,,circle999999 file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #ahgja-;h4htm or #ahgja-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#a_/ h_/g_/j_/ahgja_/ahgja-;h_/#ahgja-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#a_/ h_/g_/j_/ahgja_/ahgja-;h4zip7 ,,choice ,,readings ,,for ,,the ,,home ,,circle ,i know not where his islands lift ,their fronded palms in air1 ,i only know ,i can not drift ,beyond his love and care4 --,whittier ,illustration3 ,home1 ,sweet ,home ,published ,by ,m4 ,a4 ,vroman #babc #bdth ,ave4 ,n4 ,nashville1 ,tenn4 ,western ,offices3 #afej ,san ,jose ,ave41 ,san ,francisco1 ,calif4 #fag ,chestnut ,st41 ,glendale1 ,calif4 ,entered1 according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #aije1 by ,m4 ,a4 ,vroman1 in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 ,washington1 ,d4,c4 ,all ,rights ,reserved4 ,copyright #aiaf1 by ,martin ,a4 ,vroman4 ,,preface4 ,the compiler of this volume has been gathering a large amount of moral and religious reading1 from which selections have been made1 admitting only those which may be read with propriety on the ,sabbath4 ,this volume will be found to contain the best lessons for the family circle1 such as will inculcate principles of obedience to parents1 kindness and affection to brothers and sisters and youthful associates1 benevolence to the poor1 and the requirements of the gospel4 ,these virtuous principles are illustrated by instances of conformity to them1 or departure from them1 in such a manner as to lead to their love and practice4 ,great care has been taken in compiling this volume to avoid introducing into it anything of a sectarian or denominational character that might hinder its free circulation among any denomination1 or class of society1 where there is a demand for moral and religious literature4 ,the illustrations were made especially for this book1 and are the result of much careful study4 ,the family circle can be instructed and impressed by high-toned moral and religious lessons in no better way during a leisure hour of the ,sabbath1 when not engaged in the solemn worship of ,god1 than to listen to one of their number who shall read from this precious volume4 ,may the blessing of ,god attend it to every home circle that shall give it a welcome1 is the prayer of the ,,publisher4 ,,note ,,to ,,the ,,public ,this is the same book formerly known as ,sabbath ,readings for the ,home ,circle1 the subject matter remaining unchanged4 ,we believe all who read this book will heartily accord with us in our desire to see it placed in every home in the land1 and will do their part toward this good end4 ,the stories and poems it contains cover nearly all phases of life's experiences4 ,each one presents lessons which can but tend to make the reader better and nobler4 ,this decidedly valuable and interesting work now enters upon its sixth edition1 one hundred thirty thousand copies1 with the demand rapidly increasing4 ,many have joined us in canvassing for it1 and it has proved to be not only a noble work and a service to the people1 but it brings good financial returns4 ,many students have worked their way through school by using their vacations in this work4 ,the publisher's name and address is on the title page1 and he will see that all orders are promptly and carefully filled1 and all letters of inquiry cheerfully answered4 ,address nearest office4 ,believing that the ,choice ,readings for the ,home ,circle will be appreciated by all lovers of the true and beautiful1 and that the book will make for itself not only a place1 but a warm welcome1 in thousands of homes during the coming year1 it is cheerfully and prayerfully sent on its mission by ,,the ,,publisher4 ,contents ,affecting ,scene in a ,saloon #chh ,a ,good ,lesson ,spoiled #aib ,a ,kind ,word #fg ,a ,life ,lesson #agh ,a ,mountain ,prayer-meeting #add ,an ,instructive ,anecdote #bad ,another ,commandment #ga ,a ,retired ,merchant #ij ,a ,rift in the ,cloud #bhf ,be ,just ,before ,generous #ii ,benevolent ,society #aii ,bread ,upon the ,waters #bhj ,caught in the ,quicksand #aab ,christ ,our ,refuge #dg ,company ,manners #cf ,effect of ,novel ,reading #ie ,evening ,prayer #cdb ,every ,heart ,has ,its ,own ,sorrow #cbd ,grandmother's ,room #bcj ,hard ,times ,conquered #ahe ,herrings for ,nothing #bge ,how ,it ,was ,blotted ,out #aff ,live ,within ,your ,means #abg ,look to ,your ,thoughts #cig ,lyman ,dean's ,testimonials #bea ,make ,it ,plain #hc ,my ,house and ,our ,house #ach ,nellie ,alton's ,mother #cic ,never ,indorse #agj ,only a ,husk #aea ,out of the ,wrong ,pocket #aca ,over the ,crossing #cjd ,put ,yourself in ,my ,place #cab ,richest ,man in the ,parish #bif ,ruined at ,home #aeg ,speak to ,strangers #cfj ,story of ,school ,life #bba ,success if the ,reward of ,perseverance #bia ,susie's ,prayer #cb ,the ,belle of the ,ballroom #dj ,the ,fence ,story #caj ,the ,happy ,new ,year #cdf ,the ,indian's ,revenge #aa ,the ,infidel ,captain #cai ,the ,little ,sisters #cfh ,the ,major's ,cigar #cfc ,the ,premium #eh ,the ,record #be ,the ,right ,decision #bi ,the ,scripture ,quilt #ced ,the ,ten ,commandments #ha ,the ,widow's ,christmas #cgd ,the ,young ,musician #bdd ,tom's ,trial #ej ,unforgotten ,words #bfc ,with a ,will1 ,joe #che ,what ,shall ,it ,profit8 #aae ,why ,he ,didn't ,smoke #bag ,poems ,a ,christian ,life #hi ,alone #cda ,an ,infinite ,giver #acg ,believe and ,trust #ci ,consolation #aaa ,did ,you ,ever ,think8 #bgi ,do ,with ,your ,might #chg ,forgive and ,forget #cah ,good-,bye--,god ,bless ,you6 #afe ,life ,that ,lasts #bac ,loving ,words #cfb ,mother #bh ,once ,again #aad ,our ,neighbors #ff ,our ,record #cgc ,reaping #baf ,song of the ,rye #aef ,stop and ,look ,around6 #cji ,the ,dark ,first #acj ,the ,father ,is ,near #bhe ,the ,lord's ,prayer #cdb ,the ,master's ,hand #di ,the ,shadow of the ,cross #df ,the ,way to ,overcome #afi ,to-,day's ,furrow #ih ,walking ,with ,god #cjc ,watch ,your ,words #agg ,what ,counts #eg ,what to ,mind #cfg ,your ,call #bgd ,list of ,illustrations ,home1 ,sweet ,home ,frontispiece ,while ,he ,slept ,his ,enemy ,came and ,sowed ,tares ,among the ,wheat #dd ,christ ,blessing ,little ,children #gf ,christ the ,good ,shepherd #abd ,paul at ,athens #agb ,pure ,religion ,is ,visiting the ,fatherless and ,widows in #bjg ,their ,affliction ,grandmother's ,room #bdj ,come ,unto ,me #bgh ,christ in the ,home of ,mary and ,martha #cjj ,he ,is ,not ,here2 ,he ,is ,risen #ccf ,god ,be ,merciful to ,me a ,sinner #ced ,announcement to ,shepherds #cgf ,pledges ,against the use of ,liquor and ,tobacco #cia ,,the ,,sabbath ,sabbaths1 like way-marks1 cheer the pilgrim's path1 ,his progress mark1 and keep his rest in view4 ,in life's bleak winter1 they are pleasant days1 ,short foretaste of the long1 long spring to come4 ,to every new-born soul1 each hallowed morn ,seems like the first1 when everything was new4 ,time seems an angel come afresh from heaven1 ,his pinions shedding fragrance as he flies1 ,and his bright hour-glass running sands of gold4 --,carlos ,wilcox4 ,,the ,,indian',s ,,revenge ,the beautiful precept1 ,do unto others as you would that they should do unto you1 is drawn from our ,lord's sermon on the mount1 and should be observed by all professing ,christians4 ,but unless we are truly his children1 we can never observe this great command as we ought4 ,history records the fact that the ,roman emperor ,severus was so much struck with the moral beauty and purity of this sentiment1 that he ordered the ,golden ,rule1 to be inscribed upon the public buildings erected by him4 ,many facts may be stated1 by which untutored heathen and savage tribes in their conduct have put to shame many of those calling themselves ,christians1 who have indeed the form of godliness1 but by their words and actions deny the power of it4 ,one such fact we here relate4 ,many years ago1 on the outskirts of one of our distant new settlements1 was a small but neat and pretty cottage1 or homestead1 which belonged to an industrious young farmer4 ,he had1 when quite a lad1 left his native ,england1 and sought a home and fortune among his ,american brethren4 ,it was a sweet and quiet place2 the cottage was built upon a gently rising ground1 which sloped toward a sparkling rivulet1 that turned a large sawmill situated a little lower down the stream4 ,the garden was well stocked with fruit-trees and vegetables1 among which the magnificent pumpkins were already conspicuous1 though as yet they were wanting in the golden hue which adorns them in autumn4 ,on the hillside was an orchard1 facing the south1 filled with peach and cherry-trees1 the latter now richly laden with their crimson fruit4 ,in that direction also extended the larger portion of the farm1 now in a high state of cultivation1 bearing heavy crops of grass1 and ,indian corn just coming into ear4 ,on the north and east1 the cottage was sheltered by extensive pine woods1 beyond which were fine hunting-grounds1 where the settlers1 when their harvests were housed1 frequently resorted in large numbers to lay in a stock of dried venison for winter use4 ,at that time the understanding between the whites and the ,indians1 was not good2 and they were then far more numerous than they are at the present time1 and more feared4 ,it was not often1 however1 that they came into the neighborhood of the cottage which has been described1 though on one or two occasions a few ,minateree ,indians had been seen on the outskirts of the pine forests1 but had committed no outrages1 as that tribe was friendly with the white men4 ,it was a lovely evening in ,june4 ,the sun had set1 though the heavens still glowed with those exquisite and radiant tints which the writer1 when a child1 used to imagine were vouchsafed to mortals to show them something while yet on earth1 of the glories of the ,new ,jerusalem4 ,the moon shed her silvery light all around1 distinctly revealing every feature of the beautiful scene which has been described1 and showed the tall1 muscular figure of ,william ,sullivan1 who was seated upon the door-steps1 busily employed in preparing his scythes for the coming hay season4 ,he was a good-looking young fellow1 with a sunburnt1 open countenance2 but though kind-hearted in the main1 he was filled with prejudices1 acquired when in ,england1 against ,americans in general1 and the ,north ,american ,indians in particular4 ,as a boy he had been carefully instructed by his mother1 and had received more education than was common in those days2 but of the sweet precepts of the gospel he was as practically ignorant as if he had never heard them1 and in all respects was so thoroughly an ,englishman1 that he looked with contempt on all who could not boast of belonging to his own favored country4 ,the ,indians he especially despised and detested as heathenish creatures1 forgetful of the fact that he who has been blessed with opportunities and privileges1 and yet has abused them1 is in as bad a case1 and more guilty in the sight of ,god1 than these ignorant children of the wilds4 ,so intent was he upon his work1 that he heeded not the approach of a tall ,indian1 accoutred for a hunting excursion1 until the words3-- ,will you give an unfortunate hunter some supper1 and a lodging for the night8 in a tone of supplication1 met his ear4 ,the young farmer raised his head2 a look of contempt curling the corners of his mouth1 and an angry gleam darting from his eyes1 as he replied in a tone as uncourteous as his words3-- ,heathen ,indian dog1 you shall have nothing here2 begone6 ,the ,indian turned away2 then again facing young ,sullivan1 he said in a pleading voice3-- ,but ,i am very hungry1 for it is very long since ,i have eaten2 give only a crust of bread and a bone to strengthen me for the remainder of my journey4 ,get you gone1 heathen hound1 said the farmer2 ,i have nothing for you4 ,a struggle seemed to rend the breast of the ,indian hunter1 as though pride and want were contending for the mastery2 but the latter prevailed1 and in a faint voice he said3-- ,give me but a cup of cold water1 for ,i am very faint4 ,this appeal was no more successful than the others4 ,with abuse he was told to drink of the river which flowed some distance off4 ,this was all that he could obtain from one who called himself a ,christian1 but who allowed prejudice and obstinacy to steel his heart--which to one of his own nation would have opened at once--to the sufferings of his redskinned brother4 ,with a proud yet mournful air the ,indian turned away1 and slowly proceeded in the direction of the little river4 ,the weak steps of the native showed plainly that his need was urgent2 indeed he must have been reduced to the last extremity1 ere the haughty ,indian would have asked again and again for that which had been once refused4 ,happily his supplicating appeal was heard by the farmer's wife4 ,rare indeed is it that the heart of woman is steeled to the cry of suffering humanity2 even in the savage wilds of central ,africa1 the enterprising and unfortunate ,mungo ,park was over and over again rescued from almost certain death by the kind and generous care of those females whose husbands and brothers thirsted for his blood4 ,the farmer's wife1 ,mary ,sullivan1 heard the whole as she sat hushing her infant to rest2 and from the open casement she watched the poor ,indian until she saw his form sink1 apparently exhausted1 to the ground1 at no great distance from her dwelling4 ,perceiving that her husband had finished his work1 and was slowly bending his steps toward the stables with downcast eyes--for it must be confessed he did not feel very comfortable--she left the house1 and was soon at the poor ,indian's side1 with a pitcher of milk in her hand1 and a napkin1 in which was a plentiful meal of bread and roasted kid1 with a little parched corn as well4 ,will my red brother drink some milk8 said ,mary1 bending over the fallen ,indian2 and as he arose to comply with her invitation1 she untied the napkin and bade him eat and be refreshed4 ,when he had finished1 the ,indian knelt at her feet1 his eyes beamed with gratitude1 then in his soft tone1 he said3 ,carcoochee protect the white dove from the pounces of the eagle2 for her sake the unfledged young shall be safe in its nest1 and her red brother will not seek to be revenged4 ,drawing a bunch of heron's feathers from his bosom1 he selected the longest1 and giving it to ,mary ,sullivan1 said3 ,when the white dove's mate flies over the ,indian's hunting-grounds1 bid him wear this on his head4 ,he then turned away2 and gliding into the woods1 was soon lost to view4 ,the summer passed away2 harvest had come and gone2 the wheat and maize1 or ,indian corn1 was safely stored in the yard2 the golden pumpkins were gathered into their winter quarters1 and the forests glowed with the rich and varied tints of autumn4 ,preparations now began to be made for a hunting excursion1 and ,william ,sullivan was included in the number who were going to try their fortune on the hunting-grounds beyond the river and the pine forests4 ,he was bold1 active1 and expert in the use of his rifle and woodman's hatchet1 and hitherto had always hailed the approach of this season with peculiar enjoyment1 and no fears respecting the not unusual attacks of the ,indians1 who frequently waylaid such parties in other and not very distant places1 had troubled him4 ,but now1 as the time of their departure drew near1 strange misgivings relative to his safety filled his mind1 and his imagination was haunted by the form of the ,indian whom in the preceding summer he had so harshly treated4 ,on the eve of the day on which they were to start1 he made known his anxiety to his gentle wife1 confessing at the same time that his conscience had never ceased to reproach him for his unkind behavior4 ,he added1 that since then all that he had learned in his youth from his mother upon our duty to our neighbors had been continually in his mind2 thus increasing the burden of self-reproach1 by reminding him that his conduct was displeasing in the sight of ,god1 as well as cruel toward a suffering brother4 ,mary ,sullivan heard her husband in silence4 ,when he had done1 she laid her hand in his1 looking up into his face with a smile1 which was yet not quite free from anxiety1 and then she told him what she had done when the ,indian fell down exhausted upon the ground1 confessing at the same time that she had kept this to herself1 fearing his displeasure1 after hearing him refuse any aid4 ,going to a closet1 she took out the beautiful heron's feather1 repeating at the same time the parting words of the ,indian1 and arguing from them that her husband might go without fear4 ,nay1 said ,sullivan1 these ,indians never forgive an injury4 ,neither do they ever forget a kindness1 added ,mary4 ,i will sew this feather in your hunting-cap1 and then trust you1 my own dear husband1 to ,god's keeping2 but though ,i know he could take care of you without it1 yet ,i remember my dear father used to say that we were never to neglect the use of all lawful means for our safety4 ,his maxim was1 ',trust like a child1 but work like a man'2 for we must help ourselves if we hope to succeed1 and not expect miracles to be wrought on our behalf1 while we quietly fold our arms and do nothing4 ,dear ,william1 she added1 after a pause1 now that my father is dead and gone1 ,i think much more of what he used to say than when he was with me2 and ,i fear that we are altogether wrong in the way we are going on1 and ,i feel that if we were treated as we deserve1 ,god would forget us1 and leave us to ourselves1 because we have so forgotten him4 ,the tears were in ,mary's eyes as she spoke2 she was the only daughter of a pious ,english sailor1 and in early girlhood had given promise of becoming all that a religious parent could desire4 ,but her piety was then more of the head than of the heart2 it could not withstand the trial of the love professed for her by ,sullivan1 who was anything but a serious character1 and like the morning cloud and the early dew1 her profession of religion vanished away1 and as his wife she lost her relish for that in which she once had taken such delight4 ,she was very happy in appearance1 yet there was a sting in all her pleasures1 and that was the craving of a spirit disquieted and restless from the secret though ever-present conviction that she had sinned in departing from the living ,god4 ,by degrees these impressions deepened2 the ,spirit of grace was at work within1 and day after day was bringing to her memory the truths she had heard in childhood and was leading her back from her wanderings by a way which she knew not4 ,a long conversation followed2 and that night saw the young couple kneeling for the first time in prayer at domestic worship4 ,the morning that witnessed the departure of the hunters was one of surpassing beauty4 ,no cloud was to be seen upon the brow of ,william ,sullivan4 ,the bright beams of the early sun seemed to have dissipated the fears which had haunted him on the previous evening1 and it required an earnest entreaty on the part of his wife to prevent his removing the feather from his cap4 ,she held his hand while she whispered in his ear1 and a slight quiver agitated his lips as he said1 ,well1 ,mary dear1 if you really think this feather will protect me from the redskins1 for your sake ,i will let it remain4 ,william then put on his cap1 shouldered his rifle1 and the hunters were soon on their way seeking for game4 ,the day wore away as is usual with people on such excursions4 ,many animals were killed1 and at night the hunters took shelter in the cave of a bear1 which one of the party was fortunate enough to shoot1 as he came at sunset toward the bank of the river4 ,his flesh furnished them with some excellent steaks for supper1 and his skin spread upon a bed of leaves pillowed their heads through a long ,november night4 ,with the first dawn of morning1 the hunters left their rude shelter and resumed the chase4 ,william1 in consequence of following a fawn too ardently1 separated from his companions1 and in trying to rejoin them became bewildered4 ,hour after hour he sought in vain for some mark by which he might thread the intricacy of the forest1 the trees of which were so thick that it was but seldom that he could catch a glimpse of the sun2 and not being much accustomed to the woodman's life1 he could not find his way as one of them would have done1 by noticing which side of the trees was most covered with moss or lichen4 ,several times he started in alarm1 for he fancied that he could see the glancing eyeballs of some lurking ,indian1 and he often raised his gun to his shoulder1 prepared to sell his life as dearly as he could4 ,toward sunset the trees lessened and grew thinner1 and by and by he found himself upon the outskirts of an immense prairie1 covered with long grass1 and here and there with patches of low trees and brushwood4 ,a river ran through this extensive tract1 and toward it ,sullivan directed his lagging footsteps4 ,he was both faint and weary1 not having eaten anything since the morning4 ,on the bank of the river there were many bushes1 therefore ,sullivan approached with caution1 having placed his rifle at half-cock1 to be in readiness against any danger that might present itself4 ,he was yet some yards from its brink1 when a rustling in the underwood made him pause1 and the next instant out rushed an enormous buffalo4 ,these animals usually roam through the prairies in immense herds1 sometimes amounting to many thousands in number2 but occasionally they are met with singly1 having been separated from the main body either by some accident1 or by the ,indians1 who show the most wonderful dexterity in hunting these formidable creatures4 ,the buffalo paused for a moment1 and then lowering his enormous head1 rushed forward toward the intruder4 ,sullivan took aim2 but the beast was too near to enable him to do so with that calmness and certainty which would have insured success1 and though slightly wounded1 it still came on with increased fury4 ,sullivan was a very powerful man1 and though weakened by his long fast and fatiguing march1 despair gave him courage and nerved his arm with strength1 and with great presence of mind he seized the animal as it struck him on the side with its horn1 drawing out his knife with his left hand1 in the faint hope of being able to strike it into his adversary's throat4 ,but the struggle was too unequal to be successful1 and the buffalo had shaken him off1 and thrown him to the ground1 previous to trampling him to death1 when he heard the sharp crack of a rifle behind him1 and in another instant the animal sprang into the air1 then fell heavily close by1 and indeed partly upon1 the prostrate ,sullivan4 ,a dark form in the ,indian garb glided by a moment after1 and plunged his hunting-knife deep into the neck of the buffalo1 though the shot was too true not to have taken effect1 having penetrated to the brain2 but the great arteries of the neck are cut1 and the animal thus bled1 to render the flesh more suitable for keeping a greater length of time4 ,the ,indian then turned to ,sullivan1 who had now drawn himself from under the buffalo1 and who1 with mingled feelings of hope and fear1 caused by his ignorance whether the tribe to which the ,indian belonged was friendly or not1 begged of him to direct him to the nearest white settlement4 ,if the weary hunter will rest till morning1 the eagle will show him the way to the nest of his white dove1 was the reply of the ,indian1 in that figurative style so general among his people2 and then taking him by the hand he led him through the rapidly increasing darkness1 until they reached a small encampment lying near the river1 and under the cover of some trees which grew upon its banks4 ,here the ,indian gave ,sullivan a plentiful supply of hominy1 or bruised ,indian corn boiled to a paste1 and some venison2 then spreading some skins of animals slain in the chase1 for his bed1 he signed to him to occupy it1 and left him to his repose4 ,the light of dawn had not yet appeared in the east when the ,indian awoke ,sullivan2 and after a slight repast1 they both started for the settlement of the whites4 ,the ,indian kept in advance of his companion1 and threaded his way through the still darkened forest with a precision and a rapidity which showed him to be well acquainted with its paths and secret recesses4 ,as he took the most direct way1 without fear of losing his course1 being guided by signs unknown to any save some of the oldest and most experienced hunters1 they traversed the forest far more quickly than ,sullivan had done1 and before the golden sun had sunk behind the summits of the far-off mountains1 ,sullivan once more stood within view of his beloved home4 ,there it lay in calm repose1 and at a sight so dear he could not restrain a cry of joy2 then turning toward the ,indian1 he poured forth his heartfelt thanks for the service he had rendered him4 ,the warrior1 who1 till then1 had not allowed his face to be seen by ,sullivan1 except in the imperfect light of his wigwam1 now fronted him1 allowing the sun's rays to fall upon his person1 and revealed to the astonished young man the features of the very same ,indian whom1 five months before1 he had so cruelly repulsed4 ,an expression of dignified yet mild rebuke was exhibited in his face as he gazed upon the abashed ,sullivan2 but his voice was gentle and low as he said3 ,five moons ago1 when ,i was faint and weary1 you called me ',indian dog1' and drove me from your door4 ,i might last night have been revenged2 but the white dove fed me1 and for her sake ,i spared her mate4 ,carcoochee bids you to go home1 and when hereafter you see a red man in need of kindness1 do to him as you have been done by4 ,farewell4 ,he waved his hand1 and turned to depart1 but ,sullivan sprang before him1 and so earnestly entreated him to go with him1 as a proof that he had indeed forgiven his brutal treatment1 that he at last consented1 and the humbled farmer led him to his cottage4 ,there his gentle wife's surprise at seeing him so soon was only equaled by her thankfulness at his wonderful escape from the dangers which had surrounded him1 and by her gratitude to the noble savage who had thus repaid her act of kindness1 forgetful of the provocation he had received from her husband4 ,carcoochee was treated not only as an honored guest1 but as a brother2 and such in time he became to them both4 ,many were the visits he paid to the cottage of the once prejudiced and churlish ,sullivan1 now no longer so1 for the practical lesson of kindness he had learned from the untutored ,indian was not lost upon him4 ,it was made the means of bringing him to a knowledge of his own sinfulness in the sight of ,god1 and his deficiencies in duty toward his fellow men4 ,he was led by the ,holy ,spirit to feel his need of ,christ's atoning blood2 and ere many months passed1 ,mary ,sullivan and her husband both gave satisfactory evidence that they had indeed passed from death unto life4 ,carcoochee's kindness was repaid to him indeed a hundred fold4 ,a long time elapsed before any vital change of heart was visible in him2 but at length it pleased the ,lord to bless the unwearied teaching of his white friends to his spiritual good1 and to give an answer to the prayer of faith4 ,the ,indian was the first native convert baptized by the ,american missionary1 who came about two years after to a station some few miles distant from ,sullivan's cottage4 ,after a lengthened course of instruction and trial the warrior1 who once had wielded the tomahawk in mortal strife against both whites and redskins1 went forth1 armed with a far different weapon1 even the sword of the ,spirit1 which is the word of ,god1 to make known to his heathen countrymen the glad tidings of great joy1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners4 ,he told them that whosoever believeth on him should not perish1 but have everlasting life1 whether they be ,jews or ,gentiles1 bond or free1 white or red1 for we are all one in ,christ4 ,many years he thus labored1 until1 worn out with toil and age1 he returned to his white friend's home1 where in a few months he fell asleep in ,jesus1 giving to his friends the certain hope of a joyful meeting hereafter at the resurrection of the just4 ,many years have passed since then4 ,there is no trace now of the cottage of the ,sullivans1 who both rest in the same forest churchyard1 where lie the bones of ,carcoochee2 but their descendants still dwell in the same township4 ,often does the gray-haired grandsire tell this little history to his rosy grandchildren1 while seated under the stately magnolia which shades the graves of the quiet sleepers of whom he speaks4 ,and the lesson which he teaches to his youthful hearers1 is one which all would do well to bear in mind1 and act upon2 namely1 ,whatsoever ye would that men should do to you1 do ye even so to them4 ,speak not harshly--learn to feel ,another's woes1 another's weal2 ,of malice1 hate1 and guile1 instead1 ,by friendship's holy bonds be led2 ,for sorrow is man's heritage ,from early youth to hoary age4 ,,the ,,record ,the hours are viewless angels1 that still go gliding by1 ,and bear each moment's record up to ,him that sits on high4 ,a mother wrote a story about her daughter in which she represented her as making some unkind and rude remarks to her sister4 ,julia was a reader of the newspapers1 and it did not escape her notice4 ,the incident was a true one1 but it was one she did not care to remember1 much less did she like to see it in print4 ,oh6 mother1 mother1 she exclaimed1 ,i do not think you are kind to write such stories about me4 ,i do not like to have you publish it when ,i say anything wrong4 ,how do you know it is you8 ,it is not your name4 ,julia then read the story aloud4 ,it is ,i4 ,i know it is ,i1 mother4 ,i shall be afraid of you if you write such stories about me1 ,i shall not dare to speak before you4 ,remember1 my child1 that ,god requireth the past1 and nothing which you say1 or do1 or think1 is lost to him4 ,poor ,julia was quite grieved that her mother should record the unpleasant and unsisterly words which fell from her lips4 ,she did not like to have any memorial of her ill-nature preserved4 ,perhaps she would never have thought of those words again in this life2 but had she never read this passage of fearful import1 the language of ,jesus ,christ3 ,but ,i say unto you that for every idle word that men shall speak1 they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment8 ,julia thought that the careless words which had passed her lips would be forgotten1 but she should have known that every word and act of our lives is to be recorded and brought to our remembrance4 ,i have known children to be very much interested1 and to be influenced to make a great effort to do right1 by an account-book which was kept by their mothers4 ,when such a book is kept at school1 and every act is recorded1 the pupils are much more likely to make an effort to perform the duties required of them4 ,so it is in ,sabbath-schools4 ,i recently heard a ,sabbath-school superintendent remark that the school could not be well sustained unless accounts were kept of the attendance1 etc41 of the pupils4 ,many years ago a man1 brought before a tribunal1 was told to relate his story freely without fear1 as it should not be used against him4 ,he commenced to do so1 but had not proceeded far before he heard the scratching of a pen behind a curtain4 ,in an instant he was on his guard1 for by that sound he knew that1 notwithstanding their promise1 a record was being taken of what he said4 ,silently and unseen by us the angel secretaries are taking a faithful record of our words and actions1 and even of our thoughts4 ,do we realize this8 and a more solemn question is1 ,what is the record they are making8 ,not long ago ,i read of a strange list4 ,it was an exact catalogue of the crimes committed by a man who was at last executed in ,norfolk ,island1 with the various punishments he had received for his different offenses4 ,it was written out in small hand by the chaplain1 and was nearly three yards long4 ,what a sickening catalogue to be crowded into one brief life4 ,yet this man was once an innocent child4 ,a mother no doubt bent lovingly over him1 a father perhaps looked upon him in pride and joy1 and imagination saw him rise to manhood honored and trusted by his fellow-men4 ,but the boy chose the path of evil and wrong-doing regardless of the record he was making1 and finally committed an act1 the penalty for which was death1 and he perished miserably upon the scaffold4 ,dear readers1 most of you are young1 and your record is but just commenced4 ,oh1 be warned in time1 and seek to have a list of which you will not be ashamed when scanned by ,jehovah1 angels1 and men4 ,speak none but kind1 loving words1 have your thoughts and aspirations pure and noble1 crowd into your life all the good deeds you can1 and thus crowd out evil ones4 ,we should not forget that an account-book is kept by ,god1 in which all the events of our lives are recorded1 and that even every thought will be brought before us at the day of judgment4 ,in that day ,god will judge the secrets of men3 he will bring to light the hidden things of darkness1 and will make manifest the counsels of the heart4 ,there is another book spoken of in the ,bible4 ,the book of life1 and it is said that no one can enter heaven whose name is not written in the ,lamb's book of life4 ,angels are now weighing moral worth4 ,the record will soon close1 either by death or the decree1 ,he that is unjust1 let him be unjust still1 and he which is filthy1 let him be filthy still2 and he that is righteous1 let him be righteous still2 and he that is holy let him be holy still4 ,we have but one short1 preparing hour in which to redeem the past and get ready for the future4 ,our life record will soon be examined4 ,what shall it be6 ,,mother4 ,the silvery hairs are weaving ,a crown above her brow1 ,but surely mother never seemed ,one-half so sweet as now6 ,the love-light beams from out her eyes ,as clear1 as sweet and true1 ,as when1 with youthful beauty crowned1 ,life bloomed for her all new4 ,no thought of self doth ever cast ,a cloudlet o'er the light ,that shines afar from out her soul1 ,so steadfast1 pure1 and bright4 ,her love illumes the darkest hour1 ,smooths all the rugged way1 ,makes lighter every burden1 ,cheers through each weary day4 ,more precious than the rarest gem ,in all the world could be2 ,more sweet than honor1 fame1 and praise1 ,is mother's love to me4 ,,the ,,right ,,decision4 ,it was the beginning of vacation when ,mr4 ,davis1 a friend of my father1 came to see us1 and asked to let me go home with him4 ,i was much pleased with the thought of going out of town4 ,the journey was delightful1 and when we reached ,mr4 ,davis' house everything looked as if ,i were going to have a fine time4 ,fred ,davis1 a boy about my own age1 took me cordially by the hand1 and all the family soon seemed like old friends4 ,this is going to be a vacation worth having1 ,i said to myself several times during the evening1 as we all played games1 told riddles1 and laughed and chatted merrily as could be4 ,at last ,mrs4 ,davis said it was almost bedtime4 ,then ,i expected family prayers1 but we were very soon directed to our chambers4 ,how strange it seemed to me1 for ,i had never before been in a household without the family altar4 ,come1 said ,fred1 mother says you and ,i are going to be bedfellows1 and ,i followed him up two pair of stairs to a nice little chamber which he called his room2 and he opened a drawer and showed me a box1 and boat1 and knives1 and powder-horn1 and all his treasures1 and told me a world of new things about what the boys did there4 ,he undressed first and jumped into bed4 ,i was much longer about it1 for a new set of thoughts began to rise in my mind4 ,when my mother put my portmanteau into my hand1 just before the coach started1 she said tenderly1 in a low tone1 ,remember1 ,robert1 that you are a ,christian boy4 ,i knew very well what that meant1 and ,i had now just come to a point of time when her words were to be minded4 ,at home ,i was taught the duties of a ,christian child2 abroad ,i must not neglect them1 and one of these was evening prayer4 ,from a very little boy ,i had been in the habit of kneeling and asking the forgiveness of ,god1 for ,jesus' sake1 acknowledging his mercies1 and seeking his protection and blessing4 ,why don't you come to bed1 ,robert8 cried ,fred4 ,what are you sitting there for8 ,i was afraid to pray1 and afraid not to pray4 ,it seemed that ,i could not kneel down and pray before ,fred4 ,what would he say8 ,would he not laugh8 ,the fear of ,fred made me a coward4 ,yet ,i could not lie down on a prayerless bed4 ,if ,i needed the protection of my heavenly ,father at home1 how much more abroad4 ,i wished many wishes2 that ,i had slept alone1 that ,fred would go to sleep1 or something else1 ,i hardly knew what4 ,but ,fred would not go to sleep4 ,perhaps struggles like these take place in the bosom of every one when he leaves home and begins to act for himself1 and on his decision may depend his character for time1 and for eternity4 ,with me the struggle was severe4 ,at last1 to ,fred's cry1 ,come1 boy1 come to bed1 ,i mustered courage to say1 ,i will kneel down and pray first2 that is always my custom4 ,pray8 said ,fred1 turning himself over on his pillow1 and saying no more4 ,his propriety of conduct made me ashamed4 ,here ,i had long been afraid of him1 and yet when he knew my wishes he was quiet and left me to myself4 ,how thankful ,i was that duty and conscience triumphed4 ,that settled my future course4 ,it gave me strength for time to come4 ,i believe that the decision of the ,christian boy1 by ,god's blessing1 made me the ,christian man2 for in after years ,i was thrown amid trials and temptations which must have drawn me away from ,god and from virtue1 had it not been for my settled habit of secret prayer4 ,let every boy who has pious parents1 read and think about this4 ,you have been trained in ,christian duties and principles4 ,when you go from home do not leave them behind you4 ,carry them with you and stand by them1 and then in weakness and temptation1 by ,god's help1 they will stand by you4 ,take a manly stand on the side of your ,god and ,saviour1 of your father's ,god4 ,it is by abandoning their ,christian birthright that so many boys go astray1 and grow up to be young men dishonoring parents1 without hope and without ,god in the world4 ,yes1 we are boys1 always playing with tongue or with pen1 ,and ,i sometimes have asked1 shall we ever be men8 ,will we always be youthful1 and laughing and gay1 ,till the last dear companions drop smiling away8 ,then here's to our boyhood1 its gold and its gray1 ,the stars of its winter1 the dews of its ,may4 ,and when we have done with our life-lasting toys1 ,dear ,father1 take care of thy children1 the boys4 --,oliver ,wendell ,holmes4 ,,susie',s ,,prayer ,it was a half-holiday4 ,the children were gathered on the green and a right merry time they were having4 ,come1 girls and boys1 called out ,ned ,graham1 let's play hunt the squirrel4 ,all assented eagerly1 and a large circle was formed with ,ned ,graham for leader1 because he was the largest4 ,come1 ,susie1 said one of the boys1 to a little girl who stood on one side1 and seemed to shrink from joining them4 ,oh1 never mind her6 said ,ned1 with a little toss of his head1 she's nobody1 anyhow4 ,her father drinks4 ,a quick flush crept over the child's pale face as she heard the cruel1 thoughtless words4 ,she was very sensitive1 and the arrow had touched her heart in its tenderest place4 ,her father was a drunkard1 she knew1 but to be taunted with it before so many was more than she could bear2 and with great sobs heaving from her bosom1 and hot tears filling her eyes1 she turned and ran away from the playground4 ,her mother was sitting by the window when she reached home1 and the tearful face of the little girl told that something had happened to disturb her4 ,what is the matter1 ,susie8 she asked1 kindly4 ,oh mother1 ,susie said1 with the tears dropping down her cheeks1 as she hid her face in her mother's lap1 ,ned ,graham said such a cruel thing about me1 and here the sobs choked her voice so that she could hardly speak2 ,he said that ,i wasn't anybody1 and that father drinks4 ,my poor little girl1 ,mrs4 ,ellet said1 very sadly4 ,there were tears in her eyes1 too4 ,such taunts as this were nothing new4 ,oh1 mother1 ,susie said1 as she lifted her face1 wet with tears1 from her mother's lap1 ,i can't bear to have them say so1 and just as if ,i had done something wicked4 ,i wish father wouldn't drink6 ,do you suppose he'll ever leave it off8 ,i hope so1 ,mrs4 ,ellet answered1 as she kissed ,susie's face where the tears clung like drops of dew on a rose4 ,i pray that he may break off the habit1 and ,i can do nothing but pray1 and leave the rest to ,god4 ,that night ,mr4 ,ellet came home to supper1 as usual4 ,he was a hard-working man1 and a good neighbor4 ,so everybody said1 but he had the habit of intemperance so firmly fixed upon him that everybody thought he would end his days in the drunkard's grave4 ,susie kissed him when he came through the gate1 as she always did1 but there was something in her face that went to his heart--a look so sad1 and full of touching sorrow for one so young as she6 ,what ails my little girl8 he asked as he patted her curly head4 ,i can't tell you1 father1 she answered1 slowly4 ,why8 he asked4 ,because it would make you feel bad4 ,susie replied4 ,i guess not1 he said1 as they walked up to the door together4 ,what is it1 ,susie8 ,oh1 father1 and ,susie burst into tears again as the memory of ,ned ,graham's words came up freshly in her mind1 ,i wish you wouldn't drink any more1 for the boys and girls don't like to play with me1 'cause you do4 ,mr4 ,ellet made no reply4 ,but something stirred in his heart that made him ashamed of himself2 ashamed that he was the cause of so much sorrow and misery4 ,after supper he took his hat1 and ,mrs4 ,ellet knew only too well where he was going4 ,at first he had resolved to stay at home that evening1 but the force of habit was so strong that he could not resist1 and he yielded1 promising himself that he would not drink more than once or twice4 ,susie had left the table before he had finished his supper1 and as he passed the great clump of lilacs by the path1 on his way to the gate1 he heard her voice and stopped to listen to what she was saying4 ,oh1 good ,jesus1 please don't let father drink any more4 ,make him just as he used to be when ,i was a baby1 and then the boys and girls can't call me a drunkard's child1 or say such bad things about me4 ,please1 dear ,jesus1 for mother's sake and mine4 ,susie's father listened to her simple prayer with a great lump swelling in his throat4 ,and when it was ended he went up to her1 and knelt down by her side1 and put his arm around her1 oh1 so lovingly6 ,god in ,heaven1 he said1 very solemnly1 ,i promise to-night1 never to touch another drop of liquor as long as ,i live4 ,give me strength to keep my pledge1 and help me to be a better man4 ,oh1 father1 ,susie cried1 her arms about his neck1 and her head upon his breast1 ,i'm so glad6 ,i shan't care about anything they say to me now1 for ,i know you won't be a drunkard any more4 ,god helping me1 ,i will be a man6 he answered1 as1 taking ,susie by the hand he went back into the house where his wife was sitting with the old patient look of sorrow on her face4--the look that had become so habitual4 ,i cannot tell you of the joy and thanksgiving that went up from that hearthstone that night4 ,i wish ,i could1 but it was too deep a joy which filled the hearts of ,susie and her mother to be described4 ,was not ,susie's prayer answered8 ,there is never a day so dreary1 ,but ,god can make it bright4 ,and unto the soul that trusts him ,he giveth songs in the night4 ,there is never a path so hidden1 ,but ,god will show the way1 ,if we seek the ,spirit's guidance1 ,and patiently watch and pray4 ,,company ,,manners4 ,well1 said ,bessie1 very emphatically1 ,i think ,russell ,morton is the best boy there is1 anyhow4 ,why so1 pet8 ,i asked1 settling myself in the midst of the busy group gathered around in the firelight4 ,i can tell1 interrupted ,wilfred1 ,bessie likes ,russ because he is so polite4 ,i don't care1 you may laugh1 said frank little ,bess2 that is the reason--at least1 one of them4 ,he's nice2 he don't stamp and hoot in the house--and he never says1 ',halloo ,bess1' or laughs when ,i fall on the ice4 ,bessie wants company manners all the time1 said ,wilfred4 ,and ,bell added3 ,we should all act grown up1 if she had her fastidiousness suited4 ,bell1 be it said in passing1 is very fond of long words1 and has asked for a dictionary for her next birthday present4 ,dauntless ,bessie made haste to retort1 ,well1 if growing up would make some folks more agreeable1 it's a pity we can't hurry about it4 ,wilfred1 what are company manners8 interposed ,i from the depths of my easy chair4 ,why--why--they're--,it's behaving1 you know1 when folks are here1 or we go a visiting4 ,company manners are good manners1 said ,horace1 ,oh yes1 answered ,i1 meditating on it4 ,i see2 manners that are too good--for mamma--but just right for ,mrs4 ,jones4 ,that's it1 cried ,bess4 ,but let us talk it over a bit4 ,seriously1 why should you be more polite to ,mrs4 ,jones than to mamma8 ,you don't love her better8 ,oh my6 no indeed1 chorused the voices4 ,well1 then1 ,i don't see why ,mrs4 ,jones should have all that's agreeable2 why the hats should come off1 and the tones soften1 and 'please1' and 'thank you1' and 'excuse me1' should abound in her house1 and not in mamma's4 ,oh6 that's very different4 ,and mamma knows we mean all right4 ,besides1 you are not fair1 cousin2 we were talking about boys and girls--not grown up people4 ,thus my little audience assailed me1 and ,i was forced to a change of base4 ,well1 about boys and girls1 then4 ,can not a boy be just as happy1 if1 like our friend ,russell1 he is gentle to the little girls1 doesn't pitch his little brother in the snow1 and respects the rights of his cousins and intimate friends8 ,it seems to me that politeness is just as suitable to the playground as to the parlor4 ,oh1 of course2 if you'd have a fellow give up all fun1 said ,wilfred4 ,my dear boy1 said ,i1 that isn't what ,i want4 ,run1 and jump1 and shout as much as you please2 skate1 and slide1 and snowball2 but do it with politeness to other boys and girls1 and ,i'll agree you will find just as much fun in it4 ,you sometimes say ,i pet ,burke ,holland more than any of my child-friends4 ,can ,i help it8 ,for though he is lively and sometimes frolicsome1 his manners are always good4 ,you never see him with his chair tipped up1 or his hat on in the house4 ,he never pushes ahead of you to get first out of the room4 ,if you are going out1 he holds open the door2 if weary1 it is ,burke who brings a glass of water1 places a chair1 hands a fan1 springs to pick up your handkerchief--and all this without being told to do so1 or interfering with his own gaiety in the least4 ,this attention isn't only given to me as the guest1 or to ,mrs4 ,jones when he visits her1 but to mamma1 ,aunt ,jennie1 and little sister1 just as carefully2 at home1 in school1 or at play1 there is always just as much guard against rudeness4 ,his courtesy is not merely for state occasions1 but a well-fitting garment worn constantly4 ,his manliness is genuine loving-kindness4 ,in fact1 that is exactly what real politeness is2 carefulness for others1 and watchfulness over ourselves1 lest our angles shall interfere with their comfort4 ,it is impossible for boys and girls to realize1 until they have grown too old to easily adopt new ones1 how important it is to guard against contracting carelessness and awkward habits of speech and manners4 ,some very unwisely think it is not necessary to be so very particular about these things except when company is present4 ,but this is a grave mistake1 for coarseness will betray itself in spite of the most watchful sentinelship4 ,it is impossible to indulge in one form of speech1 or have one set of manners at home1 and another abroad1 because in moments of confusion or bashfulness1 such as every young person feels sometimes who is sensitive and modest1 the habitual mode of expression will discover itself4 ,it is not1 however1 merely because refinement of speech and grace of manners are pleasing to the sense1 that our young friends are recommended to cultivate and practice them1 but because outward refinement of any sort reacts as it were on the character and makes it more sweet and gentle and lovable1 and these are qualities that attract and draw about the possessor a host of kind friends4 ,then again they increase self-respect4 ,the very consciousness that one prepossesses and pleases people1 makes most persons feel more respect for themselves1 just as the knowledge of being well dressed makes them feel more respectable4 ,you can see by this simple example1 how every effort persons make toward perfecting themselves brings some pleasant reward4 ,,believe ,,and ,,trust4 ,believe and trust4 ,through stars and suns1 ,through life and death1 through soul and sense1 ,his wise1 paternal purpose runs2 ,the darkness of his providence ,is star-lit with benign intents4 ,o joy supreme6 ,i know the ,voice1 ,like none beside on earth and sea2 ,yea1 more1 ,o soul of mine1 rejoice6 ,by all that he requires of me ,i know what ,god himself must be4 --,whittier4 ,,the ,,belle ,,of ,,the ,,ballroom4 ,only this once1 said ,edward ,allston1 fixing a pair of loving eyes on the beautiful girl beside him--only this once1 sister mine4 ,your dress will be my gift1 and will not1 therefore1 diminish your charity fund2 and besides1 if the influences of which you have spoken1 do1 indeed1 hang so alluringly about a ballroom1 should you not seek to guard me from their power8 ,you will go1 will you not8 ,for me--for me8 ,the ,saviour1 too1 whispered to the maiden1 ,decide for me--for me4 ,but her spirit did not recognize the tones1 for of late it had been bewildered with earthly music4 ,she paused1 however1 and her brother waited her reply in silence4 ,beware6 ,helen ,allston1 beware6 ,the sin is not lessened that the tempter is so near to thee4 ,like the sparkle of the red wine to the inebriate are the seductive influences of the ballroom4 ,thy foot will fall upon roses1 but they will be roses of this world1 not those that bloom for eternity4 ,thou wilt lose the fervor and purity of thy love1 the promptness of thy obedience1 the consolation of thy trust4 ,the holy calm of thy closet will become irksome to thee1 and thy power of resistance will be diminished many fold1 for this is the first great temptation4 ,but ,helen will not beware4 ,she forgets her ,saviour4 ,the melody of that rich voice is dearer to her than the pleadings of gospel memories4 ,two years previous to the scene just described1 ,helen ,allston hoped she had been converted4 ,for a time she was exact in the discharge of her social duties1 regular in her closet exercises1 ardent1 yet equable1 in her love4 ,conscious of her weakness1 she diligently used all those aids1 so fitted to sustain and cheer4 ,day by day1 she rekindled her torch at the holy fire which comes streaming on to us from the luminaries of the past--from ,baxter1 ,taylor1 and ,flavel1 and many a compeer whose names live in our hearts1 and linger on our lips4 ,she was alive to the present also4 ,upon her table a beautiful commentary1 upon the yet unfulfilled prophecies1 lay1 the records of missionary labor and success4 ,the sewing circle busied her active fingers1 and the ,sabbath-school kept her affections warm1 and rendered her knowledge practical and thorough4 ,but at length the things of the world began insensibly to win upon her regard4 ,she was the child of wealth1 and fashion spoke of her taste and elegance4 ,she was very lovely1 and the voice of flattery mingled with the accents of honest praise4 ,she was agreeable in manners1 sprightly in conversation1 and was courted and caressed4 ,she heard with more complacency1 reports from the gay circles she had once frequented1 and noted with more interest the ever-shifting pageantry of folly4 ,then she lessened her charities1 furnished her wardrobe more lavishly1 and was less scrupulous in the disposal of her time4 ,she formed acquaintances among the light and frivolous1 and to fit herself for intercourse with them1 read the books they read1 until others became insipid4 ,edward ,allston was proud of his sister1 and loved her1 too1 almost to idolatry4 ,they had