,UC-NRLF *B Bfl? 354 [ LIBRARY I UNIVERSITY OF \CALIFORNIA^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/ellenmasonorprinOOedinrich €lhn Pasffii; OB, PRINCIPLE AND PREJUDICE. GALL & INGUS, 6 GEORGE STREET. LONDON : EOULSTON & WBIGHT. I'OAM STACK CONTENTS. Chapter I.— Fikst Impbessiows, Faqb 5 w II. — A Fkiend Found, 15 R III.— Principlb in Charity, 21 M IV. — Thb Visit and the Trial, 33 n v.— The Quarrel, 46 « VL—A Lesson op Forbearance, 56 R VII. — A Discovert, 67 VIII. — Good for Evil, 72 672 OR, PRINCIPLE AND PEEJUDICE. CHAPTER I. FIEST IMPRESSIONS. * Oh, I shall never like her, I can tell you, Amy, and there is no use in arguing about it. Her very look tells what she is, and I, for one, need no better proof f character than that. If I should know her for a dozen years, I am certain that I shall never see occasion to change my mind.' Amy walked slowly on with a serious countenance, feeling the utter uselessness of endeavouring to reason against mere preju- dice. Then, in a few moments, she said, musingly, yet aloud, ' Ellen's face is marked slightly from small- pox ; but that, of course, is no proof against 6 ELLEN MASON. her, as I suppose it was not her fault that she had the disease. Her countenance, however, has a very mild and calm expression/ * Sinister would describe it much better than any other word I know of/ replied her companion, with a contemptuous curl of the lip ; you must remember, Amy, that " one may smile and smile and be a villain still." ' *0h, Anna, how can you talk so about Ellen Mason ! ' exclaimed Amy. She is an orphan, and almost a stranger to you, and you have had but little opportunity of knowing what she is.* * I never require much time or many op- portunities to find out people's characters/ replied Anna. * I know that she is mean and miserly, and those faults are despicable to me, wherever I meet them.' * How do you know that she can afford to spend more money than she does now, and that she does not dress according to her means ? ' inquired Amy. * Julia Graham's father knows all about it, and he says, that Mr Mason left both Ellen and her brother a hundred a year, and she is allowed by her guardian to draw freely to the full amount.' FIKST BfPEESSIONS. 7 ' Perhaps she saves for the purpose of doing good with her money/ said Amy, pausing before a picturesque-looking cottage, almost hidden by trees and shrubbery. 'I shall want more positive proof than mere assertion to make me believe that,' re- plied Anna. ' Well, I only want you to wait for positive proof before making up your mind about her,' said Amy ; and I have just as strong grounds for believing Ellen to be amiable, as you have for your charges against her. My father says that we ought always to credit people with having good motives, until we have decided proof to the contrary/ ' You'll soon have proof enough to convince you that I am right," said Anna, confidently ; and then, with a careless good afternoon, she continued on her way. Amy Winthrop found her mother sewing upon the vine-covered portico, and she laid aside her bonnet and took a seat upon a vacant chair beside her. ' Are you tired. Amy ? ' inquired Mrs Win- throp. ' No, thank you, mother ; I am thinking of our new scholar, Ellen Mason,' replied Amy. 8 ELLEN MASON. * She cannot have given you any cause of annoyance already, I should think/ said Mrs Winthrop. *No, I don't know that she has/ Amy answered ; ' although none of the girls seem to like her; and Anna West — the other boarder — says that she is very miserly, and scarcely speaks to any one. In fact, mother, her manners are so very reserved and unpre- possessing, that at first I was inclined to agree with Anna in talking against her ; but I re- membered that it would be wrong, and instead of doing so, I have been trying all the way from school to induce her to feel more kindly towards her, because she is a stranger and an orphan.' ' And how did you succeed T inquired Mrs Winthrop, with an approving look. * Not at all,' replied Amy ; ' Anna has such strong prejudices, that there seems to be no use in arguing with her.' * I am very glad, A my/ said Mrs Winthrop, 'that you are disposed to be just towards Ellen, and I trust that you will continue your efibrts to prevent Anna s prejudices from in- fluencing you against her. I think you said that she was not a favourite with the other mtST IMPRESSIONS. 9 girls; do you know what reason they have for disliking herT ' She is rather reserved, and Anna gives a bad account of her; I think they have no more particular reasons than these, for, you know, she is a stranger to us all/ * Poor Ellen ! she must be very sad and lonely, surrounded only by companions who dislike her, and having neither father, mother, nor friend to sympathise with and advise her,' said Mrs Winthrop. Although Amy had argued in favour of Ellen, yet it was not on accoimt of any deep interest that she took in her, but merely from a strong dislike to seeing any one unjustly treated. Mrs Winthrop instantly saw this, and her last remark was made with the hope of exciting a new feeling of pity and affection towards the lonely stranger in her daughter's breast ; and it produced the desired effect. • ' I will be her friend as far as I can, for she must be very lonely, indeed,' said Amy. * How very earnestly God urged upon the Israelites the duty of kindness to strangers, "^ said Mrs Winthrop ; ' and to them there must have been very great meaning contained in those few words : *' Thou shalt not oppress a 10 ELLEN MASON. stranger ; for ye know the heart of a stranger, 'seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." He strove to enforce the command by appeal- ing to their own personal experience, and reminding them of the desolation and loneli- ness that filled their hearts, when they them- selves were in the same situation. Of orphans, too, he seemed to have a special care, and again and again directed that they should be tenderly treated, and threatened to punish very severely all who disobeyed Him in this respect; declaring with so much emphasis : '' If thou afflict them in any Avise, and they cry at all unto ]\Ie, I will surely hear their cry ; and My wrath will wax hot, and I will surely kill you with the sword." So Ellen has a double claim upon your love and sympathy, Amy ; she is not only a stranger, but an orphan.' 'I think I shall like her, mother,' said Amy ; * I am very sorry for her now, and I will cultivate her acquaintance with the hope of finding something to love in her, when I know her better.' ' I have but little doubt, then, that you will succeed my dear,' replied Mrs Winthrop, ' but do not let the frowns or opposition of your companions turn you away from your purpose ; FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 11 and, above all, do not neglect to pray that God may assist your efforts and enable you to be useful to Ellen/ We will now turn to Ellen Mason, the object of Anna West's prejudice. The two girls are the only boarders in Miss Baxter's family, but she has in addition to them eigh- teen pupils attending her day-school. Ellen had the misfortune to lose both her parents within the space of a few weeks, and but a short time previous to the opening of our story. Her brother and she were only chil- dren, and were left with a competent support ; but they had a little cousin, only four years of age, an orphan, and quite unprovided for, who had been dependent upon the bounty of their parents for more than a year previous to their death. With a strange oversight, Mr Mason had made no mention of this child in his will, and had placed it out of his wife's power to pro- vide for her from her portion. Mrs Mason was strongly attached to the little one, and while on her dying bed sent for Mr James, the guardian of her children, and in his pre- sence left Mary to their care. H Ellen's highest wish was to fulfil her mother's request, and, 12 ELLEN MASON. accordingly, as soon as possible after her death, she called upon Mr James for this purpose. Upon learning from him that there was no* thing to prevent her spending her whole income, she resolved to save what she could from it to devote to her friendless little cousin. At this time, Ellen was nearly fifteen, and having been expensively brought up, was quite capable of understanding the nature of the sacrifice which she was about to make. She knew that, to accomplish what she had under- taken, it would be necessary for her to give up many little comforts to which she had been accustomed ; yet she was ready to do this, not only that she might obey her mother s wish, but that she might conform to the direction laid down by the apostle : ' So labouring, ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said. It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Ellen was a Christian, and she was willing to deny herself to do good to others, and esteemed it a privilege to follow in her Mas- ters footsteps, even where it obliged her to make a sacrifice of some selfish plans. Anna West was an intelligent scholar, and had some very ;iood traits of character. She FIRST BIPEESSIONS. 