Town and Country; Or, Life at Home and Abroad, Without and Within Us

often the case after a severe storm. With my neighbor Jenks I procured

his side, and he co

mother was taken sick, rapidly declined, and in a fortnight left this state of existence. Beyond this world it seemed all d

I was sad, and that it was indeed a heavy sorrow that rested on my spirit. Even with the faith that she had, the thought of being left with a man such as my father was would have made me sad. You will wonder, perhaps, that I had not learned from such a mother as mine a clearer faith than that which possesse

's disposition in my character. But nothing could force it from me. I was sensitive as ever to the remarks and th

ur friendship ripened to mutual love, and we were happy only when in each other's presence. Our interviews were frequent, and unknown to any one but ourselves for a long time. At length my f

ourself in the estimation of every man, and bring disgrace on the name and fam

he evil epithets his tongue could dispense, and, raving like a madman, he pushed me to the door, and told me to cease my vi

w did,-a law written with his hand on our beating hearts. We had been joined far, far back, ages gone by, when our souls first had their birth,-long ere they became enshrined in earth forms. The church might have passed its ceremonial bond about us, but that would

t to think of what she had caused, as she said. But I tried to convince her, and succeeded in doing so finally, that it was not she who had caused it. She had not made her soul or its attributes. God had mad

nciples that govern us. We studied, there in the clear moonlight, God's works, a

mmensity,-and if so, then he imbues this little flower with his own life, for he is the life of all things. It is as he

e degree does God dwell in you more than in them. If, therefore, I love you more than I love them, I love God more than I should did my supreme love find its highest object in them. In loving you, therefore, I love God so far as y

Her mother had died, as they call it, long years before; and, as I kissed her, and pressed her hand and bade her

em unfastened. I raised it very carefully, and crept in, and up to my room. The next morning at breakfast my father spoke not a word, but I knew by his manner that he was aware of my d

se that I shuddered. Nevertheless, I yielded not one position of my heart, and was conscious that

en seen in company with the collier's daughter. I endured all, and was willing to endure more. He s

g way, asked me if I persisted in paying attention to Evelina. I answered promptly that I did. I had had so many

e if you can; for you have lost the one you might have held with honor to yourself and to me. I had chosen for you a wife, a rich and fashionable lady, the daughter of a nobleman, and one of w

m his seat, walked the room in the greatest rage, and whenever I opened my mo

rned the world against me. He also circulated false reports respecting me, and spared neither money nor effort to injure me. He prejudiced my employers, so that they at once discharged me, without a moment's warning. A

with a brave heart, and rested on my promises as the dove rests it

ies politely recognized me as I passed through the streets; and old ladies singled me out as an example for their sons to follow. But on that day no one knew me. Not one of those who had professed such friendship for me came and took me by the han

because I loved Evelina,