scarcely been separated from childhood1 and it was a severe blow to him when she shunned the amusements they had so long shared together4 ,he admired indeed the excellency of her second life1 the beauty of her aspirations1 the loftiness of her aims1 but he felt deeply the want of that unity in hope and purpose which had existed between them4 ,he felt1 at times1 indignant1 as if something had been taken from himself4 ,therefore1 he strove by many a device to lure her into the path he was treading4 ,he was very selfish in this1 but he was unconscious of it4 ,he would have climbed precipices1 traversed continents1 braved the ocean in its wrath1 to have rescued her from physical danger1 but1 like many others1 thoughtless as himself1 he did not dream of the fearful importance of the result2 did not know that the ,infinite alone could compute the hazard of the tempted one4 ,thus far had he succeeded1 that she had consented to attend with him a brilliant ball4 ,it will be a superb affair1 he said1 half aloud1 as he walked down the street4 ,the music will be divine1 too4 ,and she used to be so fond of dancing6 ',t was a lovely girl spoiled1 when the black-coated gentry preached her into their notions4 ,and yet--and yet--pshaw6--all cant6--all cant6 ,what harm can there be in it8 ,and if she does withstand all this1 ,i will yield the point that there is something--yes1 a great deal in her religion4 ,so musing1 he proceeded to the shop of ,mrs4 ,crofton1 the most fashionable dressmaker in the place1 and forgot his momentary scruples in the consultation as to the proper materials for ,helen's dress1 which was to be a present from him1 and which he determined should be worthy her grace and beauty4 ,the ball was over1 and ,helen stood in her festal costume1 before the ample mirror in her chamber1 holding in one hand a white kid glove she had just withdrawn4 ,she had indeed been the belle of the ballroom4 ,simplicity of life1 and a joyous spirit1 are the wonder-workers1 and she was irresistibly bright and fresh among the faded and hackneyed of heated assembly rooms4 ,the most delicate and intoxicating flattery had been offered her1 and wherever she turned1 she met the glances of admiration4 ,her brother1 too1 had been proudly assiduous1 had followed her with his eyes so perpetually as to seem scarcely conscious of the presence of another2 and there she stood1 minute after minute1 lost in the recollections of her evening triumph4 ,almost queenlike looked she1 the rich folds of her satin robe giving fullness to her slender form1 and glittering as if woven with silver threads4 ,a chain of pearls lay on her neck1 and gleamed amid the shading curls1 which floated from beneath a chaplet of white roses4 ,she looked up at length1 smiled at her lovely reflection in the mirror1 and then wrapping herself in her dressing-gown1 took up a volume of sacred poems4 ,but when she attempted to read1 her mind wandered to the dazzling scene she had just quitted4 ,she knelt to pray1 but the brilliant vision haunted her still1 and ever as the wind stirred the vines about the window1 there came back that alluring music4 ,she rose with a pang of self-reproach4 ,instead of the confidence1 the consciousness of protection1 the holy serenity with which she usually sought her pillow1 she experienced an excitement and restlessness which nothing could allay4 ,she attempted to meditate1 but with every thought of duty came memories of the festal garlands1 and the blazing lamps1 and the flitting figures of the merry dancers4 ,an open ,bible lay on the window-seat and as she passed it she read3 ,another parable put he forth unto them1 saying3 ,the kingdom of heaven is likened to a man which sowed good seed in his field4 ,but while he slept1 his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat1 and went his way4 ,tears sprang to her eyes1 and she exclaimed1 ,in the field of my heart also hath the enemy sown tares4 ,she took up the book1 and read again2 then too soulful to remain quiet1 she rapidly paced the chamber4 ,resolutely and carefully she reviewed the past1 back to her first faint trembling hope4 ,rigorously1 as in the presence of her ,maker1 she scanned her first departure from the narrow path2 and if her earlier convictions were pungent1 tenfold more intense was the agony of this her second awakening4 ,in the solitude of his chamber1 ,edward thought with less elation of his successful plan4 ,he believed that ,helen would have yielded to no ordinary temptation1 and felt that he had been scarcely generous to enlist her affections against her principles4 ,his repeated1 ,it is but a trifle1 did not satisfy him2 and when he had listened hour after hour to her footfall1 he could no longer restrain his inclination to soothe her emotion4 ,in vain he assayed all the arguments1 all the sophistry1 which the world employs to attract the lukewarm professor4 ,illustration3 ,while ,he ,slept ,his ,enemy ,came and ,sowed ,tares ,among the ,wheat4 ,do not seek to console me1 said ,helen1 for such tears are salutary1 my dear brother4 ,i have virtually said that the joys of religion are fading and unsatisfactory2 ,i must sometimes seek for others4 ,i have quieted more than one uneasy conscience1 by throwing the influence of a professing ,christian into the scale of the world4 ,i have wandered from my ,father's side to the society of his rebel subjects4 ,and yet ,i have cause to mourn less for this one transgression1 than for the alienation of heart1 which led the way to it4 ,had ,i not fallen far1 very far1 from the strength and purity of my earlier love1 even your pleadings could not have moved me4 ,but the ,bible says nothing about such amusements1 ,helen4 ,not in words1 perhaps1 but in effect4 ,put the case to your own heart1 ,edward4 ,would you have me choose for my companions those who treat you with neglect8 ,would you wish me to frequent places1 whence ,i should return1 careless and cold in my manner toward you8 ,ah1 brother6 ,i loved ,god once4 ,i saw his hand in everything around me4 ,i felt his presence perpetually1 and trusted1 childlike1 to his protecting arm4 ,but now ,i regard him less1 pray less1 read less1 and give less4 ,and then she revealed to her brother her beautiful experience--beautiful till she grew negligent and formal--with a truth1 an earnestness1 a loving simplicity1 that for the first time gave him some insight into the nature of true piety4 ,and now1 dear ,edward1 she said1 read to me ,christ's prayer to the people1 that ,i may feel sure that they prayed for me4 ,as she listened1 the varying expressions of countenance indicated many and varied emotions4 ,submission1 sorrow1 love1 and faith--all were there4 ,when ,edward had finished they knelt together1 and ,helen sorrowfully1 yet hopefully1 poured out her full soul in confession1 and most touchingly she besought the divine compassion upon her erring brother4 ,the carol of the birds went up with the whispered amen of the penitent1 the blossoms of the climbing honeysuckle sent in her fragrance1 and the morning sun smiled on them as they rose from prayer4 ,the face of ,helen reflected her inward gladness1 and restored peace shone in her dark eyes and tranquil countenance4 ,thou art happier than ,i1 said ,edward1 as he turned from the chamber4 ,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,the ,,cross4 ,aye1 and the race is just begun1 ,the world is all before me now1 ,the sun is in the eastern sky1 ,and long the shadows westward lie2 ,in everything that meets my eye ,a splendor and a joy ,i mind ,a glory that is undesigned4 ,ah6 youth1 attempt that path with care1 ,the shadow of the cross is there4 ,i've time1 he said1 to rest awhile1 ,and sip the fragrant wine of life1 ,my lute to pleasure's halls ,i'll bring ,and while the sun ascends ,i'll sing1 ,and all my world without shall ring ,like merry chiming bells that peal ,not half the rapture that they feel4 ,alas6 he found but tangled moss1 ,above the shadow of the cross4 ,,christ ,,our ,,refuge ,there were six cities in the land of ,canaan which were set apart as places of refuge1 to which a man might flee if he had1 either by accident or design1 killed another4 ,these cities were easy of access4 ,three were on the west side of the river ,jordan1 and three on the east side4 ,every year the roads leading to them were examined1 to see that they were in good condition1 and that there was nothing in the way to stop the manslayer as he was running from his pursuer4 ,at different points there were the guide-boards1 and on them were written1 ,refuge6 ,refuge6 ,if any man by accident killed another1 and reached one of these cities before his pursuer1 he was allowed to stay there until the death of the high-priest who was then living4 ,but if in anger a man had purposely killed another1 then1 although he sought refuge in one of these cities1 he was given up to the avenger of blood to be slain4 ,you will find more about these cities and their names if you will read the thirty-fifth chapter of ,numbers1 the nineteenth chapter of ,deuteronomy1 and the twentieth chapter of ,joshua4 ,but what interest can boys and girls and all older persons have in these cities8 ,i will try to tell you4 ,god has different ways of teaching4 ,a great many things about which we read in the ,old ,testament are what is called types4 ,a type1 in scripture language1 means a pattern or a likeness to a person who is to come1 or to an event which is to take place4 ,it is supposed to point forward to something more valuable than itself4 ,thus1 for example1 the blood of the lamb which was slain on the ,jewish altar was a type1 or a foreshowing1 of the crucifixion of ,jesus ,christ for our salvation4 ,hence ,john the ,baptist pointing to the ,saviour1 said to his disciples1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world4 ,john #a3bi4 ,the paschal lamb1 which was slain to commemorate the deliverance of the ,jews from the bondage of ,egypt1 and the lamb which was offered daily1 both morning and evening1 in the service of the temple1 were representations of the greater sacrifice which ,christ came from heaven to make for our salvation4 ,so the land of ,canaan was a type of heaven4 ,the lifting up of the brazen serpent on a pole was a type of our ,saviour's crucifixion2 and the cities of refuge were a beautiful type of ,jesus ,christ1 who is the sinner's refuge4 ,you know1 my dear children1 that we have all sinned1 and that we all need a place of safety4 ,the avenger says1 ,thou shalt surely die4 ,escape for thy life4 ,but that we may not die eternally1 ,god has given us the ,bible as our guide-board2 and the ,bible is constantly pointing to ,jesus ,christ as the sinner's refuge4 ,he is our hiding-place4 ,it is to him ,isaiah refers when he says1 ,and a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind1 and a covert from the tempest2 as rivers of water in a dry place1 as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land4 ,the way to our city of refuge is plain4 ,i am the way1 is the ,saviour's own direction4 ,the gate is always open1 and the assurance is1 ,him that cometh to me ,i will in no wise cast out4 ,i want you to remember1 dear children1 that it is a great deal easier to run to this city of refuge when you are young1 than it will be if you put it off until you are older4 ,the promise of the ,saviour is1 ,those that seek me early shall find me4 ,will you not seek him when he may be found8 ,how sad it will be if you neglect to do so4 ,you will need a refuge when the tempest of ,god's judgments shall burst upon the wicked4 ,oh1 then how glad you will be if you can say1 as ,david said of his trust in ,god1 ,thou art my hiding-place2 thou shalt preserve me from trouble2 thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance4 ,,the ,,master',s ,,hand4 ,in the still air the music lies unheard2 ,in the rough marble beauty hides unseen2 ,to make the music and the beauty needs ,a master's touch1 the sculptor's chisel keen4 ,great ,master1 touch us with ,thy skilled hand3 ,let not the music that is in us die6 ,great ,sculptor1 hew and polish us1 nor let ,hidden and lost1 ,thy form within us lie6 ,spare not the stroke6 ,do with us as thou wilt6 ,let there be naught unfinished1 broken1 marred2 ,complete ,thy purpose1 that we may become ,thy perfect image1 ,thou our ,god and ,lord6 ,,tom',s ,,trial4 ,it was a pleasant day in that particularly pleasant part of the summer time1 which the boys call vacation1 when ,tiger and ,tom walked slowly down the street together4 ,you may think it strange that ,i mention ,tiger first1 but ,i assure you ,tom would not have been in the least offended by the preference4 ,indeed1 he would have assured you that ,tiger was a most wonderful dog1 and knew as much as any two boys1 though this might be called extravagant4 ,nearly a year ago1 on ,tom's birthday1 ,tiger arrived as a present from ,tom's uncle1 and as he leaped with a dignified bound from the wagon in which he made his journey1 ,tom looked for a moment into his great1 wise eyes1 and impulsively threw his arms around his shaggy neck4 ,tiger1 on his part1 was pleased with ,tom's bright face1 and most affectionately licked his smooth cheeks4 ,so the league of friendship was complete in an hour4 ,tom had a pleasant1 round face1 and you might live with him a week1 and think him one of the noblest1 most generous boys you ever knew4 ,but some day you would probably discover that he had a most violent temper4 ,you would be frightened to see his face crimson with rage1 as he stamped his feet1 shook his little sister1 spoke improperly to his mother1 and above all1 displeased his great ,father in heaven4 ,now ,i am going to tell you of one great trial on this account1 which ,tom never forgot to the end of his life4 ,tiger and ,tom were walking down the street together1 when they met ,dick ,casey1 a school-fellow of ,tom's4 ,o ,dick6 cried ,tom1 ,i'm going to father's grain store a little while4 ,let's go up in the loft and play4 ,dick had just finished his work in his mother's garden1 and was all ready for a little amusement4 ,so the two went up together1 and enjoyed themselves highly for a long time4 ,but at last arose one of those trifling disputes1 in which little boys are so apt to indulge4 ,pretty soon there were angry words1 then 7,oh1 how sorry ,i am to say it671 ,tom's wicked passions got the mastery of him1 and he beat little ,dick severely4 ,tiger1 who must have been ashamed of his master1 pulled hard at his coat1 and whined piteously1 but all in vain4 ,at last ,tom stopped1 from mere exhaustion4 ,there1 now6 he cried1 which is right1 you or ,i8 ,i am1 sobbed ,dick1 and you tell a lie4 ,tom's face flushed crimson1 and darting upon ,dick1 he gave him a sudden push4 ,alas6 he was near to the open door4 ,dick screamed1 threw up his arms1 and in a moment was gone4 ,tom's heart stood still1 and an icy chill crept over him from head to foot4 ,at first he could not stir2 then--he never knew how he got there1 but he found himself standing beside his little friend4 ,some men were raising him carefully from the hard sidewalk4 ,is he dead8 almost screamed ,tom4 ,no1 replied one1 we hope not4 ,how did he fall out8 ,he didn't fall1 groaned ,tom1 who never could be so mean as to tell a lie1 ,i pushed him out4 ,you pushed him1 you wicked boy1 cried a rough voice4 ,do you know you ought to be sent to jail1 and if he dies1 maybe you'll be hung4 ,tom grew as white as ,dick1 whom he had followed into the store1 and he heard all that passed as if in a dream4 ,is he badly hurt8 cried some one4 ,only his hands1 was the answer4 ,the rope saved him1 he caught hold of the rope and slipped down2 but his hands are dreadfully torn--he has fainted from pain4 ,just then ,tom's father came in1 and soon understood the case4 ,the look he gave at his unhappy son1 so full of sorrow1 not unmingled with pity1 was too much for ,tom1 and he stole out1 followed by the faithful ,tiger4 ,he wandered to the woods1 and threw himself upon the ground4 ,one hour ago he was a happy boy1 and now what a terrible change6 ,what has made the difference8 ,nothing but the indulgence of this wicked1 violent temper4 ,his mother had often warned him of the fearful consequences4 ,she had told him that little boys who would not learn to govern themselves1 grew up to be very wicked men1 and often became murderers in some moment of passion4 ,and now1 ,tom shuddered to think he was almost a murderer6 ,nothing but ,god's great mercy in putting that rope in ,dick's way1 had saved him from carrying that load of sorrow and guilt all the rest of his life4 ,but poor ,dick1 he might die yet--how pale he looked--how strange6 ,tom fell upon his knees1 and prayed ,god to spare ,dick's life1 and from that time forth1 with ,god's help1 he promised that he would strive to conquer this wicked passion4 ,then1 as he could no longer bear his terrible suspense1 he started for ,widow ,casey's cottage4 ,as he appeared at the humble door1 ,mrs4 ,casey angrily ordered him away1 saying3 ,you have made a poor woman trouble enough for one day4 ,but ,dick's feeble voice entreated1 ,o mother1 let him come in2 ,i was just as bad as he4 ,tom gave a cry of joy at hearing these welcome tones1 and sprang hastily in4 ,there sat poor ,dick with his hands bound up1 looking very pale1 but ,tom thanked ,god that he was alive4 ,i should like to know how ,i am to live now1 sighed ,mrs4 ,casey4 ,who will weed the garden1 and carry my vegetables to market8 ,i am afraid we shall suffer for bread before the summer is over1 and she put her apron to her eyes4 ,mrs4 ,casey1 cried ,tom1 eagerly1 ,i will do everything that ,dick did4 ,i will sell the potatoes and beans1 and will drive ,mr4 ,brown's cows to pasture4 ,mrs4 ,casey shook her head incredulously1 but ,tom bravely kept his word4 ,for the next few weeks ,tom was at his post bright and early1 and the garden was never kept in better order4 ,and every morning ,tiger and ,tom stood faithfully in the market-place with their baskets1 and never gave up1 no matter how warm the day1 till the last vegetable was sold1 and the money placed faithfully in ,mrs4 ,casey's hand4 ,tom's father often passed through the market1 and gave his little son an encouraging smile1 but he did not offer to help him out of his difficulty1 for he knew if ,tom struggled on alone1 it would be a lesson he would never forget4 ,already he was becoming so gentle and patient1 that every one noticed the change1 and his mother rejoiced over the sweet fruits of his repentance and self-sacrifice4 ,after a few weeks the bandages were removed from ,dick's hands1 but they had been unskilfully treated1 and were drawn up in very strange shapes4 ,mrs4 ,casey could not conceal her grief4 ,he will never be the help he was before1 she said to ,tom1 he will never be like other boys1 and he wrote such a fine hand1 now he can no more make a letter than that little chicken in the garden4 ,if we only had a great city doctor1 said a neighbor1 he might have been all right4 ,even now his fingers might be helped if you should take him to ,new ,york4 ,oh1 ,i am too poor1 too poor1 said she1 and burst into tears4 ,tom could not bear it1 and again rushed into the woods to think what could be done1 for he had already given them all his quarter's allowance4 ,all at once a thought flashed into his head1 and he started as if he had been shot4 ,then he cried in great distress3-- ,no1 no1 anything but that1 ,i can't do that6 ,tiger gently licked his hands1 and watched him with great concern4 ,now came a great struggle4 ,tom stroked him backward and forward1 and although he was a proud boy1 he sobbed aloud4 ,tiger whined1 licked his face1 rushed off into dark corners1 and barked savagely at some imaginary enemy1 and then came back1 and putting his paws on ,tom's knees1 wagged his tail in anxious sympathy4 ,at last ,tom took his hands from his pale1 tear-stained face1 and looking into the dog's great honest eyes1 he cried with a queer shake of his voice3-- ,tiger1 old fellow6 dear old dog1 could you ever forgive me if ,i sold you8 ,then came another burst of sorrow1 and ,tom rose hastily1 as if afraid to trust himself1 and almost ran out of the woods4 ,over the fields he raced1 with ,tiger close at his heels1 nor rested a moment till he stood at ,major ,white's door1 nearly two miles away4 ,do you still want ,tiger1 sir8 ,why yes1 said the old man in great surprise1 but do you want to sell him8 ,yes1 please1 gasped ,tom1 not daring to look at his old companion4 ,the exchange was quickly made1 and the ten dollars in ,tom's hand4 ,tiger was beguiled into a barn1 and the door hastily shut1 and ,tom was hurrying off1 when he turned and cried in a choking voice-- ,you will be kind to him1 ,major ,white1 won't you8 ,don't whip him1 ,i never did1 and he's the best dog-- ,no1 no1 child1 said ,major ,white1 kindly2 ,i'll treat him like a prince1 and if you ever want to buy him back1 you shall have him4 ,tom managed to falter1 ,thank you1 and almost flew out of hearing of ,tiger's eager scratching on the barn door4 ,i am making my story too long1 and can only tell you in a few words that ,tom's sacrifice was accepted4 ,a friend took little ,dick to the city free of expense1 and ,tom's money paid for the necessary operation4 ,the poor crooked fingers were very much improved1 and were soon almost as good as ever4 ,and the whole village loved ,tom for his brave1 self-sacrificing spirit1 and the noble atonement he had made for his moment of passion4 ,a few days after ,dick's return came ,tom's birthday1 but he did not feel in his usual spirits4 ,in spite of his great delight in ,dick's recovery1 he had so mourned over the matter1 and had taken ,tiger's loss so much to heart1 that he had grown quite pale and thin4 ,so1 as he was permitted to spend the day as he pleased1 he took his books and went to his favorite haunt in the woods4 ,how different from my last birthday1 thought ,tom4 ,then ,tiger had just come1 and ,i was so happy1 though ,i didn't like him half so well as ,i do now4 ,tom sighed heavily2 then added more cheerfully1 ,well1 ,i hope some things are better than they were last year4 ,i hope ,i have begun to conquer myself1 and with ,god's help ,i will never give up trying while ,i live4 ,now if ,i could only earn money enough to buy back dear old ,tiger4 ,while ,tom was busied with these thoughts he heard a hasty1 familiar trot1 a quick bark of joy1 and the brave old dog sprang into ,tom's arms4 ,tiger1 old fellow1 cried ,tom1 trying to look fierce1 though he could scarcely keep down the tears1 how came you to run away1 sir8 ,tiger responded by picking up a letter he had dropped in his first joy1 and laying it in ,tom's hand3-- ,my ,dear ,child3 ,tiger is pining1 and ,i must give him a change of air4 ,i wish him to have a good master1 and knowing that the best ones are those who have learned to govern themselves1 ,i send him to you4 ,will you take care of him and greatly oblige ,your old friend1 ,major ,white4 ,tom then read through a mist of tears-- ,p4 ,s4 ,i know the whole story4 ,dear young friend1 ',be not weary in well-doing4' ,,what ,,counts4 ,did you tackle the trouble that came your way1 ,with a resolute heart and cheerful1 ,or hide your face from the light of day ,with a craven face and fearful4 ,o1 a trouble's a ton1 or a trouble's an ounce4 ,a trouble is what you make it4 ,it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts1 ,but only1 ,,how ,,did ,,you ,,take ,,it8 ,you are beaten to the earth8 ,well1 what of that8 ,come up with a smiling face4 ,it's nothing against you to fall down flat2 ,but to ,,lie ,,there--that's disgrace4 ,the harder you're thrown1 the higher you'll bounce1 ,be proud of your blackened eye4 ,it isn't the fact that you're licked that counts1 ,but1 ,,how did you fight1 and ,,why8 ,and though you be down to death1 what then8 ,if you battled the best that you could1 ,if you played your part in the world of men1 ,the ,critic will call it good4 ,death comes with a crawl1 or comes with a pounce1 ,and whether he's slow or spry1 ,it isn't the fact that you're ,,dead that counts1 ,but only ,,how ,,did ,,you ,,die8 --,cooke4 ,,the ,,premium4 ,i think ,i am sure of one premium at least1 said ,edward1 as he placed himself upon the form among his school-fellows4 ,it was examination day1 and many a young heart was beating quick with the hope of approbation and reward1 or with the fear of disgrace4 ,some had looked forward to this day1 and applied to their tasks1 knowing how carefully they should be examined1 and commended or punished according to their deservings4 ,others had chosen to forget that such a day must come1 and idled away the time which they would now have given a great deal to have at their disposal again4 ,in the center of the schoolroom was placed a long table1 covered with books of various sizes and of different value4 ,there were ,bibles and ,testaments1 both large and small1 the histories of ,rome1 of ,greece1 and of ,england4 ,there were volumes elegantly bound and pamphlets just stitched together4 ,the school was extensive1 and it was wished that every one who had exerted himself to the best of his ability1 however little that might be1 should carry home with him some mark of encouragement1 to remind him that diligence and perseverance were not overlooked4 ,like the servants to whom the ,lord entrusted the talents1 some had five1 and some had but one1 yet these last could not be excused for hiding and neglecting it because it was small2 even the youngest and the simplest child at school may make something of the reason and opportunities which the ,lord has given him to improve4 ,with anxious hearts and busy faces the boys arranged themselves around the table2 and were examined with great care and patience by their teachers1 as to the progress they had made in their studies4 ,now1 ,edward had set his heart on one particular premium1 the ,roman ,history1 neatly bound1 and making two very pretty volumes1 which he thought would handsomely fill up a vacant space on his little book-shelves4 ,he allowed himself to think of this until no other prize was of any value in his sight1 a great fault1 often committed by children1 and grown people1 too2 who instead of thankfully receiving whatever the bounty of ,providence assigns them1 would choose for themselves2 and become discontented and unhappy in the midst of blessings1 because the wisdom of ,god sees fit to withhold some one thing that their folly deems necessary to their happiness4 ,edward passed his examination with much credit1 and one of the first premiums was adjudged to him2 but instead of the ,roman ,history1 a very neat ,bible1 in excellent large type1 was placed in his hands4 ,many of his schoolmates had wished for that ,bible1 but ,edward regarded it not2 and the eyes of the foolish boy filled with tears1 as he saw the elegant history of ,rome presented to another1 who1 perhaps1 would gladly have exchanged with him4 ,the next day ,edward returned home and related his disappointment to his parents1 who thought his desire for the ,roman ,history a mark of great learning and taste2 but since he had distinguished himself so well they did not much care what prize he received4 ,edward's father lived in the country1 not far from the seaside1 in a most delightful and healthy situation2 and at this time his mother's brother1 who was in a very sickly state1 had just arrived there to enjoy the benefit of the sea-breezes1 and rest a little from the toil and bustle of his employments in ,london4 ,mr4 ,lewis was a young man of the most pleasing manners and appearance4 ,he was very gentle and serious1 but not at all gloomy or severe4 ,his bad health only served to show forth his patience in enduring it without a murmuring word or discontented look2 and ,edward1 who was really a kind-hearted and affectionate boy1 soon became very much attached to his uncle1 who had not seen him since he was an infant1 and who was much pleased at the attentions his nephew delighted to pay him4 ,young hearts are soon won2 and it was only three days after ,edward's return from school1 that he went bounding over the grounds in search of his uncle1 whose society he already preferred to his hoop and ball4 ,mr4 ,lewis was seated under a fine old oak-tree1 the high and knotted roots of which served as a seat2 while the soft moss1 interspersed with many delicate little flowers1 was like a carpet beneath his feet4 ,a rich and extensive tract of country lay spread before his eyes2 and1 at a distance the mighty ocean bounded the prospect1 whose deep green waters were seen in beautiful contrast with the pale yellow cliff1 that with a graceful1 yet abrupt curve1 interrupted the view to the right4 ,thin clouds were floating past the sun every now and then1 and threw all the varieties of light and shade upon the lovely scene below4 ,mr4 ,lewis had a book in his hand1 into which he frequently looked1 and then raised his eyes again to gaze upon the varieties that surrounded him2 and so intent he seemed1 that ,edward doubted whether he ought to disturb him1 until his uncle1 seeing him at some little distance1 kindly beckoned him to come near4 ,is not this a pretty place1 uncle8 said ,edward1 as he seated himself beside him2 and do you not find the breeze from the water very refreshing8 ,it is beautiful indeed1 my dear boy2 and ,i am deriving both refreshment and instruction while ,i look around me4 ,is that a ,bible1 uncle8 ,yes4 ,it is ,god's word1 which ,i always find the best commentary upon his works2 they explain each other4 ,i love the ,bible too1 uncle1 said ,edward1 and ,i got much credit for my answering on ,scripture questions last half-year4 ,and which1 ,edward1 afforded you the greater satisfaction1 the ,scriptures1 or the credit you got for studying them8 ,edward looked a little embarrassed and did not immediately reply4 ,it is quite right to take pleasure in the well-earned approbation of your teachers1 continued ,mr4 ,lewis1 and ,i was glad to hear that you obtained a premium at the last examination also4 ,yes1 uncle1 but not the prize ,i wished for4 ,there was a ,roman ,history that ,i should have liked better1 and it was just of equal value with the ,bible that ,i got4 ,how of equal value1 ,edward8 ,i mean that it was not reckoned a higher prize1 and it would have been a nicer book for me4 ,then you had a ,bible already8 ,why1 no1 uncle1 not of my own1 but it is easy to borrow one on the ,sabbath2 and ,i had gone through all my ,scripture proofs1 and do not want it on other days4 ,read these four verses for me1 said ,mr4 ,lewis1 pointing to the sixth chapter of ,deuteronomy commencing with the sixth verse4 ,edward read3 ,and these words which ,i command thee this day1 shall be in thine heart2 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children1 and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house1 and when thou walkest by the way1 and when thou liest down1 and when thou risest up2 and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand1 and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes1 and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house1 and on thy gates4 ,to whom was this command given1 ,edward8 ,to the ,jews1 uncle4 ,yes2 and the word of ,god1 which cannot pass away1 is as much binding on us as on them1 in everything excepting the sacrifices and ceremonies1 which foreshowed the coming of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and which were done away with1 by his death's fulfilling all those types and shadows4 ,then1 said ,edward1 we are commanded to write the ,bible on our hands and on our door-posts4 ,no1 my dear boy1 not literally1 but in a figure of speech2 as the ,lord1 when declaring he never will forget ,zion1 says1 ',i have graven thee upon the palms of my hands2 thy walls are continually before me4' ,the meaning of the passage you first read is that we must have the word of ,god as continually present to our minds as anything written on our hands1 and on every object around us1 would be to our bodily sight4 ,and how are we to get our thoughts so occupied by it1 ,edward8 ,by continually reading it1 ,i suppose1 replied ,edward1 rather sullenly4 ,by reading it often1 and meditating on it much1 said his uncle2 and that we can do without interfering with our other business4 ,without prayer you cannot obtain any spiritual blessing1 nor maintain any communion with ,god2 and without reading the ,scriptures you will have but little desire to pray4 ,we are like people wandering in the dark1 while the ,bible is as a bright lamp held out to direct us in the only safe path4 ,you cannot be a child of ,god if you do not his will2 you cannot do it unless you know it1 and it is by the ,bible he is pleased to communicate that knowledge4 ,do you begin to see1 ,edward1 that the ,bible is more suitable to be an every-day book than your profane history8 ,why1 yes1 uncle2 but the ,bible is a grave book1 and if ,i read it so constantly ,i never should be merry4 ,there is no merriment among the lost1 ,edward2 and that dreadful lot will be your portion if you neglect the great salvation which the ,scriptures set forth4 ,besides1 there is no foundation for what you suppose to be the effect of reading the ,bible4 ,i have known people naturally melancholy and discontented1 to become cheerful and happy by studying it2 but ,i never in my life saw an instance of a person's becoming unhappy because he had a good hope of going to heaven4 ,edward paused a moment1 and then said1 ,uncle1 ,i remember it is written concerning wisdom1 that 'her ways are ways of pleasantness1 and all her paths are peace4' ,most true1 my dear boy1 'quietness and assurance forever' is the portion of ,god's people4 ',rejoice in the ,lord always1 and again ,i say1 rejoice4' ',the ransomed of the ,lord shall return1 and come to ,zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads2 they shall obtain joy and gladness2 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away4' ,are such expressions as these likely to make us gloomy1 ,edward8 ,o1 no1 uncle2 and ,i often wonder that you1 who suffer so much pain1 and read the ,bible constantly1 are not melancholy4 ,how can ,i be melancholy1 ,edward1 when the ,bible tells me that all these things are working together for my spiritual good8 that ,he who spared not his own ,son1 but delivered him up for us all1 will with him also freely give us all things8 ,when ,i think of what my sins deserve1 and see the ,lamb of ,god bearing the chastisement that should fall on me1 how can ,i be melancholy8 ,when ,i feel that the ,spirit of ,god is bringing these things to my remembrance1 and enabling me to love the ,lord ,jesus1 who has done so much for me1 must ,i not rejoice8 ,i know that in me1 that is1 in my flesh1 dwelleth no good thing2 and since ,god has promised forgiveness to all who seek that blessing through his ,son2 and since ,i feel assured that ,i have sought that blessing1 and feel peace and joy in believing1 surely the song of praise1 not the moan of lamentation1 becomes me4 ,yet ,i do lament1 ,edward1 daily lament1 my many offenses against ,god2 but ,i am assured that ,christ's blood cleanseth from all sin1 and that in him ,i have a powerful and all-prevailing ,advocate with the ,father4 ,i know in whom ,i have believed1 and that he will never cast off nor forsake me4 ,i am sinking into the grave1 but ,i do not shrink from that prospect1 because the bitterness of death is taken away by my ,saviour1 who died for my sins1 and rose again for my justification2 and though this body returns to dust1 ,i shall live again1 and enter into the presence of my ,redeemer1 and rejoice there evermore4 ,edward looked at the animated countenance of his uncle1 and then cast down his eyes2 they were full of tears4 ,at last he said1 ,uncle1 indeed ,i am a very sinful boy1 neglecting the ,bible1 because ,i know it would show me my sin1 and the consequences of it4 ,but ,i will trifle no more with ,god's displeasure4 ,i will get that precious ,bible1 worth a thousand ,roman histories1 and ,i will read it daily1 with prayer1 that ,i may be wise unto salvation4 ,mr4 ,lewis did not live long after this4 ,he died1 rejoicing in hope of eternal life2 and as often as ,edward was permitted to return home from his school1 he was to be seen under the old oak1 with the ,bible in his hand1 from which he learned more and more the will of his ,god and ,saviour--the utter sinfulness of his own nature--his inability to help himself2 and from this holy word he learned to place all his dependence on the righteousness of his ,saviour--to follow the example of his ,saviour1 in prayer1 in resignation1 and in doing good to the poor around him4 ,he often thought of his dear uncle1 and counted that day happy when he sat to listen to his kind advice1 which1 as a means1 brought him to a knowledge of himself and of his heavenly ,father4 ,,our ,,neighbors4 ,somebody near you is struggling alone ,over life's desert sand2 ,faith1 hope1 and courage together are gone2 ,reach him a helping hand2 ,turn on his darkness a beam of your light2 ,kindle1 to guide him1 a beacon fire bright2 ,cheer his discouragement1 soothe his affright1 ,lovingly help him to stand4 ,somebody near you is hungry and cold2 ,send him some aid to-day2 ,somebody near you is feeble and old1 ,left without human stay4 ,under his burdens put hands kind and strong2 ,speak to him tenderly1 sing him a song2 ,haste to do something to help him along ,over his weary way4 ,dear one1 be busy1 for time fleeth fast1 ,soon it will all be gone2 ,soon will our season of service be past1 ,soon will our day be done4 ,somebody near you needs now a kind word2 ,some one needs help1 such as you can afford2 ,haste to assist in the name of the ,lord2 ,there may be a soul to be won4 ,a ,,kind ,,word4 ,within each soul the ,god above ,plants the rich jewel1--human love4 ,the fairest gem that graces youth ,is love's companion1--fearless truth4 ,william and ,henry were clerks in a large wholesale establishment4 ,they met one morning on their way to the store and proceeded together4 ,after talking awhile on various subjects1 the following dialogue took place3-- ,by the way1 ,william1 said ,henry1 ,i understand you were last evening at ----'s1 naming a fashionable billiard saloon4 ,a mistake1 ,henry4 ,i was never in a billiard saloon4 ,well1 ,i thought it very strange when ,i heard it4 ,why so8 ,why8 said ,henry in astonishment4 ,why1 because you are a religious young man and a church member4 ,do you ever visit such places1 ,henry8 ,oh1 yes2 but that is quite a different matter4 ,i don't profess to be a ,christian1 you know4 ,you would think it wrong for me to be there8 ,of course ,i should4 ,and right for you8 ,well1 yes2 there's no harm in my being there4 ,why not8 ,why1 because--because ,i do not profess to be bound by the same obligations that you are4 ,and who has released you from those same obligations and imposed them upon me8 ,oh1 well1 now1 there's no use in talking1 ,william2 you know that ,christians do not and ought not to engage in what they consider pernicious amusements4 ,i certainly do know that they ought not2 but ,i wish to know why it is wrong for them and right for others4 ,you know the fact that it is so4 ,no1 ,i do not know that it is2 and ,i wish to call your attention to the truth that the obligation to refrain from evil rests upon every rational human being in a ,christian land1 for ,god has commanded all men to love and obey him2 also1 to the fact that the difference between the ,christian and the sinner is that one acknowledges the obligation1 while the other denies it2 and that the denial does not remove the obligation4 ,god has not invited you to love him if you prefer to do so2 but he has absolutely commanded you and me to love and obey him4 ,i have the right1 if you have1 to engage in any kind of amusement1 and to follow my inclinations in all things2 and it is your duty1 equally with mine1 to honor our ,master's law by shunning every wicked way4 ,think of this1 friend ,henry1 ,i entreat you1 and acknowledge the responsibility which you cannot remove2 and from which1 after accepting1 you will not desire to be released4 ,they had arrived at the store1 and each went to his own department4 ,these young men had entered the employment of ,a4 ,b4 ,sons at the same time1 about two years before the above conversation occurred4 ,william had gained the confidence of his employers1 and had risen in position4 ,the senior partner intended retiring from business1 and was looking about for a ,christian young man of ability and energy to propose as a partner for his sons2 and had lately been thinking of ,william as a suitable person4 ,he had observed him closely1 and thought he saw in him the habits and qualifications necessary to make a successful business man4 ,he had also been watching ,henry's course4 ,he had heard of him at places where a young man who aspires to positions of truth and honor will never be seen1 and was about proposing his discharge to the other members of the firm4 ,he knew that a clerk whose style of living requires more money than his salary gives him will be very likely1 indeed almost sure1 to resort to dishonest practices to make up the deficiency4 ,instances of this kind are every day occurring in our cities2 and as long as we meet1 as we may every morning and evening in the ,broadway stages1 dainty looking young men1 dressed in finer and fresher broadcloth than their employers wear1 with heavy gold chains1 fine chronometers1 and diamond pins and rings1 we may expect to hear of a great many more4 ,that morning's conversation made a deep impression upon ,henry's mind4 ,the subject had never been presented to him in that light before4 ,he had imagined1 as young persons are apt to suppose1 that no moral responsibility rested upon him till he assumed it publicly by uniting with the church4 ,henry did not mean to die a sinner4 ,oh1 no2 he fully intended1 after he had enjoyed what he considered the pleasures of youth1 to settle down into ,christian manhood4 ,after this talk with ,william he could not get rid of the idea of accountability to his ,god4 ,his wicked amusements and extravagant habits appeared to him as they never had done before1 and he began to see their inevitable tendency4 ,the result was an entire change in his aims and conduct4 ,this was so marked that it very soon became known to all of his associates1 and1 of course1 to his employers4 ,he remained in that house2 gradually rising to the highest clerkship1 and1 finally1 becoming the junior partner of the firm of which ,william had for some time been a member4 ,his happiness and prosperity he always attributed to the word kindly spoken at the right time by his fellow clerk4 ,he has been successful not only as a merchant1 but as a ,christian1 exerting a powerful influence for good upon all about him1 but particularly upon the young men employed in his house4 ,live for something6 ,all created ,nature doth reciprocate ,her kindness4 ,should the animated ,this great law invalidate8 ,rather show thy grateful praises ,to thy ,god who reigns above1 ,in acts that ,sorrow's soul releases-- ',words of kindness1' 'deeds of love4' ,,another ,,commandment ,a new presiding elder1 ,mr4 ,n41 was expected in the district2 and as all the ministers stopped with ,brother ,w4 and his wife1 every preparation was made to give him a cordial reception4 ,the honest couple thought that religion in that part consisted in making parade1 and therefore the parlor was put in order1 a nice fire was made1 and the kitchen replenished with cake1 chickens1 and every delicacy1 preparatory to cooking4 ,while ,mr4 ,w4 was out at the wood-pile1 a plain-looking1 coarsely dressed1 but quiet-like pedestrian1 came along and asked the distance to the next town4 ,he was told it was three miles4 ,being very cold1 he asked permission to enter and warm himself4 ,assent was given very grudgingly1 and both went into the kitchen4 ,the wife looked daggers at this untimely intrusion1 for the stranger had on cowhide boots1 an old hat1 and a threadbare1 but neatly patched coat4 ,at length she gave him a chair beside the ,dutch oven which was baking nice cakes for the presiding elder1 who was momentarily expected1 as he was to preach the next day at the church a mile or two beyond4 ,the stranger1 after warming himself1 prepared to leave1 but the weather became inclement1 and as his appetite was aroused by the viands about the fire1 he asked for some little refreshment ere he set out for a cold walk to the town beyond4 ,mrs4 ,w4 was displeased1 but on consultation with her husband1 cold bacon and bread were set out on an old table1 and he was somewhat gruffly told to eat4 ,it was growing dark1 and hints were thrown out that the stranger had better depart1 as it was three long miles to town4 ,the homely meal was at last concluded--the man thanked him kindly for the hospitality he had received1 and opened the door to go4 ,but it was quite dark and the clouds denoting a storm filled the heavens4 ,you say it is full three miles to ,d----8 ,i do1 said ,mr4 ,w4 coldly4 ,i said so when you first stopped1 and you ought to have pushed on1 like a prudent man4 ,you could have reached there before it was quite dark4 ,but ,i was cold and hungry1 and might have fainted by the way4 ,his manner of saying this touched the farmer's feelings a little4 ,you have warmed and fed me1 for which ,i am thankful4 ,will you now bestow another act of kindness upon one in a strange place1 who if he goes out into the darkness1 may lose himself and perish in the cold8 ,the particular form in which this request was made1 and the tone in which it was uttered1 put it out of the farmer's heart to say no4 ,go in there and sit down1 he answered1 pointing to the kitchen1 and ,i will see my wife and hear what she says4 ,and ,mr4 ,w4 went into the parlor where the supper table stood1 covered with snow-white cloth1 and displaying his wife's set of blue-sprigged china1 that was brought out only on special occasions4 ,the tall mold candles were burning thereon1 and on the hearth blazed a cheerful fire4 ,hasn't that old fellow gone yet8 asked ,mrs4 ,w4 ,she heard his voice as he returned from the door4 ,no1 and what do you suppose1 he wants us to let him stay all night4 ,indeed1 we will do no such thing4 ,we cannot have the likes of him in the house now4 ,where could he sleep8 ,not in the best room1 even if ,mr4 ,n4 did not come4 ,no1 indeed6 ,but really ,i don't see1 ,jane1 how we can turn him out of doors4 ,he doesn't look like a strong man1 and it's full three miles to ,d----4 ,it's too much2 he ought to have gone on while he had daylight1 and not lingered here1 as he did1 till it got dark4 ,we can't turn him out of doors1 ,jane1 and it's no use to think of it4 ,he'll have to stay somehow4 ,but what can we do with him8 ,he seems like a decent man at least2 and doesn't look as if he had anything bad about him4 ,we might make a bed on the floor4 ,when ,mr4 ,w4 returned to the kitchen1 where the stranger had seated himself before the fire1 he informed him that he had decided to let him stay all night4 ,the man expressed in few words his grateful sense of their kindness1 and then became silent and thoughtful4 ,soon after the farmer's wife1 giving up all hope of ,mr4 ,n4's arrival1 had supper taken up1 which consisted of coffee1 warm short-cake1 and broiled chicken4 ,after all was on the table1 a short conference was held as to whether it would do not to invite the stranger to take supper4 ,it was true they had given him as much bread and bacon as he could eat1 but then1 as long as he was going to stay all night1 it looked too inhospitable to sit down to the table and not ask him to join them4 ,so1 making a virtue of necessity1 he was kindly asked to come to supper--an invitation which he did not decline4 ,grace was said over the meal by ,mr4 ,w41 and the coffee poured1 and the bread helped1 and the meat carved4 ,there was a fine little boy1 six years old1 at the table1 who had been brightened up and dressed in his best1 in order to grace the minister's reception4 ,charles was full of talk1 and the parents felt a mutual pride in showing him off1 even before their humble guest1 who noticed him particularly1 though he had not much to say4 ,come1 ,charley1 said ,mr4 ,w41 after the meal was over1 and he sat leaning in his chair1 can't you repeat the pretty hymn mamma taught you last ,sabbath8 ,charley started off without any further invitation1 and repeated very accurately two or three verses of a camp-meeting hymn1 that was then popular4 ,now let us hear you say the commandments1 ,charley1 spoke up the mother1 well pleased with her son's performance4 ,and ,charley repeated them with a little prompting4 ,how many commandments are there8 asked the father4 ,the child hesitated1 and then looking at the stranger1 near whom he sat1 said innocently3-- ,how many are there8 ,the man thought for some moments1 and said1 as if in doubt1 ,eleven1 are there not8 ,eleven6 ejaculated ,mrs4 ,w4 in unfeigned surprise4 ,eleven8 said her husband with more rebuke than astonishment in his voice4 ,is it possible1 sir1 that you do not know how many commandments there are8 ,how many are there1 ,charley8 ,come1 tell me--you know1 of course4 ,ten1 replied the child4 ,right1 my son1 returned ,mr4 ,w41 looking with a smile of approval on the child4 ,right1 there isn't a child of his age in ten miles who can't tell you there are ten commandments4 ,did you ever read the ,bible1 sir8 addressing the stranger4 ,when ,i was a boy ,i used to read it sometimes4 ,but ,i am sure ,i thought that there were eleven commandments4 ,are you not mistaken about there being ten8 ,sister ,w4 lifted her hands in unfeigned astonishment1 and exclaimed3-- ,could any one believe it8 such ignorance of the ,bible6 ,mr4 ,w4 did not reply1 but rose1 and going to the corner of the room where the good book lay upon the stand1 he put it on the table before him1 and opened to that portion in which the commandments are recorded4 ,there1 he said1 placing his finger upon the proof of the stranger's error1 ,there1 look for yourself4 ,the man came around from his side of the table and looked over the stranger's shoulder4 ,there1 do'ye see8 ,yes1 it does say so1 replied the man1 and yet it seems to me there are eleven4 ,i'm sure ,i always thought so4 ,doesn't it say ten here8 inquired ,mr4 ,w4 with marked impatience in his voice4 ,it does1 certainly4 ,well1 what more do you want8 ,can't you believe the ,bible8 ,oh1 yes1 ,i believe the ,bible2 and yet it strikes me somehow that there must be eleven commandments4 ,hasn't one been added somewhere else8 ,now this was too much for ,brother and ,sister ,w4 to bear4 ,such ignorance of sacred matters they felt to be unpardonable4 ,a long lecture followed1 in which the man was scolded1 admonished1 and threatened with divine indignation4 ,at its close he modestly asked if he might have the ,bible to read for an hour or two before retiring for the night4 ,this request was granted with more pleasure than any of the preceding ones4 ,illustration3 ,christ ,blessing ,little ,children ,shortly after supper the man was conducted to the little spare room1 accompanied by the ,bible4 ,before leaving him alone1 ,mr4 ,w4 felt it to be his duty to exhort him to spiritual things1 and he did so most earnestly for ten or fifteen minutes4 ,but he could not see that his words made much impression1 and he finally left his guest1 lamenting his obduracy and ignorance4 ,in the morning he came down1 and meeting ,mr4 ,w41 asked if he would be so kind as to lend him a razor1 that he might remove his beard1 which did not give his face a very attractive appearance4 ,his request was complied with4 ,we will have prayers in about ten minutes1 said ,mr4 ,w41 as he handed him the razor and shaving box4 ,the man appeared and behaved with due propriety at family worship4 ,after breakfast he thanked the farmer and his wife for their hospitality1 and parting went on his journey4 ,ten o'clock came1 but ,mr4 ,n4 had not arrived4 ,so ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,w4 started for the meeting-house1 not doubting they would find him there4 ,but they were disappointed4 ,a goodly number of people were inside the meeting-house1 and a goodly number outside1 but the minister had not arrived4 ,where is ,mr4 ,n----8 inquired a dozen voices1 as a crowd gathered around the farmer4 ,he hasn't come yet4 ,something has detained him4 ,but ,i still look for him--indeed1 ,i fully expected to find him here4 ,the day was cold1 and ,mr4 ,w41 after becoming thoroughly chilled1 concluded to keep a good lookout for the minister from the window near which he usually sat4 ,others1 from the same cause1 followed his example1 and the little meeting-house was soon filled1 and one after another came