Thus freed from the bitter sting of
helpless poverty, Hannah sank resignedly into a quiet and honorable
life.
At length, one warm summer day, when Jason Fletcher should have been
about forty years of age, there strayed into the village a blind
mendicant, with a dog for guide, and a wooden leg rudely fastened to one
stiff stump. This stranger, white-headed and with the care-lines of many
years on his sadly furrowed face, sought out poor Hannah Lee, and told
her that he had, by the grace of God, come back, at last, to die.
Leading him with gentle counsels to that Mercy Seat where none ever seek
in vain, poor Hannah saw him bend with contrite and humble spirit, and
seek the forgiveness needed to atone for many years of sin. Patient and
penitent he passed a few quiet years, and then she followed to the tomb
the earthly remains of him for whom she had sacrificed a life.
And this being done, she removed to a distant town, where Martha
Hopkins, now kind Mrs. Marjoram, dwelt.
And many years afterwards Mrs. Marjoram told her story, as a lesson that
men should never judge a living soul by its outward habiliments.
* * * * *
FREEDOM'S STARS.
From Everglades to Dismal Swamp
Rose on the hot and trembling air
Cloud after cloud, in dark array,
Enfolding from their serpent lair
The starry flag that guards the free:--
One after one its stars grew dun,
Heaven given to shine on Liberty.
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