I could then smile upon his
chastening rod, but,"--and a deep shudder thrilled his frame, "I have
since been led to ask myself if there is a God! O! can a good God thus
afflict his children?"
"Pause, sir, I beseech you, ere you give utterance to such dreadful
thoughts! Think of the countless mercies which you have received at his
hand,--weigh them well in a balance with your sorrows, whatever they may
have been, and you will find the measure of your blessings tenfold."
"Your words are as balm to my calloused heart; yet listen to me, and
judge if my cruel fate would not engender a dark distrust in a purer
heart than mine. My child grew in strength and beauty,--grew to be like
her who had left us; she was the pride of my luxuriant home, the main
spring of my life! Yes, I could realize it then, while I could yet gaze
upon her face and dream of heaven; but other days drew near. It was in
her twentieth year when my Natalie knelt before the altar--a bride. She
had given her hand to a noble-hearted American gentleman, upon whom I
looked as being worthy of my darling's choice; and as she placed one
hand within his, she took the hand of her father with the other, and
whispered,--'you now give your daughter to another, yet it shall only
serve to bind me still closer to my father.
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