1 3 was often benevolent and generous to an ex- treme, and under the impulse of the moment she would perform some very kind deeds ; yet as she acted entirely from impulse, un- guided by firm principle, she was as likely to do wrong as right under the influence of excited feeling. Her prejudices were strong and unreasonable ; and instead of endeavour- ing to overcome them, she rather regarded their possession as a cause for self-gratu- lation. She boasted of her freedom from hypocrisy, in refusing to shew the appearance of favour towards those for whom she felt no affection, yet very often her independent frankness, as she termed it, amounted to gross and rude unkindness. 'I do not like her," she would say; and this she considered as a sufficient excuse for any display of ill-nature or rudeness towards the object of the remark. Her duty to obey the commands of the Saviour, Anna entirely overlooked, or she would have remembered the rule which He laid down : * Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them/ In many points Amy's character resembled 14j ELLEN ALA.SON. that of Anna, and she had the same strong impulses. But Amy had been well instructed in her duty, and knew that all the warm emotions of her heart must be brought into subjection to the will of God, and she strove to act from Christian principle rather than according to the promptings of mere feeling. She, too, was a follower of the Saviour, and endeavoured to imitate His example of kindness and good will towards alL She thought over her mother's words about the treatment of the stranger, and she did not forget her welfare when pleading to Heaven in her own behalf. . Yet all the benevolence of her heart was not expe'nded in mere thoughts and words ; she had laid her plans for Ellen's benefit, and waited only for the fitting time to put them into execution. A FEIEND FOUND. 16 CHAPTER 11. A FEIEND FOUND. The next morning Amy started early to school with the hope of seeing Anna, and making an effort to induce her to feel more kindly towards the new scholar, or, at least, to treat her with more forbearance, and not to influence the other girls against her. Anna was in the garden, and when Amy approached, she greeted her with a smile of welcome ; but the first few words spoken in favour of Ellen were sufficient to produce a decided change in her manner. She drew herself up to the full height of offended dignity, and said coldly, ' I am not responsible to any one for my fancies or affections ; and I prefer to act accord- ing to their dictates, rather than by any studied rules of politeness.' 'Ellen is a stranger, and an orphan, just come from the death-bed of her parents/ said Amy, feelingly. * That fact might work upon my symphathy ia some cases,' replied Anna, coldly; 'but 1 6 ELLEN MASON. not in this one, where it would be thrown away. She is cool and unfeeling as an ice- berg, I know, for I have watched her closely, and saw her endure the curling of a dozen lips with the calmness of a stoic' *0r, the endurance of a Christian,' said Amy Nonsense; all the appearance of religion about her must be cant and hypocrisy/ Anna answered. * How can you make such a charge against one whom you scarcely know?* exclaimed Amy. 'Spare your indignation, Amy,' returned Anna ; ' for let me assure you it is all wasted. Three weeks domestication with any one is sufficient time for me to find out their charac- ter ; and my mind is quite settled upon Ellen Mason. She is a heartless and miserly girl — I have seen it in many little things about her since she has been here; and as she is so thoroughly disagreeable to me, I beg, as you regard my happiness, not to mention her name again where it can be avoided.' Amy once more felt the utter uselessness of endeavouring to reason against such preju- dice, and ceased her effort. In a remote cor- A FEIEND FOUND. 17 Tier of the garden she had caught a glimpse of a dark figure, walking to and fro, which she presumed to be the object of their conver- sation, and turning to her companion, she said, ' I see Ellen in the garden, and as I have determined to be her friend, as far as I can, for the future, I shall go over and try to cul- tivate her acquaintance.' ' Of course, you are at liberty to do as you please, Amy ; but let me warn you not to trust her too far,' replied Anna. While Amy was advancing towards Ellen her heart misgave her, as she remembered the reserved manners of the stranger, and she began to fear that she might be forcing her attentions in a quarter where they were not desired and would not be appreciated. But a sense of duty urged her on, and she persisted in her determination. ' Good morning, Ellen,* she said, pleasantly. Ellen slowly raised her eyes from the book she had been reading to return the greeting, and then instantly drooping them again, seemed about to resume her occupation. Had Amy followed the dictates of her inclination only, she would have gone away then, feeling that this was a sufficient repulse; but she B 18 ELLEN MASON. had been .taught to govern her actions by higher motives than mere iDclination, and she still persevered. ' If you are not too much engaged with your lessons,' she continued, kindly, ' I vrould like to shew you a beautiful view of the river, which can be seen from a point in the woods. Miss Baxter allows her pupils to walk out at this hour, I know.' ' Yes, thank you,' said Ellen, brightening up, and evidently touched by the kind tones of Amy's voice ; my lessons are quite finished, and I was merely reading for recreation what I have often read before.' As she ceased speaking, she closed the book, and handed it to Amy that she might see the title. It was a volume of Mrs Sigourney's poems. ' Are you fond of poetry ? ' Amy inquired, as she returned the book. *0h, very fond of it,' Ellen replied, her whole countenance glowing with enthusiasm ; ' I always liked it, when — ' here she paused for a few moments, and then added, with firmly compressed Ups, yet slightly tremulous accents, ' When I was happy at home ; but lately I A FRIEND FOUND. 19 have been particularly fond of poetry, and find great comfort from it when I am sad and lonely.' Amy's tears were ready to flow in sympathy with the deeper sorrow of her companion. She wanted to tell her how much she felt for her, yet knew not how to express it, and walked silently on. Yet there are other ways, distinct from words, of expressing the feelings of the heart ; and without expressing any such de- monstrative evidence, Ellen was conscious that she was with one who could understand her and would not judge her unjustly. Her voice was quite free from tremulousness, as she con- tinued, 'In acknowledging myself to be fond of poetry, I do not refer merely to the harmonious jingle of words. The Bible is full of beautiful poetry to me^ and I never tire of its sublimity; and then, you know, it is the Word of God, and the promises it contains are very precious, indeed, to me/ Amy's eye brightened, and laying her hand upon Ellen's arm, she said eamestl}^ ' I am very glad that you love the Bible, Ellen ; and, although I have never had as much need of comfort as you, I know something of the value of its promises/ 20 ELLEN MASON. Here was a new bond of union between Amy and the stranger. They were children of the same Parent, and travellers to a com- mon home. A long conversation followed of deep interest to both, and when they re-entered the garden, Ellen's countenance exhibited a striking contrast to what it had done when Amy first met her. She felt that she was no longer the isolated orphan, thrown among those who had neither affection nor pity for her, but one whose yearnings for human companion- ship had been satisfied, and who had found a friend. Amy used all her influence to induce the other girls to regard Ellen more favourably, and was partly successful ; but Anna's preju- dice against her seemed to increase with every new proof of confidence or friendship con- ferred upon her by others. Like all prejudiced persons, she was wilful and stubborn, and determined not to be convinced that she had made an error of judgment; and almost every action of Ellen in her diseased imagination seemed to proceed from some wrong motive. Anna would not willingly have wronged another upon any consideration, yet she was unjust to Ellen, and was using all her efibrts PRINCIPLE m CHAKITY. 