dropping in4 ,the farmer1 who turned towards the door each time it was opened1 was a little surprised to see his guest of the previous evening enter1 and come slowly down the aisle1 looking on either side1 as if searching for a vacant seat1 very few of which were now left4 ,still advancing1 he finally got within the little enclosed altar1 and ascended to the pulpit1 took off his old grey overcoat and sat down4 ,by this time ,mr4 ,w4 was by his side1 and had his hand upon his arm4 ,you mustn't sit here4 ,come down and ,i will show you a seat1 he said1 in an excited tone4 ,thank you1 replied the man in a composed voice4 ,it is very comfortable here4 ,and the man remained immovable4 ,mr4 ,w41 feeling embarrassed1 went down1 intending to get a brother official to assist him in making a forcible ejection of the man from the place he was desecrating4 ,immediately upon his doing so1 however1 the man rose1 and standing up at the desk1 opened the hymn-book4 ,his voice thrilled to the finger ends of ,brother ,w4 as in a distinct and impressive manner he gave out the hymn beginning3 ,help us to help each other1 ,lord1 ,each other's cross to bear2 ,let each his friendly aid afford1 ,and feel a brother's care4 ,the congregation rose1 after the stranger had read the entire hymn1 and had repeated the first two lines for them to sing4 ,brother ,w4 usually started the tunes4 ,he tried this time1 but went off on a long meter tune4 ,discovering his mistake at the second word1 he balked and tried it again1 but now he stumbled on short meter4 ,a musical brother came to his aid and led off with a tune that suited the measure in which the hymn was written4 ,after singing1 the congregation knelt1 and the minister--for no one doubted his real character--addressed the throne of grace with much fervor and eloquence4 ,the reading of a chapter in the ,bible succeeded4 ,then there was a deep pause throughout the room in anticipation of the text1 which the preacher prepared to announce4 ,the dropping of a pin might have been heard4 ,then the fine1 emphatic tones of the preacher filled the room3-- ,a new commandment ,i give unto you1 that ye love one another4 ,brother ,w4 had bent forward to listen1 but now he sunk back in his seat4 ,this was the eleventh commandment4 ,the sermon was deep1 searching1 yet affectionate and impressive4 ,the preacher uttered nothing that could in the least wound the brother and sister of whose hospitality he had partaken1 but he said much that smote upon their hearts1 and made them painfully conscious that they had not shown as much kindness to the stranger as he had been entitled to receive on the broad principles of humanity4 ,but they suffered more from mortification of feeling4 ,to think that they had treated the presiding elder of the district after such a fashion was deeply humiliating2 and the idea of the whole affair getting abroad interfered sadly with their devotional feelings throughout the whole period of service4 ,at last the sermon was over1 the ordinance administered and the benediction pronounced4 ,brother ,w4 did not know what was best for him to do4 ,he never was more at a loss in his life4 ,then ,mr4 ,n4 descended from the pulpit2 but he did not step forward to meet him4 ,how could he do that8 ,others gathered around him1 but still he lingered and held back4 ,where is ,brother ,w48 he at length heard asked4 ,it was the voice of the minister4 ,here he is1 said one or two1 opening the way to where the farmer stood4 ,the preacher advanced1 and catching his hand1 said3-- ,how do you do1 ,brother ,w41 ,i am glad to see you4 ,and where is ,sister ,w48 ,sister ,w4 was brought forward1 and the preacher shook hands with them heartily1 while his face was lit up with smiles4 ,i believe ,i am to find a home with you1 he said1 as if it was settled4 ,before the still embarrassed brother and sister could make reply1 some one asked3-- ,how came you to be detained so late8 ,you were expected last night4 ,and where is ,brother ,r48 ,brother ,r4 is sick1 replied ,mr4 ,n41 and ,i had to come alone4 ,five miles from this my horse gave out1 and ,i had to come the rest of the way on foot4 ,but ,i became so cold and weary1 that ,i found it necessary to ask a farmer not far from here1 to give me a night's lodging1 which he was kind enough to do4 ,i thought ,i was still three miles off1 but it happened that ,i was very much nearer my journey's end than ,i supposed4 ,this explanation was satisfactory to all parties1 and in due time the congregation dispersed1 and the presiding elder went home with ,brother and ,sister ,w4 ,,the ,,ten ,,commandments4 ,i ,thou shalt have no other gods before me4 ,,ii ,thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image1 or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above1 or that is in the earth beneath1 or that is in the water under the earth3 thou shalt not bow down thyself to them1 nor serve them3 for ,i the ,lord thy ,god am a jealous ,god1 visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me2 and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me1 and keep my commandments4 ,,iii ,thou shalt not take the name of the ,lord thy ,god in vain2 for the ,lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain4 ,,iv ,remember the ,sabbath day1 to keep it holy4 ,six days shalt thou labor1 and do all thy work2 but the seventh day is the ,sabbath of the ,lord thy ,god3 in it thou shalt not do any work1 thou1 nor thy son1 nor thy daughter1 thy manservant1 nor thy maidservant1 nor thy cattle1 nor thy stranger that is within thy gates3 for in six days the ,lord made heaven and earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is1 and rested the seventh day3 wherefore the ,lord blessed the ,sabbath day1 and hallowed it4 ,v ,honor thy father and thy mother3 that thy days may be long upon the land which the ,lord thy ,god giveth thee4 ,,vi ,thou shalt not kill4 ,,vii ,thou shalt not commit adultery4 ,,viii ,thou shalt not steal4 ,,ix ,thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor4 ,x ,thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house1 thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife1 nor his manservant1 nor his maidservant1 nor his ox1 nor his ass1 nor any thing that is thy neighbor's4 ,,make ,,it ,,plain4 ,on the sixteenth day after the battle of ,gettysburg1 ,i entered the room where a young wounded colonel was apparently near to death4 ,as ,i entered1 he was roused from his stupor and beckoned me to his bedside1 and threw his feeble arms around my neck4 ,o my father1 how glad ,i am to see you4 ,i was afraid you would not come till it was too late4 ,i am too feeble to say much1 though ,i have a great many things to say to you2 you must do all the talking4 ,tell me all about dear mother and sister4 ,i soon perceived by the appearance of those in the house1 that there was no hope entertained of his recovery4 ,but as ,i could no longer endure the agony of suspense1 ,i at last inquired of the doctor1 ,doctor1 what do you think of my son's case8 ,entirely hopeless4 ,but is there nothing more that can be done to save him8 ,no1 sir4 ,every thing that human skill and kindness can do has been done4 ,your son has been a brave and very successful officer2 has been a great favorite in the army2 has won the highest esteem of all who have known him1 but he now must die4 ,immediately after the amputation the gangrene set in1 and defies all efforts to arrest it4 ,well1 ,doctor1 how long do you think he can live8 ,not more than four days4 ,he may drop away at any hour4 ,we are constantly fearing that an artery will give way1 and then it is all over with the colonel4 ,what you wish to do in reference to his death1 you had better do at once4 ,have you1 or has any one1 told him of his real condition8 ,no4 ,we have left that painful duty for you to do1 as we have been expecting your arrival for several days4 ,as ,i entered the room with the dreadful message of death pressing on my heart1 the eyes of my son fastened on me4 ,come1 sit by my side1 father4 ,have you been talking with the doctor about me8 ,yes4 ,what did he tell you8 ,does he think ,i shall recover8 ,there was a painful hesitation for a moment4 ,don't be afraid to tell me just what he said4 ,he told me you must die4 ,how long does he think ,i can live8 ,not to exceed four days1 and that you may drop away any hour1--that an artery may slough at any moment which you cannot survive4 ,with great agitation he exclaimed1 ,father1 is that so8 ,then ,i must die6 ,i cannot4 ,i must not die6 ,oh6 ,i am not prepared to die now4 ,do tell me how ,i can get ready8 ,make it so plain that ,i can get hold of it4 ,tell me1 in a few words1 if you can1 so that ,i can see it plainly4 ,i know you can1 father1 for ,i used to hear you explain it to others4 ',t was no time now for tears1 but for calmness and light1 by which to lead the soul to ,christ1 and both were given4 ,my son1 ,i see you are afraid to die4 ,yes1 ,i am4 ,well1 ,i suppose you feel guilty4 ,yes1 that is it4 ,i have been a wicked young man4 ,you know how it is in the army4 ,you want to be forgiven1 don't you8 ,oh1 yes6 ,that is what ,i want4 ,can ,i be1 father8 ,certainly4 ,can ,i know it before ,i die8 ,certainly4 ,well now1 father1 make it so plain that ,i can get hold of it4 ,at once1 an incident which occurred during the school days of my son1 came to my mind4 ,i had not thought of it before for several years4 ,now it came back to me1 fresh with its interest1 and just what was wanted to guide the agitated heart of this young inquirer to ,jesus4 ,do you remember while at school in ---- you came home one day1 and ,i having occasion to rebuke you1 you became very angry and abused me with harsh language8 ,yes1 father1 ,i was thinking it all over a few days ago1 as ,i thought of your coming to see me1 and felt so bad about it1 that ,i wanted to see you1 and once more ask you to forgive me4 ,do you remember1 how1 after the paroxysm of your anger had subsided1 you came in1 and threw your arms around my neck1 and said1 ',my dear father1 ,i am sorry ,i abused you so4 ,it was not your loving son that did it4 ,i was very angry4 ,won't you forgive me8' ,yes1 ,i remember it very distinctly4 ,do you remember what ,i said to you as you wept upon my neck8 ,very well4 ,you said1 ',i forgive you with all my heart1' and kissed me4 ,i shall never forget those words4 ,did you believe me8 ,certainly4 ,i never doubted your word4 ,did you then feel happy again8 ,yes1 perfectly2 and since that time ,i have loved you more than ever before4 ,i shall never forget how it relieved me when you looked upon me so kindly1 and said1 ',i forgive you with all my heart4' ,well1 now1 this is just the way to come to ,jesus4 ,tell him you are sorry just as you told me1 and ten thousand times quicker than a father's love forgave you1 will he forgive you4 ,he says he will4 ,then you must take his word for it1 just as you did mine4 ,why1 father1 is this the way to become a ,christian8 ,i don't know of any other4 ,why1 father1 ,i can get hold of this4 ,i am so glad you have come to tell me how4 ,he turned his head upon his pillow for rest4 ,i sank into my chair and wept freely1 for my heart could no longer suppress its emotions4 ,i had done my work1 and committed the case to ,christ4 ,he1 too1 ,i was soon assured had done his4 ,the broken heart had made its confession1 had heard what it longed for1 ,i forgive you1 and believed it4 ,it was but a few moments of silence1 but the new creation had taken place1 the broken heart had made its short1 simple prayer1 and believed1 and the new heart had been given4 ,a soul had passed out from nature's darkness into marvelous light1 and from the power of sin and ,satan unto ,god4 ,i soon felt the nervous hand on my head1 and heard the word father1 in such a tone of tenderness and joy1 that ,i knew the change had come4 ,father1 my dear father1 ,i don't want you to weep any more1 you need not4 ,i am perfectly happy now4 ,jesus has forgiven me4 ,i know he has1 for he says so1 and ,i take his word for it1 just as ,i did yours4 ,wipe your tears4 ,i am not afraid to die now4 ,if it is ,god's will1 ,i should like to live to serve my country1 and take care of you and mother1 but if ,i must die1 ,i am not afraid to now1 ,jesus has forgiven me4 ,come1 father1 let us sing1-- ',when ,i can read my title clear1' ,and we did sing4 ,now1 father1 ,i want you should pray1 and ,i will follow you4 ,we did pray1 and ,jesus heard us4 ,father1 ,i am very happy4 ,why1 ,i believe ,i shall get well4 ,i feel much better4 ,from that hour all his symptoms changed--pulse went down1 and countenance brightened4 ,the current of life had changed4 ,the doctor soon came in and found him cheerful and happy--looked at him--felt his pulse1 which he had been watching with intense anxiety1 and said1-- ,why1 ,colonel1 you look better4 ,i am better1 ,doctor4 ,i am going to get well4 ,my father has told me how to become a ,christian1 and ,i am very happy4 ,i believe ,i shall recover1 for ,god has heard my prayer4 ,doctor1 ,i want you should become a ,christian1 too4 ,my father can tell you how to get hold of it4 ,in the evening three surgeons were in consultation1 but saw no hope in the case1 and one of them took his final leave of the colonel4 ,next morning the two surgeons1 who had been in constant attendance1 came in and began as usual to dress the wound4 ,on opening the bandage1 they suddenly drew back1 and throwing up their arms1 exclaimed1-- ,great ,god1 this is a miracle6 ,the gangrene is arrested1 and the colonel will live6 ,god has heard your prayers6 ,why1 ,doctor1 replied the colonel1 ,i told you yesterday1 that ,i believed ,i should get well1 for ,i asked ,jesus that ,i might live to do some good4 ,i knew he heard my prayer1 and now you see he has4 ,bless the ,lord with me1 ,doctor4 ,meanwhile1 ,our son must die1 had gone over the wires1 and made sadness at home4 ,next day1 ,our son will live1 and is happy in ,christ1 followed1 and joy came again to the loved ones4 ,after his recovery1 the colonel returned to the people whose sons he had led with honor through fifteen hard-fought battles4 ,they1 in return1 gave him the best office in the gift of a loyal and grateful people4 ,among them he now lives in prosperity and honor1 he is a member of the church of ,christ1 and the father of a happy family growing up around him1 and consecrated to the service of his ,redeemer4 ,i1 too1 was made a better man and better minister by that scene1 where this dear son1 struggling with his guilt and fear of death1 was led to ,jesus1 and found the pardon of his sins4 ,i there resolved never to forget that charge he made me1 in his extremity3 ,make it so plain that ,i can get hold of it4 ,i have made this the motto of every sermon ,i have preached1 and ,god has blessed the effort4 ,a ,,christian ,,life4 ,a ,christian life1 have you ever thought ,how much is in that name8 ,a life like ,christ1 and all he taught ,we must follow1 to be the same4 ,how little of ease the ,saviour knew ,with his life of labor and love6 ,and if we would walk in his footsteps too1 ,we must look not to earth1 but above4 ,the darkest hour the ,christian knows ,is just before the dawn2 ,for as the night draws to its close1 ,it will bring in the morn4 ,so if you trust1 though shadows fall1 ,and dark your pathway be1 ,the light1 which shines from heaven for all1 ,will surely fall on thee4 ,a ,,retired ,,merchant ,a ,london merchant engaged in ,mediterranean commerce1 had successfully prosecuted his business1 and amassed what all merchants desire1 an ample fortune4 ,his1 indeed1 was a princely one4 ,he had purchased a large and beautiful estate in the country1 and had built and furnished a splendid mansion in town1 on the ,surrey side of the river1 and now that he was verging towards sixty1 he concluded to retire and enjoy the remnant of his life in peaceful leisure4 ,he negotiated for the sale of his abundance-making business1 and sold it for another fortune4 ,he then retired4 ,he was a bachelor4 ,he had his halls1 his parlors1 dining-rooms1 and drawing-rooms1 his library and cabinets of curiosities4 ,the floors were covered with the most mosaic specimens of ,brussels and ,turkey carpetings1 the furniture was of the most complete and exquisite selections1 the walls were adorned with splendid mirrors and with classic paintings1 and fine linen decorated all4 ,carriages1 horses1 grooms1 and servants were at his command4 ,books1 pictures1 and engravings were at hand to interest him4 ,the daily and the weekly papers1 and the periodicals1 brought to his table all the news of the great world1 and his friends and his acquaintances paid him homage4 ,how happy must the man be who has all this6 ,he was not happy4 ,he had no aim1 no motive4 ,the zest with which he read the papers when he was a merchant1 he had lost now he had ceased to be engaged in commerce4 ,a storm1 a fleet1 a pestilence along the ,mediterranean shores1 was full of interest to him before1 because he had investments there4 ,now1 they were of no consequence to him4 ,the views and aims of government were watched by him before with searching scrutiny1 because his destiny was bound up with theirs4 ,the parliamentary debates were of the greatest consequence before1 as indicating ,british policy2 but that to him now ceased to be an object of importance4 ,his fortune was achieved1 his course was run1 his destiny fulfilled4 ,soon1 every thing and place appeared to him one uniform and universal blank4 ,his beautiful apartments were unused1 his carriage and horses unemployed1 his books unread1 his papers unopened1 his meals untasted1 and his clothes unworn4 ,he had lost all enjoyment of life1 and contemplated suicide4 ,saturday night arrived1 and he resolved on ,sunday morning early1 before the busy populace were stirring1 he would make his way to ,waterloo bridge and jump into the river1 or tumble off4 ,at three o'clock1 he set out on his final expedition1 and had nearly reached the bridge1 the shadows of the night protecting him from observation1 when a figure stood before him4 ,amazed at being seen by any one1 he turned out of the path1 when the figure crouching low before him1 revealed a tattered1 miserable man1 baring his head in abjectness4 ,what are you doing here8 inquired the retired merchant4 ,i have a wife and family1 whom ,i can't help from starving1 and ,i am afraid to go and see them4 ,last night ,i knew they would be turned into the streets1 replied the man4 ,take that1 replied the merchant1 giving him his purse1 with gold and silver in it--thinking to himself1 how much more useful this will be to him1 than in my pockets in the water4 ,god bless you1 sir--,god bless you1 sir1 exclaimed the man several times1 kneeling before the astonished merchant4 ,stop1 said the merchant1 do not overwhelm me so with your thanksgivings--but tell me where you live4 ,in ,lambeth1 sir4 ,then why are you here this morning8 said the merchant4 ,i do not like to tell you1 said the man4 ,i am ashamed to tell a gentleman like you4 ,why so8 replied the merchant4 ,well1 sir1 replied the man1 as ,i had not a single penny1 and did not know how to get one1 ,i came here to drown myself1 although ,i knew 't was wicked6 ,the merchant was astonished and appalled1 and after a long silence1 said1 ,sir1 ,i am overwhelmed with wealth1 and yet ,i am so miserable that ,i came here this morning for the same purpose as yourself4 ,there's something more in this than ,i can understand at present4 ,let me go with you to see your family4 ,the man made every excuse to hinder the merchant1 but he would go4 ,have you lost your character8 said the merchant4 ,no1 sir1 replied the man1 but ,i am so miserably poor and wretched--and1 for anything ,i know1 my wife and children may be turned into the street4 ,why are you out of work and pay8 resumed the merchant4 ,i used to groom the horses of the stage-coaches1 said the man1 but since the railroads are come up the coaches are put down1 and many men1 like me1 have no employment4 ,they plodded on their way1 two miles of brick and mortar piled on either side4 ,at last they came to a third-rate house1 when a rough1 common-looking woman opened the door and shutter4 ,as soon as she saw the man1 she let loose her tongue upon him for all the villainy in the world1 but something which passed from his hand to hers hushed her in an instant2 and observing the merchant1 she courtesied to him civilly4 ,the man ran up-stairs1 leaving the merchant and woman together1 which gave the former an opportunity to make inquiries4 ,having satisfied himself that want was the crime of the family1 he told the woman who he was1 promised to see her paid1 and induced her to set on and cook a breakfast for the family1 and supply them with any thing which they needed4 ,the man returned1 and the merchant went up-stairs to see1 for the first time1 the wretched family in rags1 dirt1 and misery4 ,he comforted them with hope of better days1 and bidding the man take a hasty meal below1 took him with him1 and helped with his own hands to load a cart with bed1 bedding1 clothes1 furniture1 and food for the family4 ,the man was gone1 and the merchant for the first moment1 reflected on all that had passed4 ,he was relieved of his misery by doing something for another1 and out of mere selfishness he resolved on doing good to others1 to prevent the necessity for drowning himself4 ,he employed the man in his stable1 removed the family near1 and placed them in a cottage1 sending the children to school4 ,soon he sought out misery to relieve1 and was led to consider the cause of all misery--sin4 ,he turned to ,god and found him1 and sought to turn his fellow sinners4 ,he aided every good word and work1 and was the humble teller of his own humbling story4 ,he had been a merchantman seeking goodly pearls1 and having found the pearl of great price1 he went and sold all that he had1 and bought it2 and the retired earthly merchant became an active heavenly merchant4 ,better the valley with peace and love ,than the desolate heights some souls attain2 ,lonely is life on the hills above ,the valley lands and the sunny plain4 ,what is fame to love8 ,can it satisfy ,the longing and lonely hearts of men8 ,on the heights they must hunger and starve and die1 ,come back to the valley of peace again6 ,,effect ,,of ,,novel ,,reading ,on the romantic borders of a beautiful river1 in one of our ,northern ,states1 there is situated an elegant mansion4 ,spacious grounds surround the dwelling1 and1 what is not usual in this country1 it has a terraced garden4 ,this is a hill1 situated at the side of the house1 presenting a mass of living verdure4 ,you ascend gradually1 step by step1 each platform1 as it were1 richly embroidered with brilliant flowers4 ,in this retreat of elegance and retirement1 lived ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,m41 their daughter1 and a ,french governess4 ,no expense or labor had been spared to make this daughter an accomplished woman2 but not one thought was ever bestowed upon the immortal interests of her soul4 ,at the age of sixteen1 she was beautiful and intelligent1 but utterly destitute of all religious principle4 ,enthusiastically fond of reading1 she roamed her father's spacious library1 and selected whatever books best pleased her4 ,of an imaginative turn1 earnest and impassioned1 hers was the very mind that required the strong1 controlling hand of a matured judgment4 ,yet it was left to feed at will upon the poisoned fruits that lie scattered around4 ,she naturally turned to the novels that stored the library shelves2 and at sixteen was as much at home in the pages of ,bulwer as she was in her ,french grammar4 ,the ridiculous romances of ,mrs4 ,radcliffe were laid aside with disgust1 and ,bulwer1 ,james1 and others1 took their place4 ,but she descended a step1 many steps lower1 and1 supplied by the governess1 eagerly devoured the very worst fictions of ,eugene ,sue and ,george ,sand4 ,next she was heard discussing and excusing the most heinous crimes of which human nature can be guilty4 ,her parents heard with horror her freely expressed sentiments1 and wondered where she had inhaled such lax ideas4 ,they never thought of looking into her library for the cause1 or at the unprincipled governess4 ,the poison began to do its work2 she could no longer live this tame life2 she must have something more exciting1 more exhilarating4 ,the resolution was formed2 with a beating heart she collected her mother's jewels2 took one long look at her indulgent parents2 bade a silent farewell to the scenes of her happy childhood1 and left the house forever4 ,no warning voice implored her to return2 no hand was stretched out to save4 ,on1 on she went1 until she reached the far-off city4 ,its lights dazzled her1 its noise confused her1 but she never regretted the peaceful home she had so culpably deserted4 ,her plan was to go on the stage1 and become a renowned actress1 like the heroine of one of her ,french novels4 ,but this was not so easily achieved as she imagined2 and after a most unsuccessful attempt1 she was compelled to act only in subordinate parts4 ,she had lost home1 happiness1 and respectability1 and had not gained that fame for which she had sacrificed so much4 ,but it would be too painful to follow her through all her wretched life1 and tell how each succeeding year she grew more degraded and more miserable1 until at length having run a fearful career of vice she sank into a dishonored and early grave4 ,no mother's hand wiped the cold death-dew from her brow2 no kind voice whispered hope and consolation4 ,alone1 poor1 degraded1 utterly unrepentant1 she will appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ2 we pause2 for we dare not follow it further4 ,the sound of her name never echoed through the halls of her childhood4 ,her father1 stern and silent1 buried all memories of his guilty child deep within his heart2 whilst the mother1 wan1 broken-hearted1 hopeless1 wept in secret those tears of bitter agony whose fountain was perpetually welling afresh4 ,it is to point a moral that we have opened these annals of the past2 and we would have the young ponder well the lesson that this history teaches4 ,there is a danger in novel reading2 it vitiates the taste1 enervates the understanding1 and destroys all inclination for spiritual enjoyment4 ,the soul that is bound in fetters of this habit1 cannot rise to the contemplation of heavenly things4 ,it has neither the inclination nor the power4 ,we knew one1 who1 even with death in view1 turned with loathing away from the only ,book that could bring her peace and salvation1 to feed greedily on the pages of a foolish romance4 ,it matters not that some of the finest minds have given their powers to this style of writing2 that bright gems of intellect flash along their pages4 ,the danger is so much the greater2 for the jewels scattered by ,genius1 blind even while they dazzle4 ,some of the greatest evils of my life1 said a remarkable woman1 ,i trace to the eager perusal of what are called 'well-written novels4' ,i lived in a world of delusion4 ,i had no power to separate the false from the real4 ,my ,bible lay covered with dust2 ,i had no desire for its pages4 ,oh1 then1 if the young would reach a heavenly haven2 if they would be guided unto the still waters of everlasting bliss1 let them avoid the dangerous rock of novel reading1 upon which so many souls have been shipwrecked and utterly lost4 ,,to-,,day',s ,,furrow4 ,sow the shining seeds of service ,in the furrows of each day1 ,plant each one with serious purpose1 ,in a hopeful1 tender way4 ,never lose one seed1 nor cast it ,wrongly with an hurried hand2 ,take full time to lay it wisely1 ,where and how thy ,god hath planned4 ,this the blessed way of sharing ,with another soul your gains1 ,while1 though losing life1 you find it ,yielding fruit on golden plains2 ,for the soul which sows its blessings ,great or small1 in word or smile1 ,gathers as the ,master promised1 ,either here or afterwhile4 ,,be ,,just ,,before ,,generous4 ,my friend ,peyton was what is called a fine1 generous fellow4 ,he valued money only as a means of obtaining what he desired1 and was always ready to spend it with an acquaintance for mutual gratification4 ,of course1 he was a general favorite4 ,every one spoke well of him1 and few hesitated to give his ears the benefit of their good opinion4 ,i was first introduced to him when he was in the neighborhood of twenty-two years of age4 ,peyton was then a clerk in the receipt of six hundred dollars a year4 ,he grasped my hand with an air of frankness and sincerity1 that at once installed him in my good opinion4 ,a little pleasure excursion was upon the tapis1 and he insisted on my joining it4 ,i readily consented4 ,there were five of us1 and the expense to each1 if borne mutually1 would have been something like one dollar4 ,peyton managed everything1 even to paying the bills2 and when ,i offered to pay him my proportion1 he said3-- ,no1 no6--pushing back my hand--nonsense6 ,yes2 but ,i must insist upon meeting my share of the expense4 ,not a word more4 ,the bill's settled1 and you needn't trouble your head about it1 was his reply2 and he seemed half offended when ,i still urged upon him to take my portion of the cost4 ,what a fine1 generous fellow ,peyton is6 said one of the party to me1 as we met the next day4 ,did he also refuse to let you share in the expense of our excursion8 ,i asked4 ,after what he said to you1 ,i was afraid of offending him by proposing to do so4 ,he certainly is generous--but1 ,i think1 to a fault1 if ,i saw a fair specimen of his generosity yesterday4 ,we should be just1 as well as generous4 ,i never heard that he was not just4 ,nor ,i4 ,but ,i think he was not just to himself4 ,and ,i believe it will be found to appear in the end1 that1 if we are not just to ourselves1 we will1 somewhere in life1 prove unjust to others4 ,i think that his salary is not over twelve dollars a week4 ,if he bore the whole expense of our pleasure excursion1 it cost him within a fraction of half his earnings for a week4 ,had we all shared alike1 it would not have been a serious matter to any of us4 ,oh6 as to that1 it is no very serious matter to him4 ,he will never think of it4 ,but1 if he does so very frequently1 he may feel it sooner or later1 ,i replied4 ,i'm sure ,i don't know anything about that1 was returned4 ,he is a generous fellow1 and ,i cannot but like him4 ,indeed1 every one likes him4 ,some days afterwards ,i fell in with ,peyton again1 and1 in order to retaliate a little1 invited him to go and get some refreshments with me4 ,he consented4 ,when ,i put my hand in my pocket to pay for them1 his hand went into his4 ,but ,i was too quick for him4 ,he seemed uneasy about it4 ,he could feel pleased while giving1 but it evidently worried him to be the recipient4 ,from that time1 for some years1 ,i was intimate with the young man4 ,i found that he set no true value upon money4 ,he spent it freely with every one2 and every one spoke well of him4 ,what a generous1 whole-souled fellow he is6 or1 ,what a noble heart he has6 were the expressions constantly made in regard to him4 ,while ,mean1 stingy fellow6 and other such epithets1 were unsparingly used in speaking of a quiet1 thoughtful young man1 named ,merwin1 who was clerk with him in the same store4 ,merwin appeared to set a due value upon time and money4 ,he rarely indulged himself in any way1 and it was with difficulty that he could ever be induced to join in any pleasures that involved much expense4 ,but ,i always observed that when he did so1 he was exact about paying his proportion4 ,about two years after my acquaintance with ,peyton began1 an incident let me deeper into the character and quality of his generosity4 ,i called one day at the house of a poor widow woman who washed for me1 to ask her to do up some clothes1 extra to the usual weekly washing4 ,i thought she looked as if she were in trouble about something1 and said so to her4 ,it's very hard1 at best1 she replied1 for a poor woman1 with four children to provide for1 to get along1 if she has to depend upon washing and ironing for a living4 ,but when so many neglect to pay her regularly-- ,neglect to pay their washerwoman6 ,i said1 in a tone of surprise1 interrupting her4 ,oh1 yes4 ,many do that6 ,who8 ,dashing young men1 who spend their money freely1 are too apt to neglect these little matters1 as they call them4 ,and do young men for whom you work really neglect to pay you8 ,some do4 ,there are at least fifteen dollars now owed to me1 and ,i don't know which way to turn to get my last month's rent for my landlord1 who has been after it three times this week already4 ,mr4 ,peyton owes me ten dollars and ,i can't-- ,mr4 ,peyton8 ,it can't be possible6 ,yes1 it is though4 ,he used to be one of the most punctual young men for whom ,i washed4 ,but lately he never has any money4 ,he's a very generous-hearted young man4 ,yes1 ,i know he is1 she replied4 ,but something is wrong with him4 ,he looks worried whenever ,i ask him for money2 and sometimes speaks as if half angry with me for troubling him4 ,there's ,mr4 ,merwin--,i wish all were like him4 ,i have never yet taken home his clothes1 that ,i didn't find the money waiting for me1 exact to a cent4 ,he counts every piece when he lays out his washing for me1 and knows exactly what it will come to2 and then1 if he happens to be out1 the change is always left with the chambermaid4 ,it's a pleasure to do anything for him4 ,he isn't liked generally so well as ,mr4 ,peyton is1 said ,i4 ,isn't he8 ,it's strange6 the poor woman returned1 innocently4 ,on the very next day1 ,i saw ,peyton riding out with an acquaintance in a buggy4 ,who paid for your ride yesterday8 ,i said to the latter1 with whom ,i was quite familiar1 when next we met4 ,oh1 ,peyton1 of course4 ,he always pays1 you know4 ,he's a fine1 generous fellow4 ,i wish there were more like him4 ,that you might ride out for nothing a little oftener1 hey8 ,my friend colored slightly4 ,no1 not that1 said he4 ,but you know there is so much selfishness in the world2 we hardly ever meet a man who is willing to make the slightest sacrifice for the good of others4 ,true4 ,and ,i suppose it is this very selfishness that makes us so warmly admire a man like ,mr4 ,peyton1 who is willing to gratify us at his own charge4 ,it's a pleasant thing to ride out and see the country1 but we are apt to think twice about the cost before we act once4 ,but if some friend will only stand the expense1 how generous and whole-souled we think him6 ,it is the same in everything else4 ,we like the enjoyment1 but can't afford the expense2 and he is a generous1 fine-hearted fellow1 who will squander his money in order to gratify us4 ,isn't that it1 my friend8 ,he looked half convinced1 and a little sheepish1 to use an expressive ,saxonism4 ,on the evening succeeding this day1 ,peyton sat alone in his room1 his head leaning upon his hand1 and his brow contracted4 ,there was a tap at his door4 ,come in4 ,a poorly clad1 middle-aged woman entered4 ,it was his washerwoman4 ,the lines on the young man's brow became deeper4 ,can't you let me have some money1 ,mr4 ,peyton8 ,my landlord is pressing hard for his rent1 and ,i cannot pay him until you pay me4 ,really1 ,mrs4 ,lee1 it is quite impossible just now4 ,i am entirely out of money4 ,but my salary will be due in three weeks1 and then ,i will pay you up the whole4 ,you must make your landlord wait until that time4 ,i am very sorry to put you to this trouble4 ,but it will never happen again4 ,the young man really did feel sorry1 and expressed it in his face as well as in the tone of his voice4 ,can't you let me have one or two dollars1 ,mr4 ,peyton8 ,i am entirely out of money4 ,it is impossible--,i haven't a shilling left4 ,but try to wait three weeks1 and then it will all come to you in a lump1 and do you a great deal more good than if you had it a dollar at a time4 ,mrs4 ,lee retired slowly1 and with a disappointed air4 ,the young man sighed heavily as she closed the door after her4 ,he had been too generous1 and now he could not be just4 ,the buggy in which he had driven out with his friend on that day had cost him his last two dollars--a sum which would have lightened the heart of his poor washerwoman4 ,the fact is1 my salary is too small1 said he1 rising and walking about his room uneasily4 ,it is not enough to support me4 ,if the account were fully made up1 tailor's bill1 bootmaker's bill1 and all1 ,i dare say ,i should find myself at least three hundred dollars in debt4 ,merwin received the same salary that he did1 and was just three hundred dollars ahead4 ,he dressed as well1 owed no man a dollar1 and was far happier4 ,it is true1 he was not called a fine1 generous fellow1 by persons who took good care of their own money1 while they were very willing to enjoy the good things of life at a friend's expense4 ,but he did not mind this4 ,the want of such a reputation did not disturb his mind very seriously4 ,after ,mrs4 ,lee had been gone half an hour1 ,peyton's door was flung suddenly open4 ,a young man1 bounding in1 with extended hand came bustling up to him4 ,ah1 ,peyton1 my fine fellow6 ,how are you8 how are you8 ,and he shook ,peyton's hand quite vigorously4 ,hearty6--and how are you1 ,freeman8 ,oh1 gay as a lark4 ,i have come to ask a favor of you4 ,name it4 ,i want fifty dollars4 ,peyton shrugged his shoulders4 ,i must have it1 my boy8 ,i never yet knew you to desert a friend1 and ,i don't believe you will do so now4 ,suppose ,i haven't fifty dollars8 ,you can borrow it for me4 ,i only want it for a few days4 ,you shall have it back on next ,monday4 ,try for me--there's a generous fellow6 ,there's a generous fellow1 was irresistible4 ,it came home to ,peyton in the right place4 ,he forgot poor ,mrs4 ,lee1 his unpaid tailor's bill1 and sundry other troublesome accounts4 ,if ,i can get an advance of fifty dollars on my salary to-morrow1 you shall have it4 ,thank you6 thank you6 ,i knew ,i shouldn't have to ask twice when ,i called upon ,henry ,peyton4 ,it always does me good to grasp the hand of such a man as you are4 ,on the next day1 an advance of fifty dollars was asked and obtained4 ,this sum was lent as promised4 ,in two weeks1 the individual who borrowed it was in ,new ,orleans1 from whence he had the best of reasons for not wishing to return to the ,north4 ,of course1 the generous ,henry ,peyton lost his money4 ,an increase of salary to a thousand dollars only made him less careful of his money4 ,before1 he lived as freely as if his income had been one-third above what it was2 now1 he increased his expenses in like ratio4 ,it was a pleasure to him to spend his money--not for himself alone1 but among his friends4 ,it is no cause of wonder1 that in being so generous to some1 he was forced to be unjust to others4 ,he was still behindhand with his poor washerwoman--owed for boarding1 clothes1 hats1 boots1 and a dozen other matters--and was1 in consequence1 a good deal harassed with duns4 ,still1 he was called by some of his old cronies1 a fine1 generous fellow4 ,a few were rather colder in their expressions4 ,he had borrowed money from them1 and did not offer to return it1 and he was such a generous-minded young man1 that they felt a delicacy about calling his attention to it4 ,can you raise two thousand dollars8 was asked of him by a friend1 when he was twenty-seven years old4 ,if you can1 ,i know a first-rate chance to get into business4 ,indeed6 ,what is the nature of it8 ,the friend told him all he knew1 and he was satisfied that a better offering might never present itself4 ,but two thousand dollars were indispensable4 ,can't you borrow it8 suggested the friend4 ,i will try4 ,try your best4 ,you will never again have such an opportunity4 ,peyton did try1 but in vain4 ,those who could lend it to him considered him too good-hearted a fellow to trust with money2 and he was forced to see that tide1 which if he could have taken it at the flood1 would have led him on to fortune1 slowly and steadily recede4 ,to ,merwin the same offer was made4 ,he had fifteen hundred dollars laid by1 and easily procured the balance4 ,no one was afraid to trust him with money4 ,what a fool ,i have been6 was the mental exclamation of ,peyton1 when he learned that his fellow-clerk had been able1 with his own earnings1 on a salary no larger than his own1 to save enough to embrace the golden opportunity which he was forced to pass by4 ,they call ,merwin mean and selfish--and ,i am called a generous fellow4 ,that means1 he has acted like a wise man1 and ,i like a fool1 ,i suppose4 ,i know him better than they do4 ,he is neither mean nor selfish1 but careful and prudent1 as ,i ought to have been4 ,his mother is poor1 and so is mine4 ,ah1 me6 and the thought of his mother caused him to clasp both hands against his forehead4 ,i believe two dollars of his salary have been sent weekly to his poor mother4 ,but ,i have never helped mine a single cent4 ,there is the mean man1 and here is the generous one4 ,fool6 fool6 wretch6 ,he has fifteen hundred dollars ahead1 after having sent his mother one hundred dollars a year for five or six years1 and ,i am over five hundred dollars in debt4 ,a fine1 generous fellow1 truly6 ,the mind of ,peyton was1 as it should be1 disturbed to its very center4 ,his eyes were fairly opened1 and he saw just where he stood1 and what he was worth as a generous man4 ,they have flattered my weakness1 said he1 bitterly1 to eat and drink and ride at my expense4 ,it was very easy to say1 'how free-hearted he is1' so that ,i could hear them4 ,a cheap way of enjoying the good things of life1 verily6 ,but the end of all this has come4 ,one year from to-day1 if ,i live1 ,i will owe no man a dollar4 ,my kind old mother1 whom ,i have so long neglected1 shall hear from me at once--ten dollars every month ,i dedicate to her4 ,come what will1 nothing shall touch that4 ,this agreement with myself ,i solemnly enter into in the sight of ,heaven1 and nothing shall tempt me to violate it4 ,are you going to ride out this afternoon1 ,peyton8 inquired a young friend1 breaking in upon him at this moment4 ,yes1 if you'll hire the buggy1 was promptly returned4 ,i can't afford that4 ,nor ,i either4 ,how much is your salary8 ,only a thousand4 ,just what mine is4 ,if you can't1 ,i am sure ,i cannot4 ,of course1 you ought to be the best judge4 ,i knew you rode out often1 and liked company4 ,yes1 ,i have done so2 but that's past4 ,i've been a 'fine1 generous fellow' long enough to get into debt and mar my prospects for life1 perhaps2 but ,i am going to assume a new character4 ,no doubt the very ones who have had so many rides1 oyster suppers1 and theater tickets at my expense1 will all at once discover that ,i am as mean and selfish as ,merwin1 who has refrained from not only injurious1 expensive indulgences1 but even denied himself many innocent pleasures to save time and money for better purposes4 ,i now wish ,i had been as truly noble and generous in the right direction as he has been4 ,peyton went to work in the matter of reform in right good earnest1 but he found it hard work2 old habits and inclinations were very strong4 ,still he had some strength of mind1 and he brought this into as vigorous exercise as it was possible for him to do1 mainly with success1 but sometimes with gentle lapses into self-indulgence4 ,his mother lived in a neighboring town1 and was in humble circumstances4 ,she supported herself by keeping a shop for the sale of various little articles4 ,the old lady sat behind her counter1 one afternoon1 sewing1 and thinking of her only son4 ,ah1 me6 she sighed1 ,i thought ,henry would have done something for himself long before this2 but he is a wild1 free-hearted boy1 and spends everything as he goes4 ,here's a letter for you at last1 ,mrs4 ,peyton1 said the well-known voice of the postman1 breaking in upon her just at this moment4 ,with trembling hands1 ,mrs4 ,peyton broke the seal2 a bank-bill crumpled in her fingers as she opened the letter4 ,a portion of its contents read3-- ,dear ,mother3 ,i have had some very serious thoughts of late about my way of living4 ,you know ,i never liked to be considered mean2 this led me to be1 what seemed to everybody1 very generous4 ,everybody was pleased to eat1 and drink1 and ride at my expense2 but no one seemed inclined to let me do the same at his expense4 ,i have been getting a good salary for six or seven years1 and for a part of that time1 as much as a thousand dollars4 ,i am ashamed to say that ,i have not a farthing laid by2 nay1 what is worse1 ,i owe a good many little bills4 ,but1 dear mother1 ,i think ,i have come fairly to my senses4 ,i have come to a resolution not to spend a dollar foolishly2 thus far ,i have been able to keep my promise to myself1 and1 by the help of ,heaven1 ,i mean to keep it to the end4 ,my first thought1 on seeing my folly1 was of my shameful disregard to my mother's condition4 ,in this letter are ten dollars4 ,every month you will receive from me a like sum--more1 if you need it4 ,as soon as ,i can lay by a sufficient amount1 ,i will look around for some means of entering into business1 and1 as soon after as possible1 make provision for you1 that your last days may be spent in ease and comfort4 ,god bless the dear boy6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,peyton1 dropping the letter1 while the tears gushed from her eyes4 ,the happy mother wept long for joy4 ,with her trembling hand she wrote a reply1 and urged him1 by the tenderest and most sacred considerations1 to keep to his good resolutions4 ,at the end of a year ,peyton examined his affairs and found himself freed from debt2 but for nearly one hundred dollars of his wages he could not account4 ,he puzzled over it for two or three evenings1 and made out over fifty dollars spent foolishly4 ,no doubt the rest will have to be passed to that account1 said he at last1 half angry with himself4 ,i'll have to watch closer than this4 ,at the end of the next year1 ,i'll not be in doubt about where one hundred dollars have gone4 ,it was but rarely1 now1 that you would hear the name of ,peyton mentioned4 ,before1 everybody said he was a fine1 generous fellow2 everybody praised him4 ,now1 he seemed to be forgotten1 or esteemed of little consideration4 ,he felt this2 but he had started to accomplish a certain end1 and he had sufficient strength of mind not to be driven from his course4 ,in a few years he entered into business and succeeded beyond his expectations4 ,he provided a home for his mother1 and no one who saw her during the remaining ten years of her life would have called her unhappy4 ,i know ,peyton still4 ,he is not now1 by general reputation1 a fine1 generous fellow4 ,but he is a good and respected citizen1 and was a good son while his mother lived with him4 ,he has won the means of really benefiting others1 and few are more willing than he is to do it1 when it can be done in the right way4 ,he is still generous--but wisely so4 ,,consolation4 ,unto those who sit in sorrow1 ,god has sent this precious word3 ,not an earnest prayer or impulse of the heart ascends unheard4 ,he who rides upon the tempest1 heeds the sparrow when it falls1 ,and with mercies crowns the humblest1 when before the throne he calls4 ,,caught ,,in ,,the ,,quicksand ,victor ,hugo gives the following impressive description of a death in the quicksand off certain coasts of ,brittany1 or ,scotland4 ,he says3-- ,it sometimes happens that a man1 traveler or fisherman1 walking on the beach at low tide1 far from the bank1 suddenly notices that for several minutes he has been walking with some difficulty4 ,the strand beneath his feet is like pitch2 his soles stick to it2 it is sand no longer--it is glue4 ,the beach is perfectly dry1 but at every step he takes1 as soon as he lifts his foot the print which it leaves fills with water4 ,the eye1 however1 has noticed no change2 the immense strand is smooth and tranquil2 all the sand has the same appearance2 nothing distinguishes the surface which is solid from that which is no longer so2 the joyous little cloud of sand fleas continue to leap tumultuously over the wayfarer's feet4 ,the man pursues his way1 goes forward1 inclines to the land1 endeavors to get nearer the upland4 ,he is not anxious4 ,anxious about what8 ,only he feels somehow as if the weight of his feet increases with every step he takes4 ,suddenly he sinks in4 ,he sinks in two or three inches4 ,decidedly he is not on the right road2 he stops to take his bearings4 ,all at once he looks at his feet4 ,they have disappeared4 ,the sand covers them4 ,he draws them out of the sand2 he will retrace his steps2 he turns back2 he sinks in deeper4 ,the sand comes up to his ankles2 he pulls himself out and throws himself to the left2 the sand is half-leg deep4 ,he throws himself to the right2 the sand comes up to his shins4 ,then he recognizes with unspeakable terror that he is caught in the quicksand1 and that he has beneath him the fearful medium in which man can no more walk than the fish can swim4 ,he throws off his load if he has one1 lightens himself like a ship in distress2 it is already too late2 the sand is above his knees4 ,he calls1 he waves his hat or his handkerchief2 the sand gains on him more and more4 ,if the beach is deserted1 if the land is too far off1 if there is no help in sight1 it is all over4 ,he is condemned to that appalling burial1 long1 infallible1 implacable1 and impossible to slacken or to hasten1 which endures for hours1 which seizes you erect1 free1 and in full health1 and which draws you by the feet1 which at every effort that you make1 at every shout you utter1 drags you a little deeper1 sinking you slowly into the earth while you look upon the horizon1 the sails of the ships upon the sea1 the birds flying and singing1 the sunshine and the sky4 ,the victim attempts to sit down1 to lie down1 to creep2 every movement he makes inters him2 he straightens up1 he sinks in2 he feels that he is being swallowed4 ,he howls1 implores1 cries to the clouds1 despairs4 ,behold him waist deep in the sand4 ,the sand reaches his breast2 he is now only a bust4 ,he raises his arm1 utters furious groans1 clutches the beach with his nails1 would hold by that straw1 leans upon his elbows to pull himself out of this soft sheath1 sobs frenziedly2 the sand rises4 ,the sand reaches his shoulders2 the sand reaches his neck2 the face alone is visible now4 ,the mouth cries1 the sand fills it2 silence4 ,the eyes still gaze1 the sand shuts them2 night4 ,now the forehead decreases1 a little hair flutters above the sand2 a hand comes to the surface of the beach1 moves1 and shakes1 and disappears4 ,it is the earth-drowning man4 ,the earth filled with the ocean becomes a trap4 ,it presents itself like a plain1 and opens like a wave4 ,could anything more graphically describe the progress of a young man1 from the first cup of wine to the last8 ,,once ,,again4 ,lord1 in the silence of the night1 ,lord1 in the turmoil of the day2 ,in time of rapture and delight1 ,in hours of sorrow and dismay2 ,yea1 when my voice is filled with laughter1 ,yea1 when my lips are thinned with pain2 ,for present joy1 and joy hereafter1 ,lord1 ,i would thank thee once again4 --,elmer ,james ,bailey4 ,,what ,,shall ,,it ,,profit8 ,why1 ,archie ,allen1 you are not ready for church yet2 we shall surely be late1 said the young wife as she entered the elegant library where her husband sat reading a choice volume of poetry4 ,it was ,clara's first ,sabbath in her new home4 ,she had but lately left the sheltering roof of a kind great-uncle1 who had taken her to his home when a lonely orphan1 and reared her very tenderly1 surrounding her with every comfort and many of the elegancies of life4 ,a gentleman some years her senior had won her heart's affection1 and now she was installed as mistress of his beautiful city home4 ,six months before she had publicly professed her love for the ,saviour1 but she was yet in the morning of her religious life4 ,she needed the fostering care of an experienced1 devoted ,christian4 ,would she meet with such aid from him who was to be her future companion and protector8 ,marry only in the ,lord1 was the advice of an aged friend to the young girl4 ,archie is not a professor of religion1 she reasoned with herself2 but he respects religion1 ,i know1 and who can tell what influence ,i may exert over him8 ,you are not really going to church to-day1 ,clara1 dear1 cold as it is8 said the young man dropping his book and looking up with a smile4 ,why1 who ever heard of such a thing as staying at home from church unless one was ill6 ,i think ,i am not very well1 ,clara4 ,won't you stay at home and take care of me8 ,read me some poetry and sing a few of your sweet songs4 ,clara looked at him a moment a little