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Cassy went and got it. Tom opened, at once, to a heavily marked passage, much worn, of the last scenes in the life of Him by whose stripes we are healed. If Missis would only be so good as read that ar,its better than water. Cassy took the book, with a dry, proud air, and looked over the passage. She then read aloud, in a soft voice, and with a beauty of intonation that was peculiar, that touching account of anguish and of glory. Often, as she read, her voice faltered, and sometimes failed her altogether, when she would stop, with an air of frigid composure, till she had mastered herself. When she came to the touching words, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, she threw down the book, and, burying her face in the heavy masses of her hair, she sobbed aloud, with a convulsive violence. Tom was weeping, also, and occasionally uttering a smothered ejaculation. If we only could keep up to that ar! said Tom;it seemed to come so natural to him, and we have to fight so hard for t! O Lord, help us! O blessed Lord Jesus, do help us! Missis, said Tom, after a while, I can see that, some how, youre quite bove me in everything; but theres one thing Missis might learn even from poor Tom. Ye said the Lord took sides against us, because he lets us be bused and knocked round; but ye see what come on his own Son,the blessed Lord of Glory,want he allays poor? and have we, any on us, yet come so low as he come? The Lord hant forgot us,Im sartin o that ar. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign, Scripture says; but, if we deny Him, he also will deny us. Didnt they all suffer?the Lord and all his? It tells how they was stoned and sawn asunder, and wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, and was destitute, afflicted, tormented. Sufferin ant no reason to make us think the Lords turned agin us; but jest the contrary, if only we hold on to him, and doesnt give up to sin. But why does he put us where we cant help but sin? said the woman. I think we can help it, said Tom. Youll see, said Cassy; whatll you do? Tomorrow theyll be at you again. I know em; Ive seen all their doings; I cant bear to think of all theyll bring you to;and theyll make you give out, at last! Lord Jesus! said Tom, you will take care of my soul? O Lord, do!dont let me give out! O dear! said Cassy; Ive heard all this crying and praying before; and yet, theyve been broken down, and brought under. Theres Emmeline, shes trying to hold on, and youre trying,but what use? You must give up, or be killed by inches. Well, then, I will die! said Tom. Spin it out as long as they can, they cant help my dying, some time!and, after that, they cant do no more. Im clar, Im set! I know the Lordll help me, and bring me through. The woman did not answer; she sat with her black eyes intently fixed on the floor. May be its the way, she murmured to herself; but those that have given up, theres no hope for them!none! We live in filth, and grow loathsome, till we loathe ourselves! And we long to die, and we dont dare to kill ourselves!No hope! no hope! no hope?this girl now,just as old as I was! You see me now, she said, speaking to Tom very rapidly; see what I am! Well, I was brought up in luxury; the first I remember is, playing about, when I was a child, in splendid parlors,when I was kept dressed up like a doll, and company and visitors used to praise me. There was a garden opening from the saloon windows; and there I used to play hide-and-go-seek, under the orange-trees, with my brothers and sisters. I went to a convent, and there I learned music, French and embroidery, and what not; and when I was fourteen, I came out to my fathers funeral. He died very suddenly, and when the property came to be settled, they found that there was scarcely enough to cover the debts; and when the creditors |
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