21 to rob her of a greater treasure than gold — Ler good name. She professed to have an utter abhorrence of falsehood in every form, yet she was untrue to Ellen in attributing to her blame where it was not deserved; and strangely enough she felt no self-accusation or consciousness of guilt in so doing. ' Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged : condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned : forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.' These commands of the Saviour were quite neglected by Anna. CHAPTER III. PRINCIPLE IN CHARITY. A CASE of deep distress came under Miss Baxter's observation, and she made a state- ment of it to her pupils. A widowed mother of three small children was lying very ill, and unable to provide for her little ones; and as they had no other 22 ELLEN MASON. support, of course they were entirely destitute. She had been employed upon several occasions to work at the school, and was therefore not quite unknown to the girls. They became very much interested in her, and it was imme- diately determined that a collection should be taken up among them for her benefit. At recess Anna West produced a paper, upon which each one who chose to contribute might place her name, with the amount she she purposed giving opposite to it. She had herself headed the list with ten shillings, and several soon followed her example with an equal sum, or somewhat less, as they deemed themselves able. On the first intimation of the subscription, Ellen had quietly moved away to a short distance ; yet not so quietly as to escape Anna*s quick eye, and she curled her lip and glanced significantly towards some of her companions. But there was an evident uneasiness about Ellen, which seemed to indicate a doubt as to whether she was doing right in making this movement ; and after an apparent struggle against some selfish feeling, she returned and stood among them. * Why, Miss Ellen, I wondered at your run- PBINCIPLE IN CHAKITY. 23 ning oflf just as I was about to give you an un- usual opportunity for displaying your liberality; but I am glad to welcome you back to duty/ said Anna, in a cool contemptuous manner. Unfortunately for Ellen, her friend Amy Winthrop was absent for a few days on a visit to a sick friend, and there was no one to countenance her, or to whom she could turn for sympathy. As she heard the words and understood their hidden meaning, a sense of utter desola- tion, added to the pangs of a wounded spirit, well-nigh overcame her, and she did not dare even to attempt an answer. 'Come,' said Anna, either not caning for her embarrassment, or not seeing it ; * come, Ellen, I suppose you will do something very generous : how much shall I put down for you? There,' she added, while Ellen hesi- tated, * I will write down your name, while you make an estimate of your means.' The name was written, and Anna stood, pencil in hand, waiting to subscribe the amount ; but still Ellen remained silent, and with the same troubled countenance. * Five, ten, fifteen shillings ; what will you give ? ' continued Anna. 24. ELLEN MASON. Ellen now felt that she must speak, for every eye was upon her, and by a strong effort she nerved herself to say, * I had rather you would not put down my name. I have nothing but the merest trifle to give, and it does not seem worth while taking so much trouble for so small a sum/ ' You are very modest indeed,' replied Anna, with a slight touch of sarcasm. Ellen opened her purse with trembling fingers, and drew forth a sixpence, wliich she handed to her with the simple remark, * I am very sorry, but this is all I can spare/ ' I appreciate the humility of your request,' Anna said, glancing at the small coin con- temptuously, 'but you will excuse my not complying with it, as I greatly prefer making each one responsible for the amount which they subscribe ; * and she marked sixpence in a distinct figure opposite to the name which she had previously written. There was no mistaking the sarcasm of this last speech, and Ellen retired with burning cheeks. ' There, did I not tell you what she was ! exclaimed Anna, as soon as she was out of hearing.. PRINCIPLE IN CHAPJTY. 25 * Well, I should have given nothing, rather than expose my meanness by offering such a paltry sum as that/ said Julia Graham. 'So should I,' added the other girls in a breath. They did not know the mortification which wrung the heart of Ellen, as she turned away from them at Anna's first mention of the col- lection ; nor the hard struggle between pride and principle which took place when she came back and stood among them, with down- cast countenance. She would willingly have followed their plan, and excused herself from giving anything. But the poor woman was deserving of her help, and she had something to spare for her, and the smallness of the sum would be no excuse for withholding it. The widow's mite was blessed by the Saviour, and pronounced by Him to exceed in value the gold of the rich men. Her sixpence, although apparently so very trifling, would subject her to a self-denial in giving it: it was all the spending money she had, or would have for some weeks, and she could offer no more. Instigated by these feelings, and with an inward prayer for the blessing of God upon the effort, her course was determined upon. 26 ELLEN MASON. She retired from the ill-natured levity of Anna and her companions, to seek refuge in her own room ; where, with no prying eye to witness it, she might give vent to her morti- fied and wounded feelings. There was yet a quarter of an hour remaining of the half hour allotted for recess, and she hoped to regain her composure before the bell should summon them again to the school-room. Quite independent of the contempt which her trifling boon had met with from the other girls, its smallness troubled her; she was sorry that she conld not give more to assist the poor woman and her little ones. But here there was a balm to be found ; for she could kneel down before her Pather in heaven, open her heart freely to Him, and, without dread of repulse or scorn, ask Him to exert His sovereign power to alleviate the suffering of the afflicted widow, and spare her life, that her children might not become desolate or- phans. She arose from prayer, with all self- ish feelings absorbed by deep interest in these objects of charity. Her own sad expe- rience had made her well acquainted with sorrow, and she knew that there were other ways of comforting the afflicted, as well as PKINCIPLE IN CHAEITY. 27 by the bestowal of money. She began to reflect how she might render such aid in the present case. There were the look of sym- pathy, the word of consolation or encourage- ' ment, and little acts of kindness. These she had it in her power to give ; and making an earnest resolution that they should not be withheld, with a calm countenance and steady footstep she joined her fellow-pupils in the school-room. 