incredulously and then replied1 ,you are quite well1 ,i know by your laughing4 ,i think it is very wrong to stay at home from church2 indeed ,i do1 ,archie4 ,won't you go with me8 ,but where shall we go1 my good wife8 ,wherever you are accustomed to4 ,i am accustomed to attend that cozy little brick church down by your uncle's1 and ,i thought ,i had done duty so well there ,i should be considered religious enough for the rest of my days4 ,but don't look so sad1 ,clara4 ,i will go anywhere to please you4 ,i know of a splendid marble church on the ,avenue4 ,we will drive there if you like1 though ,i really have no idea of what persuasion it is4 ,i will order the carriage and be ready in a few minutes1 and he left the room gaily humming the fragment of an opera air4 ,it was an elegant1 stately church4 ,the brilliant light which flowed through the stained windows almost dazzled the sight of the young girl1 accustomed only to the plain green shades of the humble village church4 ,the voice of the deep-toned organ rolled through the marble hall and then burst forth into a light1 gay air1 which1 to her unaccustomed ears1 sounded strangely in a house of worship4 ,god seemed nearer in the little church at home1 which1 nestled down among the grassy mounds and moss-grown headstones1 seemed always pointing to a life beyond4 ,when the minister arose she marked well his graceful air1 the polished words and sentences which flowed so smoothly from his lips as he read them from the page before him4 ,but1 alas6 ,so coldly sweet1 so deadly fair1 ,we start1 for soul is wanting there4 ,clara felt that her soul had not been fed1 as the carriage rolled away from the marble church2 but there was much around her to attract the gaze of one who had never before spent a ,sabbath in the city4 ,her husband was glad to be released from the sound of the prosy old doctor's essay1 and was in quite good humor with himself for his act of self-denial in going to church4 ,so the drive home was quite a pleasant one1 though considerably longer than the one to church4 ,when they reached home a note was brought in containing an invitation from a fashionable friend of ,mr4 ,allen's to take a little drive out to the new park grounds that afternoon4 ,the carriage would call at three o'clock4 ,clara was greatly shocked at such a disregard of the sanctity of ,god's holy day1 and her husband employed a great deal of skilful rhetoric and much more subtle sophistry before she could be brought even to entertain such a project4 ,you know ,i went to church to please you this morning4 ,i am sure you will be kind enough to oblige me by accepting my friend's invitation4 ,i know he would be seriously offended if we did not4 ,alas for youth1 when the counselors it relies on counsel to do wickedly6 ,clara yielded1 though with sad misgivings1 and dressed herself for the ride4 ,the lady beside her was very courteous and attentive1 and the gay conversation turned on various frivolous worldly subjects1 till in the pleasant excitement of the drive ,clara almost forgot the day4 ,when they turned back again ,mrs4 ,harvey insisted that they should dine with her1 and the carriage stopped at their residence4 ,a gay evening was spent1 ,clara being prevailed upon to play some of her choicest music and join her new acquaintance in singing some popular songs1 which she did with most exquisite grace and expression4 ,her dark eye grew brighter and her fair cheek flushed softly1 as she felt the proud1 admiring glance of her husband bent upon her4 ,but underneath all her pleasure was a dull sense of pain and a consciousness of wrong-doing1 which was a very serpent trail among her fragrant flowers4 ,when she reached her home again a flood of regretful sorrow overwhelmed her heart1 and she wept bitterly4 ,her husband sought most tenderly to soothe her grief1 and secretly resolved to undermine the superstition which caused the dear girl so much unhappiness4 ,you have done nothing wrong1 dear ,clara1 that you should reproach yourself so bitterly4 ,you have only spent a pleasant afternoon and evening with a friend4 ,we must have dined somewhere1 and what difference whether at their house or our own6 what is life given us for except to make it just as full of happiness as we can1 and to make others around us happy6 ,just think how much pleasure your sweet singing gave my friends and me4 ,harvey said it was better than the finest opera he ever heard4 ,religion ought to make people happy4 ,i am afraid yours has not to-day1 ,clara1 so ,i cannot think it is just the right sort for you4 ,now1 really1 did not the drive to and from church do you more good than the sermon8 ,i am quite sure it did2 so ,i always intend to take a good long road to church in the future4 ,it was some consolation to know that her husband intended to go to church with her in the future2 so ,clara dried her eyes and listened to a little gem of poetry he had selected to read to her that morning4 ,little by little the rock of her faith was worn away1 and she was fast learning to look on happiness as the true end of existence instead of holiness1 without which no man shall see the ,lord4 ,and1 alas6 many whose associations are far less worldly make this mistake1 and look mainly for a great deal of joy and exalted happiness in their religious life4 ,because they do not attain it they go mourning all their days1 looking with weeping eyes on those whom they regard as more favored of ,god1 because the light of gladness shines upon their pathway4 ,desponding heart6 there is no true happiness in religion where that alone is the end you seek4 ,holiness must be the end and aim of your whole course1 or your joy will be like the hope of the hypocrite1 but for a moment4 ,be ye holy1 for ,i am holy1 is the divine command4 ,how strange that a truly loving heart could enter upon such a task as that which ,mr4 ,allen now commenced--the work of loosing a trusting nature from its only safe moorings1 leaving it to drift without a compass or a guiding star upon a sea abounding with fearful rocks and angry breakers4 ,but such is the hatred of the natural heart to the humbling doctrine of the cross and salvation alone through ,him who was crucified upon it4 ,clara was fond of reading1 and her husband took care to place in her way certain fascinating writers1 then quite popular1 whose frequent merry flashes and sarcastic allusions to the orthodoxy tended more surely than serious reasoning would have done to make her think lightly of the faith in which she had been trained4 ,the old-fashioned ,bible was skilfully tortured out of its plainest meaning by these so-called reformers1 or utterly ignored where it could not be distorted to suit their views4 ,what their opinions of its inspiration were could never be clearly seen by others1 if1 indeed1 they had ever given such a trifling matter any consideration whatever4 ,instead of the sure foundation which has ,jesus ,christ for its corner-stone1 and a religion which teaches faith1 humility1 self-denial1 earnest labor for souls1 and all lowly virtues1 they profess to throw wide open the doors of a broad church1 which should gather in all mankind as brothers1 which should teach them the dignity and excellence of humanity1 and give every one a free pass at last on the swift train over the celestial railway4 ,in their great harvest-field they claimed the tares to be as valuable as the wheat1 and never gave thought to the harvest day4 ,but1 alas6 calling the tares wheat will not avail when the ,lord of the harvest comes and the command is given1 ,bind them in bundles to burn them4 ,but the form in which the fatal error was clothed was fair and pleasing1 especially so when her husband would ,lend to the charm of the poet ,the music of his voice4 ,there was one favorite writer who seemed to possess a magic power in painting every shady nook and mossy wayside spring of the human heart4 ,no old1 gray rock or fathomless shadow of feeling seemed to escape that observing eye4 ,and there were clear1 bold strokes sometimes which showed a strength not often given to a woman's hand4 ,through all her writings ran a thread of light reflected from ,god's word1 though bent out of its own right line by the prism through which it flowed4 ,much was said of the love and tender mercy of ,god1 but the fact that he is also a just ,god1 and will in nowise clear the guilty1 was set aside as a hard doctrine4 ,the gay scoffer1 the one who despises ,christ's tender offers of love and pardon1 provided he is amiable and pleasant among his friends and associates1 must not be given over to a just retribution4 ,god is too loving a ,father to see such a lovely scorner perish4 ,it is so incongruous to think of the one with whom we have had such pleasant converse here being forever lost4 ,the sophistry gradually wrought its work2 the more readily1 as poor ,clara1 in the whirl of fashion and gaiety1 failed to bring it to the test of the law and the testimony4 ,time rolled on1 and ,clara was becoming more thoughtful and studious4 ,various philosophical works which her husband admired1 and which he often read and discussed with her1 were becoming favorite volumes4 ,there was something grand in the old philosopher's views of life and its little ills and joys4 ,there was something wonderful in their curious speculations respecting the mysteries of the world beyond4 ,her husband delighted in leading her mind through all their fantastic windings as they groped for the truth so clearly revealed to us4 ,he praised his wife for her appreciation of such intellectual food1 and rejoiced that he had been so successful in winning the affection of a truly intellectual woman4 ,her self-love was gratified1 and her diligence in diving deeper into his favorite works daily increased4 ,in her own home circle her heart had room to expand its choicest tendrils4 ,a noble boy three summers old was prattling at her feet1 and all the demands of fashion could not make her forget a mother's duties4 ,still they were only the duties that pertained to his temporal welfare1 for the flame of devotion had smoldered to ashes on the hearthstone of her heart4 ,the rain was dashing against the closed shutters one ,november night as an anxious group gathered in ,mrs4 ,allen's chamber4 ,they were standing on either side of a beautiful rosewood crib1 whose hangings of azure gauze were closely drawn aside4 ,there lay a little form tossing and restless1 his little face and throat seemed scarlet as they rested on the snowy pillow1 and his little hand moved restlessly to and fro1 as if vainly striving to cool the burning heat4 ,it was the mother's hand that tirelessly bathed the scarlet brow and burning limbs4 ,servants were constantly in waiting1 but no hand but her husband's was allowed to take her place4 ,do you think there is hope1 doctor8 was the question she longed to ask1 but could not frame it into words4 ,it came at length from her husband's lips4 ,the answer was only a straw to grasp at4 ,he is in a very critical state1 indeed4 ,if ,i had been at home when he was first taken ill ,i think the fever would not have reached such a height4 ,but everything almost depends on the first steps4 ,we must do what we can now to make up for lost hours4 ,but all that the best medical skill could do proved useless4 ,the little sufferer lingered through the long night watch1 and when the morning dawned seemed once more to know them all4 ,my mamma1 were the first words which fell from his lips1 sending a thrill of joy to all their hearts4 ,it was bliss to see the smile of recognition light once more those sweet blue eyes1 and the parents grasped each other's hand in silent joy4 ,the old physician alone looked grave and sorrowful4 ,the little light was fast fading out1 and this was its dying flicker4 ,mamma1 please take ,bertie1 said the little one1 holding up the dimpled hands4 ,very tenderly was he lifted up and laid in her arms4 ,good night1 papa1 it's most dark now2 ,bertie is going to sleep4 ,his mother's tearful face bent over him1 and as the strange hand of ,death was laid upon his heart-strings he clasped her closely about the neck1 as if she were a refuge from every danger4 ,they took the little one gently from her arms and laid him on his couch again4 ,her husband could not even strive to comfort her4 ,he saw the joy and pride of his existence1 the heir of his name and fortune1 around whom so many fair hopes clustered1 taken away by a stroke1 and his soul seemed crushed within him4 ,he bowed his head upon his hands1 and1 regardless of other eyes1 the proud man groaned1 and sobbed1 and wept as never in his life he had done before4 ,both were too deeply stricken to utter words of comfort4 ,clara felt her bleeding heart torn from her bosom4 ,yet no tears came to her relief4 ,her brain seemed bursting with the pressure upon it4 ,where was the sustaining power of boasted philosophy in this hour of darkness8 ,ah1 when the afflictions of life come home to the bone and marrow of our own households they are far different to us from those which concern only our neighbors4 ,it is an easy thing to look on pleasure philosophically1 or even the afflictions of others1 but when our turn to suffer comes we shall feel our need of a strong staff to lean upon1 a sure support that can keep us in perfect peace1 even in the furnace4 ,clara had sought to pray when the agony of fear was upon her1 but ,god seemed too far away to listen4 ,i cannot give him up1 my husband6 was the agonized cry of the mother as they stood for the last time by his side before he was to be taken forever from their chamber4 ,i cannot give him up1 was the despairing language of both their hearts4 ,there can be no true resignation where a loving ,father's hand is not recognized in the affliction2 where this poor world is allowed to bound the spirit's vision4 ,but at last the precious dust was borne away to be seen no more by mortal eye till the resurrection morning4 ,illustration3 ,christ the ,good ,shepherd4 ,time1 the great healer1 wore away the sharpness of the bereavement1 but ,clara could never again delight in her former pursuits4 ,how like very dust and ashes seemed the food she had been seeking to nourish her soul upon6 ,a softened melancholy rested upon her heart1 and she would wander about her house looking at the relics of her lost one4 ,and day by day the roses faded from her cheek1 her step grew lighter on the stair1 and she rapidly declined1 till at length she was startled at the shadowy form and face her mirror revealed to her4 ,her long-neglected ,bible was once more sought for1 and she read with all the desperate eagerness of a drowning man1 who catches at every chance of safety4 ,it was her mother's ,bible1 and along the margin were delicate pencil tracings1 pointing to many precious passages4 ,how eagerly she read them over6 and when she was too weary herself1 she gave the book into her husband's hand4 ,still he could give her no advice in her spiritual distress1 and looked upon it with compassion as the result of her disease4 ,he gave her the tenderest worldly consolation1 but it brought no peace to her anxious soul4 ,was there no one to offer a word of true counsel8 ,from a very humble source came the advice she so much needed4 ,the kind nurse1 ,margaret1 whom little ,bertie had loved next to his parents1 was an earnest1 humble ,christian4 ,it was from her lips he had learned to lisp his morning and evening prayer1 and her low1 gentle voice that told him over and over the sweet story he never tired of hearing--the story of the ,babe of ,bethlehem4 ,plainly and simply she pointed ,clara's mind to the ,lamb of ,god as the only ,saviour1 praying hourly in her heart that ,god would bring home the truth with power to her4 ,at length a little light broke in upon her mind4 ,it may be he will receive even such a wandering sheep as ,i1 she said1 oh1 ,i will cast myself upon his mercy only1 for ,i can do nothing to make myself better6 ,the thin hands were folded over the ,bible1 the eyes closed wearily1 a faint motion of the lips told of the silent prayer her heart was offering1 as gently she breathed her life away4 ,a few months later ,mr4 ,allen became a wanderer in many lands4 ,do you ever sigh and disquiet your heart1 ,christian pilgrim1 because ,god has not given you wealth and worldly ease8 ,remember the words of ,one who never gave a needless caution nor spoke an untruthful word--,how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven6 ,it is a dangerous step indeed for a young heart to form a life-long union with one who is a stranger to its hopes of heaven4 ,be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers1 is a command which may not be lightly broken4 ,where all of this world1 and very probably the world to come1 are at stake1 the cost should be well counted4 ,what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul8 ,even the most devoted affection the world can bestow will be no substitute for ,god's loving favor4 ,what shall a man give in exchange for his soul8 ,jesus1 my all in all thou art1 ,my rest in toil1 my ease in pain2 ,the healing of my broken heart1 ,in strife my peace1 in loss my gain2 ,my smile beneath the tyrant's frown1 ,in shame my glory and my crown4 ,,live ,,within ,,your ,,means4 ,this is pleasant6 exclaimed a young husband1 taking his seat in the rocking-chair as the supper things were removed4 ,the fire glowing in the grate1 revealed a pretty and neatly furnished sitting-room1 with all the appliances of comfort4 ,the fatiguing business of the day was over1 and he sat enjoying what he had all day been anticipating1 the delights of his own fireside4 ,his pretty wife1 ,esther1 took her work and sat down by the table4 ,it is pleasant to have a home of one's own1 he again said1 taking a satisfactory survey of his little quarters4 ,the cold rain beat against the windows1 and he thought he felt really grateful for all his present comforts4 ,now if we only had a piano6 exclaimed the wife4 ,give me the music of your own sweet voice before all the pianos in creation1 he observed1 complimentarily2 but he felt a certain secret disappointment that his wife's thankfulness did not happily chime with his own4 ,well1 we want one for our friends1 said ,esther4 ,let our friends come to see us1 and not to hear a piano1 exclaimed the husband4 ,but1 ,george1 everybody has a piano now-a-days--we don't go anywhere without seeing a piano1 persisted the wife4 ,and yet ,i don't know what we want one for--you will have no time to play on one1 and ,i don't want to hear it4 ,why1 they are so fashionable--,i think our room looks nearly naked without one4 ,i think it looks just right4 ,i think it looks very naked--we want a piano shockingly1 protested ,esther emphatically4 ,the husband rocked violently4 ,your lamp smokes1 my dear1 said he1 after a long pause4 ,when are you going to get a camphene lamp8 ,i have told you a dozen times how much we need one1 said ,esther pettishly4 ,these are very pretty lamps--,i never can see by a camphene lamp1 said her husband4 ,these lamps are the prettiest of the kind ,i ever saw4 ,but1 ,george1 ,i do not think our room is complete without a camphene lamp1 said ,esther sharply4 ,they are so fashionable6 ,why1 the ,morgans1 and ,millers1 and many others ,i might mention1 all have them2 ,i am sure we ought to4 ,we ought not to take pattern by other people's expenses1 and ,i don't see any reason in that4 ,the husband moved uneasily in his chair4 ,we want to live as well as others1 said ,esther4 ,we want to live within our means1 ,esther1 exclaimed ,george4 ,i am sure we can afford it as well as the ,morgans1 and ,millers1 and ,thorns2 we do not wish to appear mean4 ,george's cheek crimsoned4 ,mean6 ,i am not mean6 he cried angrily4 ,then we do not wish to appear so1 said the wife4 ,to complete this room1 and make it look like other people's we want a piano and camphene lamps4 ,we want--we want6 muttered the husband1 there's no satisfying woman's wants1 do what you may1 and he abruptly left the room4 ,how many husbands are in a similar dilemma8 ,how many houses and husbands are rendered uncomfortable by the constant dissatisfaction of a wife with present comforts and present provisions6 ,how many bright prospects for business have ended in bankruptcy and ruin in order to satisfy this secret hankering after fashionable superfluities6 ,could the real cause of many failures be known1 it would be found to result from useless expenditures at home--expenses to answer the demands of fashion and what will people think8 ,my wife has made my fortune1 said a gentleman of great possessions1 by her thrift1 and prudence1 and cheerfulness1 when ,i was just beginning4 ,and mine has lost my fortune1 answered his companion1 by useless extravagance and repining when ,i was doing well4 ,what a world does this open to the influence which a wife possesses over the future prosperity of her family6 ,let the wife know her influence1 and try to use it wisely and well4 ,be satisfied to commence on a small scale4 ,it is too common for young housekeepers to begin where their mothers ended4 ,buy all that is necessary to work skilfully with2 adorn your house with all that will render it comfortable4 ,do not look at richer homes1 and covet their costly furniture4 ,if secret dissatisfaction is ready to spring up1 go a step further and visit the homes of the suffering poor2 behold dark1 cheerless apartments1 insufficient clothing1 and absence of all the comforts and refinements of social life1 and then turn to your own with a joyful spirit4 ,you will then be prepared to meet your husband with a grateful heart1 and be ready to appreciate the toil of self-denial which he has endured in the business world to surround you with the delights of home2 and you will be ready to co-operate cheerfully with him in so arranging your expenses1 that his mind will not be constantly harassed with fears lest his family expenses may encroach upon public payments4 ,be independent2 a young housekeeper never needed greater moral courage than she does now to resist the arrogance of fashion4 ,do not let the ,a4's and ,b4's decide what you must have1 neither let them hold the strings of your purse4 ,you know best what you can and ought to afford4 ,it matters but little what people think1 provided you are true to yourself and family4 ,,the ,,dark ,,first4 ,not first the glad and then the sorrowful-- ,but first the sorrowful1 and then the glad2 ,tears for a day--for earth of tears is full3 ,then we forget that we were ever sad4 ,not first the bright1 and after that the dark-- ,but first the dark1 and after that the bright2 ,first the thick cloud1 and then the rainbow's arc3 ,first the dark grave1 and then resurrection light4 --,horatius ,bonar4 ,,out ,,of ,,the ,,wrong ,,pocket ,mr4 ,taggard frowned as he observed the pile of bills by his plate1 placed there by his prudent1 economical wife1 not without an anxious flutter at the heart1 in anticipation of the scene that invariably followed4 ,he actually groaned as he read the sum total4 ,there must be some mistake1 ,mary he said1 pushing back his plate1 with a desperate air3 it is absolutely impossible for us to have used all these things in one month6 ,the bills are correct1 ,john1 was the meek response2 ,i looked them over myself4 ,then one thing is certain1 provisions are either wasted1 thrown out the window1 as it were1 or stolen4 ,jane has relatives in the place1 and ,i haven't the least doubt but that she supports them out of what she steals4 ,mrs4 ,taggard's temper was evidently rising2 there were two round crimson spots upon her cheeks1 and she tapped her foot nervously upon the floor4 ,i am neither wasteful1 nor extravagant1 ,john4 ,and as for ,jane1 ,i know her to be perfectly honest and trustworthy4 ,it is evident that there is a leak somewhere1 ,mary2 and it is your duty as a wife1 to find out where it is1 and stop it4 ,our bills are perfectly enormous2 and if this sort of thing goes on much longer1 ,i shall be a bankrupt4 ,mrs4 ,taggard remained silent1 trying to choke down the indignant feelings that struggled for utterance4 ,you will have to order some coal1 she said1 at last2 we have hardly sufficient for the day4 ,is there anything more1 ,mrs4 ,taggard8 inquired her husband2 ironically4 ,yes2 neither ,i nor the children are decently or comfortably clothed2 all need an entire new outfit4 ,go on1 madam4 ,as ,i am a man of unlimited means1 if you have any other wants1 ,i hope you won't be at all backward about mentioning them4 ,i don't intend to be1 was the quiet1 but spirited reply4 ,i wouldn't do for another what ,i do for you1 for double my board and clothing4 ,both the parlor and sitting-room need refurnishing2 everything looks so faded and shabby1 that ,i am ashamed to have any one call4 ,and the stairs need recarpeting1 the blinds and gate need repairing1 and the fence needs painting4 ,that can't be all1 ,mrs4 ,taggard4 ,are you sure that there isn't something else8 ,i don't think of anything else just now1 ,mr4 ,taggard2 though if there should be a few dollars over and above what these will cost1 they won't come amiss4 ,i should like to have a little change in my pocket1 if only for the novelty of the thing4 ,you needn't fear its being wasted4 ,mr4 ,taggard was evidently not a little astonished at this sudden outbreak in his usually quiet and patient wife1 but who1 like most women of that stamp1 had considerable spirit when it was aroused4 ,now that you are through1 ,mrs4 ,taggard1 perhaps you will let me say a word4 ,here is all the money ,i can spare you this month2 so you can make the most of it4 ,laying a roll of bills on the table1 ,mr4 ,taggard walked to the door2 remarking1 just before he closed it1 that he should leave town on the next train1 to be absent about a week4 ,the reverie into which ,mrs4 ,taggard fell1 as she listened to the sound of his retreating steps1 was far from being a pleasant one4 ,aside from her natural vexation1 she felt grieved and saddened by the change that had come over her once kind1 indulgent husband4 ,he seemed to be entirely filled with the greed of gain1 the desire to amass money--not for the sake of the good that it might enable him to enjoy1 or confer1 but for the mere pleasure of hoarding it4 ,and this miserly feeling grew upon him daily1 until he seemed to grudge his family the common comforts of life4 ,and yet ,mrs4 ,taggard knew that he was not only in receipt of a comfortable income from his business1 but had laid by a surplus1 yearly1 ever since their marriage4 ,she had taxed her ingenuity to save in every possible way1 but when the monthly bills were presented the same scene was enacted1 only it grew worse and worse4 ,and this penuriousness extended to himself4 ,he grudged himself1 as well as wife and children1 clothing suitable to his means and station1 and went about looking so rusty and shabby that ,mrs4 ,taggard often felt ashamed of him1 inwardly wondering if he could be the same man who had wooed and won her4 ,with a heavy sigh ,mrs4 ,taggard took up the roll of bills upon the table1 hoping to find enough to pay what was already due--she did not look for more4 ,an ejaculation of astonishment burst from her lips as she unrolled the paper in which it was folded4 ,it contained #ejj in bills1 and a check for #ejj more4 ,with a look of quiet determination in her eyes1 ,mrs4 ,taggard arose to her feet4 ,the family should now have some of the comforts to which they were entitled1 if they never did again4 ,first1 she settled every bill2 a heavy weight being lifted from her heart as she did so2 besides getting a fresh supply of fuel and other comforts4 ,her next move was to order new furniture for the sitting-room and parlor1 have the hall recarpeted and papered1 the broken door-step mended1 and the fence and blinds repaired and painted4 ,she then took the children out1 and got them new garments from hats to shoes4 ,she bought herself three new dresses2 a neat gingham for morning wear1 a delaine for afternoons1 and something nicer for best4 ,and before going home she took the children into a toy-shop2 delighting the boy with the skates he had so often asked for1 and giving the girl the chief wish of her heart1 a doll and doll's wardrobe--not forgetting some blocks for the baby4 ,for1 like a wise1 as well as kind1 mother1 ,mrs4 ,taggard desired to make their childhood a happy one2 something to look back upon with pleasure through their whole life4 ,neither was ,john forgotten2 by the aid of some old garments1 for a pattern1 she got him an entire new suit1 together with stuff for dressing-gown and slippers4 ,the day on which ,mrs4 ,taggard expected her husband's return was a very busy one2 but at last the carpets were down1 the paper hung1 and everything in the best of order4 ,he was expected on the five o'clock train1 and ,mrs4 ,taggard set the children1 attired in their pretty new dresses1 at the window to watch for papa1 while she went below to assist ,jane in preparing something extra for supper4 ,she had just returned when ,mr4 ,taggard was seen approaching the house4 ,it looked so different from what it did when he left1 that he stared at it in amazement1 and would have hesitated about entering1 had it not been for the name on the newly burnished door-plate4 ,but he was still more astonished when he entered4 ,am ,i in my own house1 or somebody else's8 he ejaculated1 as he looked around the bright and pleasant room4 ,it is the new furniture ,i have been buying1 said his wife1 smiling4 ,how do you like it8 ,have you been running me in debt1 ,mary8 ,not in the least1 ,john1 it was all bought with the money you so generously left me when you went away4 ,mr4 ,taggard clapped his hand into one of his pockets4 ,my goodness6 he exclaimed1 in an agitated tone and manner1 ,i gave it to you out of the wrong pocket6 ,mrs4 ,taggard did not look at all astonished or disturbed at this announcement2 on the contrary1 her countenance wore a very smiling and tranquil aspect4 ,you don't mean to say that you've spent it8 inquired ,mr4 ,taggard1 desperately4 ,why1 what else should ,i do with it1 ,john8 ,you told me to make the most of it2 and ,i rather think ,i have4 ,i am a ruined man6 groaned ,mr4 ,taggard4 ,not a bit of it1 my dear husband1 said his wife1 cheerfully1 you wouldn't be ruined if you had given me twice that amount4 ,besides1 ,i have saved enough for our housekeeping expenses1 for three months1 at least4 ,i think you had better give me an allowance for that purpose in future2 it will save us both much annoyance4 ,the children1 who had been led to consider what their mother had bought them as presents from papa1 now crowded eagerly around him4 ,mr4 ,taggard loved his children1 and it would be difficult for any one having the kind and tender heart that he really possessed1 to turn away from the innocent smiles and caresses that were lavished upon him4 ,it was a smiling group that gathered round the cheerful supper-table4 ,and as ,mr4 ,taggard glanced from the gleeful children to the smiling face of his wife1 who certainly looked ten years younger1 attired in her new and becoming dress1 he came to the conclusion that though it might cost something to make his family comfortable1 on the whole1 it paid4 ,we do not mean to say that ,mr4 ,taggard was entirely cured2 a passion so strong is not so easily eradicated4 ,but when the old miserly feeling came over him1 and he began to dole out grudgingly the means with which to make his family comfortable1 his wife would pleasantly say3 ,you are taking it out of the wrong pocket1 ,john6--words which seemed to have a magical effect upon both heart and purse-strings4 ,let us not deprive ourselves of the comforts of life1 she would often say1 nor grudge our children the innocent pleasures natural to youth1 for the purpose of laying up for them the wealth that is1 too often1 a curse rather than a blessing4 ,,an ,,infinite ,,giver4 ,think you1 when the stars are glinting1 ,or the moonlight's shimmering gleam ,paints the water's rippled surface ,with a coat of silvered sheen-- ,think you then that ,god1 the ,painter1 ,shows his masterpiece divine8 ,that he will not hang another ,of such beauty on the line8 ,think you1 when the air is trembling ,with the birds' exultant song1 ,and the blossoms1 mutely fragrant1 ,strive the anthem to prolong-- ,think you then that their ,creator1 ,at the signal of his word1 ,fills the earth with such sweet music ,as shall ne'er again be heard8 ,he will never send a blessing ,but have greater ones in store1 ,and each oft recurring kindness ,is an earnest of still more4 ,if the earth seems full of glory ,as his purposes unfold1 ,there is still a better country-- ,and the half has not been told6 ,,my ,,house ,,and ,,our ,,house4 ,these houses are opposite each other in a beautiful suburban town4 ,my house is large and handsome1 with a cupola1 and has a rich lawn before it4 ,it is surrounded by a broad piazza1 and graced and shaded by ancestral elms and huge button-wood trees4 ,its barns and stables are large and well-filled2 its orchards are gorgeous with fruit1 in the season1 and the fields around it seem alive with golden grain that waves in the wind4 ,everything about the place tells of long-continued prosperity4 ,the rich old squire who lives there rides about with fine horses1 and talks a great deal to his neighbors about my house1 my orchards1 and my horses4 ,his wife is evidently the lady of the region4 ,she was a model housekeeper and dairywoman in the days when they worked the farm1 and is now an oracle on many questions4 ,she1 too1 talks of my house1 my horses1 and my estate4 ,these persons each brought property to the other1 and the two interests have1 unfortunately1 never flowed together and formed one estate as they should have done2 so there are always two separate interests in the house4 ,of course the property belongs1 legally1 to both2 but as each has a snug little fund laid away1 the question is always to be settled1 if repairs are to be made1 or horses or furniture bought1 who shall pay for it4 ,it seems but proper to the husband that carpets1 and sofas1 etc41 shall be bought by his wife2 also the cows1 as the lady is at the head of the house4 ,but she says1 ,you walk on the carpets1 sit on the sofas1 and eat the cream and butter just as much as ,i do1 and ,i see no reason why you should not1 at least1 help to pay for them4 ,such discussions often occur1 but1 on the whole1 each upholds the interest of the other against outsiders1 and gets along without open rupture4 ,they ride about in better dress than their neighbors1 they receive and return visits1 and are called the leading family in town4 ,but my house1 as some have named the great square mansion1 is nobody's house but its owners'4 ,no guest who can not return hospitality in equal style is asked to tarry for a night there4 ,all ministers sojourning in the place are directed by them to the humble parsonage for entertainment4 ,every weary1 homeless wanderer is pointed to the distant almshouse2 and a neighbor's horse or cow which has strayed from its own enclosure1 is at once put into the pound by the squire's man4 ,if an appeal is made for any benevolent object the squire says1 ,go to my house and ask my wife to give you something4 ,she1 in turn1 points the applicant to the field or the orchard1 and says1 ,go down there and ask my husband to give you something4 ,so one puts it on the other1 and nothing is given2 and neither the town nor the world is the better for their living4 ,this is the way things are done at my house4 ,across the street1 under the shadow of two wide-spreading elms1 stands a very modest cottage nestled in vines and flowers1 with curtains drawn up to let in the light of ,god's blessed sun1 and an ever-open door with a great chair in full view1 holding out its time-worn arms1 as if to invite and welcome in the weary passer-by4 ,the birds are always remembered here in their times of scarcity1 and so in token of their gratitude1 they gather in the trees and carol out sweet and merry songs by way of paying their bills4 ,god's peace1 as well as his plenty1 rests on this place1 and while its owners call it1 in their hearts1 ,god's house1 they speak of it to others1 always as our house4 ,twenty-five years ago a sturdy1 brave-hearted young mechanic bought this one acre of land1 and with his own hands dug and walled a cellar1 at times when he had no work to do for others4 ,when he had earned an additional hundred or two dollars he bought lumber and began to build a house4 ,people asked him what he was going to do with it1 and he replied that if he should live to finish it1 he was going to live in it4 ,well1 in two years the house was finished1 to the last nail and hook4 ,then he went away1 as it was thought1 for a wife4 ,in a week he returned1 bringing with him some neat household furniture1 and three persons instead of only one4 ,he did bring a wife--a bright-eyed1 merry-hearted young girl--and also two aged women1 our mothers1 as he called them4 ,the first night in the house they dedicated their humble home--our house to ,god1 and in the name of the ,lord they set up their banner1 praying that ever after this his banner over them might be love4 ,many a family moves into a new home and asks ,god to come in and prosper them1 and take up his abode there2 but they do nothing to draw him thither4 ,they begin for self1 and go on for self2 and sometimes ,god leaves them to themselves4 ,but the young owners of our house--the children of our mothers--made their little home ,his home and the home of ,his poor and feeble ones4 ,our mothers now laid down the weapons of toil over which they had grown gray1 and came out of the vale of honest poverty into the sunshine of plenty4 ,their hearts grew warm in this gift of double love4 ,they renewed their youth4 ,in their first days at their children's home1 one of our mothers spoke of ,henry's new house1 when he checked her1 saying1 ,never call this my house again4 ,i built it for ,god and for all of you1 and ,i want it always called 'our house4' ,there is yet one thing ,i want done here before ,i shall feel that ,i have made my thank-offering to ,god for the health and strength and the work which have enabled me to build and pay for this house4 ,i promised then that no stranger or wanderer should ever go hungry or weary from this door4 ,you have made sure of a neat and sunny room for our friends4 ,now ,i want a bed1 a chair1 and a table put in the shed-chamber for such strangers as we cannot ask into the house4 ,i want also to fill the little store-closet under the back stairway with provisions to give the needy4 ,they will then not be our own2 and if at any time we should be short of money1 we will not be tempted to say1 ',i have nothing to give4' ,i want to live for more than self1 and ,i know you all share the feeling4 ,i want to feel that ,god is here1 and to live as if we saw him and were all under his actual guidance and care1 and to realize that he sees and approves our way in life4 ,thus was our house opened1 and thus was it kept--a home sanctified to humanity and to ,god4 ,the years rolled away1 not without changes1 but peace and plenty still reign in the modest home whose owners are looked up to by all the town's people--rich as well as poor--as friends and benefactors2 for all men alike need human sympathy and comfort4 ,the young carpenter of twenty-five years ago1 is now a prosperous builder in the great city near his home4 ,he could afford to erect and occupy a house worth four times what the cottage cost4 ,but he loves the place1 and cannot tear himself from it4 ,he has added more than one ,l to it1 and he has refurnished it1 and brought into it many articles of taste and luxury4 ,when asked why he does not build a house more in accordance with his means1 he replies3-- ,no house could be built which would be like 'our house4' ,i can never forget the night we and our mothers dedicated it to ,god in prayer and simple trust2 and ever since that night ,i have felt as if we were dwelling in the secret of his tabernacle1 under the shadow of the ,almighty4 ,we might have a larger and more fashionable house1 but it would bring a weight of care on its mistress1 and steal the time she has made sacred to others4 ,no other house could have the memories this one has2 no other house be hallowed as this house has been by the prayers of the holy and the blessings of the poor4 ,and so the family still live on and are happy in our house4 ,still the pastor's weary wife is relieved of church company1 for1 from force of habit1 all ministers and others on errands of good1 draw up their horses before the well-filled stable1 and ring1 for themselves1 at this open door4 ,still the poor are fed from that store-closet under the back stairway2 still the wanderer--though he be a wanderer in a double sense--rests his weary head in that shed-chamber4 ,the squire wonders at the builder1 because he lives in such a modest way compared with his means1 and says1 ,if ,i were he1 ,i'd be ashamed of that cottage which was all well enough when he was a young journeyman4 ,the builder wonders what the squire does with all that great house1 and why1 when half a dozen rooms are empty there1 he doesn't allow himself the pleasure of company1 and of sheltering strangers and getting the blessing they bring4 ,the squire's wife peeps through her fine curtains1 and says1 ,i wonder that pretty and intelligent woman hasn't more taste4 ,she might live like a lady if she pleased1 and dress as ,i do2 but she pokes on just as she began1 and dresses no better than the minister's wife1 and has a rabble of poor1 forlorn creatures whom ,i wouldn't let into my house1 nor into my wood-shed1 running after her for food and clothing1 and nobody knows what4 ,so you see1 my house is literally my house1 and our house is ,god's house4 ,a ,,mountain ,,prayer ,,meeting ,will you go to meeting with me this afternoon1 ,mabel8 ,come2 this is your last day here2 do go once before you leave the ,white ,mountains4 ,what do you do in 'meeting'8 asked the gay1 beautiful1 ,high ,church ,new ,york belle1 with just a shade of contemptuous inflection in her voice4 ,well1--there will be no sermon2 there never is in the afternoon4 ,the good minister sits in the aisle1 in front of the pulpit1 and invites any one he likes to make a prayer4 ,any other one1 who feels the need of it1 may request that he or she be mentioned personally in the petition2 and those who wish it may relate their experience4 ,how very funny6 ,all the old women 'speakin' in meetin'1' and scaring themselves dreadfully4 ,i'll go4 ,i dare say ,i shall have a good laugh1 if ,i don't fall asleep4 ,so we walked through the long1 hilly street of ,bethlehem1 in the pleasant hour before sunset1 in the sweet1 warm1 hazy air of early autumn4 ,the glory of the ,lord shone round about us2 for all the mountains were burnished1 splendid1 gorgeous1 in purple and crimson and gold4 ,mabel's deep gray eyes grew large and luminous as her artist-soul drank in the ineffable beauty4 ,the building was so crowded with the villagers and many visitors that it was with difficulty we obtained seats1 apart from each other4 ,mabel found a place next to a young1 sweet-faced country woman1 and looked1 with her flower-like face and ,french costume1 like some rare exotic by the side of a humble mountain daisy4 ,the minister opened the services with a few fervent1 simple words1 and then said1 ,brother----1 will you lead in prayer8 ,a plain old country farmer knelt in the aisle before us4 ,his prayer--sincere1 and1 ,i doubt not1 as acceptable1 because sincere1 as if it had been offered in polished language--made ,mabel shake with laughter4 ,he rose1 and there was utter silence for a moment4 ,then a high1 sweet woman's voice1 far in front of us1 sang out1 clear as a bell1-- ,sweet hour of prayer6 sweet hour of prayer6 ,that calls me from a world of care1 ,and bids me at my ,father's throne1 ,make all my wants and wishes known4 ,the congregation joined in2 only one verse was sung1 and again the strange1 solemn silence fell upon us4 ,it was broken by the sudden rising of a lank1 awkward boy1 who uttered a few words in a frightened nasal whine4 ,this time ,mabel was convulsed with laughter2 but the sweet singer1 who saw in this utterance only the contrite soul of the speaker1 burst forth triumphantly with-- ,oh1 gift of gifts6 oh1 grace of faith6 ,my ,god1 how can it be ,that thou1 who hast discerning love1 ,shouldst give that gift to me8 ,only one verse1 as before4 ,then the pure notes1 high above all the other voices1 died away1 and a strange-looking woman arose4 ,i haven't any gift of language1 said she1 but ,i want to give in my testimony4 ,i've always been a wicked woman2 ,i've always gone against my conscience4 ,i've made my folks at home miserable for many a long year2 and that's the reason ,god poured trouble after trouble down on me1 till ,i was about to take my own life1 when some one--it must have been one of ,god's angels--went singing through the woods4 ,shall ,i ever forget the words8-- ',with tearful eyes ,i look around2 ,life seems a dark and stormy sea2--' ,she stopped1 her voice breaking into a hoarse sob1 when the other sweet voice immediately went on-- ,yet1 mid the gloom1 ,i hear a sound1-- ,a heavenly whisper1--',come to me4' ,oh1 voice of mercy6 voice of love6 ,in conflict1 grief1 and agony1 ,support me1 cheer me from above6 ,and gently whisper--',come to me4' ,i looked at ,mabel4 ,she was not laughing4 ,a strange1 awed expression rested upon her features2 her head was bowed down as the sweet-faced woman at her side rose and1 turning to the last speaker1 said1 in a low1 gentle voice1-- ,my sister1 we all thank our heavenly ,father that he put his strong arm of protection about you while it was yet time2 and since you have joined with us in profession of your faith1 there has been no one more earnest in those good works without which faith is nothing4 ,then reverently kneeling1 she prayed that ,god would strengthen her dear sister1 and give them all love and charity1 one for another1 and his peace1 which passeth all understanding4 ,out rang the sweet voice1-- ,haste thee on1 from grace to glory1 ,armed by faith1 and winged by prayer6 ,heaven's eternal day's before thee1 ,god's own hand shall guide thee there4 ,mabel was now silently crying1 and big tears were blinding my eyes1 when a grand old man rose from his seat4 ,bent and feeble now1 ,i could see that he had once been tall and stately1 looking as the ,puritan fathers must have looked when they first stepped upon the stern and rock-bound coast at ,plymouth4 ,fine1 clean-cut features1 and eyes still blue and piercing remained1 but his voice trembled painfully as he said1-- ,i am ninety-four years old1 and most of those ,i love have gone to the graveyard before me2 ,i have lived all these years in ,bethlehem1 and1 boy and man1 have tried to serve the ,lord3 and ,i owe my blessed hope in my ,saviour to the teaching and example of my good and pious mother4 ,then1 with aged1 trembling hands uplifted1 he prayed that all the children present might be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord4 ,near us was a handsome1 well-dressed man1 past middle age1 who had listened with absorbed attention to all that had been said1 and who now seemed strangely agitated4 ,in a moment he arose1 and then he spoke4 ,i presume that no one here remembers a poor boy who nearly fifty years ago left this place to seek his fortune4 ,fatherless1 motherless1 with no claim upon any one here1 ,i wandered away with a heavy heart to earn my bread4 ,many a time have ,i been exhausted1 discouraged1 almost hopeless2 but my mother had taught me to pray--her dying gift to me was her own ,bible4 ,it has gone round the world with me1 and ,god has never forsaken me4 ,i have long been a rich man1 and ,i have come once more to these grand hills--my childhood's home--to testify my gratitude to my ,maker for all his goodness4 ,i never intended to speak as ,i am now doing2 but after what ,i have heard and witnessed1 ,i should be most ungrateful if ,i did not give my testimony and belief in the abounding love and mercy of ,god4 ,o friends6 take me back6 ,let me be one with you in this most sweet and touching service1 and when ,i leave you1 pray that ,i may never be ungrateful for the earthly blessings he has heaped upon me1 and for the far more priceless gift of his ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,every one had listened to the stranger in deep silence4 ,every heart had thrilled responsive to his words4 ,it seemed as if the very breath of ,heaven had entered into the little church1 cleansing and purifying each soul present1 and filling it with inexpressible devotion1 when1 like a soft1 trembling wave1 the pure young voice came floating down the aisles1 and we heard the solemn acknowledgment1-- ,a charge to keep ,i have1 ,a ,god to glorify2 ,a precious1 blood-bought soul to save1 ,and fit it for the sky4 ,she sang alone2 a feeling too deep for utterance had prevented the rest from joining in1 and many heads were bent in silent prayer and thanksgiving4 ,but oh6 what did ,i see8 ,pale as death1 her eyes dilated1 her whole frame quivering like an aspen1 ,mabel arose and essayed to speak4 ,the muscles of her mouth refused to obey her will1 but with a painful effort she faltered in low1 broken tones1 ,pray for me1 and sank down upon her knees4 ,it was the voice of ,god that spoke in those three little words1 ,pray for me1 uttered so low1 yet distinctly heard in every part of the church4 ,joyful tears were streaming down many women's faces1 as for the first time the singer's voice trembled1 broke1 and at last sobbed through the humble entreaty1-- ,just as ,i am--without one plea1 ,but that thy blood was shed for me1 ,and that thou bid'st me come to thee1 ,o ,lamb of ,god1 ,i come4 ,as she finished1 a young minister who was living in the same house with us1 and whose life had been nearly sacrificed in missionary labors1 bowed in prayer4 ,the radiance of ,heaven was upon his face1 and ,god spoke through him to the awakened soul of ,mabel in a way ,i had never heard before4 ,the words poured out in an inspired flood1 carrying her soul resistless upon its mighty waves to repentance1 faith1 prayer1 praise1 love1 joy1 peace1 and at last heaven6 ,with a solemn benediction the services were ended2 and when we had come out1 it seemed as if the very heavens were rejoicing over the tidings which had gone up of the soul that day redeemed4 ,all that was gorgeous and beautiful in color had taken possession of the sky4 ,the clouds1 like great gold and crimson banners1 were moving high over our heads1 furling and unfurling1 as if carried by exultant angels1 marching and singing their triumphant allelujahs4 ,and ,mabel1 still white as an ,easter lily1 but with her deep gray eyes full of a new happiness1 a steadfast resolution to live henceforth for ,christ1 walked by my side1 watching the great glory of the heavens1 with her arm lovingly entwined in mine4 ,we did not speak2 we had no need1 for our thoughts were in perfect accord4 ,i had witnessed the wonderful mystery of her instantaneous change of heart2 ,i knew it was well with her4 ,beautiful1 gay1 fashionable1 the pet of society1 ,i knew her also to be a staunch upholder of all that was noble1 good1 and pure1 and ,i felt a thorough conviction that she had indeed given herself up body and soul to ,him who had chosen to send his ,holy ,spirit into her heart1 as she was going out of the little village which bore the blessed name of ,bethlehem4 ,however it be1 it seems to me1 ',tis only noble to be good4 ,kind hearts are more than coronets1 ,and simple faith than ,norman blood4 ,,only ,a ,,husk4 ,tom ,darcy1 yet a young man1 had grown to be a very hard one4 ,although naturally kind-hearted1 active1 and intelligent1 he lacked strength of will to resist temptation1 and had therefore fallen a victim to intemperance4 ,he had lost his place as foreman of the great machine-shop1 and what money he now earned came from odd jobs of tinkering which he was able to do here and there at private houses2 for ,tom was a genius as well as a mechanic1 and when his head was steady enough1 he could mend a clock or clean a watch as well as he could set up and regulate a steam-engine1 and this latter he could do better than any other man ever employed by the ,scott ,falls ,manufacturing ,company4 ,one day ,tom was engaged to mend a broken mowing-machine and reaper1 for which he received five dollars2 and on the following morning he started for his old haunt1 the village tavern4 ,he knew that his wife sadly needed the money1 and that his two little children were absolutely suffering for want of clothing1 and that morning he held a debate with the better part of himself1 but the