most unfortunate, and through the mismanagement of those for whom he became responsible, his family was reduced from wealth to moderate circumstances. Of this fact Mrs. Weldron became aware, in a few weeks after the removal of her husband.

When she was first apprised of the state of her affairs, she was overwhelmed with sorrow; for she had valued herself, as too many do, according to the riches she possessed; and when she found that these had taken wings and flown away, all fortitude forsook her, and she could no longer bear up under her accumulated sorrows.

Her struggles with pride were severe. It is true she was not reduced to poverty; but she must retrench her expenditures, dismiss some of her servants, and take the care of her children upon herself, a task from which she had been hitherto exempt.

From such a change in her circumstances she recoiled with a feeling of the strongest aversion; and but for the fact that she had been taught the first principles of the gospel in early life, and the remembrance of her duty as an accountable being came before her mind, she would willfully have preferred death to life, and gone unbidden into the presence of her Creator.

After some months had gone by, and Mrs. Weldron found that she must rise superior to these selfish feelings, or distress her children in many ways, she endeavored to assume a cheerful appearance in performing the dutyto her a tedious one-of caring for her household. In losing her wealth, of which she had often boasted, she felt that much of her importance was lost in the estimation of

her acquaintance; and the idea to her was almost insupportable.

At this juncture, a sister of Mrs. Weldron's mother requested permission for Anna to spend some time with her at her residence, about two miles from the place where the now disheartened girl had thus far lived. Mrs. Weldron readily consented to part with her, and accordingly Anna left the parental roof to reside in the family of her aunt, who had but one daughter of her own.

Mrs. Hamlin, the grandmother of Anna, dwelt with her sister, and the poor girl soon began to realize the effect of the kindness of this lovely woman upon her depressed spirits. They were a mutual comfort to each other, for Anna read aloud to her grandmother very often, and paid her many of the little nameless attentions so grateful to those in declining years.

Anna loved this aged relative most tenderly; and while she lived, derived her greatest happiness from her society. She seldom saw her mother, and when she did it did not seem to her that this, her only parent, felt much if any interest in her welfare; and after having spent a few days at her maternal home, she would return to the home of her aunt with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.

We have told our readers that the natural disposition of Anna was proud and independent; they are also acquainted with the parental influence which was exerted over her mind in childhood and early youth, and this has probably led many to suppose that the effect produced upon the mind of the unfortunate girl was most unhappy. Such was lamentably true, as she was led to regard with a feeling of distrust those who, but for her unjust sus

picions of their motives, would have proved themselves valuable friends to the fatherless, and, in one sense, orphan girl.

When Anna was about seventeen years of age, her mother formed a marriage connection with a gentleman, whom, of all others, this unfortunate girl dreaded to have allied to the family. She loved her younger sisters and brothers with peculiar fondness. It was a bitter trial to her feelings to think they must be, in any degree, controlled by one for whom she felt the most decided aversion, as was the case with Mr. Kingman, for so he was called.

Her mother was aware of the state of Anna's feelings with respect to the change which she had made in her situation. Her better judgment, too, convinced her that she had done an injury to her fatherless children, by being governed by sinister considerations, in allowing her destiny to become connected with that of a person for whose character none of them felt respect.

Anna was the only one who presumed to express disapprobation to her mother in words; but the silent yet eloquent tears which flowed in profusion down the cheeks of each of her children, on the evening upon which this marriage took place, showed plainly that all felt unhappy.

Mr. Kingman, as may be presumed, reciprocated the feelings manifested towards him; consequently a mutual dislike was cherished between himself and the children of his ambitious wife.

The best friends of this lady regretted, exceedingly, that she had pursued such a course, and her mother and sisters expressed their decided disapprobation. At this,

Mrs. Kingman took umbrage, and ceased not to importune her husband to remove the family to some other place, until he willingly complied with her solicitations.

Mrs. Kingman did not wish to have her eldest daughters remove from Brookfield with her, because their presence always gave her uneasiness, after her second marriage, by rebuking her want of principle in sacrificing the peace of her helpless children to the love of money; and she scrupled not to separate those endeared by the ties of nature and affection.

The distress caused these dear children, by this wicked separation, was very great. The anticipation of it cost the eldest two of them many sleepless nights; and when the moment arrived that they must bid each other adieu, for many years, if not forever, their grief was almost insupportable.

The misguided mother could not but feel poignant grief on witnessing the anguish of her children, and strove to shorten the pangs of separation by hurrying the younger ones into the vehicle which was to carry them on their journey, and then hastily bidding her waiting relatives and friends farewell, gave directions to the driver, who drove rapidly away.

CHAPTER IV.

Mr. Savage - Mrs. Kingman ·

Simon

Children abroad — Affliction Epidemic.

AFTER Mrs. Kingman left Brookfield, Anna continued with her aunt for a short time only, after which, with the decided approval of her grandmother, and other friends, she entered into a matrimonial connection with a young' gentleman worthy in every respect of her affection and confidence.

Her mother gladly consented to this union, not so much on account of the merit of the person who was to be by. it admitted into her family, as because he was the only heir to an entailed estate of great value.

The consideration that the ancestors of Mr. Savage were in affluent circumstances, had little influence in causing Anna to choose him as her partner for life; he possessed traits of character which she admired; his disposition was mild and conciliating, almost to a fault; he was generous, open-hearted and friendly, and his feelings harmonized with her own.

His countenance was expressive of intelligence and good humor, while his manners were pleasing.

This couple entered into each other's plans for future happiness, and seemed to live but for each other. Years passed, yet left this confiding pair unchanged in their