latter
character she was indispensable to me, for she had a hopeful nature, and
a buoyancy of spirit which imparted itself to me. I well remember when
my kind employer died, and I was plunged in grief and despair, the
confidence and energy with which she, then very young, inspired me. The
relation between her and Uncle True was beautiful. Boy as I was I could
not but view with admiration the old man's devoted love for the adopted
darling of his latter years (his birdie, as he always called her), and
the grateful affection which she bore him in return.

"During the first few years she was wholly dependent upon him, and
seemed only a fond, affectionate child; but a time came at last when the
case was reversed, and the old man, stricken with disease, became infirm
and helpless. It was then that the beauty of her woman's nature shone
forth triumphant; and, oh! how gently, child as she was, she guided his
steps as he descended to the grave. Often have I gone to his room at
midnight, fearing lest he might be in need of care which she in her
youth and inexperience would be unable to render; and never shall I
forget the little figure seated calmly by his bedside, at an hour when
many of her years would be shrinking from fears conjured up by the night
and the darkness, with a lamp dimly burning on a table before her, and
she herself, with his hand in hers, sweetly soothing his wakefulness by
her loving words, or with her eyes bent upon her little Bible, reading
to him holy lessons. But all her care could not prolong his life; and
just before I went to India he died, blessing God for the peace imparted
to him through his gentle nurse.

"It was my task to soothe our little Gerty's sorrows, and do what I
could to comfort her, an office which, before I left the country, I was
rejoiced to transfer to the willing hands of the excellent blind lady
who had long befriended both her and Uncle True. Before I went away, I
solemnly committed to Gerty, who had in one instance proved herself both
willing and able, the care of my mother and grandfather. She promised to
be faithful to her trust; and nobly was that promise kept. In spite of
the unkindness and deep displeasure of Mr. Graham (the blind lady's
father), upon whose bounty she had for a long time been dependent, she
devoted herself heart and hand to the fulfilment of duties which in her
eyes were sacred and holy. In spite of suffering, labour, watching, and
privation, she voluntarily