I instantly took up my bundle, and ran as it were for my life, till I reached the hedge just under the wood at the top of the garden. There I stopped, being out of breath, and looked back to see if any one followed me; but I saw no one: I could scarcely even see the cottage itself, on account of the very heavy rain which was then falling.

Now being a little recovered, I tried to climb the hedge, but the ground being very slippery by reason of the rain, I slipped back several times; and when I had at last got over it, I found that there was a deep ditch on the other side running down with water. A found some difficulty in crossing this, and then without waiting to seek for a path, I struck into the thickest of the wood for just at that moment I fancied that I heard a voice.

As I went on through the wood, I was torn by briers and brambles; and what was worse, after much pain and difficulty, I found when I had made my way through the trees, that I was still very near to the coltage.

Having passed through the wood, I came out upon a large high fallow field, in the middle of which I remembered that there was a barn, in which I thought that I might take shelter; for the rain beat so up

on me, that I found it difficult to go on. It was now become quite dark too, the lightning only now and then giving me a momentary view of my path.

As I came nearer the barn I heard voices, and soon saw a light through the crevices of the door I went silently up to the door, and looking in, I saw a party of gipsies, whom I had heard infested those parts, gathered together round a few embers; and whilst they ate their last meal, they amused themselves with singing.

I knew that these were no companions for me; I therefore with a sad heart turned from the barn, and at length with great difficulty found my way into a long green lane, out of which I knew very well that there was a turning which led to Ludlow, I thought that if I could reach the town without being discovered, that I might find some secure lodging for the night; and I felt no doubt but that God Almighty would provide for my future safety. For these words of St. Peter came into my mind," If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. " 1 Peter iii. 14

But the lane being shaded by tall trees, and the night becoming darker and darker, the rain having by no means ceased; I missed the turning which led to the town,

or rather my God in whom I put my trust was my guide, and led me on towards that place of rest which he had provided for me.

When I had walked on for nearly an hour, I became so weary that my heart began almost to sink within me: my clothes being quite drenched with wet, clung around me, and made it very difficult for me to walk; and the lightning too which flashed often in my face, and the thunder which rolled over my head, made me tremble; and I had almost resolved to lay me down on the wet ground, and give myself up to my hard lot, when I saw before me a light. It came from a cottage which stood close by the way side. I made the best of my way up to this cottage, intending there to beg shelter; but as I walked by the window, I looked up and saw two ill-looking men sitting before a large fire, a small table stood by their side covered with mugs and tobacco-pipes, and an old woman sat knitting in the chimney corner, whom I remembered often to have seen selling matches and ballads in the streets of Ludlow, and whom I knew very well to be a very drunken dishonest woman.

Alas! I again said, as I turned from this house, here is no place of shelter for me! So weary and worn with sorrow as I was, I continued my sad course, till being quite

spent I sat me down on the trunk of a tree, which was fallen by the way-side; and very, very sad indeed were my thoughts. Yet in this hour of deep anguish, God Almighty was my comforter: I remembered these words of the holy David: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me: thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." Psalm xxii. 4, 5. And I felt at that moment a most delightful assurance that my God was well pleased with my humble efforts to serve him, and that my poor sacrifice was accepted with my Maker. Forlorn and desolate as I then was, without a friend on earth, and not having a place whereon to lay my head, yet I would not then have taken the place of the most prosperous wicked person.

Whilst I was thinking of these things, it pleased God that the rain and the thunder should abate: and soon the clouds rolled away, and the full round moon was seen in the heavens. This was a great comfort to me, for which I failed not to thank my God. And now being somewhat rested, 1 arose and walked on, till at the end of about two more miles, I saw at a short distance a church upon a hill: I could just see the Laper spire rising above some small trees..

This was no other than the church now before me but I did not recollect my native village again, for although it is so near to Ludlow, yet I never had chanced to visit it since I was taken from the workhouse by my poor aunt; and then being but six years old, I had but a very faint remembrance of it.

I was glad however to see the church, and I walked on towards it till I came to the entrance of the village. I knocked at the first house I came to, this happening to be a lodging-house, and the good woman not being gone to bed, although it was then after midnight, she very kindly took me in. Very kindly indeed; for the figure I made was by no means a very creditable one; for I had neither hat nor cloak, my apron and handkerchiet were torn by the briars and brambles in the wood through which I had passed; all my clothes were still dripping with wet, and my eyes were red and swelled with crying.

Whilst the good woman took off my clothes and placed them at the fire to dry, she looked very hard at me.

Alas! said I, well may you look at me; and it would be natural for you to think the worst of me. But whatever my appearance may be, I am not a bad girl: no, no, I love my God; and if you knew my story, you