Very many who had known her during the period of her mother's trials, and had witnessed her devotion to the family, could not but feel that the day on which the destinies of this young couple were to be united, would be an auspicious one to James.

His friends, and he had many, greatly rejoiced in view of this event. Though Lucy possessed not wealth, they felt that her virtues were a treasure which in the scale of domestic happiness would far outweigh glittering gold.

'James was not very rich, yet he was enterprising and persevering, and by his exertions had been enabled to procure a handsome income, out of which he had laid aside sufficient to admit of his placing his beloved Lucy, at their marriage, in a situation which she was well calculated to adorn.

'The morning on which the young couple were married, was delightful. Nature seemed to smile approvingly upon them. It was in the beautiful month of June, when each gentle zephyr that blows seems to waft odors to regale the spirits of mortals, and lead their thoughts "from nature up to nature's God."

Lucy remarked that it was just such a morning as she would have chosen; and as she gazed in silent admiration upon the pleasing harmony in nature's "handy work," she thought it a sweet emblem of a bosom in which every unhallowed passion is hushed to repose. Her own feelings deeply sympathized with the exquisite loveliness of the natural world on that eventful day, and her spirit was refreshed and elevated by lingering long in sacred contemplation just at the hour when her long cherished

anticipations of earthly happiness were about to be realized.

'The natural ardor of her youthful heart was sweetly subdued, and that heart early chastened by having been called to taste of sorrow's cup. On the day that she was indissolubly united to him to whom she had before plighted her willing heart, she was happy-yes, happy as mortal on earth should be made. She was not one of those who mar the pleasure of a pleasant hour by gloomy forebodings of future evil.

'After the venerable "man of God," whom Lucy from early infancy had been taught to regard as one "by God's own hand anointed," had pronounced James and herself, "husband and wife," and prayed that the divine blessing might rest upon them, a thrilling sensation of delight pervaded the circle of dear friends who had assembled to rejoice with Lucy on her bridal day. Never did mortal experience a greater degree of happiness than did the fond husband of this lovely girl, when, on the evening after the wedding, he introduced her to the dwelling which was to be her future home, and in prospect,

"To him the paradise of earth;"

for the presence of his gentle wife threw a charm around that endeared spot.

'Happy days and weeks sweetly glided away, leaving them in the peaceful enjoyment of Heaven's richest blessings. The sun of prosperity shone brightly upon them, and as Mrs. Otis basked in its noon-day effulgence, her character exhibited the same humility and meekness that had won for her the love of many, under trials severe. Her pitying heart went out towards the sorrowing and distressed, whose woes she delighted to relieve. A friend

of the friendless, was this excellent woman; and never did the needy turn from her door unpitied or unaided.

'As time passed, and the home of this amiable pair was invaded by sorrow, Lucy was ever the same,-lovely and unobtrusive, as when in childhood the lustre of her character first shone. When called, for a long season, to watch beside the bed on which lay racked with pain him in whom her hopes of earthly bliss were centered, her husband felt that she was indeed a ministering angel, lent by kind Heaven to alleviate his sufferings.

The mild accents of her voice were music to his ear. The soft touch of her gentle hand, as she bathed his feverish brow, and the noiseless tread with which she moved about his sick chamber, supplying the many little wants which affection alone could anticipate, made him more sensible than ever of her worth.

The fact that Mrs. Otis appeared always to be governed, in her actions, by a desire to do what was right, rather than to court applause from her fellow-beings, gave an additional grace to her every act. Although she was untiring in the performance of duty, as the nurse of her sick companion, she was not, like many, fearful of being censured as unfeeling, for using means indispensable to the continuance of her own health. Early in the morning of each day, if the weather was suitable, she left James in the care of another, in order to invigorate her wearied. frame by a short walk in the open air. By doing so, she was able to preserve her appetite for food, and was the better fitted to endure the labor necessary to be performed in a faithful discharge of duty to the sick.

'As Mr. Otis recovered his health, he could not but

acknowledge, almost enthusiastically, his indebtedness to the efforts of his self-possessed and persevering wife for the returning blessing. His pleasure, however, was abated, as he fancied he saw the naturally delicate appearance of his endeared Lucy increase, from week to week. Her constitution was slender, and she inherited a strong predisposition to consumption from her father, who died of that fatal disease.

'She engaged, however, in the active duties of life almost daily, and seldom, if ever, complained of indisposition. After the illness of her husband, during which her strength had been severely tasked, she sometimes spoke of experiencing a feeling of lassitude, which at times nearly unfitted her for taking care of her children.

'Her friends felt extremely anxious, lest she was destined to sink prematurely into the grave. All means were employed which could be suggested by physicians the most skilful, calculated to enable Mrs. Otis to regain her strength.

'Her doting husband spared no trouble or expense in endeavoring to restore her health. He could not, even for a moment, endure the idea of a separation from her who had been, though only for a few short years, the delight of his eyes and the joy of his affectionate heart; yet as week succeeded week, it was evident that her strength was gradually declining.

'A cough soon came on, accompanied by a slight degree of fever, symptoms which, to the practised eye of her distressed mother, betokened approaching death. At times, however, sweet soothing hope, that treasure lent us to gild our pathway to the tomb, told a flattering tale;

and as her friends were willing to believe what they so much wished to be true, they sometimes thought she might yet live many years to gladden the hearts of the many by whom she was beloved.

'Mrs. Otis thought otherwise. She realized her situation, and calmly looked forward to the time when she should be called to bid adieu to all terrestrial objects. In view of her death, an event shrouded with gloom to her husband and other friends, she would cheerfully say to them, 'Let us not embitter the few weeks we may be favored with the society of each other, by indulging in despondency; but let us rather feel grateful to our Father in Heaven that we have been permitted to enjoy so many very happy seasons together. . Grieve not that I am first summoned from this dear family, but rather rejoice that for the sake of our dear Savior, my sins, as I trust, are all freely pardoned, and I shall soon be permitted to join in the everlasting song of praise to Him who hath loved me, and washed me from my sins in His blood!'

'Ever after becoming a mother, Mrs. Otis had fondly hoped she might live to train up her children; still, when she was obliged to feel that she must soon leave them motherless, she said, in the fulness of her soul, 'God's will be done.' The Lord was pleased, however, to remove her babe by death, some time previous to her dissolution. When she saw death's icy hand upon her darling infant, maternal fondness bade her weep; her tears flowed. freely, yet she did not repine, but with a holy confidence went to that sympathizing Friend who wept when on earth over the grave of one beloved. To Him she told her grief.