'Well, young ladies, I suppose you have responded quite handsomely to my appeal in behalf of Mrs Gale ? ' said Miss Baxter, as Anna entered with the paper in her hand. * We have a full list/ replied Anna, ' and some of the girls have contributed quite largely. Shall I read the names ? ' ' No,' Miss Baxter answered ; ' such a pro- ceeding does not seem to be at all necessary, particularly as I suppose the donors desire to follow the scriptural injunction, of not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth.' It was Anna's turn to blush now ; yet her eyes flashed with anger and mortification, as she silently laid the paper upon Miss Baxter s table. Miss Baxter told her pupils that she would 28 ELLEN MASON. appoint a committee from among their num- ber to assist her in the disposal of the fund, and among others she named Ellen Mason and Anna West. ' There will be a different sort of benevo- lence from mere giving required of you, young ladies/ their teacher continued, *and which will demand, perhaps, a little more self-den iaL We will purchase materials for clothing with a portion of the money, aud these must be made up by your hands ; so, you see, a little industrious exertion will be necessary to accomplish this, and some considerable eco- nomy of your leisure hours/ The effect of this remark was visible on the varied countenances of those who heard it Some looked pleased, as if glad of an oppor- tunity of being able to assist in this way ; but others, who preferred careless amusement to the luxury of doing good, wore an expres- sion of serious annoyance. Among the latter was Anna West, who, quite unused to practising self-denial, felt that sitting still, stitching upon a piece of work, hour after hour, was a very different matter from taking from a full purse money that would never be missed. A FRIEND FOUND. 29 Ellen, on the contrary, experienced a thrill of satisfaction at the prospect of being able in this way to add to her small donation, and her active mind was soon busy in planning how she might best hoard her time for this purpose. Upon one point, however, she felt some slight twinges of conscience. When Miss Baxter appointed her as one of the com- mittee, she had seen a sneer upon more than one countenance, as if this was an undeserved honour to one who gave so little, and she could not but regard it in a similar light her- self. Miss Baxter had barely glanced at the total amount of the list, and could not know what a very mean portion of it she had contributed, and she concluded that it would be best to undeceive her. As soon, then, as she had an opportunity of seeing Miss Baxter alone, she said blushingly, * Hadn't you better appoint some one else in my place on the committee. Miss Baxter ? ' ' I hope you are not afraid of being called upon to work too hard, Ellen,' replied Miss Baxter, not a little surprised at the request ' Oh, no ; I should only be too glad to assist Mrs Gale,' said Ellen, very quickly. 30 ELLEN MASON. ' Then why are you so anxious to throw off this responsibility ? ' inquired Miss Baxter. Ellen had a very sensitive spirit, and it was an exceedingly disagreeable thing for her to be obliged to explain to Miss Baxter the smallness of her donation, so the blush deepened upon her brow, and she replied nervously, ' I only gave sixpence! 'Did you?' returned Miss Baxter, in an indiflferent tone, and as if at a loss to trace the connection between Ellen's last remark, and the point under consideration, yet she looked up in her face with a slight, but earnest scrutiny. ' Yes, ma'am ; it was such a mere trifle, and I supposed you were under a wrong impres- pression in thinking that I had given more,' Ellen said, scarcely knowing what reply to make. 'Do you think, Ellen, that your having given so small a sum for Mrs Gale is a suffi- cient reason why you should decline en- gaging in active service for her ? ' asked Miss Baxter. Ellen hesitated for a moment, and then replied, frankly, A FEIEND FOUND. 31 ' No, ma'am ; I did not think so ; yet I thought, perhaps, that if you had known how little I gave, you might have preferred naming some one else, who had given more liberally/ * I think it was not from want of interest in the benevolent object that caused you to give so little,' said Miss Baxter, after a short pause. ' Oh, no, ma'am ! ' exclaimed Ellen, the tears starting to her eyes ; ' I have seen too much of sorrow myself not to feel an interest in those who suffer, even where it maybe owing to a different cause ; and if I had had more money at my command, Mrs Gale would have been most welcome to it. You may think it strange, Miss Baxter,' she added, with con- siderable embarrassment, 'but I only had sixpence that I could give away.' Miss Baxter did feel some surprise at the smallness of EUen's means, but she was per- fectly assured of her sincerity, and she an- swered promptly, ' We are told that, if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath ; and God does not require us to give beyond what we are able. You had not the power of accomplishing much, by your gener- osity in mere giving ; but now you will have 32 ELLEN MASON. an opportunity of shewing the strenp;th of your benevolence, by labouring for the poor. Are you quite willing to do this?' ' Oh, yes, ma am ; and I shall consider it quite a favour that I am allowed to do so,* replied Ellen, brightening up. She was leaving the room — fearful of en- croaching upon Miss Baxter's time — and had reached the door, when she turned again to- wards her, and inquired, * Will you please tell me where Mrs Gale lives r Miss Baxter gave her the direction, with an approving smile. She thought she understood the reason why Ellen made the inquiry, and she was not mistaken, as the next question proved. 'Have you any objection to my calling there. Miss Baxter?' ' None at all,' replied Miss Baxter : ' Mrs Gale is very poor, and has been brought up in very humble life, yet she is a Christian ; and seeing or talking with her would be pro- ductive of no evil to any one.' Why was it that the words ' she is a Chris- tian/ fell so pleasantly upon Ellen's ears ? and why was it that this intelligence caused her TUE VISIT AND THE TRIAL. 83 to hasten, with increased alacrity, to put on her bonnet and prepare for her walk ? .. Ellen acted from religious principles. She felt the force of the command, to do good to all men as she had opportunty, but esteemed it a special privilege to help one who was * of the household of faith.' She was no stranger in the dwellings of the poor, and all her re- serve of manner vanished in her intercourse with them, from whom she was sure of receiv- ing a warm welcome. CHAPTER IV. THE VISIT AND THE TRIAL. Ellen pursued her way rapidly along the road leading to Mrs Gale's house. The door was open when she reached it, and the chil- dren were upon the door-step. The eldest — a boy, about six years old — held in his arms a T)uny baby of eight or ten months, whose cries /le was trying to stifle by various ineflfectual means; first knocking upon the door-step c 34 ELLEN MASON. with a thick stick, then clasping it tightly to his bosom, as he might havfe seen their mother do, and then earnestly calling to some chickens — the property of a more thriving neighbour — which were parading about on the road, entirely regardless of his invitation. 'Poor little baby: it is not well, I fear,' said Ellen, gently patting its head. The cries of the child subsided into a sub- dued murmur, while it looked up in her face, half slily ; as if for the purpose of ascertaining jvhether it might trust the owner of that kind /oice and soft hand The investigation proved satisfactory, and it stretched out its arms toward her ; glad to see some one larger and better able to take care of it than the little inexperienced nurses who had had it in charge since its mother's illness. ' No, Lizzie, the lady does not want you, I am afraid,' said the boy, holding her back; and then immediately addressing Ellen with the question, 'Did you wish to see my mother, Miss?' Ellen might have hesitated about taking the baby, for its soiled clothes bore evidence that it had been deprived of a mother's care ; but the pitiful expression upon its lip at its THE VISIT AND THE TRIAL. 