better part had become weak1 and the demon of appetite carried the day4 ,so away to the tavern ,tom went1 where1 for two or three hours1 he felt the exhilarating effects of the alcoholic draught1 and fancied himself happy1 as he could sing and laugh2 but1 as usual1 stupefaction followed1 and the man died out4 ,he drank while he could stand1 and then lay down in a corner1 where his companions left him4 ,it was almost midnight1 when the landlord's wife came to the barroom to see what kept her husband up1 and she quickly saw ,tom4 ,peter1 said she1 not in a pleasant mood1 why don't you send that miserable ,tom ,darcy home8 ,he's been hanging around here long enough4 ,tom's stupefaction was not sound sleep4 ,the dead coma had left his brain1 and the calling of his name stung his senses to keen attention4 ,he had an insane love of rum1 but he did not love the landlord4 ,in other years1 ,peter ,tindar and he had wooed the same maiden1--,ellen ,goss1--and he had won her1 leaving ,peter to take up with the sharp-tempered damsel who had brought him the tavern1 and ,tom knew that lately the tapster had gloated over the misery of the woman who had once discarded him4 ,why don't you send him home8 demanded ,mrs4 ,tindar1 with an impatient stamp of her foot4 ,hush1 ,betsey1 he's got money4 ,let him be1 and he'll be sure to spend it before he goes home4 ,i'll have the kernel of that nut1 and his wife may have the husk4 ,betsey turned away1 and shortly afterward ,tom ,darcy lifted himself up on his elbow4 ,ah1 ,tom1 are you awake8 ,yes4 ,then rouse up and have a warm glass4 ,tom got upon his feet and steadied himself4 ,no2 ,i won't drink any more to-night4 ,it won't hurt you1 ,tom--just one glass4 ,i know it won't6 said ,tom1 buttoning up his coat by the solitary button left4 ,i know it won't6 ,and with this he went out into the chill air of midnight4 ,when he got away from the shadow of the tavern1 he stopped and looked up at the stars1 and then he looked down upon the earth4 ,aye1 he muttered1 grinding his heel in the gravel1 ,peter ,tindar is taking the kernel1 and leaving poor ,ellen the worthless husk1--a husk more than worthless6 and ,i am helping him do it4 ,i am robbing my wife of joy1 robbing my dear children of honor and comfort1 and robbing myself of love and life--just that ,peter ,tindar may have the kernel1 and ,ellen the husk6 ,we'll see6 ,it was a revelation to the man4 ,the tavern-keeper's speech1 not meant for his ears1 had come on his senses as fell the voice of the ,risen ,one upon ,saul of ,tarsus4 ,we'll see6 he said1 setting his foot firmly upon the ground2 and then he wended his way homeward4 ,on the following morning he said to his wife1 ,ellen1 have you any coffee in the house8 ,yes1 ,tom4 ,she did not tell him that her sister had given it to her4 ,she was glad to hear him ask for coffee1 instead of the old1 old cider4 ,i wish you would make me a cup1 good and strong4 ,there was really music in ,tom's voice1 and the wife set about her work with a strange flutter at her heart4 ,tom drank two cups of the strong fragrant coffee1 and then went out1 with a resolute step1 and walked straight to the great manufactory1 where he found ,mr4 ,scott in his office4 ,mr4 ,scott1 ,i want to learn my trade over again4 ,eh1 ,tom1 what do you mean8 ,i mean that it's ,tom ,darcy come back to the old place1 asking forgiveness for the past1 and hoping to do better in the future4 ,tom1 cried the manufacturer1 starting forward and grasping his hand1 are you in earnest8 ,is it really the old ,tom8 ,it's what's left of him1 sir1 and we'll have him whole and strong very soon1 if you'll only set him at work4 ,work6 ,aye1 ,tom1 and bless you1 too4 ,there is an engine to be set up and tested to-day4 ,come with me4 ,tom's hands were weak and unsteady1 but his brain was clear1 and under his skilful supervision the engine was set up and tested2 but it was not perfect4 ,there were mistakes which he had to correct1 and it was late in the evening when the work was complete4 ,how is it now1 ,tom8 asked ,mr4 ,scott1 as he came into the testing-house and found the workmen ready to depart4 ,she's all right1 sir4 ,you may give your warrant without fear4 ,god bless you1 ,tom6 ,you don't know how like music the old voice sounds4 ,will you take your old place again8 ,wait till ,monday morning1 sir4 ,if you will offer it to me then1 ,i will take it4 ,at the little cottage1 ,ellen ,darcy's fluttering heart was sinking4 ,that morning1 after ,tom had gone1 she found a dollar bill in the coffee-cup4 ,she knew that he left it for her4 ,she had been out and bought tea and sugar1 and flour and butter1 and a bit of tender steak2 and all day long a ray of light had been dancing and glimmering before her1--a ray from the blessed light of other days4 ,with prayer and hope she had set out the tea-table1 and waited2 but the sun went down and no ,tom came4 ,eight o'clock--and almost nine4 ,hark6 ,the old step6 quick1 strong1 eager for home4 ,yes1 it was ,tom1 with the old grime upon his hands1 and the odor of oil upon his garments4 ,i have kept you waiting1 ,nellie4 ,tom6 ,i did not mean to1 but the work hung on4 ,tom6 ,tom6 ,you have been to the old shop6 ,yes1 and ,i'm bound to have the old place1 and---- ,oh1 ,tom6 ,and she threw her arms around his neck1 and pressed a kiss upon his lips4 ,nellie1 darling1 wait a little1 and you shall have the old ,tom back again4 ,oh1 ,i have him now6 ,god bless you1 my husband6 ,it was a banquet1 that supper--with the bright angels of peace1 and love1 and joy1 spreading their wings over the board4 ,on the following ,monday morning1 ,tom resumed his place at the head of the great machine-shop1 and those who thoroughly knew him had no fear of his going back into the slough of joylessness4 ,a few days later1 ,tom met ,peter ,tindar on the street4 ,eh1 ,tom1 old boy1 what's up8 ,i am up1 right side up4 ,yes1 ,i see2 but ,i hope you haven't forsaken us1 ,tom4 ,i have forsaken only the evil you have in store1 ,peter4 ,the fact is1 ,i concluded that my wife and little ones had fed on husks long enough1 and if there was a good kernel left in my heart1 or in my manhood1 they should have it4 ,ah1 you heard what ,i said to my wife that night4 ,yes1 ,peter2 and ,i shall be grateful to you for it as long as ,i live4 ,my remembrance of you will always be relieved by that tinge of warmth and brightness4 ,,song ,,of ,,the ,,rye4 ,i was made to be eaten1 ,and not to be drank2 ,to be thrashed in a barn1 ,not soaked in a tank4 ,i come as a blessing ,when put through a mill1 ,as a blight and a curse ,when run through a still4 ,make me up into loaves1 ,and the children are fed2 ,but if into drink1 ,i'll starve them instead4 ,in bread ,i'm a servant1 ,the eater shall rule2 ,in drink ,i am master1 ,the drinker a fool4 ,,ruined ,,at ,,home4 ,it is at home that the ruin of a soul begins4 ,at home6 ,we hear the response in tones of pained surprise or indignant denial from many voices4 ,it is a hard saying and cruel4 ,it may hurt like a blow many sad hearts2 but if it be true--what then8 ,it is not true6 ,i can point to you a dozen cases within my own range of observation to disprove the assertion--to young men who have gone astray in spite of the careful training and good example of religious homes--in spite of all the best of mothers and the wisest of fathers could do4 ,yes1 we hear such things said every day2 but feel certain there is an error somewhere1 a defect in your observation4 ,were you in the homes of these young men from the beginning8 ,did you observe the personal bearing of their parents toward them--know their walk and conversation8 ,if nay1 then you are not competent1 with your instances1 to disprove our assertion4 ,a small error at the beginning of a series of calculations in applied mechanics may lead to a great disaster2 the slightest variation from a right line at the beginning will throw a projectile hundreds of yards away from its object4 ,it is in the little things at home1 the almost unnoticed departures from order and good government1 the neglects arising from parental self-indulgence1 the weakness of love that fails to nip a fault in the bud2 and many other things that might be instanced1 which turn the young feet into ways of life that1 as the years go by1 lead farther and farther from safety and happiness4 ,the ,bible1 experience1 and reason all declare that the future of a child depends upon his early training4 ,if this is bad1 the chances are nearly all against him4 ,but1 we hear it said1 children raised under the worst influences often make good and useful men4 ,the cases are exceptional1 and stand out in strong contrast to the general rule4 ,and so we go back to what was declared in the beginning1 that the ruin of a soul begins at home4 ,how many instances crowd upon the memory6 ,let us take a few at this time for their lesson and their warning4 ,not long ago1 in one of our principal cities1 an almost broken-hearted mother parted from her son in the courthouse1 and was taken fainting to her home1 while he was thrust into a van and conveyed to prison4 ,his crime was stealing4 ,society held up its hands in pity and amazement1 for the young man's father and mother were highly respectable people1 and good church members1 as the saying is4 ,the father's business reputation stood high4 ,people said of him3 ,his word is as good as his bond4 ,and yet his son was a condemned thief4 ,he had stolen from his employer4 ,did the ruin in this case begin at home8--,yes6 ,it was at home the son learned to be dishonest1 and he learned it from his mother6 ,let us rehearse a few of the lessons1 in precept and example1 that were given to the boy4 ,we begin when he was just five years of age4 ,the boy1 ,karl1 was standing near his mother1 ,mrs4 ,omdorff1 one day1 when he heard her say to his aunt3 ,barker has cheated himself4 ,here are four yards of ribbon1 instead of three4 ,i asked for three yards1 and paid for only three2 but this measures full four yards4 ,the boy listened and waited for what was to come next4 ,he loved his mother1 and trusted in her4 ,what are you going to do about it8 inquired the aunt4 ,keep it1 of course1 answered ,mrs4 ,omdorff2 ,barker will never be the wiser4 ,he makes enough out of us1 dear knows4 ,and she rolled the ribbon about her fingers4 ,karl was a little surprised4 ,it did not seem like his mother1 nor in accordance with what she had often said to him about truth and honesty1 but he had faith in her1 and was sure that she could do nothing wrong4 ,his ,aunt ,ruth1 of whom he was very fond1 and who had great influence over him1 was a weak woman in some respects1 and much more inclined to take the current of other's opinions than to give herself the trouble of opposition4 ,her innate sense of honor was a little disturbed at her sister's views of the case2 but she failed to say the right words which were in her thoughts1 and which1 if spoken1 might have helped the boy to see what was just and right4 ,a day or two afterward1 ,karl heard his mother say3 ,i saved a car ticket this morning4 ,how8 inquired her sister4 ,the conductor forgot to ask for it4 ,why didn't you give it to him1 mamma8 asked ,karl4 ,it was his business to look after his passengers1 replied ,mrs4 ,omdorff1 who felt rather uncomfortable at this question from her little boy4 ,it will teach him a lesson4 ,karl thought a moment1 and then said3 ,but he won't know anything about it4 ,oh1 you're too sharp6 exclaimed his mother1 with a laugh4 ,i wasn't talking to you1 anyhow4 ,little pitchers have big ears1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 echoing her sister's laugh4 ,and so the matter was pushed aside1 neither mother nor aunt imagining that the bright and beautiful boy they both loved so tenderly had received a lesson in dishonesty not soon to be forgotten4 ,i do believe1 said ,mrs4 ,omdorff1 not long afterward1 as she sat counting over some money1 that ,poole has given me the wrong change4 ,karl was in the room and heard her remark4 ,let me see1 she added1 going over the money again4 ,two and a half1 three1 four and three-quarters4 ,it's a fact2 ,i gave him a ten-dollar bill1 and here are four and three-quarters change4 ,what did the goods amount to8 asked her sister4 ,there were eleven yards of muslin at eighteen2 that's a dollar and ninety-eight cents4 ,two yards of silk at a dollar and a half1 and an eighth of a yard of velvet one dollar--making just five dollars and ninety-eight cents4 ,if it had come to six dollars1 my right change would have been four2 but he has given me four and three-quarters4 ,then1 in a tone of satisfaction1 she added3 ,i'm that much richer1 you see1 ,ruth4 ,her sister smiled1 but did not utter the disapproval that was in her heart4 ,karl listened and took all in4 ,a little while afterward ,mrs4 ,omdorff got up and rang the bell1 saying1 as she did so1 with a short gurgling laugh1 that seemed ashamed of itself3 ,i guess we'll have a little ice-cream--at ,poole's expense4 ,aunt ,ruth shook her finger1 and said feebly3 ,oh1 that's too bad6 ,but ,karl was not able to see whether she approved or disapproved4 ,the ice-cream was sent for1 and enjoyed by the child4 ,while the sweet taste was yet on his tongue1 he heard his mother say3 ,i'm very much obliged to ,poole for his treat--it's delicious4 ,is it strange that the boy's perception of right and wrong should be obscured8 or that1 in a day or two afterward1 he should come in from the street with an orange in his hand1 and1 on being questioned about it1 reply3 ,a woman let it drop from her basket1 and ,i picked it up4 ,she didn't see it drop1 mamma4 ,but why didn't you call after her8 asked ,aunt ,ruth4 ',cause ,i didn't want to1 answered the child4 ,she dropped it4 ,i didn't knock it off4 ,mrs4 ,omdorff was not satisfied with the conduct of her child2 and yet she was amused at what she called his cuteness1 and laughed instead of reproving him for an act that was in spirit a theft4 ,so the child's education for crime was begun--his ruin initiated4 ,the low moral sense of his mother was perpetually showing itself in some disregard for others' rights4 ,a mistake made in her favor was never voluntarily corrected1 and her pleasure at any gain of this kind was rarely concealed4 ,he cheated himself1 was a favorite saying1 heard by ,karl almost every week2 and as he grew older he understood its meaning more clearly4 ,mr4 ,omdorff was a man of higher integrity than his wife and just in dealing to the smallest fraction4 ,foolish about little things--more nice than wise1 as she often said1 when he disapproved of her way of doing things1 as was sometimes the case4 ,mrs4 ,omdorff had learned to be guarded in her speech when he was at home2 and so he remained in ignorance of the fatal perversions going on in the mind of his child4 ,as the boy grew up his father's supervision became more direct4 ,he was careful about his associates1 and never permitted him to be away from home without knowing where and with whom he was4 ,he knew but too well the danger of evil association2 and guarded his boy with jealous solicitude4 ,alas6 he dreamed not of the evil influences at home2 never imagined that the mother was destroying in her son that nice sense of honor without which no one is safe2 nor that she had taught him to disregard the rights of others1 to take mean advantages1 and to appropriate what did not belong to him whenever it could be done with absolute certainty of concealment4 ,we do not mean to say that such were the direct and purposed teachings of his mother4 ,she would have been horror stricken at the mere suggestion4 ,but she had so taught him by example4 ,in heart she was not honest2 and in many of her transactions she was as much a thief as if she had robbed a till4 ,retaining what belongs to another1 simply because it has come into our hands by mistake1 is as much a theft in its spirit as purposed stealing2 and the fine lady who keeps the change to which she is not entitled1 or the yard of ribbon measured to her in error1 is just as criminal1 as the sneak-thief who gets into her hall through a neglected door and steals her husband's overcoat4 ,the real quality of an act lies in the intent4 ,is it any wonder that amid such home influences the boy did not show1 as he advanced toward maturity1 a high sense of honor8 ,that he should be mean and selfish and dishonest in little things8 ,as the twig is bent the tree is inclined4 ,evil seed will produce evil fruit4 ,society punished and execrated the unhappy young man1 and pitied his wretched mother1 little dreaming that by her hand his prison doors had been opened4 ,another instance of the baneful influence that may exist at home is to be found in the ruin of a young man who recently died in one of the lowest and vilest haunts of the city4 ,he had been well educated1 and grew to manhood with a fine sense of honor4 ,his mother was a woman of rare culture1 and beloved by every one in the circle where she moved4 ,all the moral sentiments of her son had been carefully fostered and developed1 and when he reached manhood no one showed a fairer promise4 ,but it was not long before a shadow fell across his life4 ,he had learned one thing at home that was destined to work his ruin--he had learned to love the taste of wine4 ,his father belonged to a class of men who considered wine drinking a mark of good breeding4 ,he knew all about wines1 and had a weak vanity in being thought a connoisseur4 ,if he had a friend to dinner1 he would bring out two or three kinds1 and discuss them through half the meal4 ,he called the men who were ranging themselves against the terrible evil of intemperance1 and seeking to stay its baleful course1 poor fanatics4 ,he talked of pure wines and liquors as harmless1 and gave them to his son at suitable times and occasions1 moderately2 only guarding him by warnings against excess4 ,but these warnings went for nothing as appetite increased4 ,at twelve years of age the boy was content with a single glass of light wine at his dinner2 at eighteen he wanted two glasses1 and at twenty-one three4 ,by this time he had acquired convivial habits1 and often drank freely with other young men of his age4 ,his mother was the first to take the alarm2 but his father was slow to believe that his son was in danger4 ,the sad truth broke upon him at last in a painful humiliation4 ,at a large party in his own house the young man became so badly intoxicated that he had to be removed from the company4 ,from that unhappy period wine was banished from the father's table4 ,but it was too late6 ,the work of ruin had progressed too far4 ,at twenty-seven the wretched young man died1 as we have said1 in one of the lowest and vilest dens of the city4 ,we could give many instances like this4 ,here1 at home1 is the chief source of that wide-spread ruin by intemperance1 that is every year robbing society of thousands of young men1 who1 by education1 culture1 and social standing are fitted for useful and honorable positions4 ,they are ruined at home4 ,not in one case in ten does a young man acquire the taste for drink in a saloon or tavern1 but at home--if not in his own home1 in that of some friend4 ,we fear that the drinking saloons men set up in their drawing-rooms1 and to which they invite the young and old of both sexes1 do more to deprave the taste and lead to intemperance than all the licensed taverns in the land4 ,it is here that the appetite is formed and fostered--here that the apprenticeship to drunkenness is served4 ,year by year the sons of our wealthiest and most intelligent and influential citizens are tempted and led astray by the drinking customs of society--ruined at home4 ,how few of the sons of successful men rise to the level their fathers have gained4 ,how many1 alas6 sink so far below this level that the eyes ache to look down upon them6 ,,good-,,bye--,,god ,,bless ,,you6 ,i love the words--perhaps because ,when ,i was leaving mother1 ,standing at last in solemn pause1 ,we looked at one another2 ,and ,i--,i saw in mother's eyes ,the love she could not tell me1 ,a love eternal as the skies1 ,whatever fate befell me4 ,she put her arms about my neck1 ,and soothed the pain of leaving1 ,and though her heart was like to break1 ,she spoke no word of grieving2 ,she let no tear bedim her eye1 ,for fear that might distress me2 ,but1 kissing me1 she said good-bye1 ,and asked our ,god to bless me4 ,,how ,,it ,,was ,,blotted ,,out ,for many years ,i had been a follower of strange gods1 and a lover of this world and its vanities4 ,i was self-righteous1 and thought ,i had religion of my own which was better than that of the ,bible4 ,i did not know ,god1 and did not serve him4 ,prayer was forgotten1 public worship neglected2 and worldly morality was the tree which brought forth its own deceptive fruit4 ,but when ,i shared parental responsibility1 and our boy was growing up1 our love for him made us anxious about his welfare and future career4 ,his questions often puzzled me1 and the sweet and earnest manner in which he inquired of his poor sinful father to know more about his ,heavenly ,father1 and that happy land1 far1 far away1 of which his nurse had taught him1 proved to me that ,god had given me a great blessing in the child4 ,a greater distrust of myself1 and a greater sense of my inability to assure my boy of the truth contained in the simple little prayers that ,i had learned from my mother in childhood1 gradually caused me to reflect4 ,still1 ,i never went to church2 had not even a ,bible in the house4 ,what was ,i to teach my boy1--,christ and him crucified1 or the doctrines ,i had tried to believe8 ,one of his little friends died1 then another1 then his uncle4 ,all these deaths made an impression on the boy4 ,he rebelled against it2 wanted to know why ,god had done it8 ,it was hard that ,god should take away his friends2 he wished he would not do it4 ,i1 of course1 had to explain the best ,i could4 ,one evening he was lying on the bed partly undressed2 my wife and ,i were seated by the fire4 ,she had been telling me that ,willie had not been a good boy that day1 and ,i had reproved him for it4 ,all was quiet1 when suddenly he broke out in a loud crying and sobbing1 which surprised us4 ,i went to him1 and asked him what was the matter4 ,i don't want it there1 father2 ,i don't want it there1 said the child4 ,what1 my child1 what is it8 ,why1 father1 ,i don't want the angels to write down in ,god's book all the bad things ,i have done to-day4 ,i don't want it there2 ,i wish it could be wiped out2 and his distress increased4 ,what could ,i do8 ,i did not believe1 but yet ,i had been taught the way4 ,i had to console him1 so ,i said1-- ,well1 you need not cry2 you can have it all wiped out in a minute if you want4 ,how1 father1 how8 ,why1 get down on your knees1 and ask ,god for ,christ's sake1 to wipe it out1 and he will do it4 ,i did not have to speak twice4 ,he jumped out of bed1 saying1 ,father1 won't you come and help me8 ,now came the trial4 ,the boy's distress was so great1 and he pleaded so earnestly1 that the man who had never once bowed before ,god in spirit and in truth1 got down on his knees beside that little child1 and asked ,god to wipe away his sins2 and perhaps1 though my lips did not speak it1 my heart included my own sins too4 ,we then rose1 and he lay down in his bed again4 ,in a few moments more he said1-- ,father1 are you sure it is all wiped out8 ,oh1 how the acknowledgment grated upon my unbelieving heart1 as the words came to my mouth1--,why1 yes1 my son2 the ,bible says that if from your heart you ask ,god for ,christ's sake to do it1 and if you are really sorry for what you have done1 it shall be all blotted out4 ,a smile of pleasure passed over his face1 as he quietly asked1-- ,what did the angel blot it out with8 ,with a sponge8 ,again was my whole soul stirred within me1 as ,i answered1-- ,no1 but with the precious blood of ,christ4 ,the blood of ,christ cleanseth from all sin4 ,the fountains had at last burst forth4 ,they could not be checked1 and my cold heart was melted within me4 ,i felt like a poor guilty sinner1 and1 turning away1 said1-- ,my dear wife1 we must first find ,god1 if we want to show him to our children4 ,we cannot show them the way1 unless we know it ourselves4 ,and in the silent hour of the night ,i bowed beside that dear boy1 and prayed1 ,lord1 ,i believe1 help thou mine unbelief6 ,my wife1 too1 united with me1 and we prayed jointly for ourselves and our child4 ,and ,god heard our prayers1 and received us1 as he always does those who seek him with the whole heart4 ,,the ,,way ,,to ,,overcome4 ,when first from slumber waking1 ,no matter what the hour1 ,if you will say1 ,dear ,jesus1 ,come1 fill me with thy power1 ,you'll find that every trouble ,and every care and sin ,will vanish1 surely1 fully1 ,because ,christ enters in4 ,it may be late in morning1 ,or in the dark before1 ,when first you hear his knocking2 ,but open wide the door1 ,and say to him1 ,dear ,jesus1 ,come in and take the throne1 ,lest ,satan with his angels ,should claim it for his own4 ,for we are weak and sinful1 ,led captive at his will4 ,but thou canst bind the strong man1 ,our heart with sweetness fill4 ,so would we have thy presence ,from our first waking hour2 ,all through the swift day's moments1 ,dwell thou with us in power4 ,,never ,,indorse4 ,i shall not soon forget the family of ,israel ,day1 who lived neighbor to my father when ,i was a boy4 ,mr4 ,day was working out as a laborer1 and as he had a large family dependent upon his earnings for support1 and sometimes it was difficult in our neighborhood to find employment1 the family was poor1 and the strictest economy had to be practiced to furnish the bare necessities of life4 ,i often wondered how it happened that such a man as ,mr4 ,day should be so poor4 ,he had no intemperate or extravagant habits1 and was a man of more than common education1 and there was an air of intelligence and refinement about the entire family that commanded the respect of their neighbors4 ,mr4 ,day was industrious1 but always seemed to me a man who had no ambition in life1 and who expected and desired no more than a mere subsistence for his family4 ,no one in the neighborhood knew anything of his history4 ,the family had come from another ,state a few years previous1 and while polite and friendly1 they were very uncommunicative as to their former life1 and there was something about them that forbade inquisitiveness4 ,i was at this time sixteen years old1 and on very intimate terms with ,mr4 ,day's family4 ,at the time of my story he was helping my father on the farm for a few days and boarding with us4 ,one day when we came in from our forenoon work1 we found ',squire ,black was to take dinner with us1 and as he was reputed to be the wealthiest man in the township1 we felt quite honored4 ,he was a very genial man and an excellent talker1 and had an adroit way of flattering and making every one feel easy in his company4 ,on this occasion he made himself very agreeable2 he praised the neat appearance of the farm and buildings1 complimented mother on her good cooking1 called me a fine1 manly fellow1 gave some small change to the children1 and by the time dinner was over had gained the good will of the entire family4 ,after dinner ,mr4 ,black asked to see the stock and examine the arrangement of the barn and outbuildings1 and as father took pride in having good1 well-fed stock and one of the most conveniently arranged barns in the county1 he was glad to show him around1 and was much pleased with the hearty commendation which ,mr4 ,black bestowed upon them4 ,he finally made known the object of his visit2 he had found a piece of very desirable property for sale1 low1 so that there was no question that within less than a year he could clear several thousand dollars on it1 but he must pay all cash down and he lacked two thousand dollars of having enough money to pay for it4 ,he wished father to become security for him for one year1 as he had found a party who was willing to lend him the amount if his signature could be had to the note4 ,he did not give father time to think or scarcely to answer his questions1 but took out his pocketbook and handed him a paper1 supposing it to be the note which he had drawn up1 and signed by himself1 all ready for father's signature4 ,i verily believe that if the paper had been what ,squire ,black thought it to be1 father could not have refused to sign it2 but it so happened that he had made a mistake and left the note at home and had substituted for it another paper4 ,a shade of vexation passed over the ',squire's face when he discovered the mistake1 but he at once recovered his good humor and said1 ,never mind2 ,i will call again this evening1 and hastily mounted his horse and rode away4 ,father looked troubled1 and turning to me1 said1 ,i do not like to indorse for any one1 but ',squire ,black will be insulted if ,i refuse1 and as he is rich ,i suppose there can be no risk about it4 ,it is only complying with a legal form1 and ,i suppose ,i shall be obliged to do it2 but ,i wish he had not asked me to do so4 ,before ,i could reply1 the barn door opened and ,mr4 ,day came out2 he was pale and deeply agitated1 and when he spoke ,i should not have recognized his voice4 ,calling my father by name1 he said1 ,i believe that you are in danger1 and if you will listen to me ,i will give you a chapter from my own history that ,i had never intended should be known to any in this neighborhood4 ,father motioned for me to leave1 thinking that ,mr4 ,day wished to speak to him alone4 ,he noticed it1 however1 and said1 ,no1 let him stay1 for one cannot learn too soon the lesson that my experience teaches4 ,i would be willing that it should be published to the world if thereby some could be saved from my bitter experience4 ,i overheard1 as you know1 what ',squire ,black said to you4 ,listen to my story and then decide as to whether you will put your name on his note4 ,illustration3 ,paul at ,athens ,fifteen years ago1 when ,i was married1 ,i was not the poor man that you now know me to be4 ,my father gave me as my share of his property two thousand dollars1 which ,i had increased to three1 and my wife received as her wedding portion one thousand dollars4 ,we were both strong and willing to work1 and ambitious to succeed in the world1 and we bought a good farm1 running in debt a few hundred dollars4 ,for several years we were greatly prospered4 ,we had good health1 and the seasons were favorable1 so that we grew heavy crops and obtained fair prices for them4 ,at the end of five years we had paid off our debt and had nearly one thousand dollars in the bank1 and we felt that it would be safe to build a new house1 although we expected to put more than the amount of money on hand into it4 ,in the meantime there had come into the neighborhood one of the most companionable men ,i ever met4 ,he was familiarly known as ,capt4 ,cole4 ,he had been a lawyer1 but had been appointed by the ,general ,government to a lucrative office which he held for some years1 and had the reputation of being very wealthy4 ,he lived in good style1 and was a general favorite in all the community4 ,when my house was finished ,i found myself in debt seven hundred dollars1 and as ,i had given the contract to a carpenter1 he to furnish everything1 he needed all his money4 ,i went to the bank to borrow the amount until ,i could find some one who would let me have it for one or two years1 and not being accustomed to borrow money1 it did not occur to me that an indorser would be necessary1 until the cashier of the bank informed me that it was their invariable custom to require security4 ,capt4 ,cole1 who happened to be in at the time1 overheard the conversation and came forward with a pleasant ',good morning1' saying1 ',i shall be only too happy to indorse for my friend1 ,mr4 ,day4' ,i felt both grateful and flattered1 and when a few months later ,i happened to be in the bank when he wanted an indorser1 ,i was glad to return the favor4 ,we had two years of prosperity1 and ,i paid the debt on my house4 ,i now determined to build a fine barn1 and as ,i had always paid my debts easily and could not well get along with my old barn until ,i had saved the money to build the new one1 ,i determined to borrow one thousand dollars1 and happening to meet ,capt4 ,cole1 ,i asked him if he knew where ,i could get that amount for three years4 ,he told me he did1 and offered to become my security4 ,the money was borrowed and my barn begun4 ,a few weeks later ,capt4 ,cole called to see me4 ,like ',squire ,black to-day1 he seemed delighted with everything he saw4 ,his flattery put me in the best possible humor1 and when he asked me to indorse a note of #e1jjj for sixty days1 and assured me that he could meet it 7or even twice as much7 promptly1 to the day1 ,i consented against my better judgment1 and affixed my signature to the note4 ,that act ruined me4 ,before the sixty days expired ,i learned that he was bankrupt4 ,my farm was sold at a sacrifice1 under the hammer1 and when ,i paid the thousand dollars which ,i had borrowed to build the barn with1 ,i was left penniless4 ,with my history in your possession1 do you wonder that ,i was alarmed to-day when ,i saw you about to fall into the same trap8 ,i tell you ,i have a right to feel deeply on this subject4 ,would that ,i could make my voice heard by every young man in the land4 ,i would say to him1 shun as you would a serpent this evil which has brought ruin to so many families4 ,i realize fully what it means to put my name on another man's paper1 and it is just this--that ,i assume all the risks of his business1 without any voice in its management or any possible chance of profit if he is successful2 but with a fearful certainty that if from any cause he makes a failure1 my earnings must make it good1 even though it reduces my family to beggary4 ,since my own misfortune ,i have made this a matter of study1 and ,i find that a very large per cent4 of the business failures1 of the country 7and nearly all among farmers7 are due to this practice4 ,the remainder of my story is soon told4 ,my father was deeply impressed by ,mr4 ,day's story1 and before night ,i was dispatched to ',squire ,black's with a note from father stating that after carefully considering the matter he had decided not to sign the note4 ,in less than a year after this ',squire ,black was declared a bankrupt1 and in the final settlement of his business it did not pay ten cents on the dollar4 ,father felt that he owed a debt of gratitude to ,mr4 ,day1 and he presented him with a good team and helped him to rent a farm4 ,this encouraged him1 and he worked so industriously and managed so prudently that in a few years he was able to buy a small farm and has since been able to support his family comfortably4 ,many years have passed since these events occurred1 and ,i am now past middle life1 but ,i have never ceased to be thankful for the lesson taught me by ,mr4 ,day1 and in fulfilling his wish ,i would repeat the lesson which the story teaches--never indorse4 ,,watch ,,your ,,words4 ,keep a watch on your words1 my darling1 ,for words are wonderful things2 ,they are sweet like the bee's fresh honey-- ,like the bees1 they have terrible stings2 ,they can bless1 like the warm1 glad sunshine1 ,and brighten a lonely life2 ,they can cut in the strife of anger1 ,like an open two-edged knife4 ,let them pass through your lips unchallenged1 ,if their errand is true and kind-- ,if they come to support the weary1 ,to comfort and help the blind2 ,if a bitter1 revengeful spirit ,prompt the words1 let them be unsaid2 ,they may flash through a brain like lightning1 ,or fall on a heart like lead4 ,keep them back1 if they are cold and cruel1 ,under bar and lock and seal2 ,the wounds they make1 my darling1 ,are always slow to heal4 ,may peace guard your life1 and ever1 ,from the time of your early youth1 ,may the words that you daily utter ,be the words of beautiful truth4 ,a ,,life ,,lesson ,albert ,moore1 at the age of twenty-five1 took ,alice ,warren for his wife4 ,he had been in the army--fought through from ,bull's ,bluff to ,richmond--had come out with a captain's commission4 ,he had come from the army with but little money2 but he had a good trade1 a stout pair of hands1 and had borrowed no trouble for the future4 ,alice had saved up a few hundred dollars from her wages as a teacher1 and when the twain had become husband and wife they found1 upon a careful inventory1 that they had enough to furnish a small house comfortably4 ,albert proposed that they should hire a tenement in the city2 but ,alice thought they had better secure a pretty cottage in the suburbs--a cottage which they might1 perhaps1 in time1 make their own4 ,albert had no disposition to argue the question1 so the cottage was found and secured4 ,it was a pleasant1 rural location1 and so connected with the city by rail1 that ,albert found no difficulty in going to and from his workshop4 ,during her five years' experience in school-teaching ,alice had learned many things1 and having been an orphan from an early age1 she had made the problems of real life one of her chief studies2 and what she had learned in this latter department served her well in her new station4 ,after marriage she found ,albert to be just the man she had known him to be in other years4 ,he was kind to a fault2 free-hearted and generous2 ready always to answer the call of friendship2 and prone to pluck the flowers that bloom to-day1 regardless of what may be nurtured to bloom to-morrow4 ,they had been married but a few months when ,alice found he was cutting his garments according to his daily supply of cloth4 ,not a shred was he likely to save up from the cuttings for an extra garment for a rainy day to come4 ,albert1 she said to him one evening1 do you know we ought to be laying up a little something8 ,albert looked up from his paper and waited for his wife to explain4 ,i think ,i heard you tell ,mr4 ,greenough that you had no money--that you had paid out your last dollar this very afternoon8 ,exactly1 my dear2 but you know to-morrow is pay-day4 ,and you have spent your last month's earnings8 ,yes4 ,a brief silence ensued1 which ,albert broke4 ,come1 ,alice1 you've got something on your mind4 ,out with it--,i'll listen4 ,and then ,alice1 in a smiling1 pleasant way1 went on to tell her husband that they ought to be laying up something4 ,albert smiled in turn1 and asked how such a thing could be done when it cost all he earned to live4 ,you earn three dollars and a half a day1 said ,alice4 ,yes4 ,george ,summers earns only three dollars a day4 ,you are right4 ,and yet he lives and does not run in debt4 ,but he is forced to deny himself many little comforts which we enjoy4 ,and the one great comfort which we might enjoy we are throwing away4 ,how is that1 ,alice4 ,the comfort of a little sum in the bank1 which we should see growing toward the answering of future wants4 ,albert could not see how it was to be done2 and ,alice feared that a lesson of empty words might be wasted4 ,she knew that his ambition needed a substantial prop4 ,never1 of his own accord1 would he commence to save by littles4 ,he did not estimate money in that way4 ,had some kind fairy dropped into his hand a five-twenty bond for five hundred dollars1 he would have put it away gladly2 and with such a nest-egg in the start1 he might have sought to add to the store4 ,but he could see no hope in a dollar bill1 and much less could he discover the nucleus of a grand saving in a fifty-cent piece4 ,with ,alice it was different4 ,from her meager earnings as school-teacher she had in less than five years1 saved up three hundred dollars2 and the first saving she had put by was a silver dime4 ,she knew what little by little could do1 and she was determined to show it to her husband4 ,she must be patient and persevering1 and these qualities she possessed in an eminent degree4 ,it was to be the grand undertaking of the first years of her married life1 and to do it she would bend every available energy4 ,she planned that if possible she would get hold of that fifty cents every day2 or1 if she could not do that she would do the best she could4 ,generous1 frank1 loyal1 and loving1 ,albert was an easy prey to the wiles of a wife loyal and loving as himself4 ,he gave her money when she asked for it2 and she asked for it when she thought he had any to give4 ,and here let me say that ,alice knew her husband would not run in debt4 ,that was an evil they both arrayed themselves against in the outset4 ,when ,albert's purse was empty he bought nothing2 but when it was full he was apt to buy more than he needed4 ,alice knew all this and governed herself accordingly4 ,i think1 said ,alice1 one evening1 that ,i must fix over my old brown cashmere for winter1 ,i should like a new one1 but ,i don't suppose you can afford it4 ,albert looked grieved4 ,the idea that he could not afford his wife a new dress6 ,but such a one as she wanted would cost twenty-five or thirty dollars4 ,if you want it1 get it1 said ,albert emphatically4 ,i will let you have twenty dollars from this month's pay1 and the balance you shall have next month4 ,alice got the thirty dollars1 but she did not get the new dress4 ,by the outlay of five dollars for new trimmings she contrived to fix over the brown cashmere so that it looked every bit as good as new4 ,and so ,alice worked4 ,sometimes she asked her husband for ten cents1 sometimes for fifty cents1 sometimes for a dollar1 and sometimes for more1 and at the end of a year1 upon carefully reckoning up1 she found that she had managed to get hold of rather more than fifty cents a day2 but she had done it by denying herself of many things1 some of which seemed really needful4 ,the result of the first year's effort inspired ,alice with new life and vigor4 ,she had saved one hundred and fifty dollars1 and had invested it in government funds4 ,through the influence of a dear friend who was in a banking establishment1 and to whom she had confided her secret1 she was enabled to get the bonds at their face value4 ,it was only a little at a time--sometimes a very little--but those littles multiplied by other littles1 grew amazingly4 ,the husbandman who would sit himself down by a hill of corn1 and wait to see the tender blades put forth would be disheartened2 but he knows if he plants the tiny seed1 and cultivates it as he ought1 the harvest of golden grain will come at length4 ,albert and ,alice were married in the spring of #ahfe4 ,it was on an evening of ,august1 #ahgj1 that ,albert came home4 ,he had been notified that they must leave the cottage4 ,they must give up the pleasant home1 and lose the little garden they had cultivated with so much fondness and care4 ,the owner wishes to sell1 he exclaimed2 and has an offer4 ,he asks two thousand dollars1 and must have five hundred down4 ,alice's eyes gleamed with radiant delight4 ,she had been thinking for some time that she must let her husband into her secret4 ,it had begun to wear upon her4 ,and now the time had come as by providential interposition4 ,she got up and went away to her cabinet1 and when she came back she brought a little book in her hand4 ,albert6 said she1 lets you and ,i buy the cottage4 ,albert looked at her in amazement2 and directly it flashed upon him that there was too much solemnity in her look and tone for badinage4 ,something that he had noticed during the past few months came back to him1 and he trembled with the weight of suspense that fell upon him4 ,alice then showed her book--that she had more than eight hundred dollars in the bank4 ,the ice was broken--she told her story in glowing words4 ,she told how she had saved up little by little1 and how she had at length found herself able to purchase a fifty-dollar bond4 ,and then she told how her uncle in the banking-house had taken charge of her investment2 and how1 under his management1 the interest had accrued in amazing volume4 ,but the grand result was not the chief thing4 ,the chief thing was the beginning--was the very little which had been religiously saved until the second little could be added to it4 ,and now1 as a result of his wife's careful and tireless working1 ,albert found something upon which his ambition could take a fair start4 ,he never could himself1 from so small a commencement1 have reared the pile2 but with the structure started1 and its proportions all blocked out1 he could help on the work4 ,he could see how it was done--and not only that1 but the demonstration was before him that the thing could be done4 ,one year has elapsed since ,albert ,moore received the lesson from his wife1 and joining hands with her1 and bending his energies in the same direction1 he has accomplished during the twelve months what would have seemed to him a marvel in the earlier time4 ,he has laid by more than fifty cents a day2 and the cigars1 and the beer1 and the other condiments of life which he has surrendered to the work1 are not missed--rather1 he holds they are so many enemies conquered4 ,and ,albert can improve his home with cheerful heart1 and he can set out new trees and vines in his garden with bright promises1 because he sees1 day by day1 the pretty cottage growing more and more his own4 ,the end approaches a little at a time--little by little it approaches1 but surely1 nevertheless2 and there is a great and satisfying joy even in the labor and in the anticipation4 ,o deem not they are blest alone ,whose lives a peaceful tenor keep2 ,for ,god1 who pities man1 hath shown ,a blessing for the eyes that weep4 ,the light of smiles shall fill again ,the lids that overflow with tears1 ,and weary hours of woe and pain ,are promises of happier years4 ,for ,god has marked each sorrowing day1 ,and numbered every secret tear1 ,and heaven's long age of bliss shall pay ,for all his children suffer here4 --,william ,cullen ,bryant4 ,,hard ,,times ,,conquered4 ,about seventy years ago1 a physician with a young family springing up about him1 consulting his wife1 as all good husbands find it prudent to do1 bought a large farm in one of our ,new ,england ,states1 where every farmer truly earns his living by the sweat of his brow4 ,both felt that nowhere could their children be trained to industry and frugality so thoroughly as on a good farm4 ,the doctor was obliged to run in debt for this property1 and he gave a mortgage on the place4 ,the payments were to be made quarterly1 and promptly1 or the whole would be forfeited and revert to the original owner4 ,in those days physicians were not likely to become millionaires1 and though ,dr4 ,mason's practice was large1 the pay was small1 and not always sure4 ,he therefore looked to the farm for the means to release him from the bondage of debt2 and the children1 even to the youngest1 were taught to labor for1 and look forward eagerly to1 the time when we have paid for the farm6 ,the creditor was the doctor's father-in-law1 through his first wife1 and while the good old gentleman lived1 if by any mishap or overpress of business the quarterly payment had been delayed1 it would have been kindly excused4 ,but for the ten or fifteen years that he lived after the sale of the farm1 there had not been one delay in payment1 though now and then there would come a time when it was very hard to secure the needed sum in time1 for even in the olden days hard times were often experienced1 to the terror of our hard-working ,new ,england farmers4 ,but little by little1 the heavy debt was diminishing1 and the doctor's family were looking forward hopefully to the year of jubilee1 when they could sit under their own vine and fig-tree with none to molest and make them afraid4 ,at this period the father-in-law died4 ,he had but two children1 --daughters4 ,the younger1 the doctor's wife1 died childless4 ,the elder married a hard1 close1 scheming man who lost no opportunity of remarking that he would1 no doubt1 soon come in possession of ,dr4 ,mason's farm1 as the latter1 with his large family1 must fail by and by4 ,the financial troubles which the war of #ahab had caused1 as all wars are sure to do1 were not yet adjusted4 ,money was scarce1 and payments very difficult4 ,ten children now filled the old house with merriment and gladness2 but they were to be clothed and educated4 ,let us see how successfully they had been taught to make their high spirits and resolute wills cheerful auxiliaries in lifting the burden1 which1 since their grandfather's death1 was pressing upon their parents4 ,at the time of which we write1 among other crops1 rye was extensively raised4 ,it was used for food among the farmers quite as much as wheat1 and was also valuable for other purposes4 ,when full-grown1 but still in the milk1 large quantities were cut to be used for braiding4 ,the heads were used for fodder2 the stalks1 after being soaked in strong hot soap-suds1 were spread on the grass for the sun to whiten4 ,when sufficiently bleached and ready for use1 they were cut at each joint1 and the husk stripped off1 and the straw thus prepared was then tied in pound bundles for sale4 ,bonnets1 then1 meant something more than a small bit of silk or velvet with a flower or feather attached1 and the straw braid for making them was in great demand4 ,boys and girls were alike taught to braid1 and the long winter evenings were not spent idly4 ,dr4 ,mason raised large crops of rye1 and each child1 almost as soon as he could walk1 was taught to braid1 and was soon able to do much by it toward clothing himself4 ,at six years of age a dollar a week was easily earned2 at eight1 three dollars2 and in something of that proportion up to the eldest4 ,does any one think that such a life1 with such an object in view1 was hard or cruel8 ,never was there a greater mistake4 ,it was of great value to those young spirits4 ,they had something real1 that they could understand1 to labor for4 ,there was life and courage and true heroism in it4 ,it was an education--with here and there1 to be sure1 some rough places to pass over--which was worth more to them than all the money millionaires bequeath their sons and daughters2 an education which prepared them in after-life to be courageous and self-helpful4 ,it is this kind of training that has made ,new ,england's sons and daughters strong and self-reliant1 and the lack of it which makes these hard times such a horror that we hear of many who seek death by their own hands as preferable to the struggle for better times4 ,in the long winter evenings1 when the labor of the day was over1 the children home from school1 and the chores all finished1 the candles were lighted and the evening work began4 ,the mother in her corner was busy making and mending for her large family4 ,the doctor1 if not with the sick1 read and studied opposite her4 ,the children gathered around the long table in the middle of the room1 where lay the school-books and straw previously prepared for braiding1 while the old fireplace1 heaped with blazing logs of hickory1 oak1 and fragrant birch1 made the room warm and cheerful4 ,here1 with their books before them and fastened open to the next day's lessons1 the children with nimble fingers plaited the straw and studied at the same time4 ,for children taught to be industrious1 usually carry into the schoolroom the principles thus developed1 and are ambitious to keep as near the head of the class as possible4 ,such a family as this was well equipped to meet and conquer adversity4 ,for several days ,dr4 ,mason had been unusually grave and silent4 ,all noticed it1 but no remarks were made until evening1 when he came to supper1 so unmistakably worried and despondent that his wife inquired if he were not well4 ,yes1 well enough4 ,but1 ,lucy1 ,i have so far been unable to collect money for our quarterly payment4 ,so much is due me that ,i had no fears but that enough would be promptly paid to save me any trouble4 ,how much is there lacking8 ,not quite a hundred dollars2 but it might as well be thousands for any chance ,i now see of getting it in season4 ,there is now so much sickness about1 that1 as you know1 ,i have had no rest1 and little time to collect money4 ,if not ready before midnight to-morrow1 we are ruined4 ,i have kept it from you as long as ,i dared1 still hoping that those who ought to pay me would do so4 ,have you told them how very important it is that you should have the money8 ,no2 ,i did not wish to speak of it4 ,mr4 ,h4 is watching greedily for a 'slip1' and we need expect no mercy at his hands4 ,under our hard labor and good care1 this farm has risen greatly in value--too much so for him to spare us an hour1 if he can once get hold of it4 ,i am about discouraged4 ,it is the darkest time we have seen yet4 ,but ,i must be off1 and will probably be kept out all night4 ,to think there are not forty-eight hours