There is a blessing, too, within the reach of all.  He who bore the curse, secured the blessing.  Son of God! teach us to be like thee; give us of thy spirit, that we may soften to each other the inevitable ills of life.  Prepare us for that condition to which we may aspire; for that assembly where will be united the redeemed of all the earth, where will rejoice forever in thy presence those of all ages and climes, who looked up from the shadow of the curse, to the blessing which thou didst obtain, with thy latest sigh, on Calvary!

CHAPTER XIV.

After Phillis left Mrs. Weston’s room, she was on her way to her cabin, when she noticed Aunt Peggy sitting alone at the door.  She was rather a homebody; yet she reproached herself with having neglected poor old Peggy, when she saw her looking so desolate and dejected.  She thought to pay her a visit, and bidding her good evening, sat down on the door-step.  “Time old people were in bed, Aunt Peggy,” said she; “what are you settin up for, all by yourself?”

“Who’s I got to set up wid me?” said Aunt Peggy.

“Why don’t you go to bed, then?” asked Phillis.

“Can’t sleep, can’t sleep,” said Aunt Peggy; “aint slep none dese two, three nights; lays awake lookin at de moon; sees people a lookin in de winder at me, people as I aint seen since I come from Guinea; hears strange noises I aint never heard in dis country, aint never hearn sence I come from Guinea.”

“All notions,” said Phillis.  “If you go to sleep, you’ll forget them all.”

“Can’t go to sleep,” said Aunt Peggy; “somefin in me won’t sleep; somefin I never felt afore.  It’s in my bones; mebbe Death’s somewhere in the neighborhood.”

“I reckon you’re sick, Aunt Peggy,” said Phillis; “why didn’t you let me know you wasn’t well?”

“Aint sick, I tell you,” said Aunt Peggy, angrily; “nothin the matter wid me.  ’Spose you think there’s nothin bad about, ’cep what comes to me.”

Phillis was astonished at her words and manner, and looked at her intently.  Most of the servants on the plantation stood in awe of Aunt Peggy.  Her having been brought from Africa, and the many wonders she had seen there; her gloomy, fitful temper; her tall frame, and long, skinny hands and arms; her haughty countenance, and mass of bushy, white hair.  Phillis did not wonder most people were afraid of her.  Besides, Peggy was thought to have the power of foresight in her old age.  The servants considered her a sort of witch, and deprecated her displeasure.  Phillis had too much sense for this; yet there was one thing that she had often wondered at; that was, that Aunt Peggy cared nothing about religion.  When employed in the family, she had been obliged to go sometimes to church:  since she had been old, and left to follow her own wishes, she had never gone.  Miss Janet frequently read the Bible, and explained it to her.  Alice, seated on a low stool