35 brother's repulse, awoke a degree of sympathy in its favour, that quite overcame the eflPect of its diserderly appearance. ' I came to see your mother and you, too ; and if Lizzie would like to have me carry her for a little while, I shall be veiy glad to do so,' said Ellen, taking the infant in er arms. ' You are very kind,' said the boy, shrink- ing back; *but her frock is not clean, for mother has been too sick to dress her since the morning.' ' That is a very plain excuse,' replied Ellen, but now, if you will take me in, I should like to see your mother.' The little boy led the way, and Ellen fol- lowed, carrying the baby. The furniture in the room was scanty and of the meanest de- scription ; but Ellen's quick eye saw upon a stand — with several other books — a wellwom Bible, and she felt that there were poorer and more dreary habitations than this one : those where the rays of divine truth never pene- trated. The sick woman had raised her head from the pillow, upon hearing a stranger's voice at the door, and when she entered was waiting with some little curiosity to ascertain who it 56 ELLEN MASON. could be. Ellen introduced herself as a pupil of Miss Baxter, and as having called hoping to relieve her loneliness for an hour or so. *You are very kind, I am sure,' replied Mrs Gale, very gratefully ; * but I am afraid my children will be troublesome if you en- courage them, and the baby is quite too heavy or you, besides not being in a fit condition for ^ lady to carry/ Ellen denied the weight of the child as being any objection ; and said that the mother's illness was a sufficient excuse for its appearance ; but offered to wash it and put on its night-clothes. It required some little argument to induce Mrs Gale to consent to this, yet she did at last, and Ellen had the extreme satisfaction of seeing a great improvement in the little one, wrought through her own self-denying exer- tion. Made more comfortable by the ablu- tion, it very soon fell into an easy sleep, and then she laid it on the bed, and felt at liberty to converse with the mother. Mrs Gale was neither improperly loquaci- ous, nor inclined to dwell complainingly upon her sufferings ; but she opened her heart freely in answer to Ellen's sympathising in- THE VICIT AND THE TPwIAL. 37 quiries^ and the sorrowful story was soon imparted. A kind neighbour carae in now and then, when she could be spared from her own family, to see after the children and her- self, and this was all the attention which tliey received ; yet they were neither desolate nor without hope. She could not read her Bible, but her mind was well stored with precious texts, which she could recall ; and these serv^ed to beguile the weary hours. . Ellen promised to make her a short visit each day, and read to her a portion from the Bible and other good books, and for this kindness the sick woman scarcely knew how to express her gratitude. One thing struck Ellen particularly. Without having had the advantage of a good education, Mrs Gale's manners were refined, and her conversation displayed a remarkable degree of intelligence. This she could not but attribute to the spirit, whose fruits are ' love and gentleness ' as well as ' goodness and faith.' Ellen retired from the cottage profited and pleased, and with renewed determinations to })ut forth every effort to assist the poor family. But as she retraced her way home, her mind had other and less satisfactory subjects for 38 ELLEN MASON. contemplation. It would have been impos* sible for one even less sensitive than Ellen by nature, not to have understood the low esti- mation in which she was held by the most of her fellow-pupils. That Anna West had exerted a very power- ful agency in producing this, she readily per- ceived ; yet why Anna should dislike her she could not determine. They had been perfect strangers to each other, until but a few weeks 2)revious, and since then she could remember nothing which she had done to call forth any such feeling. Yet whatever the cause might be, Ellen felt that her own duty was plain. She was to * rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him ;' to put away from her * all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speak- ing, with all malice ;' and to be kind, tender- hearted and forgiving, even as God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven her. If she did this, then she might appropriate to herself the promise, * No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper ; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.' Yes ; it was much better that she should leave her reputation entirely in the hands of THE VISIT AND THE TEIAL 39 her Heavenly Father ; and she rejoiced that He had encouraged her to do it. With these reflections she opened the gate which separated the enclosure of the school grounds from the road, and proceeded along the avenue to a rustic arbour, covered with thick vines. Seating herself upon the low bench, she took a small volume of the Testa- ment from her pocket, and commenced reading. She had not occupied this position long, when the sound of voices arrested her atten- tion, and as the party advanced nearer, she could distinguish the words. * Yes ; it was a perfect farce to place Ellen Mason on the committee,' said one, whom she recognised as Julia Graham. 'The honour was very cheaply gained at sixpence, I think,' remarked another. ' I wonder she was not ashamed to allow Miss Baxter to remain under a wrong impres- sion as to what she had given ; for it must have been by mistake that she was appointed,' added Julia. * She has meanness enough for anything : all stingy people are mean,' said Anna West. The three girls had paused under a tree just outside of the arbour, and Ellen could 40 ELLEN MASON. distinctly see their figures between an opening in the vines. Mortified and indignant as she was at the charges made against her, she had yet a clear perception of the impropriety of listening to a conversation about herself which was never intended for her ears. But it was difficult for her to decide what was best to be done : by leaving the arbour she would be out of the way of ^hearing any further remarks that might be made, while by remaining she might spare them the shame of knowing that they had been overheard. For an instant she was tempted to go to them, and explain her conduct, by informing them of her interview with Miss Baxter ; but her natural diffidence, added to a dread lest she might, under the influence of excitement, act contrary to the rules laid down in the Gospel, and display an improper spirit, held her back. In the meantime the conversation proceeded vigorously, and still upon the same subject. The timid reserve which characterised her conduct towards strangers was denounced as ill-natured haughtiness, and her attention to religious duties as pharisaical. Ellen was subject to human weakness, and THE VISIT AND THE TRIAL. 41 with a quick sense of injury, she started for- ward, determined, if not to exculpate herself in their eyes, at least to charge thera with their injustice ; but ere it was too late, her steps were arrested by a glimpse of the small Testament, open still at the place where she had been reading. Softly, as the dew upon the heated grass, fell upon her heart the words of the Saviour, ' But I say unto you. That ye resist not evil ; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy : But I say unto you, Love your ene- mies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you ; that ye may be called the children of your Father which is in heaven : for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.' Her duty was plain now ; and she experi- enced a feeling of satisfaction in the midst of her trial, by reflecting that the Saviour had suffered in the same way, and that He well knew how to succour her in this temptation. She would rely upon His grace^ and invoke 42 ELLEN MASOK His aid that the blessing might indeed be hers. Free from all agitation now, she calmly determined, if possible, not to hear what was said, by engaging her attention with some- thing else ; and for this purpose, she again commenced reading the Testament. She had perused but a few verses, how- ever, when a movement of the group disturbed her efforts, and the next instant, the three girls had entered the arbour, and were stand- ing before her. It was too late to retreat now, and Ellen quietly nodded her head in acknowledgment of their presence. The countenances of the intruders expressed the combined feelings of surprise, vexation, and resentment ; and strangely enough the latter predominated in their hearts. It is a singular fact in such cases, that those most to blame generally feel the most anger ; while the injured one may be calm and unruffled. They were evidently placed in an awkward position : not knowing just how much of the conversation Ellen might have heard. Anna was the first to recover her self-pos- session. Convinced that sufficient must have THE VISIT AND THE TEIAL. 