between us and ruin6 ,and my hands are so tied by several severe cases1 that ,i may not find one hour to make up the little that is needed4 ,for a few minutes after the doctor left1 the children stood silent and sad1 watching their mother4 ,at last she said1-- ,children1 we can help father through this1 and save our home1 if you are willing to submit to some little self-denial4 ,no2 ,i should have said to great self-denial4 ,each of you has worked diligently to buy new garments for winter4 ,you need them and deserve them1 and ,i should be happy and proud to see you all neat and comfortable4 ,but to help father1 are you willing to let me try to clean1 mend1 or make over your old clothes1 and use what you have earned to help brighten this dark day8 ,the braid you have on hand1 and what is now due at the store1 is all your own1 or to be expended for your own clothes1 and if each one of you is not perfectly willing1 ,i don't wish you to give it up4 ,it was a beautiful sight to see those eager faces watching their mother1 ready to answer the moment she had finished2 for in the olden time children were taught that it was disrespectful to interrupt any one when speaking1 even when1 as in this case1 it was difficult to keep silent4 ,but the reply1 when given1 was prompt1 enthusiastic1 as she had confidently looked for it to be4 ,thanks1 dear children8 ,now1 then1 hasten4 ,first bring me all your braid1 and let us see how much it will come to4 ,the braid1 in ten-yard rolls1 was brought1 and its value estimated4 ,with that which is now due us at the store1 we have nearly sixty dollars6 ,well done1 for all these little fingers6 ,but now we must devise a way to make up the remainder4 ,your father spoke last night of a large quantity of straw1 which1 if cut1 would bring in something4 ,he will be away all night4 ,if you work well1 we can cut many pounds before midnight4 ,now1 girls1 help me wash the dishes1 while your brothers bring1 before dark1 the straw we can cut to-night4 ,by the time the candles were lighted1 all was ready to begin4 ,the younger children were excused at their usual bedtime1 but the others worked with their mother till the tall clock in the corner struck one4 ,then all retired for a few hours' rest4 ,dr4 ,mason returned home in season for breakfast1 and his wife inquired if the eldest son could drive her over to the neighboring town to dispose of some braid for the children4 ,he replied that he must be gone again nearly all day1 and neither son nor team could well be spared from important work at home4 ,but a strange thing followed this implied refusal4 ,mrs4 ,mason1 who never allowed her plans or wishes to interfere with her husband's1 now repeated her request1 and urged it till he yielded1 apparently from sheer surprise that his wife could be so persistent4 ,the doctor went his usual round1 and the mother and her son departed on their mysterious errand4 ,their business accomplished1 they returned well satisfied and ready for supper when the father arrived4 ,a deeper gloom was on his face when he entered2 but no word was spoken till all were seated at the table4 ,then in a slightly agitated voice his wife inquired1-- ,have you been successful in obtaining the money8 ,he shook his head1 but remained silent4 ,each young quivering face was turned first toward him1 then with earnest1 questioning glance to the mother4 ,be not discouraged1 dear1 even at this late hour4 ,are you wild1 ,lucy8 ,there are but six hours between us and ruin4 ,can you talk of hope now8 ,i have none4 ,with a warning gesture to the children1 she rose1 stepped to her husband's chair1 and passing her arm round his neck1 said1 gently1-- ,yet still hope on1 my husband2 ,god will not forsake us4 ,he moved impatiently from under her arm2 but as he did so1 she dropped a roll into his bosom and turned toward her chair4 ,lucy6 ,lucy6 what is this8 ,where did you get it8 ,all was wild with excitement4 ,each child laughing1 sobbing1 shouting1 but one glance from that strong but gentle mother quelled the confusion1 and she replied1-- ,it is our children's offering1 and is sufficient to make up the needed sum4 ,i persisted in going away this morning against your wish1 because ,i saw no escape4 ,we cut the straw last night--many willing hands made quick work2 ,i sold it1 and their braid added to it1 with what was already due them1 completed the sum4 ,those who witnessed that scene will never forget it2 ,dr4 ,mason with his arm around his wife1 and both in tears1 calling her all happy names2 the children clinging about their parents1 so joyful that home was saved1 and they had helped to save it4 ,put ,charlie into the wagon1 quick4 ,if he fails me not1 the six miles between here and ,m---- will be the shortest ,i ever rode4 ,i shall be home before bedtime to thank you all4 ,i cannot now4 ,i hope we shall never come so near ruin again4 ,and they never did4 ,in two years the last dollar was paid1 and then ,dr4 ,mason resolved he would never again owe any one a cent4 ,he kept his resolution4 ,it is easy enough to be pleasant ,when life flows by like a song1 ,but the man worth while is the one who will smile ,when everything goes dead wrong4 ,a ,,good ,,lesson ,,spoiled ,a darkened room1 spacious and handsomely furnished--being1 in fact1 the chamber of ,mrs4 ,wilcox1 the mother of the little fellow who occupied the wide bed4 ,he lay there in lugubrious state1 the rosy face stained with much crying1 just showing above the edge of the counterpane2 his tangle of yellow curls crushed upon the bolster4 ,below these was a white mound1 stretched along the middle of the bed1 just the length of ,robby1 aged seven and a half1 the youngling of the ,wilcox family4 ,two big blue eyes1 glazed with tears1 wandered from one to another of the two faces gazing at him from opposite sides of the horizontal pillory4 ,both were kindly1 both loving1 both sad4 ,they belonged to the parents of ,robby1 and he had been convicted1 sentenced1 and punished for telling a lie4 ,his mother had sent him to the fruit-store with twenty-five cents and an order for two lemons4 ,the tempter1 in the form of a street-boy1 waylaid him at the corner with a challenge to a competitive show for tops4 ,the silver quarter was in the same pocket with ,robby's new air top and card1 the pride of his soul4 ,he may have drawn it out with his handkerchief when he wiped his face after the game4 ,the tempter may have known more about it than the tempted suspected4 ,at any rate1 the money was not to be found1 and he was close by and ready with his proposition when ,robby discovered the loss4 ,mamma will certainly scold me this time1 he subjoined1 turning every pocket inside out1 and staring distractedly up and down the street4 ,i lost ten cents last week1 and she told me to be more careful4 ,don't tell her6 ,and don't pay for the lemons4 ,when the bill comes in1 your mamma will have forgotten all about sending you for them1 or she will think the lemon-feller made a mistake4 ,i know lots of real gamey fellers who get out of scrapes that way4 ,it's only milk-sops who run to mammy with every little bother4 ,the experiment thus suggested and urged1 was a success until mamma demanded the change4 ,he said there wasn't any6 faltered the errand-boy4 ,no change6 out of twenty-five cents6 ,then with a searching look at the scarlet face painfully averted--,robby6 ,the milk-sop bethought himself of the gamey fellers4 ,honest-true1 mamma6 he plucked up courage to say4 ,put on your hat1 my son1 and go with me to the store where you bought the lemons4 ,there is something wrong when my boy cannot look me in the eyes6 ,thus came about the tragedy that darkened the ,june day for the whole ,wilcox household4 ,it was at nine o'clock on ,saturday morning that the falsehood was detected4 ,at two ,p4,m4 ,mrs4 ,wilcox brought up the prisoner's dinner4 ,only bread and water6 ,he had smelled the savory soup and roast lamb1 and the cook had hinted at strawberry short-cake when he passed1 whistling1 through the kitchen1 turning the silver quarter over in his pocket4 ,that was almost five hours ago1 and he was to lie here until supper-time1 alone6 ,when he had eaten the bread of affliction1 seasoned with tears of self-pity and remorse1 mamma re-appeared with papa4 ,my son6 said the latter1 ,i would rather have you die in your innocent boyhood than grow up a liar6 ,tell the straight1 simple truth always and everywhere4 ,no brave man will lie4 ,papa does not want his boy to be a coward4 ,no honest man will deceive or tell a falsehood4 ,papa does not want his boy to be a cheat6 ,mrs4 ,wilcox sat down on the bed when her husband had gone4 ,all the mother-heart in her was crying out and tearing itself with longing and pity ineffable4 ,arms and heart ached to enfold the precious little sinner so grievously worsted in the battle with temptation4 ,mamma is very sorry that her darling has been so naughty6 she said1 bowing her head upon the pillow beside the mat of curls dampened by the rain from the culprit's eyes4 ,mamma6 ,indeed1 ,i will never tell another lie--not the leastest fib6 he sobbed4 ,god help you to keep your word1 my son4 ,every falsehood is like a drop of ink upon snow to your soul6 ,she stroked back his hair and comforted herself by giving him1 one after another1 the passionate kisses withheld through all these miserable hours4 ,holding the chubby fingers in hers1 she talked to him a few minutes longer of his sin1 and to whom he should look for forgiveness2 then bending over him1 she prayed in simple words and few for the little one who had stumbled to his own hurt4 ,lie still and think it all over1 dear6 was her parting injunction4 ,at the tea-table1 ,robby was not disposed to talk4 ,he noted and understood the grave gentleness of his father's countenance and demeanor2 the chastened loveliness of his mother's look2 the quiet tone caught by the other children from the grown-up sister who sat next to him4 ,his transgression had affected the spirits of the whole party4 ,the very avoidance of all direct reference to it was significant and impressive4 ,it was something too disgraceful for table-talk4 ,a blackened soul6 soiled lips6 ,these were the figures most distinct to his imagination as he crept after supper into the library1 and sat down at the alcoved window looking upon a side street4 ,the boys were playing noisily in the warm twilight4 ,robby watched them1 curled up on the window bench1 one foot tucked under him1 his face more sober each minute4 ,he was sure his mother would shake her head sadly were he to request permission to join the joyous group of his fellows4 ,nor did he care--very much--to go out4 ,the recollection of sin and consequent suffering was too fresh4 ,nettie1 the grown-up sister1 had a visitor1 and mamma had joined the girls1 and was chatting cheerfully with them--not at all as she looked at the cowering little liar under the counterpane up-stairs4 ,mamma1 suddenly exclaimed the daughter1 there are old ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,bartol6 ,i do believe you are to be honored by a call from them4 ,i sincerely hope not1 was the answer4 ,papa and ,i had planned a walk on this lovely evening1 and our friends the ,bartols are given to long sittings4 ,besides being insufferably prosy1 interpolated plain-spoken ,nettie4 ,they are coming in4 ,milly1 you and ,i can run away6 and they fluttered through the back-parlor door4 ,mamma's face was overcast with genuine vexation4 ,her sigh1 ,how provoking6 reached the alcoved auditor4 ,then she advanced to meet a fat old lady1 and a fatter1 bald old gentleman4 ,is this really you1 ,mr4 ,bartol8 ,it is an age since ,i have met you4 ,i am happy to see you both4 ,pray be seated4 ,oh1 good gracious6 said ,robby1 under his breath1 sinking back into his corner1 actually sick and trembling4 ,when he could listen and think again1 papa had been sent for1 and ,mr4 ,bartol was apologizing for mingling business with a friendly visit4 ,he wanted to buy a house owned by ,mr4 ,wilcox1 situated near his--,mr4 ,bartol's--home4 ,the play of negotiation1 of parry and thrust1 was courteous1 as befitted actors and scene1 but ,mr4 ,bartol's intention to buy cheap1 and his host's desire to sell dear1 were palpable to the unworldly eavesdropper4 ,i am sorry you hold the property at so high a figure6 finally remarked ,mr4 ,bartol1 rising to take leave4 ,i must consult the friend who commissioned me to make inquiries1 before ,i can say anything definite4 ,mr4 ,wilcox was the impersonation of smiling indifference4 ,the truth is1 my dear sir1 ,i do not care to sell at all4 ,the property is rising in value1 and ,i may remove to that part of the city myself next year4 ,i should lose on it were ,i to take less than the price ,i have named4 ,when the guests had gone1 ,mr4 ,wilcox turned laughingly to his wife3 ,well1 my love1 you have lost your walk1 but your husband has made four thousand dollars--clear6 ,you think he will buy the place1 then8 ,i know he will6 ,he wants to settle his daughter there4 ,she is to be married next month4 ,i had a hint to that effect some days since4 ,i had the game in my hands from the first4 ,i bought the property1 three years ago1 at a low figure4 ,the rent has covered interest1 taxes1 etc4 ,i shall never live there myself4 ,it would not be convenient for my business4 ,i have been anxious this great while to sell4 ,i am already carrying more real estate than ,i ought to hold4 ,i am afraid ,robby is less impressed by the lesson of to-day than we could desire1 observed ,mrs4 ,wilcox sorrowfully to her husband at bedtime4 ,he strode off to bed without saying ',good night' to any one1 and pretended to be asleep when ,i looked into his room just now1 answering gruffly after ,i told him ,i knew he was awake4 ,what shall ,i do if my child becomes an habitual deceiver8 ,we must watch his associations narrowly1 replied the judicious father4 ,everything depends upon the examples and impressions of early life4 ,,benevolent ,,society4 ,in the snug1 cozy barroom of the ,farmers' ,inn1 at ,madisonville1 sat six young men4 ,it was a cold1 bleak evening in ,december2 and the wind that howled and drove without1 drifting the snow and rattling the shutters1 gave to the blazing fire and steaming kettle additional charms and comforts4 ,there was ,peter ,hobbs1 a youth of five and twenty1 who seemed to be the leader1 par excellence1 of the party4 ,he was a good-natured1 intelligent1 frank-looking man1 and was really a noble-hearted citizen4 ,then there was ,john ,fulton1 a youth of the same age1 who worked with ,hobbs1 both being journeyman carpenters4 ,samuel ,green was a machinist2 ,walter ,mason1 a tin worker2 ,lyman ,drake1 a cabinet maker2 and ,william ,robinson1 a clerk4 ,they ranged1 in age1 from twenty-three to twenty-eight1 and were really industrious youths1 receiving good wages1 and maintaining good characters for honesty1 sobriety1 and general good behavior4 ,yet they were looked upon by some as ungodly youths1 and given over to perdition4 ,true1 they belonged to no church2 and1 amid the various conflicting creeds by which they were surrounded1 they had not yet settled down upon any one in particular1 believing that there was good in all of them1 and evil among the members of each4 ,on the present occasion1 they were all of them smoking1 and the empty mugs which stood upon the table near them1 showed pretty conclusively that they had been drinking something besides water4 ,the subject of the cold winter had been disposed of2 the quality of the warm ale and cigars had been thoroughly discussed1 and at length the conversation turned upon the missionary meeting1 which had been held in the town on the previous ,sabbath4 ,i don't know but this missionary business is all right1 said ,sam ,green1 knocking the ashes from his cigar with his little finger1 but at the same time1 ,i don't believe in it4 ,them ,hindoos and ,south ,sea ,islanders may be savage and ignorant1 by our scale of measuring folks2 but that is no reason why we folks should send all our money off there1 while our own folks are starving at home4 ,did you put anything into the box8 asked ,lyman ,drake4 ,no1 ,i didn't4 ,when they shoved it into my face1 ,i told 'em ,i'd left all my money at home--and so ,i had4 ,you're about right1 ,sam1 said ,bill ,robinson4 ,but ,i did more than you did4 ,when the box was handed to me1 ,i spoke right out1 so that everybody around me heard4 ,i told the old deacon if he'd take up a subscription to help the poor in our town1 ,i'd put in something4 ,what did he say to that8 ,why--he said1 ',souls are of more consequence than bodies4' ,so ,i just said back that ,i guessed he'd find it hard work to save a soul out of a starving body4 ,but you see that isn't the thing4 ,they won't try to save the souls1 or the bodies either1 of their own townfolks4 ,now when ,squire ,truman came here to settle1 they tried quick enough to save his soul4 ,ye see his body was already salted down with ten thousand dollars1 so his soul was worth something to 'em4 ,why don't they try to save poor old ,israel ,trask's soul1 and his wife's too8 ,wasn't there a committee of the church that visited old ,israel last month8 queried ,drake4 ,yes--there was1 answered ,sam1 giving his cigar an indignant shake2 and what did they do8 ,they went there--four on 'em--and found the old folks suffering for want of food and clothing4 ,they tried to make the old man believe their religion was the only true one in the world1 but he would not4 ,so they gave him three tracts and a little cheap book1 and then went away4 ,that's what they did4 ,afore ,i'd give a cent to such chaps to send off to feed their missionaries in ,baugwang and ,slapflam ,islands1 ,i'd throw it into the fire4 ,but these missionaries are honest people1 and do some good1 remarked ,peter ,hobbs1 who had not before spoken on the subject4 ,of course they do1 responded ,sam4 ,but wouldn't it look better of 'em to begin some of their charities at home8 ,i judge of a man's order by the way his own shop looks1 and not by the way he may fuss around on another man's premises4 ,and just so with those philanthropists4 ,i'd rather see how much their religion does toward keeping the ,gentiles of their own town1 than to go away off to the other end of the earth to look for the fruits of their ,christianity4 ,them's my sentiments4 ,and mine too1 uttered ,walter ,mason1 who had just thrown away the stump of one cigar1 and was about lighting another4 ,just think2 they collected1 last ,sunday1 to send off to the ,hindoos1 over two hundred dollars4 ,now1 that would have made half the poor families in this town--and ,i don't know but all--comfortable for the winter4 ,there was ,mr4 ,netherly--worth forty thousand dollars--he put in a ten-dollar bill4 ,it was a great1 new bill1 and he opened it1 and held it up1 and even turned it round1 so't everybody could see it before he let it drop4 ,then at the end1 when the box was carried up into the pulpit1 the deacon whispered to the minister2 and the minister got up1 and1 said1 taking hold of the corner of the rich man's bill3 ',here is ten dollars from one brother4 ,let that brother be assured that his deed is remembered of him in heaven4' ,yes1 that's what was said2 and ,mr4 ,netherly held up his head1 bowed very low1 and then looked around at the rest of the congregation1 as much as to say1 'that's me4' ,now ,i know of another thing that ,i guess'll be remembered in heaven1 alongside of this one4 ,last week1 poor old ,trask--,uncle ,israel--called at ,netherly's with some baskets4 ,you know the old man gets out stuff in the summer1 and then in the winter makes it up4 ,well1 he went there1 and asked ,netherly if he wouldn't buy a basket4 ,no2 he didn't want one4 ,then the old man told him how he and his poor old wife were suffering1 and he asked him if he couldn't help him in some way2 and what do you think ,netherly said8--,why1 he said that he had to pay taxes to help support a poorhouse1 and told ,uncle ,israel that he'd find help there1 if he'd only apply to the selectmen6 ,now what d'ye think of that1 eh8 ,why1 returned ,sam1 ,i think if he's got an account in heaven1 he'll find a balance against him1 when he comes to settle up4 ,so he will1 responded three or four of the others4 ,for some moments after this1 the party smoked in silence4 ,peter ,hobbs had been pondering very deeply upon something1 and at length he spoke3 ,now look here1 boys1 he said1 throwing his half-smoked cigar into the fire1 there's a good deal of truth in what's been said--in fact1 it's all true2 but1 before we blame others1 we ought to do something ourselves4 ,now ,i'm ready to form a regular benevolent society4 ,let us six go at the work1 and see what we can do toward alleviating some of the distress about us4 ,what say you8 ,the other five looked on in wonder4 ,but1 said ,sam1 how are we to do it8 ,we arn't among the favored ones4 ,we weren't born with silver spoons in our mouths4 ,i should like to do it1 added ,drake1 but what's the use8 ,we couldn't do much any way--not enough to amount to anything4 ,and so the others expressed their opinions in like manner4 ,they all would like1 but where was the money to come from8 ,listen1 said ,peter2 and they all turned toward him with real deference1 for they knew he never wore a cloak over his heart1 and that when he spoke in earnest1 his meaning had depth to it4 ,now ,i have formed a plan4 ,there is old ,uncle ,israel and his wife2 then there is the widow ,manley1 with four little children1 suffering for want of the actual necessaries of life2 and then there is ,mrs4 ,williams--she is very poor4 ,her son ,philip1 who is her mainstay1 was sick all the summer and fall1 and is sick now2 so the woman got nothing from her little patch of land1 and is now absolutely reduced to beggary1 with herself and sick son to support4 ,now let us take these three cases in hand1 and support them4 ,but how8 asked three or four voices1 anxiously1 for they really and fully sympathized with the noble plan4 ,i'll tell you1 resumed ,peter4 ,here1 ,tim1 he called1 turning to the bar-keeper1 what's our bill8 ,let's see1 responded the worthy1 coming up4 ,there's two cigars apiece1 three cents each--that's thirty-six4 ,then the ale--three pints--eighteen cents2 and wine--three gills--that's eighteen more--makes just thirty-six more2 and twice thirty-six is--is--seventy-two--seventy-two cents in all4 ,come1 boys1 said ,peter1 let's pay an equal share to-night4 ,let's give him ninepence apiece4 ,so the boys paid up1 and after ,tim had gone1 ,peter resumed3 ,now see what we've spent to-night for nothing4 ,i'll begin with you1 ,sam4 ,how much do you suppose you spend each day for cigars and ale8 ,now reckon fairly4 ,let's see1 was ,sam's response after gazing into the face of his interlocutor until he had fairly got hold of the idea4 ,i certainly average four--no1 five cigars a day1 and ,i suppose they average three cents apiece4 ,then comes my ale--but ,i could not tell how much that amounts to1 for ,i don't drink it regularly1 but perhaps six cents a day4 ,that's just twenty-one cents a day1 utterly wasted1 said ,peter2 and ,i'll own up to wasting twenty-five cents a day4 ,how is it with you1 ,john8 ,i'll say twenty-five4 ,and you1 ,walter8 ,just about the same4 ,lyman8 ,the same4 ,bill8 ,the same4 ,now look at it4 ,here we are1 a little worse than wasting about a dollar and a half a day4 ,but let us put our loss at a shilling each-- ,no1 no1 cried ,sam1 who saw through the whole plan4 ,let's give honest measure4 ,i'll own up to the twenty-five4 ,let's go the whole1 if any4 ,very well1 returned ,peter2 then let us commence and pledge ourselves not to smoke1 or drink ale1 for one month from this date4 ,every night we will lay away a quarter of a dollar1 and at the end of the week we'll put our savings all together1 and then go on our mission4 ,what say you8 ,with one voice the other five joined in the plan4 ,the novelty of the thing may have pleased them2 but the real incentives lay deeper down in the natural goodness of their hearts4 ,there was no written pledge1 but they took a more speedy method4 ,peter laid his hand upon the table1 and said3 ,here's my hand1 pledged to the work4 ,and mine too1 cried ,sam1 laying his broad palm atop of ,peter's4 ,and mine1 and mine1 and mine1 chimed the rest1 placing their hands atop of the other until the six right hands lay upon the table in a pyramid4 ,this is ,tuesday1 resumed ,peter4 ,will we meet next ,saturday8 ,yes1 answered ,sam1 and call it a week4 ,let's throw in two days4 ,and so the week was begun4 ,on the next day1 as ,sam ,green sat atop of his bench after dinner1 he felt rather lost without his cigar1 and for awhile he argued the question with himself1 whether it wouldn't be just as well for him to put an extra quarter into his box and have his cigars as usual4 ,but he remembered his pledge4 ,he looked forward to ,saturday1 when he should find himself an ambassador of mercy to the sick and needy--and his resolution grew strong again4 ,that was his last real hesitation1 though it must be confessed he had some trials and hankerings4 ,and so with the rest1 they had some moments of doubt and mental warfare with appetite and habit1 but conquered1 and were true4 ,saturday came1 and the six youths left their work at noon1 having done more than enough overwork to make up for the loss of the half day4 ,must have a time once in awhile1 eh8 said ,sam's boss1 as the young man pointed to the work he had done1 and informed him that he should not work the rest of the day4 ,some sort of a time1 replied ,sam4 ,very well1 but you're too good a fellow to go very deep into dissipation4 ,i'll be up bright in the morning1 sir2 and with this he left4 ,the new ,benevolent ,society met at ,walter ,mason's tin-shop4 ,each took out his money and they had in all nine dollars1 it being in thirty-six silver quarters4 ,now1 says ,peter1 let's visit the three families we have taken under our charge4 ,we'll go together1 and expend the money as we see it is most needed4 ,let us go to ,uncle ,israel's first4 ,so off they went to ,uncle ,israel ,trask's4 ,the old couple lived in a small hut at the edge of the village1 which was reached by a narrow lane1 and here the six philanthrophists found the old lady1 who was now in her eightieth year1 suffering with a severe attack of the rheumatism1 while the old man sat crouched over the fire1 shivering with cold4 ,good day1 good day1 ,uncle ,israel4 ,aha1 good day1 boys1 good day1 cried the old man1 trying to smile4 ,can ye find seats8 ,sit down somewhere and make yourselves at home4 ,but ye see it's a poor home that old ,israel can offer ye to-day4 ,but how are you getting along8 asked ,peter1 after the party had found seats4 ,ah1 ,god a'mercy1 ,i won't complain1 for he is taking meself and ,molly home fast4 ,only cold and hunger are not kind helpmates1 ,mr4 ,hobbs1 ye ken that1 eh8 ,right well1 ,uncle ,israel4 ,and we have come to help you4 ,do you want any medicine8 ,nay1 nay1 the old 'ooman's got a' the medicine laid up we want4 ,it's only the food an' heat we need4 ,i can't wade through the drifting snow as ,i could once4 ,suppose we send you a dollar's worth of other things1 such as butter1 flour1 potatoes and the like--could you live a week on it8 ,illustration3 ,pure ,religion ,is ,visiting the ,fatherless and ,widows in ,their ,affliction4 ,ah1 yes1 yes1 boys1 meself and ,molly'd live a long1 long while on that4 ,but ye'll not do it for us4 ,yes1 we will4 ,ah1 it's too much4 ,no1 no1 cried ,sam1 we've got to do it1 ,uncle ,israel1 for we six have sworn to help you through the winter4 ,so spunk up4 ,d'ye mean that8 uttered the old man1 clasping his thin1 tremulous hands4 ,we do1 they all answered1 and then ,sam added1 and while one of us lives1 you shall not suffer the want of what one of us can give4 ,a moment the old man bowed his snow-white head1 and then while the big tears streamed down his face1 he raised his eyes and murmured3-- ,oh6 ,god's blessin' be on ye1 ye noble boys4 ,if me heart was gold1 an' ,i could take it out an' give it ye--for it's yours all1 all your own6 ,in a little while the six went away1 promising to send or come back soon1 and even after they had reached the yard they could hear the voices of ,israel and his wife1 both raised to ,god in blessings upon their heads4 ,i say1 ,sam1 said ,peter1 this is better than cigars and ale4 ,don't say a word now1 replied ,sam1 for my heart's full1 and ,i can't bear any more4 ,next1 they drove through the biting wind and snow to the humble cot of ,widow ,manley4 ,they found her in the only habitable room of her dwelling1 sitting by a fire of chips and fagots1 with a babe asleep in her lap1 and engaged in sewing a coarse frock4 ,three other children were crouched by the fire1 the eldest not yet eight years old4 ,mr4 ,manley had been one of the many unfortunates who are swept off by rum1 and in the prime of early manhood he had gone1 leaving a young wife with four children in absolute penury4 ,ah1 good day1 ,mrs4 ,manley4 ,the woman would have arisen1 but ,sam ,green placed his hand upon her shoulders to keep her down4 ,we have come1 said ,peter1 seeing that she was anxious and fearful1 to see how you get along1 and see if we can help you4 ,help me1 sir8 uttered the widow with amazement4 ,yes2 now tell us plainly how you are situated4 ,the woman was silent for a few moments1 but at length she seemed to regain her self-control1 and replied3-- ,ah1 gentlemen1 it is all comprised in three short words3 ,hunger1 cold1 and nakedness6 ,and if we will supply you with food and fuel for a week1 can you manage to get along until that time without more clothing8 ,oh--h--yes--sirs4 ,but what is it8 ,who can help us8 ,who can care for the-- ,we can1 we will1 cried the energetic ,sam1 not so good to plan as ,peter1 but good at execution4 ,we six have pledged ourselves to see you safe through the winter4 ,so cheer up and take hope1 for neither you nor your children shall suffer while we can help it4 ,the widow's hands were clasped and her eyes wandered vacantly from one to the other of her strange visitors4 ,she saw tears of goodness in their eyes1 and her own soul's flood burst forth4 ,o ,god bless you--bless you always4 ,and we shall have something good to eat1 mamma1 and something to make us warm8 asked the eldest girl1 clasping her mother's knees4 ,yes1 yes1 you shall1 exclaimed ,drake1 catching the child and kissing her clean1 pale face4 ,you shall have it before supper time1 too4 ,the widow gradually realized the whole object of her visitors1 and she tried to express her gratitude in words1 but they failed her1 and streaming tears had to tell the tale of thanks4 ,after this our society went to see ,widow ,williams4 ,hers was a neat cot1 but they found suffering painful enough inside4 ,philip1 a youth of about their own age1 sat in a large stuffed chair1 looking pale and thin1 and wasted away almost to a skeleton1 and his great blue eyes peered at them wonderingly as they entered4 ,the mother1 too1 looked careworn and sick1 and the dry1 hacking cough that sounded in her throat told how much she needed proper food and care4 ,the youths made their business known as before1 and with about the same result4 ,the widow and her son could hardly realize that such a blessing had dawned upon them1 but when they did realize it their joy and gratitude knew no bounds4 ,look here1 said ,sam ,green1 as soon as they had reached the road1 it strikes me that we are just about a week behind hand4 ,we ought to have commenced this work just one week earlier than we did1 for our nine dollars won't quite bring matters all up square to the present time4 ,but if they were square now1 they'd keep so with our weekly allowance4 ,you're right1 ,sam1 said ,fulton1 gleefully4 ,then let's commence back two weeks1 eh8 ,i think so1 said ,peter4 ,and all the rest said so1 too4 ,so they had eighteen dollars instead of nine4 ,first1 our party went and bought three half cords of wood1 which they sent at once to their respective destinations1 and they agreed that when the other matters were attended to they would go and work it up4 ,then they went to the stores and purchased such articles of provisions and comfort as they could agree were best adapted to meet the wants of their charges1 and1 having done this1 they separated into three parties of two each1 so as to have each family provided for with as little delay as possible4 ,besides carrying provisions enough to last a week1 they left with each about a dollar in change4 ,when the poor people saw the promised blessing--when they thus met the fruition of their newly raised hopes1 their joy was almost painful4 ,the noble youths were blessed over and over again4 ,the wood was sawed and split1 and put under cover1 and then the society returned to the village1 as happy as happy could be4 ,on the next day1 they went to the church and heard how many heathen had been converted to the peculiar isms of the preachers2 and on the day following that1 they commenced another week of their newly found ,christianity4 ,sam1 said the owner of the machine-shop1 what were you and the rest of your party doing last ,saturday afternoon8 ,converting the heathen1 answered ,sam4 ,his employer was a church member1 and in for foreign missions1 and moreover had often tried to induce ,sam into the mysteries4 ,it was some time before ,sam would tell the secret1 but his boss became so earnest that he at length told the whole story4 ,for awhile the employer gazed upon his journeyman with wonder1 but gradually1 as a sense of the fact came over him1 he hung his head4 ,sam1 he said at length1 earnestly1 and with a tear in his eye1 let me join your society4 ,but how'll you raise the money8 inquired ,sam4 ,money8 echoed the boss4 ,look at my bank-book4 ,ah1 but that won't answer4 ,you must save the money by depriving yourself of some superfluity1 or luxury you now enjoy4 ,is that the rule8 ,it is most rigidly4 ,our cigars and ale furnish us4 ,and won't you smoke again8 ,never1 while within the reach of my influence there's a human being in want6 ,then ,i'll throw away my tobacco and beer2 may ,i join at that8 ,i'll propose you4 ,and the master machinist was proposed and admitted4 ,another week passed away1 and the new ,christians went again on their mission1 and there were more tears of joy1 more prayers1 and more blessings4 ,mr4 ,boothby1 the machinist1 had gained a new ray of light on the subject of ,christian missions4 ,at length it became known that the poor families of ,madisonville had found friends4 ,people were wonder-struck when they discovered how happy and joyous these once miserable wretches had become2 and more still when1 one ,sunday they saw ,uncle ,israel and his wife1 and ,mrs4 ,manley with her two elder children1 enter the church4 ,of course the truth leaked out1 and we can imagine where the public eye of sympathy and appreciation was turned4 ,before a month was out1 more than fifty people had engaged indirectly in the work1 by placing money1 food1 and clothing in the hands of the original six1 for them to distribute as they deemed proper4 ,but there was one rule to which the society adhered4 ,they would not receive a cent in money which was not the result of a cutting off of some superfluity1 and thus they showed to the people how simple and easy in its work is true charity1 and also how many professed ,christians not only lose sight of duty1 but really lose the greatest joy of ,christian life4 ,it was a glorious day for ,madisonville when those six young mechanics met in the village barroom and concocted the plan for their society4 ,and the good has worked in two ways4 ,the members find themselves happier1 healthier1 and stronger1 for having given up their pipes and cups2 and the poor unfortunate ones of the town are once again basking in the sunlight of peace1 content1 and plenty4 ,how very many professed ,christian churches there are in our land which would be benefited by following the example of the six noble youths who still stand at the head of the ,madisonville ,benevolent ,society4 ,,life ,,that ,,lasts4 ,they err who measure life by years ,with false or thoughtless tongue4 ,some hearts grow old before their time2 ,others are always young4 ',tis not the number of the lines ,on life's fast-filling page1 ',tis not the pulse's added throbs ,which constitute their age4 ,some souls are serfs among the free1 ,while others nobly thrive2 ,they stand just where their fathers stood1 ,dead1 even while they live4 ,others1 all spirit1 heart1 and sense1 ,theirs the mysterious power ,to live in thrills of joy or woe ,a twelve-month in an hour4 ,he liveth long who liveth well6 ,all other life is short and vain2 ,he liveth longest who can tell ,of living most for heavenly gain4 ,he liveth long who liveth well6 ,all else is being flung away2 ,he liveth longest who can tell ,of true things truly done each day4 ,,an ,,instructive ,,anecdote ,most young people are very fond of display in dress4 ,rings1 breastpins1 and similar superfluities1 are in great demand among them4 ,we have known a girl to spend a month's wages for a single article of this kind1 and a young man to run in debt for a cane when he had scarcely clothing enough to appear respectable4 ,the following story of a successful merchant will show to such how these things look to sensible people4 ,said he3 ,i was seventeen years old when ,i left the country store where ,i had 'tended' for three years1 and came to ,boston in search of a place4 ,anxious1 of course1 to appear to the best advantage1 ,i spent an unusual amount of time and solicitude upon my toilet1 and when it was completed1 ,i surveyed my reflection in the glass with no little satisfaction1 glancing lastly and approvingly upon a seal ring which embellished my little finger1 and my cane1 a very pretty affair1 which ,i had purchased with direct reference to this occasion4 ,my first day's experience was not encouraging4 ,i traveled street after street1 up one side and down the other1 without success4 ,i fancied1 toward the last1 that the clerks all knew my business the moment ,i opened the door1 and that they winked ill-naturedly at my discomfiture as ,i passed out4 ,but nature endowed me with a good degree of persistency1 and the next day ,i started again4 ,toward noon ,i entered a store where an elderly gentleman was talking with a lady near by the door4 ,i waited until the visitor had left and then stated my errand4 ',no sir1' was the answer1 given in a crisp and decided manner4 ,possibly ,i looked the discouragement ,i was beginning to feel1 for he added in a kindlier tone1 ',are you good at taking a hint8' ',i don't know1' ,i answered1 and my face flushed painfully4 ',what ,i wished to say is this1' said he1 looking me in the face and smiling at my embarrassment1 ',if ,i were in want of a clerk1 ,i would not engage a young man who came seeking employment with a flashy ring upon his finger1 and swinging a cane4' ,for a moment1 mortified vanity struggled against common sense1 but sense got the victory1 and ,i replied1 with rather shaky voice1 ',i'm very much obliged to you1' and then beat a hasty retreat4 ,as soon as ,i got out of sight1 ,i slipped the ring into my pocket1 and walking rapidly to the ,worcester depot ,i left the cane in charge of the baggage-master 'until called for4' ,it is there now1 for aught ,i know4 ,at any rate1 ,i never called for it4 ,that afternoon ,i obtained a situation with the firm of which ,i am now a partner4 ,how much my unfortunate finery had injured my prospects on the previous day ,i shall never know1 but ,i never think of the old gentleman and his plain-dealing with me1 without always feeling1 as ,i told him at the time1 'very much obliged to him4' ,,reaping4 ,while the years are swiftly passing1 ,as we watch them come and go1 ,do we realize the maxim1 ,we must reap whate'er we sow8 ,when the past comes up before us1 ,all our thoughts1 our acts and deeds1 ,shall they glean for us fair roses1 ,or a harvest bear of weeds8 ,are we sowing seeds to blossom8 ,we shall reap some day1--somewhere1 ,just what here we have been sowing1 ,worthless weeds or roses fair4 ,all around us whispering ever1 ,hear the voice of ,nature speak1 ,teaching all the self-same lesson1 ,as you sow so shall you reap4 ,though there's pardon for each sinner ,in ,god's mercy vast and mild1 ,yet the law that governs ,nature1 ,governs e'en fair ,nature's child4 ,,why ,,he ,,didn',t ,,smoke4 ,the son of ,mr4 ,jeremy ,lord1 aged fourteen1 was spending the afternoon with one of his young friends1 and his stay was prolonged into the evening1 during which some male friends of the family dropped in4 ,the boys withdrew into the recess of the bay window1 at the end of the room1 and the men went on chatting about the most important matters of the day1 politics1 etc4 ,still apparently entertaining each other1 the two boys yet kept their ears open1 as boys will1 and1 taking their cue from the sentiments expressed by their elders1 indorsed one or the other as they happened to agree with them4 ,gentlemen1 will you smoke8 asked ,mr4 ,benedict1 the host4 ,a simultaneous ,thank you1 went round1 and a smile of satisfaction lighted all faces but one4 ,not that he was gloomy1 or a drawback on the rest1 but his smile was not one of assent4 ,a box of cigars was soon forthcoming1 costly and fragrant1 as the word goes4 ,fine cigar1 said one1 as he held it to his nose1 before lighting4 ,what1 ,linton1 you don't smoke8 ,i'm happy to say ,i do not1 was the firm rejoinder4 ,well1 now1 you look like a smoking man1 jolly1 care free1 and all that4 ,i'm quite surprised1 said another4 ,we are hardly doing right1 are we1 asked a rubicund-visaged man1 who puffed away heartily to smoke in the parlor8 ,i condone that much to my wife's dislike of the weed4 ,she makes a great ado about the curtains1 you know4 ,for my part1 that's a matter ,i don't trouble myself about1 said the host1 broadly4 ,there's no room in this house too good for me and my friends to smoke in4 ,my wife has always understood that1 and she yields1 of course4 ,but you don't know how it chokes her1 said young ,hal ,benedict4 ,yes1 indeed1 it gets all through the house1 you know1 and she almost always goes into ,aunt ,nellie's when there are two or three smoking4 ,there she goes now1 he added1 as the front door closed4 ,why1 it's absolutely driving her out of the house1 isn't it8 asked ,johnny4 ,too bad6 ,why don't you smoke1 ,dalton8 queried one of the party4 ',fraid of it8 ,given it up lately8 ,it don't agree with some constitutions4 ,well1 if you want to know why ,i don't smoke1 friend ,jay1 was the answer1 ,i will tell you1 ,i respect my wife too much4 ,why1 you don't mean-- stammered his questioner4 ,i mean simply what ,i said4 ,when ,i was married ,i was addicted to the use of cigars4 ,i saw that the smoke annoyed her1 though she behaved with the utmost good taste and forbearance1 and cut down my cigars so as to smoke only when going and returning from business4 ,i then considered what my presence must be to a delicate and sensitive woman1 with breath and clothes saturated with the odor1 and ,i began to be disgusted with myself1 so that ,i finally dropped the habit1 and ,i can't say ,i'm sorry4 ,i shouldn't be1 ,i know1 said another1 admiringly4 ,i'm candid enough to own it1 and ,i think your wife ought to be very much obliged to you4 ,on the contrary1 it is ,i who ought to be obliged to my wife1 said ,mr4 ,dalton1 while the host smoked on in silence1 very red in the face1 and evidently wincing under the reproof that was not meant4 ,i say that ,dalton is a brick1 whispered young ,benedict4 ,he's splendid6 supplemented ,johnny1 who was thinking his own thoughts while the smoke was really getting too much for him1 and presently he took his leave4 ,the next day ,johnny was thoughtful1 so quiet1 indeed1 that everybody noticed it1 and in the evening1 when his father lighted his pipe with its strong tobacco1 ,johnny seemed on thorns4 ,i can't think that you don't respect mother1 he blurted out1 and then his face grew scarlet4 ,what do you mean8 asked his father1 in a severe voice4 ,i say1 what do you mean1 sir8 ,because mother hates the smoke so2 because it gets into the curtains and carpet--and--and because ,i heard ,mr4 ,dalton last night give as a reason that he did not smoke that he respected his wife too much4 ,pshaw6 ,your mother don't mind my smoking--do you1 mother8 he asked1 jocularly1 as his wife entered just then4 ,well--,i--,i used to rather more than ,i do now4 ,one can get accustomed to anything1 ,i suppose1 so ,i go on the principle that what can't be cured must be endured4 ,nonsense6 you know ,i could stop to-morrow if ,i wanted to1 he laughed4 ,but you won't want to1 she said1 softly4 ,i don't know whether ,johnny's father gave up the weed4 ,most likely not2 but if you want to see what really came of it1 ,i will give you a peep at the following paper1 written some years ago1 and which happens to be in my possession4 ,i1 ,john ,lord1 of sound mind1 do make1 this first day of ,january1 #ahfa1 the following resolutions1 which ,i pray ,god ,i may keep3-- ,first4 ,i will not get married till ,i own a house1 for ,i expect my uncle will give me one1 one of these days2 mother says he will4 ,second4 ,i will never swear1 because it is silly1 as well as wicked4 ,third4 ,i will never smoke and so make myself disagreeable to everybody who comes near me1 and ,i will always keep these words as my motto after ,i am married3 ',i don't smoke1 because ,i respect my wife4' ,mr4 ,dalton said that1 and ,i will never forget it4 7,signed7 ,john ,lord4 ,and ,johnny kept his word like a hero4 ,the world will never adjust itself ,to suit your whims to the letter4 ,some things must go wrong your whole life long1 ,and the sooner you know it the better4 --,ella ,wheeler ,wilcox ,,story ,,of ,,school ,,life ,oh1 girls6 ,i shall just die1 ,i know ,i shall6 exclaimed ,belle ,burnette1 going off into a hysterical fit of laughter1 which she vainly tried to smother behind an elegant lace-edged handkerchief4 ,what is it1 you provoking thing8 ,why don't you tell us1 so we can laugh too8 ,well--you--see1 she gasped out at last1 we've got a new pupil--the queerest looking thing you ever saw4 ,i happened to be in ,madam's room when she arrived4 ,she came in the stage1 and had a mite of an old-fashioned hair trunk1 not much bigger than a bandbox1 and she came into ,madam's room with a funny little basket in her hand1 and sat down as if she had come to stay forever4 ,she said1 ',are you ,madam ,gazin8' ',yes1' she replied1 'that is my name4' ',well1 ,i've come to stay a year at your school4' ,and then she pulled a handkerchief out of her basket1 and unrolled it till she found an old leather wallet1 and actually took out #bej and laid it in ,madam's hand1 saying1 ',that is just the amount1 ,i believe2 will you please give me a receipt for it8' ,you never saw ,madam look so surprised4 ,she actually didn't know what to say for a minute1 but she gave her the receipt1 asked a few questions1 and had her taken to ,no4 #aj1 and there she is now1 this very minute4 ,well1 what was there so funny about all that8 ,why this3 she has red hair1 tucked into a black net1 and looks just like a fright1 every way4 ,she had on a brown delaine dress1 without a sign of a ruffle1 or trimming of any kind1 and the shabbiest hat and shawl you ever saw4 ,you'll laugh1 too1 when you see her4 ,belle ,burnette was an only child1 and her wealthy father was pleased to gratify her every whim4 ,so1 besides being far too elegantly dressed for a schoolgirl1 she was supplied with plenty of pocket-money1 and being very generous1 and full of life and fun1 she was the acknowledged leader among ,madam's pupils4 ,when the tea-bell rang1 the new-comer was escorted to the dining-room1 and introduced to her schoolmates as ,miss ,fannie ,comstock4 ,she had exchanged her brown delaine for a plain calico dress1 with a bit of white edging about the neck4 ,she did look rather queer1 with her small1 thin1 freckled face1 and her red hair brushed straight back from her face1 and hidden as much as possible under a large black net1 and but for the presence of ,madam her first reception would have been exceedingly unpleasant4 ,she was shy and awkward1 and evidently ill at ease among so many strangers4 ,as soon as possible she hastened back to the seclusion of her own room4 ,the next day she was examined1 and assigned to her place in the different classes1 and to the surprise of all she was far in advance of those of her age4 ,but this did not awaken the respect of her schoolmates as it should have done4 ,on the contrary1 ,belle ,burnette and her special friends were highly incensed about it1 and at once commenced a series of petty annoyances1 whenever it was safe to do so1 which kept poor ,fannie miserable1 indeed1 although she seemed to take no notice of it4 ,a few weeks passed by4 ,her lessons were always perfectly recited4 ,she made no complaint of the slights and sneers of her companions1 but kept out of their way as much as possible4 ,her thin face grew paler1 however1 and there were dark rings about her eyes4 ,a watchful friend would have seen that all these things were wearing cruelly upon her young life4 ,one ,saturday the very spirit of wickedness seemed let loose among them4 ,madam was away1 and the other teachers were busy in their rooms4 ,fannie had been out for a walk and was near the door of her room when a dozen or more of the girls surrounded her1 clasping hands together so she was a prisoner in their midst4 ,for a moment she begged piteously to be released1 but they only laughed the more1 and began going around1 singing something which ,belle had composed--cruel1 miserable1 insulting words4 ,she stood for an instant pale and still1 then1 with a piercing cry1 she burst through the ring1 and rushed into her room1 closed and locked the door4 ,through their wild peals of laughter the girls heard a strange moan and a heavy fall4 ,i believe she has fainted1 said ,belle4 ,what shall we do8 said another4 ,for a moment they stood there sober enough2 then one of them ran for the matron and told her that ,fannie ,comstock had fainted in her room and the door was locked4 ,she had a long ladder put to the window1 and sent the janitor to see if it was true4 ,fortunately the window was open1 and in a few moments he had unlocked the door from the inside4 ,the girls were huddled together in a frightened group1 while ,madam lifted the poor girl and laid her upon her bed4 ,she was in violent spasms4 ,the doctor was sent for1 but when the spasms ceased1 alarming symptoms set in1 and he pronounced it a serious case of brain fever4 ,it is impossible to tell the shame and remorse of the conscience stricken girls4 ,they were not brave enough to confess their guilt1 but hung around the sick room1 offering their services1 vainly wishing that they might atone for it in some way4 ,but their presence only excited the poor sufferer1 so that they were all sent away4 ,day after day passed1 and still she raved in violent delirium4 ,the little hair trunk was searched to find some clue to her friends1 but there was nothing found in it but the plainest1 scantiest supply of clothes4 ,day after day the doctor came1 looking grave and anxious1 and at last the crisis came4 ,for many hours she lay as if dead1 and not a noise was permitted to disturb the awful silence while they waited to see if she would live or die4 ,at last she opened her eyes2 and the suspense was relieved by an assuring word from the doctor1 that with careful nursing she would soon be well again4 ,but her convalescence was slow and tedious4 ,her former tormentors dared not speak of what they had done1 but they sent daily little bouquets of fragrant flowers and other delicacies to tempt her returning appetite4 ,her eyes would light up with surprise and pleasure at the little gifts4 ,and amidst all her wild ravings not a word of complaint at the ill treatment she had received ever escaped her lips4 ,one day ,madam was sitting by her side1 and as ,fannie seemed to be much stronger1 she ventured to ask after her friends4 ,i have no friends1 ,madam1 only ,cousin ,john1 who has a large family of his own1 and has never cared for me4 ,mother died when ,i was born4 ,i had a step-mother1 but father died five years after1 and ,i've taken care of myself ever since4 ,and you are only fifteen now8 ,yes1 ma'am4 ,how did you get money enough to pay for a year's board and tuition here8 ,i earned it all1 ,madam1 every cent of it4 ,as soon as ,i was big enough ,i went into a factory1 and earned two dollars a week at first1 and finally #c4ej2 and ,i worked for my board nights and mornings4 ,poor child6 ,oh no1 ma'am1 ,i was very glad to do it4 ,but how did you keep along