Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

for composition she would write upon the "Evils of Intemperance."

As Florence and Odora led David away, Florence asked her brother, "Why he did not try to get away from those wicked boys?"

"I did try."

"I should have thought you would have struck them back again."

"That would have been wicked, Flory; Jesus didn't strike when the wicked men struck him."

"I don't know but they would have killed you, if we had not come and helped you."

99

"The wicked men killed Jesus too!" The girls wept all the way home. The intellect of David had been injured when a child, and his health so much impaired that they seldom allowed him to go out alone. He sometimes went to the post-office when there was no one else to go, as

he had on this occasion; he was kind and affectionate in his disposition, and so conscientious, that he always chose rather to suffer wrong than do wrong. Josephine had

taught him to read some; he was constantly in the society of his mother and sister, and they had been permitted to see that the Scriptures were so plain, "that the way-faring man, though a fool, need not err therein." David entered the house with his mouth partly open, and handed his mother a letter, saying at the same time, "I hope, dear mamma, that it is from Walter." Mrs. Bertram did not doubt this as her eye fell upon the post-mark. Walter informed his mother that he was about going into business, and hoped she would not be anxious about him. "The circle which I now move in, is a respectable one. Tell Joe, if she makes up her

mind to take up the practice of medicine, that I hope she will be successI shall return in about two

ful. years."

CHAPTER EIGHTH.

THE FOREBODINGS.

"If shadows track our earthly way,
To press the spirit's lightness,
Heaven can clothe the darkest day
In evening's golden brightness."
T. A. WORRAL.

COL. BERTRAM was seated by the table busily engaged in reading a letter that David had handed him. When he laid it aside, Mrs. Bertram handed Walter's letter to him; he sighed, and said it would be a long two years before he would return. But I suppose we may as well hope for the best. The letter I have just received is from Champlain; our old friend Mr. Willard has thought of us again, but it is evident from the contents, that

there are others whom he thinks still more of; he has been a widower several years."

Mrs. Bertram said she should think he would be afraid to marry again, as he was so unfortunate in his last wife.

[ocr errors]

Matilda, he is on the right track now, if he can gain the prize."

"My dear, what prize has he in view ?"

"It is no less than our dear Mrs. Morse."

After a few moments' silence, Mrs. Bertram said, "That would never answer."

"I know, Matilda, there is a difference between the former character of Mr. Willard and that of Lieutenant Morse, but I am credibly informed that there is a thorough change in Mr. Willard; he looks entirely differeat from what he did seven years ago."

« AnteriorContinuar »