43 come to her ears to give her a pretty correct impression of their opinion of her, she deemed it best to put a bold face on the aflfair. In as indifferent a tone as she could assume, she said, * I suppose you can now realise the truth of the homely old proverb, Ellen — Listeners never hctir any good of themselves ! ' An angry retort was upon Ellen's lip, and her bosom heaved convulsively : she controlled the outbui'st of passion by a strong effort, and remained silent. ' I think such meanness deserves the reward which it generally receives,' responded Julia, who always seconded Anna's opinions. Ellen felt her only safety to be in flight, and without speaking she arose and walked out of the arbour, by the opposite door to that through which Anna and her companions had entered. When she had gone, they looked at one another for a few moments, silently wondering at her inexplicable conduct. *She seems to be possessed of a dumb spirit,' said Anna, whose prejudice had lost none of its strength. ' It was too mean of her to sit still and '1-h ELLEN MASON. listen to all v/c liad to say/ responded Julia Graham. * And not one bit mean of us to say what we did. of her, I suppose,' added Sallie Blake, the third speaker. * We only spoke the truth* replied Anna, indignantly. ' Well, truth or not truth, for my part, lam more than half ashamed of it,' Sallie answered; 'and her behaviour just now has convinced me that we do not understand her, and for the future I mean to forbear expressing my opi- nion of her until further developments.' ' That sixpence was a sufficiently plain in- dication for me : I, for one, need nothing further,' replied Anna. ' Well, that is mysterious to me, and I can- not explain it ; but still, she may have had some good reason for giving so little,' replied Sallie. 'No good reason possibly, with such a lib^al allowance of spending money as she Las,' Julia answered. 'Well, time will determine her character, and I intend to wait for it,' said Sallie ; * but, in the meantime, Julia,' she added, 'it is getting very late, and mother has a particular THE VISIT AND THE TIIIAL. 45 objection to my going home when tea is half over ; so, with your leave, we will bid Anna good-bye/ Sallie Blake was a good-natured girl, and frank, and generous in disposition, but now for the first time she became conscious of the injustice which she had probably done to Ellen, while acting under the influence of Anna West. Ellen had retired from the arbour with a burning cheek and a swelling heart, fully re- alising the truth of the text, 'A wounded spirit who can bear ? ' Although outwardly so calm and reserved, her feelings were deep and sensitive, and from her very infancy sho had felt the strong yearnings for sympathy and affection. In preparing to leave her home for school, amidst all the freshness of her double bereave- ment, and the grief of parting with her brother, one human source of consolation remained to her. She was going abroad among strangers, to be sure, and to one of her disposition this would prove to be a severe trial, yet it was comforting to look forward to a time when those strangers should become her warm friends, whose love would be the means of 46 ELLEN MASON. producing new happiness. How bitterly all these hopes had been disappointed, you have already seen. Well was it for Ellen that in this trying hour she could turn her eyes and thoughts to a Friend who never disappoints the hope, 'whose loving-kindness is better than life,' and whose 'faithfulness reacheth to the clouds. Weary and heavy laden, she could go to her Saviour, at His own invitation, and leaving her burden at His feet, find rest for her soul. ' Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee ; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men ! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man ; Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.* CHAPTER V. THE QU AER EL. For a time after this Ellen's life at school passed rather pleasantly ; f or Amy Winthrop had THE QUAEREL. 47 returned, and Sallie Blake, with two or three others, had shewn a kindly feeling towards her. The girls met an hour every other after- noon, to make up the garments for Mrs Gale and her children, and, in addition to this, any who chose took home pieces of work to finish at their leisure hours. As might be expected, some sewed faster than others ; and those who accomplished the least during the hour of meeting were not generally those who took the work home to finish. One afternoon, while they were engaged in this business, Sallie Blake said aloud, ' Well, Anna West, I have seen you throw down that little apron at least >a half dozen times in the last ten minutes. And I declare,' she added, lifting it up, and examining it, * you haven't finished the seams yet, and this is your second afternoon upon it. If Mrs Gale waits for you to make up the clothes, I am afraid she will not get them before Christmas, if then.' ' I don't pretend to be a quick sewer, and I have no taste for such coarse work. I prefer shewing ray benevolence in a more substantial form than mere stitches,' replied Anna;, with evident annoyance. 48 ELLEN MASON. Like many others who boast of their inde- pendent frankness in speaking out their minds freely, Anna had a particular objection to such independence when shewn by another towards her own failings. ' I think, for my part/ returned Sallie, ' that this stitching is a very important part of be- nevolence, where the object is not able to make up the things for herself : unless, indeed, she should happen to be a Hottentot or Hindoo, and did not think it necessary to wear re- gularly made habiliments. Now, there is Ellen Mason, who has sewed away steadily ever since, as if for a wager, and has accomplished a won- derfully large quantity of work ; I think I had rather take my chance with Ellen, after all, if I were poor.' During the progress of this speech Anna's temper had been rising, and now it had at- tained an unusual height. Had Sallie been trying her utmost to provoke her, she could not have succeeded better than by drawing this comparison with Ellen, The manner in which I choose to be cha- ritable,' she replied, angrily, ' is nobody's busi- ness but my own ; and there is one comfort, if I am not fond of sewing, I was never yet THE QUARREL. 49 mean enough to offer a few pennies where others gave crowns, nor to listen to private re- marks made about me/ These unkind words had hardly escaped Anna's lips when she would have given much to have been able to recall them; yet they had been uttered; and quite too proud to apolo- gise, she preferred abiding by them, and con- cealing the real feelings of her heart. In this she was successful, for no one could have detected regret in her flashing eyes and heightened colour. Ellen was far from being perfect, and the interval of cessation from hostilities had thrown her off her guard. She was irritated beyond her own unaided measure of forbearance, and she sought no higher assistance, but replied quickly, prompted by the impulse of the mor ment, ' You have no right to treat me so unjustly and rudely, I have not injured you in any w^ay at all. I gave according to the extent of my means, as I suppose you all did, and I was not a willing listener to the unkind remarks which were made about me.' As Ellen stood erect, her face suffused with the deep flush of angry excitement, her ap- D 60 ELLEN MASON. pearance presented a striking contrast to tho quiet, subdued, Christian manner in which she had received the insulting imputations brought against her in the arbour. Sallie Blake wondered at it, yet on the whole rejoiced in it. I may have been unjust, for I never gave you credit for the amount of gentleness and sweetness of temper which you are now dis- playing,' replied Anna, in a tone of irony. * Ellen is quite right,' said Sallie : ' I like to see people able to take their own part.* 'And so calmly and politely,' retorted Anna, glancing towards Ellen's excited coun- tenance. * I merely followed your example, and scarcely deserve your encomium/ replied Ellen, her anger increasing with the amount of provocation. * You provoked Ellen to speak as she did, you know, Anna,' said Amy, anxious to take her part; ' and she never would have answered in that way had it not been for your unkind- ness to her.' The pleasant tones of a friendly voice brought Ellen to reflection in a moment, and she became quite conscious of the part she THE QUARREL. 