shall remain here until the last moment."

Mrs. Stanley was very much agitated, and uncertain what she ought to do. Should she go, she might place a barrier between herself and family which would prevent their meeting for a long time, if ever. Should the enemy penetrate into the heart of the country as was apprehended, in the general flight and confusion, she might lose all traces of her dear little family, and they of her. Should her husband return and find his house deserted, in his weak state he would lose his senses, perhaps throw himself into the camp of the invaders, and commit some outrage that would cost him his life. Torn by contending feelings and opinions, poor Mrs. Stanley stood almost motionless. "My God direct me!" she mentally exclaimed, then turning to her friend she extended her hand, her heart was too full to speak;-he understood her. "My dear madam," said he, "you know not the danger you brave; I will again look in upon you; you will, you must change your resolution." Little Polly stood, eagerly devouring with open mouth and wide distended eyes every word which fell from the lips of this kind judicious friend, (who alas! has long since done with the tumults and vexations of life,) and as soon as he was gone, she flew to Mrs. Stanley and entreated her to go with him. She fixed her tearful eyes upon the child, to read what was passing in her mind. You poor helpless little thing! thought she, I have no right to expose you to dangers, even were I resolved to brave them myself; and after a little reflection, made up her mind to go in the boat with Mr. S. She must leave a letter, however, where her husband could find it, should he come after they

were gone. She stepped into the house to write. The storm had passed; the setting sun streamed across the room, in all its glory through the open casement, and as its parting rays ceased to glimmer over the landscape it seemed to her excited mind as a prelude to a long, long night of misery-her heart swelled"This will not do," she cried, "I must be a woman now! I will hasten and write." She turned to do so, but her writing implements were gone. She sent Polly to Mr. Sto get pen, ink and paper-he was in the same predicament with herself—what was to be done? She took a piece of soft pine coal from the fire-place, and writing upon the street door these words, quietly began to prepare herself for her expedition on the water.-"To whom it may concern,Mrs. Stanley, after waiting until nearly dark, has at length embarked in a small boat in company with Mr. S; her friends will find her somewhere on the lake-shore between Plattsburgh and Peru; perhaps on Crab-Island. She is safe and Polly is with her." After writing this notice as legibly as she could, she again seated herself to reflect upon the step she was about to take. She was not satisfied with the plan. Something whispered her that if she left her home, before the return of Dr. Stanley, they would never meet again. Once more she retired to her closet, and implored divine assistance. "Oh! Father in heaven direct me," she again prayed; in the deepest agony of soul she entreated that God would make her duty manifest. These words came into her mind,-"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart." Yes, thought she, I will wait -in his own good time he will deliver me from these

shall remain here until the last moment."

Mrs. Stanley was very much agitated, and uncertain what she ought to do. Should she go, she might place a barrier between herself and family which would prevent their meeting for a long time, if ever. Should the enemy penetrate into the heart of the country as was apprehended, in the general flight and confusion, she might lose all traces of her dear little family, and they of her. Should her husband return and find his house deserted, in his weak state he would lose his senses, perhaps throw himself into the camp of the invaders, and commit some outrage that would cost him his life. Torn by contending feelings and opinions, poor Mrs. Stanley stood almost motionless. "My God direct me!" she mentally exclaimed, then turning to her friend she extended her hand, her heart was too full to speak;-he understood her. "My dear madam," said he, "you know not the danger you brave; I will again look in upon you; you will, you must change your resolution." Little Polly stood, eagerly devouring with open mouth and wide distended eyes every word which fell from the lips of this kind judicious friend, (who alas! has long since done with the tumults and vexations of life,) and as soon as he was gone, she flew to Mrs. Stanley and entreated her to go with him. She fixed her tearful eyes upon the child, to read what was passing in her mind. You poor helpless little thing! thought she, I have no right to expose you to dangers, even were I resolved to brave them myself; and after a little reflection, made up her mind to go in the boat with Mr. S. She must leave a letter, however, where her husband could find it, should he come after they

were gone. She stepped into the house to write. The storm had passed; the setting sun streamed across the room, in all its glory through the open casement, and as its parting rays ceased to glimmer over the landscape it seemed to her excited mind as a prelude to a long, long night of misery-her heart swelled"This will not do," she cried, "I must be a woman now! I will hasten and write." She turned to do so, but her writing implements were gone. She sent Polly to Mr. S to get pen, ink and paper-he was in the same predicament with herself—what was to be done? She took a piece of soft pine coal from the fire-place, and writing upon the street door these words, quietly began to prepare herself for her expedition on the water.-"To whom it may concern,Mrs. Stanley, after waiting until nearly dark, has at length embarked in a small boat in company with Mr. S; her friends will find her somewhere on the lake-shore between Plattsburgh and Peru; perhaps on Crab-Island. She is safe and Polly is with her." After writing this notice as legibly as she could, she again seated herself to reflect upon the step she was about to take. She was not satisfied with the plan. Something whispered her that if she left her home, before the return of Dr. Stanley, they would never meet again. Once more she retired to her closet, and implored divine assistance. "Oh! Father in heaven direct me," she again prayed; in the deepest agony of soul she entreated that God would make her duty manifest. These words came into her mind,-"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart." Yes, thought she, I will wait -in his own good time he will deliver me from these

dangers. In her excited state of mind this passage of Scripture appeared to her as a direct expression of the mind of God towards her.

She was convinced it

was her duty to wait God's appointed time. She came out of her room and told Polly that she should remain; the poor girl looked disappointed, but was silent. Twilight now began to spread its gray mantle around. The sound of the evening gun came booming over the waters, and the roll of the drum pealed upon her ear like the knell of death. The shadows of evening deepened around; the clouds still wore a threatening aspect, and plainly indicated another storm in the course of the night; the stars, however, shone out in all their brightness, except when obscured by transient clouds, and the full moon rose in the eastern hemisphere fitfully bright. Again Mr. Sstood on the piazza. "I am now going, my dear madam, and I again entreat you to go with me." Her heart was too full to reply; it seemed as if she was now called upon to separate herself in this hour of peril, from her last, her only friend. She extended her hand, he pressed it with a father's tenderness. He thought of his own daughters, now in safety, the same age, and dear friends of the lonely one he was about to leave exposed to countless dangers. Again he entreated her to go. "I thank you, my friend, God only knows how much I thank you-but, I cannot go; should I do so, I may never see my husband again! If he lives he will come; he will hover round this spot, like a troubled spirit until grief and anxiety terminate the life which fever has spared." At that moment the courier was heard approaching. Mr. S once more bade her an affectionate farewell, and hastened