so well with your studies8 ,i used to fix a book open on my loom1 where ,i could catch a sentence now and then1 and the overseer did not object1 because ,i always did my work well4 ,you see1 ,madam1 ,i wanted to be a teacher some time1 and ,i'd have a better chance to learn here than anywhere else1 so ,i determined to do it4 ,what are your plans for the long vacation8 ,i must go back to the factory and earn enough to get some warmer clothes for the winter4 ,you see1 ,madam1 why ,i can't afford to dress better4 ,madam's heart was full4 ,she bent over the white1 thin little face1 and kissed it reverently4 ,that evening1 when the girls gathered in the chapel for worship1 she told ,fannie's story4 ,there was not a dry eye in the room4 ,the moment ,madam finished1 ,belle ,burnette sprang up with the tears pouring down her cheeks1 and said3 ,oh1 ,madam6 ,we have been awfully cruel and wicked to that poor girl4 ,we have made fun of her from the first1 and she would not have been sick as she was if we had not tormented her almost to death4 ,i was the most to blame4 ,it was ,i that led on the rest1 and we have suffered terribly all these weeks1 fearing she might die4 ,you may expel me1 or punish me in any way you please2 for ,i deserve it2 and ,i shall go down on my knees to ask her pardon1 as soon as you will let me see her4 ,my child1 ,i am shocked to hear this4 ,i can scarcely believe that any of my pupils would ill-treat a companion because she was so unfortunate as to be plain and poor4 ,but you have made a noble confession1 and ,i forgive you as freely as ,i believe she will1 when she knows how truly you have repented of your unkindness4 ,by degrees1 as she was able to bear it1 one after another went to ,fannie and begged her forgiveness1 which was freely granted4 ,she said1 ,i don't wonder you made fun of me4 ,i know ,i was poorly dressed1 and awful homely4 ,i would have pulled every hair out of my head long ago1 only ,i knew it would grow out as red as ever4 ,but1 oh6 if ,i could have felt that ,i had just one friend among you all1 ,i could have borne it2 but somehow it just broke my heart to have you all turn against me4 ,after this she gained rapidly1 and one fine morning the doctor said she might join the girls in the drawing-room for an hour before tea4 ,there had been a vast deal of whispering and hurrying to and fro of late1 among the girls1 of which ,fannie had been totally unconscious in the quiet seclusion of her room4 ,at the appointed time1 ,madam herself came to assist her1 and leaning upon her strong arms1 the young girl walked feebly through the long hall and down the stairs4 ,my dear1 the girls have planned a little surprise for you1 to make the hour as pleasant as possible4 ,she opened the door and seated ,fannie in an easy chair1 and the girls came gliding in1 with smiling faces1 singing a beautiful song of welcome4 ,at its close ,belle ,burnette approached and placed a beautiful wreath of flowers upon her head1 saying3 ,dear ,fannie1 we crown you our queen to-day1 knowing well how far above us all you are in ,his sight1 who looketh upon the heart instead of the outward appearance4 ,you have taught us a lesson we shall never forget1 and we beg you to accept a token of sincere love and repentance for our treatment of you in the past1 which you will find in your room on your return4 ,fannie's eyes were full of tears1 and she tried to say a word in reply1 but ,madam spoke for her1 and after another song they followed their newly crowned queen to the dining-room1 where a most tempting feast was laid in honor of the occasion4 ,fannie was quietly1 tearfully happy through it all1 yet so wearied with the unusual excitement that ,madam said she must not see the girls' peace-offering that night4 ,the first thing she saw the next morning was a fine large trunk1 and lying upon it a card1 ,for ,miss ,fannie ,comstock1 from her teacher and schoolmates4 ,having opened it1 she saw it was packed full of newly folded garments1 but she had no time to examine the contents1 until after breakfast1 when they left her alone with her wonderful gifts4 ,there were pretty dresses and sacques1 a fine new parasol1 gloves and ribbons1 cuffs and collars in abundance--indeed1 everything that a young schoolgirl could possibly need4 ,every one of ,madam's two hundred and ten pupils had contributed from their choicest and best1 to furnish a complete outfit for their less favored mate4 ,at the bottom was a well-filled writing-desk1 an album containing all their pictures1 and a pretty purse containing five dollars1 and the following note from ,madam3 ,,my ,,dear ,,child3 ,this shall be a receipt in full for all expenses1 during whatever time you may choose to remain in the seminary1 which ,i present to you as a sincere token of my love and respect4 ,,jeannette ,,gazin4 ,they found her at dinner time on the floor1 surrounded by her new treasures1 crying like a baby2 but it did her good4 ,she was soon able to resume her studies1 and was ever afterward treated with kindness and consideration1 even though all her hair came out and left her head bald as her face1 so she had to wear a queer1 cap-like wig for many weeks4 ,when the long vacation arrived1 ,belle carried her off to her beautiful home on the ,hudson1 where for the first time in her life she was surrounded with beauty and luxury on every side1 and was treated as a loved and honored guest4 ,it was not long before the hateful wig was cast aside1 and ,fannie's head was covered with a profusion of dark auburn curls1 which were indeed a crown of glory that made her plain face almost beautiful4 ,gentle1 loving1 and beloved by all1 she remained in the seminary until she graduated with honor1 after which ,madam offered her the position of head teacher1 with a most liberal salary1 which she gratefully accepted4 ,there are loyal hearts1 there are spirits brave1 ,there are souls that are pure and true1 ,then give to the world the best you have1 ,and the best will come back to you4 ,give love1 and love to your life will flow1 ,a strength in your utmost need4 ,have faith1 and a score of hearts will show ,their faith in your word and deed4 ,give truth1 and your gift will be paid in kind1 ,and honor will honor meet1 ,and a smile that is sweet ,will surely find a smile that is just as sweet4 ,for life is the mirror of old king slave2 ',tis just what we say or do1 ,then give to the world the best you have1 ,and the best will come back to you4 ,,grandmother',s ,,room4 ,john ,lyman was what his neighbors and townsfolk called a hard-fisted man2 and he had earned the name by dint of persevering stinginess from boyhood up4 ,he and his good wife ,phoebe had accumulated a snug little property1 besides the many-acred farm which was to be his when grandmother should relinquish her claim to all earthly possessions4 ,so he was really able to live in comfort2 but1 instead of that1 the old red farmhouse1 which was his father's before him1 was a model of angularity1 unadorned and unattractive1 both inside and out1 only preserving a decent aspect through ,phoebe's thrift and neatness4 ,six little ones made music in the old house1 save when their father was there4 ,his presence always seemed to send a chill to their little warm hearts2 for he made them feel that they were bills of expense1 and whenever they clamored for pretty things he told them that they cost money1 and sent them away with a reproof for their desires4 ,and yet ,john ,lyman claimed that he was just4 ,don't ,i pay the minister two dollars every single year8 he would say when the puzzled collectors came to him1 bank-book in hand4 ,of course he did2 and1 if the reverend gentleman was a smart preacher1 he added a peck of beans to his annual subscription1 although this came a little hard when the harvest was poor4 ,not being a church member1 he didn't feel called to give to the heathen1 as he was wont to style all benevolent objects of whatever character2 and it was generally understood that the two dollars were given on grandmother's account4 ,dear ,grandmother ,lyman6 ,known and loved by everybody in ,peltonville1 she was peacemaker1 adviser1 and1 in fact1 condensed sunshine in ,john's household from ,january to ,december4 ,she was a ,christian1 too2 and ,john was glad of that1 for he believed that she and the ,bible were good in case of sickness or death2 and1 to tell the truth1 he had a vague idea that she would see that he had a place in heaven sometime1 after he had grown old and tired of this world4 ,but ,grandmother ,lyman knew better than this2 and morning1 noon1 and night1 her prayers ascended for him1 her only remaining child1 and his family4 ,one would suppose that such a mother would have every want supplied1 even by a penurious son4 ,but ,oh6 the love of gain had so eaten into ,john's best affections that it sometimes seemed as if he had forgotten all claims upon him6 ,so it was very trying to ask a favor of him1 and his mother denied herself many a necessity before doing it4 ,something more than usually important troubled her mind1 however1 on one bright spring morning as she sat by the kitchen fire4 ,all the funny little wrinkles in her dear old face1 which were generally only telegraph lines for smiles to run over1 were sobered by some weighty consideration4 ,her knitting-work lay idle in her lap2 and she did not even notice that little ,tillie had pulled two of the needles out1 nor that mischievous ,nick was sawing away on the back of her chair with his antiquated pocket-knife4 ,whatever the problem was1 it troubled her all the forenoon2 but after dinner she followed ,john to the door1 and1 said she1 ,i've been thinking1 ,john1 couldn't ,i have a little room somewhere all to myself8 ,i'm going on seventy-eight now1 you know1 and the children get pretty noisy sometimes2 and ,i thought1 maybe1 if it wouldn't be too much trouble-- ,hem6 ,well1 really1 grandma'm1 taking off his hat and scratching his head dubiously1 the children do make a precious hubbub here1 that's a fact4 ,but ,i declare6 ,well1 ,i'll see4 ,and ,john went to the field4 ,as result of the seeing1 on the next rainy day there was heard the noise of hammer and saw in a chamber over the kitchen4 ,this chamber had never been finished or used save as a place in which to store old rubbish of all kinds1 and was a gloomy1 out-of-the-way room at best4 ,grandmother ,lyman looked rather sober over the prospect2 and ,phoebe wanted to interfere1 but as that was against the rules of the house1 ,john worked on in his own way1 until1 at the end of two days1 and after ,phoebe had made several journeys up and down the back-stairs1 grandmother was told that her room was ready4 ,the dear old lady dragged herself up to the little chamber1 while two little tots came scrambling after1 bearing her ,bible1 hymn-book1 ,wesley's ,sermons1 and knitting-work4 ,but it was no palace of beauty which she found awaiting her4 ,the room was low1 slanting on one side1 unpapered1 uncarpeted1 and only lighted by two little dormer-windows1 which did their best to admit pure daylight in spite of the dark gingham curtains so trimly hung before them4 ,a bed stood in one corner1 before which was a braided rug1 while a stove with two good legs occupied the center of the room4 ,grandmother looked out at the windows1 but the view was not pleasant2 two barns1 the watering trough1 and the fashionable summer resort of the ducks and geese1 that was all4 ,she was not one to complain2 but she sadly missed the grand sweep of mountain and valley which had greeted her eyes from the fore-door ever since she was brought there a happy bride4 ,turning to arrange her books on the little table1 she sang1 in her wavering way1 ,thus far the ,lord hath led me on2 and1 before the verse was finished1 her heart was at peace again4 ,doin to stay up here all 'lone1 g'anma8 said wee ,tillie in pitying accents4 ,o no6 ,i guess you and ,nick will come up real often1 won't you8 ,i dess so2 but 'taint very pitty1 said the little one1 as she trotted down-stairs again4 ,meanwhile1 ,john1 as he followed the plow1 was thinking of the five dollars expended in repairing the room1 and trying to persuade himself that he was indeed a worthy son4 ,five dollars6 ,it aint every one that would do as much for his mother as ,i do for mine1 he soliloquized4 ,too old to go up-stairs6 ,oh well1 when she once gets up she is more out of the way2 and she wants quiet1 you know4 ,be it known that ,john sometimes found it necessary to reason with himself in order to assure his conscience that everything was as it should be in her domain2 and sometimes1 as on this occasion1 she asked so many questions that he was obliged to talk the livelong afternoon4 ,he retired that night thinking1 ,five dollars for grandma'm's room and the mare lame in both forefeet6 ,but while these dismal thoughts filled his mind1 his body seemed to be very suddenly transported to the kitchen below4 ,he was not alone1 however1 for a woman was there before him1 walking the floor with a child in her arms4 ,back and forth she paced1 carefully holding the pale-faced boy in the same position while he slept4 ,ruth1 said a voice from an adjoining room1 that little chap will wear you all out4 ,can't ,i take him a little while8 ,o no1 was the reply4 ,he likes to have me carry him so1 poor little fellow4 ,ah1 said ,john to himself1 that's the way mother carried me six nights1 when ,i got scalded so terribly4 ,the scene changed1 and he saw himself again4 ,a crushed foot this time1 demanding his mother's untiring care4 ,again and again incidents of his life were re-enacted before him1 but always with his mother there1 comforting1 working1 watching1 or praying4 ,whether sick in body or in mind1 he saw how1 all through his life1 a mother's tender love had surrounded him4 ,and then he stood once more beside his father's death-bed1 and heard again the solemn charge3 ,be kind to your mother1 ,john1 and make her old age pleasant4 ,she is all you've got now4 ,with these words ringing in his ears ,john ,lyman awoke to find the perspiration standing on his forehead1 and a strange1 weird sensation resting on him like a spell1 which he tried in vain to throw aside4 ,he tried to compose his mind1 and again to sleep2 but though nothing peculiarly frightful had troubled his slumber1 he trembled from head to foot4 ,in fact1 ,conscience so long soothed and stifled1 had with a terrible effort freed herself1 and determined to make one more effort for ,john's soul4 ,she lashed him unmercifully4 ,she showed him how his soul was growing smaller and meaner every day--how he was just a plague-spot on ,god's fair earth4 ,he saw himself in a mirror that reflected the inmost recesses of his heart1 and he was horrified at sight of the foulness so long concealed4 ,as the hours wore slowly on toward the day1 ,john grew to hate himself more and more1 until1 almost stifled in-doors1 he rose and went out4 ,everything wore that unreal look that the first faint twilight gives4 ,mysterious and still the mists lay along the foot of the mountain1 while the stars twinkled in the sky that seemed very1 very far away4 ,from force of habit ,john ,lyman strode into the yard where the cattle were2 but they only stared at him sleepily1 as they lay tranquilly chewing the cud2 so he wandered out and down the path that led into the little maple grove1 which had been a playground for three generations4 ,as he passed slowly along under the solemn trees1 his boyhood days came back to him so fresh that the twoscore years of hard1 grinding toil1 flew away as by magic4 ,oh1 that happy1 careless boyhood6 ,how had its golden promises been fulfilled6 ,a blush of shame rose to the man's cheek as he thought how hard and cold his heart had grown4 ,hundreds of times he had stood beside the little stream which he had now reached1 without noticing a trace of beauty2 but now1 as the sun lighted the distant mountain-top with a glow that crept over its sides1 a gladdening1 awakening glow1 seen only in the spring1 it seemed as though he had never looked upon the scene before4 ,so new1 so beautiful6 ,and a wonderful sense of ,god's nearness stole over him1 such as he had not felt before for years1 and1 at the same time1 a new love for his mother1 who had so long been the only ,bible he read1 filled his heart1 like a fresh revelation from the ,father4 ,the lowing of the cattle recalled him to himself1 and he turned homeward1 passed up the lane into the barn1 and was soon throwing hay into the mangers below4 ,suddenly he stopped1 thrust his pitchfork deep into the hay1 and said3 ,my mother shall have a better room than that if it costs five hundred dollars6 ,now that's so6 ,hurrah6 ,good once more had triumphed over evil1 as the experience of the morning culminated in this worthy resolution4 ,soon the patter of childish feet was heard1 and ,tillie cried1 ,pa1 pa1 mother wants to know where you be1 'cause she's been worryin' about you1 fear you's sick1 and breakses is all gettin' cold this minute4 ,boiled eggs1 too1 aint it1 ,ruth8 ,i'll be in directly1 came the answer from the high mow2 so happy1 chattering1 ,tillie and quiet ,ruth climbed down the high steps and started toward the house4 ,their father overtook them as they stopped to look at the ducks taking their morning bath1 and catching ,tillie up1 he put her on his shoulder1 then drew down the little face and kissed the fresh1 sweet lips4 ,how natural6 one may say4 ,no1 not natural for ,john ,lyman1 whose children feared far more than they loved him4 ,tillie was astonished and half frightened1 and as she began to wriggle uneasily1 her father set her gently down4 ,in a trice she was beside ,ruth1 and pulling her head down she whispered in her ear1 ,pa just kissed me all his own self1 ,ruth4 ,did he8 said ,ruth1 opening her eyes very wide4 ,then she hurried on and walked close by her father's side1 while at her little heart fluttered the hope that she too might receive a kiss4 ,but she was not noticed2 and very much grieved she shrank away wondering if he loved ,tillie best4 ,i dreamed of your father last night1 ,john1 said grandmother while they were at breakfast1 and you can't think how good and natural he looked4 ,john didn't say anything4 ,during the forenoon ,john had a long conference with his wife which seemed to be satisfactory1 for as he left her he said1 ,well1 then1 you take the things out this afternoon1 and ,johnson shall come over to do the painting to-morrow4 ,before night the cheerful little spare room which adjoined the parlor was empty1 and the old-fashioned paper1 with its ever-recurring pictures of a shepherdess1 a hunter1 and ,rebecca at the well1 stripped from the walls4 ,silence was imposed upon the children1 for grandma'm mustn't know1 and the little things went round the house fairly aching with the importance of their secret1 and holding on to themselves for fear they might tell4 ,mysterious trips were taken in the old market-wagon1 and a suspicious smell of new things filled the air2 but when grandmother inquired what was going on down-stairs1 ,ruth clapped both hands over her mouth and ,tillie screamed1 ,o nuffin1 grandma1 on'y--,o ,ruthie1 come down1 quick6 ,one bright ,may afternoon1 however1 the work was finished1 and ,john1 jealous of the privilege1 donned his ,sunday coat and stumbled up to his mother's room in the most awkward manner to break the news4 ,mother1 can you come down below a few minutes now8 said he1 trying to appear unconcerned4 ,why1 la me6 smoothing her front and refolding her neckerchief1 has the minister come8 ,i aint fixed up one bit4 ,no1 no1 mother1 there's no occasion for fixin' up4 ,it aint much of anything1 only me--that is1--well1 perhaps you'd better come now4 ,john1 said the old lady solemnly1 laying her hand on his arm1 if it's bad news1 just tell me right away4 ,the ,lord will give me strength to bear it1 just as he has the dispensations all along4 ,poor ,john6 how to acquaint the old lady with this dispensation he didn't know2 but ,tillie came to the rescue4 ,o g'anma1 said she1 seizing one of the wrinkled hands1 we can't wait another minute4 ,it's all splendid2 and ,nick1 and ,ruth1 and baby1 and ,i have all got our clean aprons on1 and ,wesley1 he's in1 so come straight down1 and timing her impatient hops to the tottering footsteps she guided1 ,tillie soon had grandmother in the midst of a smiling group1 while the relieved father brought up the rear4 ,now1 g'anma1 said ,ruth1 seizing the free hand1 shut up your eyes tight till we say open 'em1 and then the delighted children1 followed by the rest of the family1 drew her into the old spare room4 ,now1 now1 g'anma1 open1 open6 and what do you see8 they cried1 dancing and clapping their hands4 ,grandmother looked around her in perfect amazement4 ,truly a wondrous change had been wrought6 ,beautiful light paper covered the walls1 and a bright1 soft carpet the floor1 while pretty shades hung before the four great windows1 whose tassels swung back and forth in the sweet ,may air like bells1 dumb for joy4 ,john1 ,john1 what does this mean8 ,it's your room1 g'anma1 shouted a chorus of voices4 ,why1 this is good enough for a queen6 ,you can't mean it all for a poor old creature like me1 and the darling old lady's eyes began to run over with happy tears1 while ,john tried in vain to find voice to answer1 and dear1 patient ,phoebe sobbed outright4 ,why1 g'anma1 shouted little ,nick at the top of his voice1 ,i shouldn't think you'd cry1 'cause this is the cutest room in the house2 and when me and ,wes comes in1 we've got to take off our boots and talk real soft4 ,and ,oh1 just look at this table-cloth and this rug6 ,it feels like velvet6 and this stool--do you see8--it's got a cat's foot on every one of its legs4 ,that's to put you foot on1 you know2 and1 ,o say1 can't we play puss in the corner sometimes if we're easy8 ,g'anma1 ,i can almost smell the roses1 said ,ruth1 patting the paper4 ,so with the help of the children the room was christened1 everything examined and praised1 and at last the noisy little troop withdrew4 ,then ,grandmother ,lyman1 with a sense of exquisite comfort1 sank into the nice1 new arm-chair close to the window4 ,like it pretty well1 do you8 queried ,john1 as he took another chair near her4 ,like it8 ,it seems too good to be real4 ,i've thought sometimes that perhaps in my mansion--heavenly1 you know--,i should find everything soft1 and bright1 and cozy like2 but to have a room like this here on earth1 why1 ,john1 ,i can't tell you how thankful ,i feel4 ',twas lonesome up garret there1 and yesterday ,i dragged in the old cradle and the little wheel to make it seem more social like2 but the cradle was empty and broken1 and the wheel brought back the old days when ,i used to sit and spin1 while your father husked corn2 so they didn't cheer me up much4 ,but ,i never mistrusted what you was doing down here for me4 ,john1 ,i believe nothing but the ,spirit of ,god could have coaxed you into this4 ,don't you think ,i'll see you a ,christian yet before ,i die8 and the anxious mother laid her trembling hand on her son's big brown one4 ,well1 mother1 ,i don't know2 then came a long pause1 for the farmer1 almost as silent habitually as the fields he tilled1 could find no words to express his feelings4 ,i've been feelin' kind of queer lately1 and seems as if everything has changed wonderfully4 ',twas a shabby trick1 my putting you up in that old room1 and it troubled me considerably one night1 and then other things kept coming up1 till--well--,i believe ,i'm the worst man on earth4 ,speaking of being a ,christian1 ,i guess likely ,i might fly about as easy4 ,i wish ,i was an out-and-out one2 but ,i tell you what1 mother1 there aint a man in town but that would think ,i pretended it all so's to make a dollar out of somebody2 and ,john drew his hand across his eyes1 as though there were tears starting somewhere which must be warned to keep away from the windows4 ,grandmother didn't care if the tears did come in her eyes1 for they were joyful ones4 ,illustration3 ,grandmother's ,room4 ,well1 the ,lord would know better1 said she comfortingly1 and by and by others would4 ,it'll be your works1 as well as your words1 that will tell if you're in earnest4 ,that's so1 mother1 that's so2 the minister said that very thing last ,sabbath4 ,he's been preaching right at me this two months1 and it made me mad at first4 ,i thought ,i wouldn't give him a cent this year1 but ,i guess he told the truth4 ,yes1 of course he did4 ,that's what he's made for4 ,but now1 ,john1 you won't give up seeking until you get the blessing1 will you8 ,promise me this and one thing more4 ,don't let the love of this world1 and the deceitfulness of riches1 tempt you to give way to ,satan for one minute4 ,well1 ,i'll see what ,i can do1 but it looks like a great task before me4 ,and ,john really felt as though he was preparing for a stern conflict4 ,he went out to his work again1 while ,grandmother ,lyman knelt down on the soft1 bright carpet1 the sunset light falling around her1 and sent a prayer up to the ,father's throne so full of thanksgiving and love that the answer was not delayed1 but came1 bringing peace and joy to her trusting heart4 ,pretty soon ,phoebe came stealing in with a look of apprehension resting upon her countenance4 ,mother1 said she1 sinking into the first chair she reached1 ,i'm afraid ,john's going to die4 ,my child1 what do you mean8 queried the old lady1 pushing her spectacles to the top of her head4 ,because he's changed so lately4 ,fixing up this room1 you know1 and being so gentle like--what can it mean unless he's going to die8 ,don't worry1 ,phoebe1 ,john's just getting ready to live4 ,i tell you1 daughter1 he's experiencing religion4 ,a flash of joy lighted up ,phoebe's worn face as she spoke4 ,do you think so1 mother8 ,oh1 if it only could be true6 ,a cry from the kitchen called her thither again1 but her heart was light1 and old hymns sprang unbidden to her lips1 all tuned to the upgushing happiness within4 ,the little ones caught the infection1 and capered up and down the old kitchen1 until wearied out they dropped off to sleep and to bed4 ,that day saw the beginning of true happiness in the old red farmhouse4 ,not but that ,john passed through many fierce struggles1 for the world acquires a strong hold in forty-five years1 but with ,god's help he gained the victory2 and humble and happy1 one week later he called his little family together1 and told them of his new hopes and purposes4 ,we can not describe that scene1 but surely the angels saw and rejoiced over it4 ,then once more1 before his friends and neighbors in prayer-meeting1 with trembling voice he related his experience4 ,tears and amens greeted it1 all testifying to the spirit of true brotherly love4 ,some1 to be sure1 there were who said1 ,can the leopard change his spots8 ,but when1 ,sabbath after ,sabbath1 they saw that the head of the ,lyman pew neither pretended to be asleep1 nor to have forgotten his wallet when the much-abused green contribution bag swung along1 but instead deposited therein the freshest scrip1 they said1 ,truly1 this is the ,lord's doings1 and is marvelous in our eyes4 ,perhaps the story of the change at home is about as ,tillie whispered it in the ear of a confidential friend4 ,you see pa asks a blessin' now 'fore we eats2 and then we read the ,bible2 and he prays the ,lord to keep us good all the day long2 and so we grow gooder and gooder4 ,pa bought mother a new black silk dress the other day1 and ,oh1 he's so much lovinger than he ever was before6 ,yes1 he was lovinger1 as ,tillie called him1 for truly he had passed from death unto life4 ,the old homestead1 too1 soon began to change visibly4 ,the shades of ugliness that had so long hung over it vanished away4 ,its very angles seemed to grow less acute1 and never1 in its palmiest days1 had it rejoiced in such bright coats of paint4 ,but1 with all the brightening up without and within1 there was one most cozy place of all where the family was wont to assemble each ,sabbath evening4 ,seem's though it's always full of rainbows1 ,nick said2 but that must have been owing to the blessed influence of her who sat there1 for this dearest of all nooks was grandmother's room4 ,god has not promised skies ever blue1 ,flower-strewn pathways always to you2 ,god has not promised sun without rain1 ,joy without sorrow1 peace without pain2 ,but ,god has promised strength from above1 ,unfailing sympathy1 undying love4 ,,the ,,young ,,musician ,jonas ,johnson was the youngest son of an organ-builder in ,new ,england4 ,he was a small1 quiet boy1 in no way remarkable except in his passion for harmonies4 ,so great was his love for music1 that from his most tender years he could not listen unmoved to the singing of his sisters as they went about their homely work2 and if the voices happened to be discordant he ran shuddering from the sound4 ,the choir of untutored singers in church services made tears fall from his eyes upon his hymn-book while he joined his small voice with theirs4 ,although ,jonas let his tears fall unwittingly1 the organ-builder saw them and treasured them in his heart4 ,when the boy had reached his eleventh year the family left the country town and came to live in ,new ,york4 ,here the father determined to let his son learn the organ4 ,remember1 ,jonas1 said he1 ,i am a poor man1 and can ill afford to go into this expense unless you do the work before you manfully and patiently4 ,i give you this profession instead of a trade because ,i believe it to be your wish4 ,jonas was entirely satisfied1 and his slim fingers quivered in the anticipation of one day being able to move those mysterious white and black keys to the sound and measure of ,te ,deums and chants4 ,a teacher was selected whose manner of educating was thorough and profound4 ,at the first lesson ,jonas became unequivocally assured that the business was a serious one1 when after a third time striking ,g instead of ,g-sharp1 the heavy1 quick blow of the master's stick hummed and stung across his hands as they hovered over the organ keys4 ,poor little fingers6 they could work no more that day--they were stiffened and red4 ,he wept so profusely that he was requested to retire and to return in two days4 ,all the way home he sobbed1 and held his hands suspended from the wrists1 a most pitiable object4 ,ah6 you old ruffian6 soliloquized the tearful pupil1 won't my father give it to you for this8 ,he found his father in the workshop4 ,well1 cried the organ-builder1 how went the lesson8 ,he saw there had been trouble4 ,jonas with fresh tears showed his chafed fingers and told the event4 ,the father listened with darkened brow1 and when the sad tale was ended he solemnly led his son into a back room1 and after inflicting a thorough corporal punishment1 warned him in a terrible voice never again to complain of his master4 ,our hero felt for a while that this was almost beyond human endurance1 and for several hours he lay upon a pile of shavings plotting vengeance upon those he considered his worst enemies1 when a sudden thrill shot through him at the sound of the rich organ tones4 ,they came from his father's wareroom4 ,evidently a master hand was there4 ,jonas sat up and listened4 ,it was the portion of a prelude by ,sebastian ,bach1 and the marvelous harmonies seemed to speak to ,jonas as the voice of a spirit4 ,he rose upon his feet1 and his whole soul trembled with the wonderful words it spoke to him1 though as yet he hardly understood their meaning4 ,he went to the door and gently opened it4 ,the back of the high organ stood opposite to him4 ,he did not wish to be observed1 and he passed quietly along at the end of the large room until he saw the musician4 ,could it be the master8 ,yes1 ,jonas recognized the long curling beard1 and even the baton as it lay upon a chair4 ,amidst the glowing chords the boy contrived to pass on unnoticed4 ,he remembered that in two days he must again present himself4 ,could that terrible personage be confronted with an imperfect scale8 ,the very thought was a shudder4 ,besides1 ,jonas felt an inspiration now4 ,he again burned to be a musician4 ,the revengeful spirit had left him--he thought only of ,sebastian ,bach4 ,a small organ had been placed in the little garret where ,jonas slept4 ,thither he repaired1 and commenced the work that ever since he has performed so well4 ,the dreaded master found no fault with the next lesson1 and as ,jonas advanced and he perceived that he studied with a zeal1 an earnestness quite unusual in a boy1 his stern manner relaxed1 and he dared allow all the warmth of his heart to cheer his now beloved pupil4 ,at the end of five months ,jonas met with a great misfortune4 ,his master1 after a short and sudden illness1 died--which so cut him down that the organ-builder feared for his son's health4 ,the boy stoutly refused to work under any other teacher1 assuring the family that he felt able now to go on alone4 ,early morning and late evening found the young musician at his organ in the garret4 ,those who read this biography will scarcely believe how great was his progress4 ,but ,i state facts4 ,just after he had entered his twelfth year he happened to overhear two men1 in a music store1 conversing about a church in the upper part of the city1 where the organist was to leave in a few weeks4 ,jonas listened4 ,he plays in too operatic a style to suit the congregation1 said one4 ,yes1 said the other1 the simpler the playing the better they are pleased4 ,where is the church8 asked ,jonas4 ,it is ,saint ,c----'s1 in ---- ,street4 ,jonas returned to his organ1 swelling with a new and great idea4 ,the following ,sabbath morning he went very early to the church4 ,no person had arrived except the organist who was arranging music in the loft4 ,jonas stepped up the stairway and came round in front where he could see the selections4 ,the organist turned at the intrusion4 ,what do you want here1 ,sir8 said he4 ,i heard there was to be a vacancy1 ,sir4 ,and do you know of one who wishes to occupy it8 ,i should like it4 ,you8 ,yes1 ,i am an organist4 ,this simple reply brought a smile to the lips of the questioner4 ,he pointed to a page in the service1 and said ,play that4 ,and giving up his seat to ,jonas1 he went to the side to blow the bellows4 ,feeling nervous and anxious1 ,jonas began--at first tremulously1 but gaining courage with every chord1 he successfully accomplished the task1 while the organist ran from the bellows to the music1 and from the music to the bellows again in surprise4 ,at the conclusion they both drew a long breath4 ,well1 that is remarkable6 said the organist4 ,and you want the vacancy8 ,very much1 replied ,jonas1 trembling with pleasure4 ,then come here this afternoon1 just before church1 and ,i will take you to the minister4 ,he makes all these arrangements4 ,the boy went home overflowing with great anticipations4 ,he said nothing to his father on the subject4 ,he dared not trust himself yet4 ,never did hours pass so slowly as those between dinner and church that afternoon4 ,but the good time came and ,jonas was true to his appointment1 as was the organist1 who took him into the vestry-room1 and introduced him as an applicant for the vacancy4 ,tall1 white-haired1 and benign the minister stood as ,jonas told him his desire4 ,yes1 my boy1 the present organist will leave in three weeks4 ,will that give you time to become acquainted with our service8 ,yes1 ,sir4 ,then ,i have only to hear you play before deciding4 ,will you take the organist's place this afternoon8 ,he will show you the forms4 ,the proposal was sudden and unexpected1 and made ,jonas' heart quake2 but he felt that all depended on his courage1 and he accepted4 ,he took his seat before the great organ with a brave but serious spirit4 ,the bell ceased tolling2 the minister entered2 and ,jonas pressed his slight fingers upon the first chord of the voluntary1 which1 extemporaneous as it was1 may be considered the corner-stone of his life4 ,the music that afternoon was simple and pure as the heart from which it flowed4 ,again ,jonas presented himself before the minister1 who received him in a most affectionate manner4 ,keep to this simple style1 said he1 and we shall never wish to change4 ,how much salary have you fixed upon8 ,indeed1 ,sir1 ,i never thought of it4 ,i only wished to play in a church4 ,the minister sat down at a table1 and taking pen and paper1 went on3 ,you shall receive what we have always paid--the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars a year4 ,i will draw the agreement4 ,come now1 and sign your name4 ,your chirography is not equal to your organ-playing1 continued the minister1 smiling1 as he saw the childlike1 uneven signature of ,jonas ,johnson3 but one cannot expect everything of such a little fellow4 ,here1 then1 is the contract4 ,take care of it4 ,jonas took leave of his friend and hurried home4 ,when the family of the organ-builder gathered about the hearthstone that evening1 the youngest came to the father and drew forth his contract4 ,what is this1 my son8 ,jonas made no answer1 but waited while the spectacles were adjusted on the respective noses of both parents--waited till they had read the agreement1 and his father had taken two turns across the floor1 and said1 ,he's going to be a great master1 wife4 ,god bless him6 ,and then he could wait no longer1 but ran up to his little garret1 and throwing himself upon the cot1 gave vent to his welling heart in sobs of joy1 and hope1 and ambition4 ,the organ-builder's prophecy came true4 ,the world is now indebted to ,jonas for some of its best church music4 ,as a composer and teacher he is great4 ,those who are as fortunate as the writer of this sketch in having him as a teacher to their children can truly say they know a great master of music4 ,jonas' perseverance to become a musician1 notwithstanding the severe discipline to which he was subjected1 was rewarded by success4 ,and not only was his perseverance commendable in accomplishing a musical education1 but in securing a position in which to be useful4 ,and every boy and girl should take this as a lesson1 that by their own energy and perseverance may be laid the foundation of their success in life4 ,,lyman ,,dean',s ,,testimonials4 ,i do not believe two more worthy1 excellent people could be found than ,gideon ,randal and his wife4 ,to lift the fallen1 and minister to the destitute was their constant habit and delight1 so that often they shortened their own comforts for the good of others4 ,mr4 ,randal's friends urged him to reduce his charities1 as such generous giving might mar his fortune and bring him to want2 but his unfailing reply was3-- ,i think there's enough left to carry ,martha and me through life1 and some over4 ,what we give to the poor1 we lend to the ,lord1 and if a dark day comes1 ,he will provide4 ,a dark day did come1 but it was not till after he had reached threescore and ten years4 ,as old age advanced1 his little farm had become less productive1 and debts accumulated4 ,being forced to raise money1 he had borrowed a thousand dollars of ,eugene ,harrington1 giving him a mortgage on his house for security4 ,the interest was regularly paid1 and with this ,esquire ,harrington was well satisfied2 but he died suddenly1 and his son1 a merciless1 grasping man1 wrote to ,mr4 ,randal1 demanding payment of the mortgage4 ,the old man asked for an extension of the time1 but he pressed the demand1 and threatened if it was not settled within a given time1 to deprive him of his home4 ,mr4 ,randal was greatly distressed4 ,martha1 he said to his wife1 young ,harrington is a hard man4 ,he has me in his power now1 and ,i fear he will not scruple to ruin me4 ,i think ,i had better go and talk with him1 and tell him how little ,i have4 ,it may be he'll pity two old people1 and allow us better terms4 ,but husband1 you are not used to traveling1 and ,harrowtown is a hundred miles away1 and you are old and feeble1 too4 ,true1 wife1 but ,i can say to him a great deal more than ,i can write1 and besides1 ,luke ,conway lives there4 ,i took an interest in him when he was a poor boy4 ,perhaps he'll advise and help me1 now that ,i'm in trouble4 ,at last1 seeing he felt that he must go1 ,martha reluctantly consented1 and fitted him out with wifely care4 ,the next morning was warm and sunny for ,november1 and ,mr4 ,randal started for ,harrowtown4 ,gideon1 called ,mrs4 ,randal1 as he walked slowly down the road1 be sure and take tight hold of the railing when you get in and out of the cars4 ,i'll be careful4 ,you take good care of yourself1 ,martha2 and1 with a parting look1 the old man hastened on to take the stage1 which was to convey him to the railroad station4 ,but misfortune met him at the very outset of his journey4 ,the stage was heavily loaded1 and on the way1 one of the wheels broke down1 which caused such a detention that ,mr4 ,randal missed the morning train1 and the next did not come for several hours4 ,it was afternoon when he finally started4 ,he was anxious and weary from long waiting2 and after three stations were passed1 he began to ask questions4 ,how long before we get to ,harrowtown8 he inquired1 stopping the busy conductor4 ,we get there at half past eight4 ,another question was upon ,mr4 ,randal's lips1 but the conductor had hurried on4 ,he looked around as if to appeal to some one else1 but turned back1 talking to himself4 ,not get there till into the evening1 he said1 and pitch dark1 for there's no moon now4 ,i shan't know where to go4 ,the poor old man was sorely troubled4 ,presently the conductor came back1 and as he passed his seat1 he stopped him again4 ,mr4 ,conductor1 how shall ,i know when to get out8 ,i've never been to ,harrowtown1 and ,i don't want to get out at the wrong place4 ,give yourself no concern1 was the polite reply4 ,i'll tell you when we come to ,harrowtown4 ,i won't forget you4 ,soothed by this assurance1 ,mr4 ,randal's mind grew tranquil1 and he finally went to sleep4 ,in the seat behind him sat a tall1 handsome boy4 ,his name was ,albert ,gregory4 ,he was bright and intelligent1 but his well-featured face was spoiled by a wicked-looking eye and a hard1 cruel mouth4 ,he saw the aged passenger fall asleep1 and nudged his seat-fellow4 ,look there1 ,john4 ,by and by1 ,i'll play a joke on that old country greeny1 and you'll see fun4 ,on rushed the swift express2 mile after mile was passed2 daylight faded and the lamps were lit in the cars1 and still the aged man slept1 watched by his purposed tormentor1 and the other boy who waited to see fun4 ,at length the speed of the train began to slacken1 coming near a stopping-place4 ,albert sprang up and shook ,mr4 ,randal violently4 ,wake up6 ,wake up6 he called1 sharply1 putting his mouth close to his ear4 ,this is ,harrowtown4 ,you must get off here4 ,the old man1 thus roughly roused1 started from his seat and gazed around him1 bewildered4 ,the change from day to night1 the unaccustomed waking on a moving train1 the glare of the lights1 added tenfold to his confusion4 ,wh--what did you say boy8 he asked helplessly4 ,this is ,harrowtown4 ,the place where you want to stop4 ,you must get off4 ,be quick or you'll be carried by4 ,the noise of the brakes1 and the distracted attention of the passengers on reaching a new station1 possibly ignorance of the real locality on the part of those near enough to have heard him1 prevented any correction of the boy's cruel falsehood4 ,mr4 ,randal knew it was not the conductor who had aroused him2 but1 supposing ,albert to be some employee of the road1 he hurried to the car door with tottering steps4 ,the name of the station was called at the other end1 as unlike as possible to the name of ,harrowtown1 but his dull ears did not notice it4 ,he got off upon the platform1 and before he could recover himself or knew his error1 the train was in motion again4 ,albert was in ecstasies over the success of his joke1 and shook all over with laughter1 in which1 of course1 his companion joined4 ,oh dear6 that's too good for anything6 he cried1 aint it1 ,john8 ,john assented that it was very funny indeed4 ,neither of the boys noticed that the seat lately occupied by poor1 deceived ,mr4 ,randal had just been taken by a fine-looking middle-aged man1 wrapped in a heavy cloak1 who appeared to be absorbed in his own thoughts1 but really heard every word they said4 ,they kept up a brisk conversation1 ,albert speaking in quite a loud tone1 for he was feeling very merry4 ,ha1 ha1 ha6--but ,i did think the old fool would hear the brakeman call the station1 though4 ,i didn't suppose ,i could get him any further than the door4 ,to think of his clambering clear out on the platform1 and getting left6 ,he believed every word ,i told him4 ,what a delicious old simpleton6 ,and having exhausted that edifying subject for the moment1 he presently began to brag of his plans and prospects4 ,i don't believe you stand much of a chance there2 they say ,luke ,conway is awful particular1 the middle-aged stranger heard ,john remark4 ,pooh6 shut up6 cried ,albert4 ,particular6 ,that's just it1 and makes my chance all the better4 ,i've brought the kind of recommendation that a particular man wants1 you see4 ,but there'll be lots of other fellows trying for the place4 ,don't care if there's fifty1 said ,albert1 ,i'd come in ahead of 'em all4 ,i've got testimonials of character and qualifications from ,professor ,howe1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,lee1 ,dr4 ,henshaw1 and ,esquire ,jenks1 the great railroad contractor4 ,his name alone is enough to secure me the situation4 ,at this juncture1 the strange gentleman turned around and gave ,albert a quick1 searching glance4 ,but the conceited boy was too much occupied with himself to notice the movement1 and kept on talking4 ,now and then the thought of the victim whom he had fooled seemed to come back and tickle him amazingly4 ,wonder where the old man is now4 ,ha1 ha6 ,do you suppose he has found out where ,harrowtown is8 ,oh1 but wasn't it rich to see how scared he was when ,i waked him up8 ,and how he jumped and scrambled out of the car6 ',pon my word1 ,i never saw anything so comical4 ,here the stranger turned again and shot another quick glance1 this time from indignant eyes1 and his lips parted as if about to utter a stern reproof4 ,but he did not speak4 ,some hidden motive withheld him4 ,we will now leave ,albert and his fellow travelers1 and follow good ,gideon ,randal4 ,it was quite dark when he stepped from the cars1 and he inquired of a man at the station1 ,can you tell me where ,i can find ,mr4 ,aaron ,harrington8 ,there's no such man living here1 to my knowledge1 was the reply4 ,what1 isn't this ,harrowtown8 asked ,mr4 ,randal in great consternation4 ,no1 it is ,whipple ,village4 ,then ,i got out at the wrong station4 ,what shall ,i do8 in a voice of deep distress4 ,go right to the hotel and stay till the train goes in the morning1 said the man1 pleasantly4 ,there was no alternative1 ,mr4 ,randal passed a restless night at the hotel1 and at an early hour he was again at the station1 waiting for the train4 ,his face was pale1 and his eye wild and anxious4 ,the stage broke down1 and ,i missed the first train1 thought he1 and then that boy told me to get out here4 ,i've made a bad beginning1 and ,i'm afraid this trip will have a bad ending4 ,there were other passengers walking to and fro on the platform1 waiting for the cars to come4 ,one was a plain-featured1 honest-looking boy1 who had been accompanied to the station by his mother4 ,just before his mother bade him good by1 she said1 ,lyman1 look at that pale1 sad1 old man4 ,i don't believe he is used to traveling4 ,perhaps you can help him along4 ,soon a loud1 prolonged whistle was heard4 ,the cars were coming4 ,allow me to assist you1 sir1 said ,lyman ,dean to ,mr4 ,randal1 as the train stopped2 and he took hold of his arm1 and guided him into a car to a seat4 ,thank you1 my boy4 ,i'm getting old and clumsy1 and a little help from a young hand comes timely4 ,where are you going1 if ,i may ask8 ,to ,harrowtown1 sir4 ,i saw an advertisement for a boy in a store1 and ,i'm going to try to get the situation4 ,my name is ,lyman ,dean4 ,ah8 ,i'm sure ,i wish you success1 ,lyman1 for ,i believe you're a good boy4 ,you are going to the same place ,i am4 ,i want to find ,aaron ,harrington1 but ,i've had two mishaps4 ,i don't know what's coming next4 ,i'll show you right where his office is4 ,i've been in ,harrowtown a good many times4 ,half an hour later1 the brakeman shouted the name of the station where they must stop4 ,lyman assisted ,mr4 ,randal off the train1 and walked with him to the principal street4 ,here's ,mr ,harrington's office1 said he4 ,oh1 yes1 thank you kindly4 ,and now could you tell me where ,mr4 ,luke ,conway's place of business is8 ,why1 that's the very gentleman ,i'm going to see1 said ,lyman4 ,his place is just round the corner1 only two blocks off4 ,mr4 ,randal looked deeply interested4 ,he turned and shook the boy's hand warmly4 ,lyman1 he said1 ,mr4 ,conway knows me4 ,i am coming to see him by and by4 ,i am really obliged to you for your politeness1 and wish ,i could do something for you4 ,i hope ,mr4 ,conway will give you the situation1 for you deserve it4 ,if you apply before ,i get there1 tell him ,gideon ,randal is your friend4 ,good by4 ,fifteen minutes after found ,lyman waiting in the counting-room of ,luke ,conway's store4 ,albert ,gregory had just preceded him4 ,the merchant was writing1 and he had requested the boys to be seated a short time1 till he was at leisure4 ,before he finished his work1 a slow1 feeble step was heard approaching1 and an old man stood in the doorway4 ,luke1 don't you remember me8 ,the merchant looked up at the sound of the voice4 ,then he sprang up from his chair and grasped the old man's hands in both his own4 ,mr4 ,randal6 ,welcome1 a thousand times welcome1 my benefactor6 he exclaimed4 ,and seating his guest on the office lounge beside him1 ,mr4 ,conway inquired after his health and comfort1 and talked with him as a loving son4 ,it was evident to the quick perception of the merchant that the good old man's circumstances had changed1 and he soon made it easy for him to unburden his mind4 ,yes1 ,luke1 ,i am in trouble4 ,aaron ,harrington owns a mortgage on my farm1 and ,i can't pay him1 and he threatens to take my home1 said ,mr4 ,randal1 with a quivering lip4 ,i went to his office1 but didn't find him1 and ,i thought may be you'd advise me what to do4 ,mr4 ,randal1 answered the merchant1 laying his hand on the old man's shoulder1 almost thirty years ago when ,i was cold1 and hungry1 and friendless1 you took me in and fed me4 ,your good wife--,god bless her6--made me a suit of clothes with her own hands4 ,you found me work1 and you gave me money when ,i begun the world alone4 ,much if not all that ,i am in life ,i owe to your sympathy and help1 my kind old friend4 ,now ,i am rich1 and you must let me cancel my debt4 ,i shall pay your mortgage to-day4 ,you shall have your home free again4 ,mr4 ,randal wiped great hot tears from his cheeks1 and said in a husky voice1 ,it is just as ,i told ,martha4 ,i knew if we lent our money to the ,lord1 when a dark day came1 he would provide4 ,the reader can imagine the different feelings of the two boys1 as they sat witnesses of the scene4 ,the look of derision1 that changed to an expression of sickly dismay1 on ,albert's face1 when the old man came in and was so warmly greeted by the merchant1 was curiously suggestive4 ,but his usual assurance soon returned4 ,he thought it unlikely that ,mr4 ,randal would recognize him in the daylight1 and he determined to put on a bold front4 ,for a minute the two men continued in conversation4 ,mr4 ,conway called up pleasant reminiscences of ,aunt ,martha1 his boy-life on the farm1 and the peace and stillness of the country town4 ,he thought a railway ride of a hundred miles must be a hardship for a quiet old man4 ,it was a long way for you1 he said1 ,did you have a comfortable journey8 ,well1 ,i can't quite say that4 ,first1 the stage broke down and delayed me4 ,then ,i slept in the cars1 and a boy played a trick on me1 and waked me up1 and made me get out at the wrong station1 so ,i had to stay over night in ,whipple ,village4 ,to tell the truth ,i had a good deal of worriment with one thing and another1 getting here2 but it's all bright now1 he added with a radiant face4 ,you shall go with me to my house and rest1 as soon as ,i have dismissed these boys1 said ,mr4 ,conway1 earnestly2 and turning to ,albert and ,lyman1 who anxiously waited1 he spoke to them about their errand4 ,i suppose you came because you saw my advertisement8 ,yes1 sir1 replied both1 simultaneously4 ,very well4 ,i believe you came in first4 ,what is your name8 ,i am ,albert ,gregory1 sir4 ,i think ,i