51 had been acting. Now her meditations were bitter indeed. She had resolved to do her duty upon all occasions, at school, and by a consistent Christian deportment to do away with the prejudice against her. Yet she had so soon broken these resolutions, and for- gotten the injunction of the Saviour, which had seemed so binding upon her but a few days previous. While these thoughts were producing their effect upon her mind, the girls continued the dispute with increased energy, arguing for, or against her, as the case might be ; yet she sat with her face covered, too much interested in the upbraidings of her own conscience to heed the tumult without. Attracted by the sound of angry voices. Miss Baxter suddenly en- tered the room. ' Young ladies,' she said, as soon as her presence produced silence ; ' I regret exceed- ingly to find you in the midst of disorder and disputing, when I hoped you were so peace- fully and profitably employed. Will you inform me of the cause of such confusion ? ' After a few moments of uninterrupted still- ness, Miss Baxter turned to Amy, who seemed more calm than ftny other, and inquired, 52 ELLEN MASON. 'Amy, can j^ou give me an account of this difficulty?' 'Anna West said something that made Ellen Mason angry/ replied Amy, slightly hesitating; 'and then some of us blamed Anna and some Ellen/ * You forgot that Sallie Blake made remarks that induced Anna to say what she did of Ellen/ said Julia Graham. * I did not think of Sallie's remarks having anything to do with it/ replied Amy ; * but now I remember; Sallie compared Anna's -work with Ellen's, and accused her of being less industrious than Ellen, and that was the way it commenced.' ' I only said what was very easily proved, said Sallie. And I nothing more than the truth/ re- sponded Anna. * What have you to say, Ellen V asked Miss Baxter. ' That I did very wrong,' replied Ellen ; ' I spoke angrily where I ought to have been patient and forbearing/ The humble, regretful manner in which these few words were spoken pleased and sur- prised Miss Baxter. THE QUAEREL. 53 ' Well, however much you may have been to blame, Ellen/ she answered, 'you have taken the very first step towards amendment.* Ellen had nerved herself by a very strong effort to make this confession of delinquency, for all the natural feelings of her heart had risen up against it, and grace only enabled her to come out conqueror. But now that it was done, her whole frame trembled violently, and finding it impossible to suppress the sobs that were almost choking her to gain utterance, she glided out of the room. Although but imperfectly acquainted with Anna's real feelings. Miss Baxter felt pretty certain that she entertained no friendly re« gard for EUen ; and notwithstanding the ac- knowledgment of blame having come from Ellen alone, she presumed it quite probable that Anna was most at fault in the quarrel With this idea, she reproved the angiy dis- play which had been made, and made some very sensible remarks about the wickedness ci such a state of heart as must have pro- duced it. Governed only, as Anna was, by the dic- tates of her own proud and passionate feel- 54. ELLEN MASON. ings, the reproof failed to benefit her. De- termined never to blame herself, where by any possibility it could be attached to another, she believed herself in this instance to have been more sinned against than sinning, and quite undeserving of the censure which she had received. Of course, with these impres- sions, her heart was in no measure softened towards Ellen. ' What do you think of Ellen Mason's con- duct this afternoon V inquired one of the girls, a short time afterward, in the garden. 'That she understands getting out of a difficulty better than any one I ever knew,' Anna replied coolly. * Her confession, which Miss Baxter made 80 much of, was merely to produce effect,' rejoined Julia. 'But Amy Winthrop told me that Ellen goes to see Mrs Gale, and reads to her every day, and has even washed the children, when there was no one else to do it,' said one of the girls. ' Washed the children ! ' exclaimed Anna, as if quite horrified ; that is disgusting to an extreme.' ' The children are very nice little things, THE QUARREL. 55 and their mother has been very particular about them/ said Emily Day, the former speaker. ' Don't attempt to apologise for any such strange and unlady-like behaviour/ interrupt- ed Anna. *But if there was no one else to wash them, it seemed like a work of charity to do it,' persisted Emily. *It would have been easy to have hired some one. Anyone with common generositj in money matters would soon have seen the way to prevent any such disagreeable neces- sity/ said Anna. ' I dare say she likes to go to see Mrs Gale, and that there is no necessity in the case. You recollect the old adage, " Birds of a feather flock together, " said Julia Graham. ' Well,' said Sallie Blake, who came up in time to hear a portion of the conversation, ' here are you girls talking as much scandal, as if your own characters were so perfectly free from reproach that no one could ever dare breathe a word against you, by way of return- ing the compliment. For myself, ever since the day when Ellen overheard us by the arbour, I have thought a great deal about the mean- 56 HELEN MASON. iiess and wickedness of evil speaHng, and I intend to make a strong effort to overcome the habit/ Anna was ready with a retort, but before she had time to utter it, the agile Sallie was outside of the gate, and on the way towards her home. CHAPTER VI. A LESSON OF FORBEARANCE. ' Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good/ When she was alone in her room, Ellen's mind dwelt much upon these words. This was the rule which she had hoped to carry out in her intercourse with Miss Baxter s pupils, yet she had most signally failed. She had forgotten her dependence upon God, and relied upon her own strength to accomplish it, and this was the cause of her failure. Eully sensible now of her error, conscious of her own weakness and need of divine power to enable her to do right, with true penitence she knelt A LESSON OF FOKBEAEANCK 57 and prayed for forgiveness and grac3 to fol- low in the footsteps of the meek and lowly Saviour. In the heat of the excitement at first, she had been tempted to throw the blame upon Anna alone, and to apologise for her own con- duct by the excuse that there was no harm in the few words which she had spoken. But now, in the hour of calm reflection, she felt that the spirit in which she had uttered them was not in accordance with the principles laid down in the Gospel Anna was not unfeeling, and had she known the suffering which Ellen endured for having given way to the anger which her taunts had provoked, she would have regretted her mis- conduct; but her own conscience was rendered so callous by selfishness, that she could not have appreciated the pangs of the more tender- hearted Ellen, and would have wondered how any one could feel so nmch sorrow for so small an offence. Yet how much better is it for the sinner to bow down, like Ellen, in deep contrition before a Father, and ask for pardon that is freely offered, than to live on carelessly and unfeel- ingly in the commission of sin, to suffer at 68 ELLEN MASON. last the goadings of remorse, in that world where no forgiveness can be obtained Ellen's repentance was sincere; she had learned a lesson of self-distrust, and she strove to walk softly and humbly before God ; watch- ful of every step, and armed to meet every new temptation. Perhaps the solitary life which she led, out of school hours, tended to assist her efforts ; at least it freed her from the evil influence of a worldly-minded com- panion. She did not weary in well-doing, but persisted in her visits of benevolence to Mrs Gale, and in performing any little act of kind- ness which might benefit her. I would not, however, have any of my young readers suppose by this that the strait road of duty was a very easy one to EUen. She was liable to, and did experience, ail the difficulties and temptations which are to be found in the way ; the worst being the sug- gestions of her own heart ; but these, by Divine grace, she met and conquered, and then walked humbly on in the strength which God gave her. I have given you the result of this combat without describing the hardness of the war- tare by which it was accomplished. As the A LESSON OF FORBEAKANCE. 