20 THE OSBORNES AND

his blessed spirit had departed, like David of old, she
arose, and, as it were, girded herself to combat against
the weaknesses of her soul, and to practise all those
lessons of patience and submission, and trust in God,
which she learned from him.

From this time,in the true spirit of Christian
resignation, Dorothy, though blind and scarred by.
the ravages of a fearful disease, was never heard to
complain. She discovered in herself the most re-
markable sources of activity and amusement. Her
hands were never idle, whilst the cheerfulness of her
mind made her company really attractive. Years
went on; Dorothy’s once rich black hair had become
white before its time ; and when her sister, without
explaining the cause for so doing, placed a quiet cap
on her head, she submitted without remark, in-
stinctively understanding the reason why it was done.

Joanna, when arrived at middle life, contrary to
what she had done in her youth, looked younger than
she really was; and, small though her income was
(she had given up the shopkeeping several years
before), she was really a person of some consequence
in the town. In every benevolent scheme she was an
operator, managing or serving; and a never-failing
counsellor and comforter to the poor in difficulty or
distress.

ee + ee

 

CHAPTER II.
THE OSBORNES AND THEIR FAMILY TROUBLES.

“Ir is a terrible evening for these poor people to
arrive on,” said Joanna to her sister, who sat knitting
on the sofa, upon that rainy evening of May-fair day,
as the baggage-wagons were unloaded before their