaid he, 'dear, honest boy, and rladdon your friends by your presence. But come to me, next week, when I shall be at home; for I would like to have further conversation with you. irrot not. meanwhile, to return thanks to your Maker, for the happy termination of your .KIT, -nit !ok 1 'Noble, generous eoul, exclaimed Mr. Hamil

ton, 'let us not forget his injunction, my children; but return thanks to Him w hose hand is so plainly manifest. Let us not cease giving glory, and lienor, and praise to his name, forever and ever. And her two pious children responded, fervently, 'Amen.'

It was while Robert wc in prison that Mrs. Hamilton received a letter from a distant relative, in the city of New York, offering to procure a lucrative situation for her son, near him, and requesting his immediate presence. This chance was not to be neglected, and Robert accordingly set out the next morning after his release, regretting deeply, however, the necessity of leaving his mother and her family in so unprotected a situation, as also his inability to testify his deep gratitude to the People's Lawyer. It was not until after her son's departure, that Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter began to reflect upon their almost hopeless pecuniary circumstances. Robert's travelling expenses had taken nearly the last pe;;ny that remained of the money received for the harp, and they knew not w here to look for more. Theirquarterly rent had become due their stock of provisions was running low the little ones were almost destitute of clothes it w ould be some time before they could ex pec e remittances from Robert, and to add to their embarrassments and distress, the youngest child, a fine boy of six years of nge, was taken ill of tho disease which terminated in his father's existence. Tho heart ol the poor widow was sorely tried in these accumulating difficulties. But she forgot not to look to the true source for comfort and assistance. Nor did she look in vain. A newspeper accidentally came into Marian's hands, containing an advertisement by a Mrs. Brownson, for some neat original scenery paintings to grace her centre table. .Marian had been acknowledged, w hen at school, to possess splendid talents for drawing. She therefore set immediately about the task, and her anxiety to earn something for the support of her suffering family, seemed to give her a species of inspiration. For in a short time, notwithstanding the increasing illness of litile James, she had succeeded in finishing two rich and delicate pieces. Takintr advantage one evening of her sick brother's hour of sleep, she and Rose set out with beating hearts for the residence of Mrs. Crownsoir, into which thej were admitted a soon ns their errand became known. 'Send them in here," exclaimed a shrill, treble voice to the servant who announced (hem, "I would not go into that cold room to see West himself." They were accordingly ushered into n splendid drawing-room, where several young ladies and gentlemen were congregated, for ihe apparent purpose of abusing father Time with unmeaning prattle. The beautiful cheek of Marian became suffused with the deepest crimson, as she beheld the eye-glass of one of the xoung ladies, ranging itself in the direction of a faded breadth of her al most threadbare pelisse. I3ut she conquered the feeling of shame and indignation, and walking w ith a calm, but respectful dignity, to the table where Mrs. Hrownson remained silting, she submitted her paintings for inspection. They w ere soon handed from one to another, accompanied by comments, many of which seemed made w ithout tho least regard for the feelings of the humble artist. "Well. Kitty, w hat doyou think of them!" inquired Mrs. 13row nson of her daughter, the second time. "Why. ma," drawled out the silly girl, in a tone of affected contempt, "I think they look very much like my own first attempts." "Then your first attempts must have been very beautiful. Miss Brownson," exclaimed a rich, manly voice, "and your mother had best, by all means, collect them immediately." Marian could not see the speaker, for he sat in the shade; but she felt there was lalm in his words. "Well, child," said Mrs. Brownson, in a somewhat softened tone, "what do you ask for your paintings? I suppose from your looks, that you need nil ihty are w orth, and perhaps charity should add a litile more." The color again visited Marian's pale cheek, and and atearslood in herdark, intelligent 030, but remembering that forbearance is one of the Greatest christian virtues, she replied modestly and calmly, "I have not priced them, madam, but you may give me w hat you think tliey arc north. 1 wish nothing more." "Ifyou had only come in the daytime," continued the unCeeling woman, "I could have judged better of their merits. Why in the world cliun t you get hero before dark! 1 crhaps, though. 3 ou thought some defects in your pictures might be more easily detected by thus doing." The recollection of her poor mother, and her little brothers distressed situation of the high hopes which hail animated her on her selling out from home and, above all, the imputation of low trickery, in coming at the time she did, sent on arrow to the heart of poor Marian, and she cou Idonlv falter out, "I could not leave my sick brother," ere her feelings burst forth in a torrent of irrepressible tears. "You need not feel so bad, my dear," said Mrs. Brownson, with an aw kward attempt to soothe, "but give me your name and place of residence, and I wilfsend you the pay for these scraps in the morning." The information was given, and Marian was glad to find herself and sister once more in the street. "Where are you going, my pretty Misses, in such a hurry?" asked a vulgar looking creature, staggering up to them. "I am just in time to be a beau for you" and he caught hold of Marian's veil. A loud shriek w as the reply, and in the next instant a powerful arm prostrated the reeling figure upon the pavement; and a voice, which Marian thought she had heard before, begged her not to be frightened, but (COKCLCDEU OK LAST PAGB.)