59 Israelites gathered manna in the early morn- ing for each day, and by its sustenance con- tinued on their course towards Canaan, so did Ellen, day by day, at the dawn of morning, gather spiritual food, and, refreshed and strengthened, go on in her journey towards heaven. She received life and grace from a source that is inexhaustible, and still open for all who choose to avail themselves of it. Amy encouraged her in all her efforts, and confidently spoke of a time coming, when she would be appreciated as she deserved, even by the prejudiced Anna. Amy's own mind was quite clear as to Ellen's principles; yet she sometimes wondered at the rigid economy ob- served by her, even in her gifts of benevolence, and Ellen's natural reserve, combined with a certain sort of modest dislike to tell her own good deeds, prevented her imparting the true reason of this. There was comfort for Ellen in the proper discharge of her duty, comfort in the society of such a friend as Amy, and it was very de- lightful for her to notice the gratitude and joy with which she was welcomed in her visits to Mrs Gale's cottage; and with so many sources of pleasure, she could not be unhappy. 60 ELLEN MASON. Still she wished most earnestly to be able to overcome the prejudice which existed against her, and determined, if possible, to do so, by following the Saviour s rule. With this intention she watched for an op- portunity of returning good for the evil which she had received, although too retiring, and having too much self-respect to obtrude her services where she felt that they could not be agreeable. Anna was quite a proficient in music, and very proud of her attainments, and ambitious to excel her companions. She had been for- tunate enough to obtain from a gentleman, who had heard her play, and was pleased with her performance, a piece of manuscript music — the unpublished production of a great com- poser. It was long and rather difficult of execution, and she kept it carefully laid away where no one could have access to it, from a desire to have the exclusive benefit of it her- self, and to be able to play what others could not ; and as she took but little pains to con- ceal her selfishness, none of her companions had ever ventured to ask to borrow it. Imagine then her chagrin and vexation upon hearing one day the first few strains A LESSON OP FORBEAEANCE. 61 played over with the slow irregular move- ment of a learner. She had been practising but a short time before, and had no very dis- tinct recollection of putting away her cherish- ed piece of music, and therefore presumed that she might have inadvertently left it upon the piano. Hastily advancing towards the parlour for the purpose of ascertaining who could have appropriated her exclusive property, she saw Ellen Mason seated at the instrument with the music before her. With a quick hand — her vexation being considerably increased by finding that Ellen was the offender — she took hold of it, saying, in an irritated voice, ' This piece of music is mine, and was left unintentionally, for I am very careful of It.' No, it is mine,' replied Ellen, quite as quickly, though in a less excited manner. It is impossible for me to be mistaken/ said Anna, ' as the music is in manuscript, and I know it too well for that.* ' That is just the case with me, as I brought it here in my trunk, which it has never left until to-day,' replied Ellen, calmly, yet still determinately retaining one hand upon the piece of music. 62 ELLEN MASON. ' I'd thank you, Miss Ellen, to let me have my music without obliging me to call upon Miss Baxter,' persisted Anna. I am not afraid of Miss Baxter's interfer- ence, as, of course, she will allow me to keep my own property,' Ellen replied. ' I explained to you that the music is mine, and it is ridiculous to reason about what can be so easily proved, as Miss Baxter and all the girls have often seen me with it, before you came here,' said Anna, her anger in- creasing. ' And I am quite sure of my right to it, for it has never been out of my possession since it was given to me, and here is my name upon it,* replied Ellen, pointing to her name and a date, written in ink upon one comer of the sheet. ' In your own writing ; that is no proof at all,' Anna answered, with marked em- phasis. Ellen instantly understood the imputation, and trembled violently; every passionate emo- tion of her heart being aroused by it. An angry answer -was upon her lips ; but she had not so soon forgotten the lesson which she had been so painfully taught. One hard A LESSON OF FORBEARANCE. 63 struggle with herself, and one earnest cry for help, from Him who alone can give it, and the victory was gained. ' I did write my name upon it ' — she re- plied, trying to speak calmly — 'when my father first brought it home to me — more than a year ago — as you may see by the date. It was given to him by a gentleman who had copied it from the original manuscript ; but I never attempted it before, because I knew so little of music, and it seemed to be dif- ficult.' There was an air of truth about what Ellen said, which must have convinced any one less prejudiced than Anna ; but the words fell powerless upon a mind that was made up to believe nothing of her who spoke them. It seemed to her impossible that the story could be true. Judging Ellen by her own standard, she could not believe that she could have the music in her trunk ever since her ar rival at school, without displaying it to tho scholars. In her vanity, too, she had been too long in the habit of regarding the possession of the manuscript copy, as a rare privilege, ex- clusively her own, and its bestowment as a 64 ELLEN MASON. particular compliment to herself, to be led easily to believe that another might have an equal right to the favour with herself; and that other one so inferior as she deemed Ellen to be. The only way, then, to account for the difficulty was to take a broad ground, and credit Ellen with a very large amount of deception and impudence, and this her un- warrantable prejudice made her quite ready to do. < ' I must have my music, and there is no use in objecting,' she said, endeavouring to free it from Ellen's hold. Ellen was convinced that it really did belong to her, and felt as if she had a right to refuse to yield up her own property to another, and she still resolutely retained her grasp. * Do you mean to let me have it ? ' inquired Anna, authoritatively. Ellen was about to answer distinctly and decidedly ' No ; ' when the words of the Saviour occurred to her, * But I say unto you. That ye resist not evil ; but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Tills surely was a better rule than for her A LESSON OF FORBEAKANCE. 65 to engage in a violent and shameful encounter in her own behalf with Anna, and an appli- cation to Miss Baxter would doubtless make all right between them. She removed her hand from the disputed music, saying, mildly, I think you will find out your mistake soon.* Without deigning an answer, Anna took the music, and left the room. Ellen's first feeling was humble gratitude that she had been so far able to conform to the example of her Saviour, and her thank- fulness at the victory achieved over herself in this last contest, for a time subdued all sorrow at the temporary loss of her property, and the slight mortification which is usually experi- enced when one feels called upon to yield to* another on a disputed point. In accordance with her resolution of apply- ing to her teacher to relieve her, she repaired to Miss Baxter's room, and explained the matter to her, without blaiming Anna unne- cessarily. Miss Baxter knew that Anna had owned a similar piece of copied music, and telling Ellen that she supposed she had left it in her own room, instead of upon the piano, E 66 ELLEN MASON. and would soon be convinced of her error, she advised her to say nothing about it. But if Ellen was disposed tr be quiet upon the subject, Anna was not, a