can suit you4 ,i've brought testimonials of ability and character from some of the first men--,esquire ,jenkins1 ,rev4 ,joseph ,lee1 ,dr4 ,henshaw1 and others4 ,here are my letters of recommendation1 holding them out for ,mr4 ,conway to take4 ,i don't want to see them1 returned the merchant1 coldly4 ,i have seen you before1 ,i understand your character well enough for the present4 ,he then addressed a few words to ,lyman ,dean4 ,i should be very glad of work1 said ,lyman4 ,my mother is poor1 and ,i want to earn my living1 but ,i hav'n't any testimonials4 ,yes1 you have1 said old ,mr4 ,randal1 who was waiting for an opportunity to say that very thing4 ,and then he told the merchant how polite and helpful ,lyman had been to him4 ,mr4 ,conway fixed his eyes severely upon the other boy4 ,the contrast between him and young ,dean was certainly worth a lesson4 ,albert ,gregory1 said the merchant1 ,i occupied the seat in the car in front of you last evening4 ,i heard you exulting and wickedly boasting how you had deceived a distressed old man4 ,mr4 ,randal1 is this the boy who lied to you1 and caused you to get out at the wrong station8 ,mr4 ,randal looked earnestly at ,albert4 ,i declare6 ,now ,i remember him4 ,it is6 ,i'm sure it is4 ,it was useless for ,albert to attempt any vindication of himself4 ,his stammered excuses stuck in his throat1 and he was glad to hide his mortification by an early escape4 ,crestfallen1 he slunk away1 taking all his testimonials with him4 ,lyman1 said ,mr4 ,conway1 kindly1 ,i shall be very glad to employ you in my store4 ,you shall have good pay if you do well1 and ,i am sure you will4 ,you may begin work at once4 ,lyman's eyes danced with joy as he left the counting-room to receive his instructions from the head clerk4 ,mr4 ,conway paid to ,mr4 ,harrington the money owed him by ,mr4 ,randal1 and a heavy load was lifted from the good old farmer's heart4 ,he remained a visitor two or three days in ,mr4 ,conway's house1 where he was treated with the utmost deference and attention4 ,mr4 ,conway also purchased for him a suit of warm clothes1 and an overcoat1 and sent his confidential clerk with him on his return journey to see him safely home4 ,nor was good ,mrs4 ,randal forgotten4 ,she received a handsome present in money from ,mr4 ,conway1 and a message full of grateful affection4 ,nothing ever after occurred to disturb the lives of the aged and worthy pair4 ,albert ,gregory obtained an excellent situation in ,new ,york1 but his false character1 and his wanton disregard of others' feelings and rights1 made him as hateful to his employers as to all his associates1 and he soon found it desirable to seek another place4 ,he has changed places many times since1 and his career has been an unhappy one--another example of the penalty of frivolous habits and a heartless nature4 ,lyman ,dean is now a successful merchant1 a partner of ,mr4 ,conway1 and occupies a high position in society1 as an honorable1 enterprising man4 ,what is it that gives to the plainest face ,the charm of the noblest beauty8 ,not the thought of the duty of happiness1 ,but the happiness of duty4 ,,unforgotten ,,words ,have you examined that bill1 ,james8 ,yes1 sir4 ,anything wrong8 ,i find two errors4 ,ah1 let me see4 ,the lad handed his employer a long bill that had been placed on his desk for examination4 ,here is an error in the calculation of ten dollars1 which they have made against themselves2 and another of ten dollars in the footing4 ,also against themselves8 ,yes1 sir4 ,the merchant smiled in a way that struck the lad as peculiar4 ,twenty dollars against themselves1 he remarked in a kind of pleasant surprise4 ,trusty clerks they must have6 ,shall ,i correct the figures8 asked the lad4 ,no1 let them correct their own mistakes4 ,we don't examine bills for other people's benefit1 replied the merchant4 ,it will be time to rectify those errors when they find them out4 ,all so much gain as it now stands4 ,the boy's delicate moral sense was shocked at so unexpected a remark4 ,he was the son of a poor widow1 who had given him to understand that to be just was the duty of man4 ,mr4 ,carman1 the merchant in whose employment he had been for only a few months1 was an old friend of his father1 and a person in whom he reposed the highest confidence4 ,in fact1 ,james had always looked upon him as a kind of model man2 and when ,mr4 ,carman agreed to take him into his store1 he felt that great good fortune was in his way4 ,let them correct their own mistakes4 ,these words made a strong impression on the mind of ,james ,lewis4 ,when first spoken by ,mr4 ,carman1 and with the meaning then involved1 he felt1 as we have said1 shocked2 but as he turned them over again in his thoughts1 and connected their utterance with a person who stood so high in his mother's estimation1 he began to think that perhaps the thing was fair enough in business4 ,mr4 ,carman was hardly the man to do wrong4 ,a few days after ,james had examined the bill1 a clerk from the house by which it had been rendered1 called for settlement4 ,the lad1 who was present1 waited with interest to see whether ,mr4 ,carman would speak of the error4 ,but he made no remark4 ,a check for the amount of the bill rendered1 was filled up1 and a receipt taken4 ,is that right8 ,james asked himself this question4 ,his moral sense said no2 but the fact that ,mr4 ,carman had so acted1 bewildered his mind4 ,it may be the way in business--so he thought to himself--but it don't look honest4 ,i wouldn't have believed it of him4 ,mr4 ,carman had a kind of way with him that won the boy's heart1 and naturally tended to make him judge of whatever he might do in a most favorable manner4 ,i wish he had corrected that error1 he said to himself a great many times when thinking in a pleased way of ,mr4 ,carman1 and his own good fortune in having been received into his employment4 ,it don't look right1 but it may be in the way of business4 ,one day he went to the bank and drew the money for a check4 ,in counting it over he found that the teller had paid him fifty dollars too much1 so he went back to the counter and told him of his mistake4 ,the teller thanked him1 and he returned to the store with the consciousness in his mind of having done right4 ,the teller overpaid me by fifty dollars1 he said to ,mr4 ,carman1 as he handed him the money4 ,indeed1 replied the latter1 a light breaking over his countenance2 and he hastily counted the bank bills4 ,the light faded as the last bill left his fingers4 ,there's no mistake1 ,james4 ,a tone of disappointment was in his voice4 ,oh1 ,i gave him back the fifty dollars4 ,wasn't that right8 ,you simpleton6 exclaimed ,mr4 ,carman4 ,don't you know that bank mistakes are never corrected8 ,if the teller had paid you fifty dollars short he would not have made it right4 ,the warm blood mantled the cheek of ,james under this reproof4 ,it is often the case that more shame is felt for a blunder than a crime4 ,in this instance the lad felt a sort of mortification at having done what ,mr4 ,carman was pleased to call a silly thing1 and he made up his mind that if they should ever overpay him a thousand dollars at the bank1 he should bring the amount to his employer1 and let him do as he pleased with the money4 ,let people look after their own mistakes1 said ,mr4 ,carman4 ,james ,lewis pondered these things in his heart4 ,the impression they made was too strong ever to be forgotten4 ,it may be right1 he said1 but he did not feel altogether satisfied4 ,a month or two after the occurrence of that bad mistake1 as ,james counted over his weekly wages1 just received from ,mr4 ,carman1 he discovered that he was paid half a dollar too much4 ,the first impulse of his mind was to return the half-dollar to his employer1 and it was on his lips to say1 ,you have given me half a dollar too much1 sir1 when the unforgotten words1 ,let people look after their own mistakes1 flashing upon his thoughts1 made him hesitate4 ,to hold a parley with evil is to be overcome4 ,i must think about this1 said ,james1 as he put the money in his pocket4 ,if it is true in one case1 it is true in another4 ,mr4 ,carman don't correct mistakes that people make in his favor1 and he can't complain when the rule works against him4 ,but the boy was very far from being in a comfortable state4 ,he felt that to keep half a dollar would be a dishonest act4 ,still he could not make up his mind to return it1 at least not then4 ,james did not return the half-dollar1 but spent it to his own gratification4 ,after he had done this it came suddenly into his head that ,mr4 ,carman had only been trying him1 and he was filled with anxiety and alarm4 ,not long after ,mr4 ,carman repeated the same mistake4 ,james kept the half-dollar with less hesitation4 ,let him correct his own mistakes1 said he resolutely2 that's the doctrine he acts on with other people1 and he can't complain if he gets paid in the same coin he puts in circulation4 ,i just wanted half a dollar4 ,from this time the fine moral sense of ,james ,lewis was blunted4 ,he had taken an evil counselor into his heart1 stimulated a spirit of covetousness--latent in almost every mind--which caused him to desire the possession of things beyond his ability to obtain4 ,james had good business qualifications1 and so pleased ,mr4 ,carman by his intelligence1 industry1 and tact with customers1 that he advanced him rapidly1 and gave him1 before he was eighteen years of age1 the most reliable position in the store4 ,but ,james had learned something more from his employer than how to do business well4 ,he had learned to be dishonest4 ,he had never forgotten the first lesson he had received in this bad science2 he had acted upon it1 not only in two instances1 but in a hundred1 and almost always to the injury of ,mr4 ,carman4 ,he had long since given up waiting for mistakes to be made in his favor1 but originated them in the varied and complicated transactions of a large business in which he was trusted implicitly4 ,james grew sharp1 cunning1 and skilful2 always on the alert2 always bright1 and ready to meet any approaches towards a discovery of his wrong-doing by his employer1 who held him in the highest regard4 ,thus it went on until ,james ,lewis was in his twentieth year1 when the merchant had his suspicions aroused by a letter that spoke of the young man as not keeping the most respectable company1 and as spending money too freely for a clerk on a moderate salary4 ,before this time ,james had removed his mother into a pleasant house1 for which he paid a rent of four hundred dollars2 his salary was eight hundred1 but he deceived his mother by telling her it was fifteen hundred4 ,every comfort that she needed was fully supplied1 and she was beginning to feel that1 after a long and painful struggle with the world1 her happier days had come4 ,james was at his desk when the letter was received by ,mr4 ,carman4 ,he looked at his employer and saw him change countenance suddenly4 ,he read it over twice1 and ,james saw that the contents produced disturbance4 ,mr4 ,carman glanced towards the desk1 and their eyes met2 it was only for a moment1 but the look that ,james received made his heart stop beating4 ,there was something about the movements of ,mr4 ,carman for the rest of the day that troubled the young man4 ,it was plain to him that suspicion had been aroused by that letter4 ,oh1 how bitterly now did he repent1 in dread of discovery and punishment1 the evil of which he had been guilty6 ,exposure would disgrace and ruin him1 and bow the head of his widowed mother even to the grave4 ,you are not well this evening1 said ,mrs4 ,lewis1 as she looked at her son's changed face across the table1 and noticed that he did not eat4 ,my head aches4 ,perhaps a rest will make you feel better4 ,i'll lie down on the sofa in the parlor for a short time4 ,mrs4 ,lewis followed him into the parlor in a little while1 and1 sitting down on the sofa on which he was lying1 placed her hand upon his head4 ,ah1 it would take more than the loving pressure of a mother's hand to ease the pain from which he was suffering4 ,the touch of that pure hand increased the pain to agony4 ,do you feel better8 asked ,mrs4 ,lewis4 ,she had remained some time with her hand on his forehead4 ,not much1 he replied1 and rising as he spoke1 he added1 ,i think a walk in the open air will do me good4 ,don't go out1 ,james1 said ,mrs4 ,lewis1 a troubled feeling coming into her heart4 ,i'll walk only a few squares4 ,and ,james went from the parlor and passed into the street4 ,there is something more than headache the matter with him1 thought ,mrs4 ,lewis4 ,for half an hour ,james walked without any purpose in his mind beyond the escape from the presence of his mother4 ,at last his walk brought him near ,mr4 ,carman's store1 and at passing he was surprised at seeing a light within4 ,what can this mean8 he asked himself1 a new fear creeping1 with its shuddering impulse1 into his heart4 ,he listened by the door and windows1 but he could hear no sound within4 ,there's something wrong1 he said1 what can it be8 ,if this is discovered what will be the end of it8 ,ruin6 ruin6 ,my poor mother6 ,the wretched young man hastened on1 walked the streets for two hours1 when he returned home4 ,his mother met him when he entered1 and with unconcealed anxiety1 asked him if he were better4 ,he said yes1 but in a manner that only increased the trouble she felt1 and passed up hastily to his own room4 ,in the morning the strangely altered face of ,james1 as he met his mother at the breakfast table1 struck alarm into her heart4 ,he was silent1 and evaded all her questions4 ,while they sat at the table the door-bell rang loudly4 ,the sound startled ,james1 and he turned his head to listen1 in a nervous way4 ,who is it8 asked ,mrs4 ,lewis4 ,a gentleman who wishes to see ,mr4 ,james1 replied the girl4 ,james rose instantly and went out into the hall1 shutting the dining-room door as he did so4 ,mrs4 ,lewis sat waiting her son's return4 ,she heard him coming back in a few moments2 but he did not enter the dining-room4 ,then he returned along the hall to the street door and she heard it shut4 ,all was silent4 ,starting up1 she ran into the passage1 but ,james was not there4 ,he had gone away with the person who called4 ,ah1 that was a sad going away4 ,mr4 ,carman had spent half the night in examining the accounts of ,james1 and discovered frauds of over six thousand dollars4 ,blindly indignant1 he sent an officer to arrest him early in the morning2 and it was with this officer that he went away from his mother1 never to return4 ,the young villain shall lie in the bed he has made for himself6 exclaimed ,mr4 ,carman1 in his bitter indignation4 ,and he made the exposure completely4 ,at the trial he showed an eager desire to have him convicted1 and presented such an array of evidence that the jury could not give any other verdict than guilty4 ,the poor mother was in court1 and audibly in the silence that followed came her convulsed sobs upon the air4 ,the presiding judge addressed the culprit1 and asked if he had anything to say why the sentence should not be pronounced against him4 ,all eyes were turned upon the pale1 agitated young man1 who rose with an effort1 and leaned against the railing by which he stood1 as if needing the support4 ,will it please your honors1 he said1 to direct my prosecutor to come a little nearer1 so that ,i can look at him and your honors at the same time8 ,mr4 ,carman was directed to come forward to where the boy stood4 ,james looked at him steadily for a few moments1 and turned to the judges4 ,what ,i have to say to your honors is this he spoke calmly and distinctly1 and it may in a degree extenuate1 though it cannot excuse1 my crime4 ,i went into that man's store an innocent boy1 and if he had been an honest man ,i would not have stood before you to-day as a criminal6 ,mr4 ,carman appealed to the court for protection against an allegation of such an outrageous character2 but he was peremptorily ordered to be silent4 ,james went on in a firm voice1-- ,only a few weeks after ,i went into his employment ,i examined a bill by his direction1 and discovered an error of twenty dollars4 ,the face of ,mr4 ,carman crimsoned4 ,you remember it1 ,i see1 remarked ,james1 and ,i shall have cause to remember it as long as ,i live4 ,the error was in favor of ,mr4 ,carman4 ,i asked if ,i should correct the figures1 and he answered ',no2 let them correct their own mistakes4 ,we don't examine bills for other people's benefit4' ,it was my first lesson in dishonesty4 ,i saw the bill settled1 and ,mr4 ,carman take twenty dollars that was not his own4 ,i felt shocked at first2 it seemed such a wrong thing4 ,but soon after he called me a simpleton for handing back a fifty-dollar bill to the teller of a bank1 which he had overpaid me on a check1 and then-- ,may ,i ask the protection of the court1 said ,mr4 ,carman4 ,is it true what the lad says8 asked the presiding judge4 ,mr4 ,carman hesitated and looked confused4 ,all eyes were on his face2 and judges and jury1 lawyers and spectators1 felt certain that he was guilty of leading the unhappy young man astray4 ,not long afterward1 resumed ,lewis1 in receiving my wages ,i found that ,mr4 ,carman had paid me fifty cents too much4 ,i was about to give it back to him1 when ,i remembered his remark about letting people correct their own mistakes1 and said to myself1 ',let him correct his own errors1' and dishonestly kept the money4 ,again the same thing happened1 and ,i kept the money that did not of right belong to me4 ,this was the beginning of evil1 and here ,i am4 ,if he had shown any mercy1 ,i might have kept silent and made no defense4 ,the young man covered his face with his hands1 and sat down overpowered with his feelings4 ,his mother who was near him sobbed aloud1 and bending over1 laid her hands on his head1 saying3-- ,my poor boy6 my poor boy6 ,there were few eyes in the court-room undimmed4 ,in the silence that followed ,mr4 ,carman spoke out3-- ,is my character to be thus blasted on the word of a criminal1 your honors8 ,is this right8 ,your solemn oath that this charge is untrue1 said the judge1 will place you in the right4 ,it was the unhappy boy's only opportunity1 and the court felt bound in humanity to hear him4 ,james ,lewis stood up again instantly1 and turned his white face and dark1 piercing eyes upon ,mr4 ,carman4 ,let him take his oath if he dare6 he exclaimed4 ,mr4 ,carman consulted with his counsel1 and withdrew4 ,after a brief conference with his associates1 the presiding judge said1 addressing the criminal3-- ,in consideration of your youth1 and the temptation to which in tender years you were unhappily subject1 the court gives you the slightest sentence1 one year's imprisonment4 ,but let me solemnly warn you against any further steps in the way you have taken4 ,crime can have no valid excuse4 ,it is evil in the sight of ,god and man1 and leads only to suffering4 ,when you come forth again after your brief incarceration1 may it be with the resolution to die rather than commit crime6 ,and the curtain fell on that sad scene in the boy's life4 ,when it was lifted again1 and he came forth from prison a year afterwards1 his mother was dead4 ,from the day her pale face faded from his vision as he passed from the court-room1 he never looked upon her again4 ,ten years afterward a man was reading a newspaper in a far western town4 ,he had a calm1 serious face1 and looked like one who had known suffering and trial4 ,brought to justice at last6 he said to himself1 as the blood came to his face2 convicted on the charge of open insolvency1 and sent to ,state prison4 ,so much for the man who gave me in tender years the first lessons in ill-doing4 ,but1 thank ,god6 the other lessons have been remembered4 ',when you come forth again1' said the judge1 'may it be with the resolution to die rather than commit a crime6' and ,i have kept this injunction in my heart when there seemed no way of escape except through crime2 and ,god helping me1 ,i will keep it to the end4 ,,your ,,call4 ,the world is dark1 but you are called to brighten ,some little corner1 some secluded glen2 ,somewhere a burden rests that you may lighten1 ,and thus reflect the ,master's love for men4 ,is there a brother drifting on life's ocean1 ,who might be saved if you but speak a word8 ,speak it to-day4 ,the testing of devotion ,is our response when duty's call is heard4 ,,herrings ,,for ,,nothing4 ,the darkness was coming on rapidly1 as a man with a basket on his head turned the corner of a street in ,london4 ,he cried loudly as he went1 ,herrings6 three a penny1 red herrings1 good and cheap1 at three a penny6 ,soon he came close to me and commenced conversation4 ,governor1 why can't ,i sell these herrings8 ,i have walked two miles along this dismal place1 offering them2 and nobody will buy4 ,the people have no work at all to do1 and they are starving2 there are plenty of houses round here that have not had a penny in them for many a day1 was my reply4 ,ah6 then1 governor1 he rejoined1 if they haven't the half-pence1 they can't spend 'em1 sure enough2 so there's nothing for me but to carry 'em elsewhere4 ,how much will you take for the lot8 ,i inquired4 ,i'll be glad to get four shillin'4 ,i put my hand in my pocket1 produced that amount and transferred it to him4 ,right6 governor1 thank'ee6 what'll ,i do with 'em8 he said1 as he quickly transferred the coins to his own pocket4 ,go round this corner into the middle of the street1 shout with all your might1-- ',,herrings ,,for ,,nothing6' and give three to every man1 woman1 and child1 that comes to you1 till the basket is emptied4 ,so he proceeded into the middle of the street1 and went along shouting1 ,herrings for nothing6 good red herrings for nothing6 ,i stood at the corner to watch his progress2 and soon he neared the house where a tall woman stood at the first floor window looking out upon him4 ,here you are missus1 he cried1 herrings for nothing6 come an' take 'em4 ,the woman shook her head unbelievingly1 and left the window4 ,vot a fool6 said he2 but they won't all be so4 ,herrings for nothing6 ,a little child came out to look at him1 and he called to her1 ,here1 my dear1 take these in to your mother1 and tell her how cheap they are--herrings for nothing4 ,but the child was afraid of him and them1 and ran in-doors4 ,so1 down the street1 in the snow1 slush1 and mud1 went the cheap fish1 the vender crying loudly as he went1 ,herrings for nothing6 and then adding savagely1 ,oh1 you fools4 ,thus he reached the end of the street2 and then turning to retrace his steps1 he continued his double cry as he came4 ,well1 ,i said to him calmly1 as he reached me at the corner4 ,well6 he repeated1 if yer think so6 ,when yer gave me the money for herrings as yer didn't want1 ,i thought you was training for a lunatic 'sylum6 ,now ,i thinks all the people round here are fit company for yer4 ,but what'll ,i do with the herrings if yer don't want 'em1 and they won't have 'em8 ,we'll try again together1 ,i replied2 ,i will go with you and we'll both shout4 ,into the road we both went1 and he shouted once more1 ,herrings for nothing6 ,then ,i called out loudly also1 ,will any one have some herrings for tea8 ,they heard my voice1 and they knew it well2 and they came out at once1 in twos and threes and sixes1 men and women and children1 all striving to reach the welcome food4 ,as fast as ,i could take them from the basket1 ,i handed three to each eager applicant1 until all were speedily disposed of4 ,when the basket was empty1 the hungry crowd that had none was far greater than that which had been supplied2 but they were too late1 there were no more herrings for nothing6 ,foremost among the disappointed was a tall woman of a bitter tongue1 who began vehemently1 ,why haven't ,i got any8 aint ,i as good as they8 aint my children as hungry as theirs8 ,before ,i had time to reply1 the vender stretched out his arm toward her1 saying1 ,why1 governor1 that's the very woman as ,i offered 'em to first1 and she turned up her nose at 'em4 ,i didn't1 she rejoined passionately1 ,i didn't believe you meant it6 ,yer goes without for yer unbelief6 he replied4 ,good-night1 and thank'ee1 governor6 ,i told this story upon the sea-beach1 to a great crowd gathered there on a summer ,sabbath day4 ,they looked at each other2 first smiled1 then laughed outright1 and at length shouted with laughter4 ,it was my time then2 and ,i said1 ,you cannot help laughing at the quaint story1 which is strictly true4 ,but are you sure you would not have done as they did1 and been as unbelieving as they8 ,their unbelief cost them only a hungry stomach a little longer2 but what may your unbelief cost you8 ,god has sent his messengers to you for many years to offer ,,pardon ,,for ,,nothing6 peace for nothing6 salvation for nothing6 ,he has sent to you the most loving and tender offers that even an almighty ,god could frame2 and what have you replied8 ,have you taken the trouble to reply at all8 ,have you not turned away in utter scornful unbelief1 like the woman8 or ran away in fear1 like the child8 ,you are still without a hope on earth1 or a hope in heaven1 because you will not believe ,god's messengers when they offer you all that you need for time and eternity--,,for ,,nothing4 ,take warning by that disappointed crowd of hungry applicants4 ,when they were convinced that the offer was in good faith1 and would gladly have shared with their fellows1 they were too late6 ,let it not be so with you6 ,do not be in that awfully large crowd of disappointed ones1 who will be obliged to believe when belief will not help them2 whose knowledge1 when it comes1 will only increase the sorrow that they put off believing until it was too late4 ,as ,i looked earnestly upon that vast crowd1 the laughter was entirely gone1 and an air of uneasy conviction was plainly traceable upon many faces4 ,illustration3 ,come ,unto ,me4 ,will you not come to ,jesus now8 ,i entreated4 ,he is waiting1 pleading with you6 ,here is salvation1 full1 free1 and eternal2 help1 guidance1 and blessing1--all for nothing6 without money and without price4 ,,did ,,you ,,ever ,,think8 ,did you ever think what this world would be ,if ,christ hadn't come to save it8 ,his hands and feet were nailed to the tree1 ,and his precious life--he gave it4 ,but countless hearts would break with grief1 ,at the hopeless life they were given1 ,if ,god had not sent the world relief1 ,if ,jesus had stayed in heaven4 ,did you ever think what this world would be ,with never a life hereafter8 ,despair in the faces of all we'd see1 ,and sobbing instead of laughter4 ,in vain is beauty1 and flowers' bloom1 ,to remove the heart's dejection1 ,since all would drift to a yawning tomb1 ,with never a resurrection4 ,did you ever think what this world would be4 ,how weary of all endeavor1 ,if the dead unnumbered1 in land and sea1 ,would just sleep on forever8 ,only a pall over hill and plain6 ,and the brightest hours are dreary1 ,where the heart is sad1 and hopes are vain1 ,and life is sad and weary4 ,did you ever think what this world would be ,if ,christ had stayed in heaven1-- ,no home in bliss1 no soul set free1 ,no life1 or sins forgiven8 ,but he came with a heart of tenderest love1 ,and now from on high he sees us1 ,and mercy comes from the throne on high2 ,thank ,god for the gift of ,jesus6 ,,bread ,,upon ,,the ,,waters ,ah6 ,jacob1 now you see how all your hopes are gone4 ,here we are worn out with age--all our children removed from us by the hand of death1 and ere long we must be the inmates of the poorhouse4 ,where now is all the bread you have cast upon the waters8 ,the old1 white-haired man looked up at his wife4 ,he was1 indeed1 bent down with years1 and age sat tremblingly upon him4 ,jacob ,manfred had been a comparatively wealthy man1 and while fortune had smiled upon him he had ever been among the first to lend a listening ear and a helping hand to the call of distress4 ,but now misfortune was his4 ,of his four boys not one was left4 ,sickness and failing strength found him with but little1 and had left him penniless4 ,an oppressive embargo upon the shipping business had been the first weight upon his head1 and other misfortunes came in painful succession4 ,jacob and his wife were all alone1 and gaunt poverty looked them coldly in the face4 ,don't repine1 ,susan1 said the old man4 ,true we are poor1 but we are not yet forsaken4 ,not forsaken1 ,jacob8 ,who is there to help us now8 ,jacob ,manfred raised his trembling finger toward heaven4 ,ah6 ,jacob1 ,i know ,god is our friend1 but we should have friends here4 ,look back and see how many you have befriended in days long past4 ,you cast your bread upon the waters with a free hand1 but it has not returned to you4 ,hush1 ,susan1 you forget what you say4 ,to be sure ,i may have hoped that some kind hand of earth would lift me from the cold depths of utter want2 but ,i do not expect it as a reward for anything ,i may have done4 ,if ,i have helped the unfortunate in days gone by1 ,i have had my full reward in knowing that ,i have done my duty to my fellows4 ,oh6 of all the kind deeds ,i have done to my suffering fellows1 ,i would not for gold have one of them blotted from my memory4 ,ah6 my fond wife1 'tis the memory of the good done in life that makes old age happy4 ,even now1 ,i can hear again the warm thanks of those whom ,i have befriended1 and again ,i can see their smiles4 ,yes1 ,jacob1 returned the wife1 in a lower tone1 ,i know you have been good1 and in your memory you can be happy2 but1 alas6 there is a present upon which we must look--there is a reality upon which we must dwell4 ,we must beg for food or starve6 ,the old man started1 and a deep mark of pain was drawn across his features4 ,beg6 he replied1 with a quick shudder4 ,no1 ,susan1 we are-- ,he hesitated1 and a big tear rolled down his furrowed cheek4 ,we are what1 ,jacob8 ,we are going to the poorhouse6 ,o ,god6 ,i thought so6 fell from the poor wife's lips1 as she covered her face with her hands4 ,i have thought so1 and ,i have tried to school myself to the thought2 but my poor heart will not bear it6 ,do not give up1 softly urged the old man1 laying his hand upon her arm4 ,it makes but little difference to us now4 ,we have not long to remain on earth1 and let us not wear out our last days in useless repinings4 ,come1 come4 ,but when--when--shall we go8 ,now--to-day4 ,then ,god have mercy on us6 ,he will1 murmured ,jacob4 ,that old couple sat for a while in silence4 ,when they were aroused from their painful thoughts it was by the stopping of a wagon in front of the door4 ,a man entered the room where they sat4 ,he was the keeper of the poorhouse4 ,come1 ,mr4 ,manfred1 he said1 the selectmen have managed to crowd you into the poorhouse4 ,the wagon is at the door1 and you can get ready as soon as possible4 ,jacob ,manfred had not calculated the strength he should need for this ordeal4 ,there was a coldness in the very tone and manner of the man who had come for him that went like an ice-bolt to his heart1 and with a deep groan he sank back in his seat4 ,come1 be in a hurry1 impatiently urged the keeper4 ,at that moment a heavy covered carriage drove up to the door4 ,is this the house of ,jacob ,manfred8 ,this question was asked by a man who entered from the carriage4 ,he was a kind-looking man1 about forty years of age4 ,that is my name1 said ,jacob4 ,then they told me truly1 uttered the new-comer4 ,are you from the almshouse8 he continued1 turning toward the keeper4 ,yes4 ,then you may return4 ,jacob ,manfred goes to no poorhouse while ,i live4 ,the keeper gazed inquisitively into the face of the stranger1 and left the house4 ,don't you remember me8 exclaimed the new-comer1 grasping the old man by the hand4 ,i can not call you to my memory now4 ,do you remember ,lucius ,williams8 ,williams8 repeated ,jacob1 starting up and gazing earnestly into the stranger's face4 ,yes1 ,jacob ,manfred--,lucius ,williams1 that little boy whom1 thirty years ago1 you saved from the house of correction2 that poor boy whom you kindly took from the bonds of the law1 and placed on board your own vessels4 ,and are you-- ,yes--yes1 ,i am the man you made4 ,you found me a rough stone from the hand of poverty and bad example4 ,it was you who brushed off the evil1 and who first led me to the sweet waters of moral life and happiness4 ,i have profited by the lesson you gave me in early youth1 and the warm spark which your kindness lighted up in my bosom has grown brighter and brighter ever since4 ,with an affluence for life ,i have settled down to enjoy the remainder of my days in peace and quietness4 ,i heard of your losses and bereavements4 ,come1 ,i have a home and a heart1 and your presence will make them both warmer1 brighter1 and happier4 ,come1 my more than father--and you my mother1 come4 ,you made my youth all bright1 and ,i will not see your old age doomed to darkness4 ,jacob ,manfred tottered forward and sank upon the bosom of his preserver4 ,he could not speak his thanks1 for they were too heavy for words4 ,when he looked up again he sought his wife4 ,susan1 he said1 in a choking1 trembling tone1 my bread has come back to me6 ,forgive me1 ,jacob4 ,no1 no1 ,susan4 ,it is not ,i who must forgive--,god holds us in his hand4 ,ah6 murmured the wife1 as she raised her streaming eyes to heaven1 ,i will never doubt him again4 ,all my griefs by ,him are ordered ,needful is each one for me1 ,every tear by ,him is counted1 ,one too much there cannot be2 ,and if when they fall so thickly1 ,i can own ,his way is right1 ,then each bitter tear of anguish ,precious is in ,jesus' sight4 ,far too well my ,saviour loved me ,to allow my life to be ,one long1 calm1 unbroken summer1 ,one unruffled1 stormless sea2 ,he would have me fondly nestling ,closer to ,his loving breast1 ,he would have that world seem brighter ,where alone is perfect rest4 ,though ,his wise and loving purpose1 ,once ,i could not clearly see1 ,i believe with faith unshaken1 ,all will work for good to me2 ,therefore when my way is gloomy1 ,and my eyes with tears are dim1 ,i will go to ,god1 my ,father1 ,and will tell my griefs to ,him4 ,,the ,,father ,,is ,,near4 ,a wee little child in its dreaming one night ,was startled by some awful ogre of fright1 ,and called for its father1 who quickly arose ,and hastened to quiet the little one's woes4 ,dear child1 what's the matter8 he lovingly said1 ,and smoothed back the curls from the fair little head2 ,don't cry any more1 there is nothing to fear1 ,don't cry any more1 for your papa is here4 ,ah1 well6 and how often we cry in the dark1 ,though ,god in ,his love is so near to us6 ,hark6 ,how ,his loving words1 solacing1 float to the ear1 ,saying1 ,lo6 ,i am with you3 'tis ,i1 do not fear4 ,god is here in the world as thy ,father and mine1 ,ever watching and ready with love-words divine4 ,and while erring oft1 through the darkness ,i hear ,in my soul the sweet message3 ,thy ,father is near4 ,a ,,rift ,,in ,,the ,,cloud4 ,andrew ,lee came home at evening from the shop where he had worked all day1 tired and out of spirits2 came home to his wife1 who was also tired1 and dispirited4 ,a smiling wife1 and a cheerful home--what a paradise it would be6 said ,andrew to himself as he turned his eyes from the clouded face of ,mrs4 ,lee1 and sat down with knitted brow1 and a moody aspect4 ,not a word was spoken by either4 ,mrs4 ,lee was getting supper1 and she moved about with a weary step4 ,come1 she said at last1 with a side glance at her husband4 ,there was invitation in the word only1 none in the voice of ,mrs4 ,lee4 ,andrew arose and went to the table4 ,he was tempted to speak an angry word1 but controlled himself1 and kept silence4 ,he could find no fault with the chop1 nor the sweet home-made bread1 and fresh butter4 ,they would have cheered the inward man if there had only been a gleam of sunshine on the face of his wife4 ,he noticed that she did not eat4 ,are you not well ,mary8 ,the words were on his lips1 but he did not utter them1 for the face of his wife looked so repellent1 that he feared an irritating reply4 ,and so in moody silence1 the twain sat together until ,andrew had finished his supper4 ,as he pushed his chair back1 his wife arose1 and commenced clearing off the table4 ,this is purgatory6 said ,lee to himself1 as he commenced walking the floor of their little breakfast-room1 with his hands clasped behind him1 and his chin almost touching his breast4 ,after removing all the dishes and taking them into the kitchen1 ,mrs4 ,lee spread a green cover on the table1 and placing a fresh trimmed lamp thereon1 went out and shut the door1 leaving her husband alone with his unpleasant feelings4 ,he took a long1 deep breath as she did so1 paused in his walk1 stood still for some moments1 and then drawing a paper from his pocket1 sat down by the table1 opened the sheet and commenced reading4 ,singularly enough the words upon which his eyes rested were1 ,praise your wife4 ,they rather tended to increase the disturbance of mind from which he was suffering4 ,i should like to find some occasion for praising mine4 ,how quickly his thoughts expressed the ill-natured sentiment4 ,but his eyes were on the page before him1 and he read on4 ,praise your wife1 man1 for pity's sake1 give her a little encouragement2 it wont hurt her4 ,andrew ,lee raised his eyes from the paper and muttered1 ,oh1 yes4 ,that's all very well4 ,praise is cheap enough4 ,but praise her for what8 ,for being sullen1 and making your home the most disagreeable place in the world8 ,his eyes fell again to the paper4 ,she has made your home comfortable1 your hearth bright and shining1 your food agreeable2 for pity's sake1 tell her you thank her1 if nothing more4 ,she don't expect it2 it will make her eyes open wider than they have for ten years2 but it will do her good for all that1 and you1 too4 ,it seemed to ,andrew as if these sentences were written just for him1 and just for the occasion4 ,it was the complete answer to his question1 ,praise her for what8 and he felt it also as a rebuke4 ,he read no farther1 for thought came too busy1 and in a new direction4 ,memory was convicting him of injustice toward his wife4 ,she had always made his home as comfortable as hands could make it1 and had he offered the light return of praise or commendation8 ,had he ever told her of the satisfaction he had known1 or the comfort experienced8 ,he was not able to recall the time or the occasion4 ,as he thought thus1 ,mrs4 ,lee came in from the kitchen1 and taking her work-basket from the closet1 placed it on the table1 and sitting down without speaking1 began to sew4 ,mr4 ,lee glanced almost stealthily at the work in her hands1 and saw it was the bosom of a shirt1 which she was stitching neatly4 ,he knew it was for him that she was at work4 ,praise your wife4 ,the words were before the eyes of his mind1 and he could not look away from them4 ,but he was not ready for this yet4 ,he still felt moody and unforgiving4 ,the expression on his wife's face he interpreted to mean ill-nature1 and with ill-nature he had no patience4 ,his eyes fell on the newspaper that spread out before him1 and he read the sentence3-- ,a kind cheerful word1 spoken in a gloomy home1 is like the rift in the cloud that lets the sunshine through4 ,lee struggled with himself a while longer4 ,his own ill-nature had to be conquered first2 his moody1 accusing spirit had to be subdued4 ,but he was coming right1 and at last got right1 as to will4 ,next came the question as to how he should begin4 ,he thought of many things to say1 yet feared to say them1 lest his wife should meet his advances with a cold rebuff4 ,at last1 leaning towards her1 and taking hold of the linen bosom upon which she was at work1 he said1 in a voice carefully modulated with kindness3-- ,you are doing the work very beautifully1 ,mary4 ,mrs4 ,lee made no reply4 ,but her husband did not fail to observe that she lost1 almost instantly1 that rigid erectness with which she had been sitting1 nor that the motion of her needle had ceased4 ,my shirts are better made1 and whiter than those of any other man in our shop1 said ,lee1 encouraged to go on4 ,are they8 ,mrs4 ,lee's voice was low1 and had in it a slight huskiness4 ,she did not turn her face1 but her husband saw that she leaned a little toward him4 ,he had broken through the ice of reserve1 and all was easy now4 ,his hand was among the clouds1 and a few feeble rays were already struggling through the rift it had made4 ,yes1 ,mary1 he answered softly1 and ,i've heard it said more than once1 what a good wife ,andrew ,lee must have4 ,mrs4 ,lee turned her face towards her husband4 ,there was light it it1 and light in her eye4 ,but there was something in the expression of the countenance that puzzled him a little4 ,do you think so8 she asked quite soberly4 ,what a question6 ejaculated ,andrew ,lee1 starting up and going around to the side of the table where his wife was sitting4--,what a question1 ,mary6 he repeated1 as he stood before her4 ,do you8 ,it was all she said4 ,yes1 darling1 was the warmly-spoken answer1 and he stooped down and kissed her4--,how strange that you should ask me such a question6 ,if you would only tell me so now and then1 ,andrew1 it would do me good4 ,and ,mrs4 ,lee arose1 and leaning against the manly breast of her husband1 stood and wept4 ,what a strong light broke in upon the mind of ,andrew ,lee4 ,he had never given to his faithful wife even the small reward of praise for all the loving interest she had manifested daily1 until doubt of his love had entered her soul1 and made the light thick darkness4 ,no wonder that her face grew clouded1 nor that what he considered moodiness and ill-nature took possession of her spirit4 ,you are good and true1 ,mary4 ,my own dear wife4 ,i am proud of you--,i love you--and my first desire is for your happiness4 ,oh1 if ,i could always see your face in sunshine1 my home would be the dearest place on earth4 ,how precious to me are your words of love and praise1 ,andrew1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 smiling up through her tears into his face4 ,with them in my ears1 my heart can never lie in shadow4 ,how easy had been the work for ,andrew ,lee4 ,he had swept his hand across the cloudy horizon of his home1 and now the bright sunshine was streaming down1 and flooding that home with joy and beauty4 ,,success ,,is ,,the ,,reward ,,of ,,perseverance ,if a person has ambition to engage in any enterprise1 he desires to succeed in his undertaking4 ,it is generally right that he should prosper in all that is truly good or great2 and the fact that success is attainable by continued effort1 we have all verified so many times in our pursuit of different objects1 that we feel sure we can accomplish almost any purpose if we with patient perseverance bend all our energies in the right direction4 ,if there is much to be gained1 we may make apparently slow progress2 but if we apply ourselves closely1 and do not let little things discourage us we shall eventually succeed4 ,there are always plenty of little things in the way of the accomplishment of any good or great thing4 ,these must be gotten out of the way2 and if1 in our first attempt1 we fail to win the prize1 we must make another effort1 varying the manner of our labor as circumstances shall suggest4 ,it takes only a little at a time to accomplish a great deal if we work long enough4 ,perhaps most of you have read of the little girl whose mother was presented with a ton of coal by a charitable neighbor4 ,she took her little fire-shovel1 and began to take up the coal1 a shovelful at a time1 and carry it into the cellar4 ,a friend1 who was passing by1 said to the child1 ,do you expect to get all that coal in with that little shovel8 ,yes1 sir1 said the little girl1 dipping her shovel again into the heap1 ,i'll do it if ,i work long enough4 ,she possessed the right spirit4 ,the true spirit of success is not to look at obstacles1 but to keep the eye on the many ways in which to surmount them4 ,this may be illustrated by the incident of the little factory girl who had one of her fingers so badly mangled in the machinery that she was obliged to have it cut off4 ,looking at the wounded hand1 she said1 ,that is my thimble finger2 but ,i must learn to sew with my left hand4 ,she did not think of her loss1 but of what she still possessed with which to work4 ,we may prosper in the several schemes in which it is lawful for ,christians to take part1 but1 if we fail to win the strife for eternal life1 we shall have lived in vain4 ,to make life a success1 the glory of ,god must be the ruling motive to actuate us in all the walks of life4 ,if we do really glorify him in our lives1 success will surely crown our efforts--everlasting life will be our reward4 ,another instance of perseverance1 against apparently insurmountable difficulties1 is given in an anecdote1 not generally known out of ,russia1 connected with a church spire of ,st4 ,petersburg1 which place is remarkable for its spires4 ,the loftiest is the church of ,st4 ,peter and ,st4 ,paul4 ,the spire1 which is properly represented in an engraving as fading away almost into a point in the sky1 is in reality terminated by a globe of considerable dimensions1 on which an angel stands supporting a large cross4 ,this angel fell into disrepair2 and some suspicions were entertained that he designed visiting1 uninvoked1 the surface of the earth4 ,the affair caused some uneasiness1 and the government at length became greatly perplexed4 ,to raise a scaffolding to such a height would cost more money than all the angels of this description were worth2 and in meditating fruitlessly on these circumstances1 without being able to resolve how to act1 a considerable time was suffered to elapse4 ,among the crowd of gazers below1 who daily turned their eyes and their thoughts toward the angel1 was a mujik called ,telouchkine4 ,this man was a roofer of houses 7a slater1 as he would be called in countries where slates are used71 and his speculations by degrees assumed a more practical character than the idle wonders and conjectures of the rest of the crowd4 ,the spire was entirely covered with sheets of gilded copper1 and presented to the eye a surface as smooth as if it had been one mass of burnished gold4 ,but ,telouchkine knew that the sheets of copper were not even uniformly closed upon each other2 and1 above all1 that there were large nails used to fasten them1 which projected from the side of the spire4 ,having meditated upon these circumstances till his mind was made up1 the mujik went to the government and offered to repair the angel without scaffolding1 and without assistance1 on condition of being reasonably paid for the time expended in the labor4 ,the offer was accepted2 for it was made in ,russia1 and by a ,russian4 ,on the day fixed for the adventure1 ,telouchkine1 provided with nothing more than a coil of ropes1 ascended the spire in the interior to the last window4 ,here he looked down at the concourse of people below1 and up at the glittering needle1 as it is called1 tapering far above his head4 ,but his heart did not fail him1 and stepping gravely out upon the window1 he set about his task4 ,he cut a portion of the cord in the form of two large stirrups1 with a loop at each end4 ,the upper loops he fastened upon two of the projecting nails above his head1 and placed his feet in the other4 ,then digging the fingers of one hand into the interstices of the sheets of copper1 he raised up one of the stirrups with the other hand1 so as to make it catch a nail higher up4 ,the same operation he performed on behalf of the other leg1 and so on alternately4 ,and thus he climbed1 nail by nail1 step by step1 and stirrup by stirrup1 till his starting-point was undistinguished from the golden surface1 and the spire had dwindled in his embrace till he could clasp it all around4 ,but ,telouchkine was not dismayed4 ,he was prepared for the difficulty1 and the means by which he essayed to surmount it exhibited the same astonishing simplicity as the rest of the feat4 ,suspending himself in his stirrups1 he girded the needle with a cord1 the ends of which he fastened around his waist2 and1 so supported1 he leaned gradually back1 till the soles of his feet were planted against the spire4 ,in this position1 he threw1 by a strong effort1 a coil of cord over the ball2 and so coolly and accurately was the aim taken1 that at the first trial it fell in the required direction1 and he saw the end hang down on the opposite side4 ,to draw himself into his original position1 to fasten the cord firmly around the globe1 and with the assistance of his auxiliary to climb to the summit1 were now easy portions of his task2 and in a few moments more ,telouchkine stood by the side of the angel1 and listened to the shout that burst like sudden thunder from the concourse below1 yet came to his ear only like a faint and hollow murmur4 ,the cord1 which he had an opportunity of fastening properly1 enabled him to descend with comparative facility2 and the next day he carried up with him a ladder of ropes1 by means of which he found it easy to effect the necessary repairs4 ,this person must have put forth all the energies of his being to accomplish what he did4 ,if we will strive as hard for the society of good angels as he did to reach the artificial one1 we shall be sure of their society and a place in the new earth4 ,the golden sun shone brightly down the world1 ,soft shadows gathered on the twilight track2 ,the day is gone2 with all our sighs and tears ,we can not call one little moment back4 ,ah1 soul1 what loss is thine6 awaken now6 ,let not the moments slip unheeded by2 ,for just such moments make the golden hours ,that bring us nearer to eternity4 ,,richest ,,man ,,in ,,the ,,parish4 ,the richest man in our parish was the squire4 ,he dwelt in a great house on the hill that overlooked1 with its broad white face1 the whole of the village below1 with its clustering cottages and neat farmers' houses1 and seemed to say proudly1 as it looked down1 ,i have my eyes on you all1 and intend to keep you in order4 ,and in truth1 a great many eyes it had1 with its rows of high windows brightly reflecting the summer sun1 from early morning till evening1 when not unfrequently the last flush in the west left them glowing as with red fire4 ,when strangers looked up at the great house1 and inquired about it1 the people of our parish used to tell them with some awe what treasures of grand furniture1 and pictures1 and choice specimens of art1 the squire had collected in its many handsome rooms2 what was the worth of one picture alone1 that he had refused thousands of pounds for1 and the number of others that were beautiful enough1 and valuable enough1 to have adorned a palace4 ,they were very proud to be able to say that so rich a man belonged to them1 and lived among them1 and to point out his crimson-lined and curtained pew at church1 and the great tombstone that stood behind the pathway in the churchyard1 recording the virtues of his ancestors1 and testifying1 as well as it could1 to his own riches4 ,i suppose the squire knew the homage that was paid to him1 and liked it1 and was proud in his turn1 not of his neighbors1 but of himself1 and of the wealth he possessed4 ,whenever he rode abroad1 he met with bows and smiles from rich and poor1 everybody made way for him1 everybody courted him4 ,a man with so much money1 and so much land1 and such fine furniture1 and pictures1 and statues1 and gardens1 was not to be pushed in a corner and thought little of1 and he knew it1 as he went along the lanes and roads on his thorough-breds1 and nodded to this man1 and good-morninged that1 with some degree of condescension4 ,he knew that he was courted1 and admired1 and deferred to1 because of his riches1 and was quite satisfied that it should be so4 ,he did not wish to be thought ill-natured1 so he gave1 every year1 a treat to his workpeople1 and sent money1 and coal1 and blankets to the poor at ,christmas1 but he thought little more about them4 ,they were poor1 and he was rich2 those two words1 poor and rich1 indicated a great difference1 and he was quite well pleased there should be such a difference4 ,one summer morning1 he was taking a ride through the woods that skirted one side of his estate4 ,it was very hot1 and in the lanes the sun and the flies teased both him and his horse1 so when they turned in beneath the shadows of the oaks and beeches1 it was a great relief to both4 ,the squire gave ,dandy the rein1 and went along softly4 ,he was soon thinking of other things than oaks and beeches4 ,perhaps the glitter of the sunshine here and there1 as it lay upon a cluster of trembling leaves1 or turned to richer red the tall heads of the willow herb beside his path1 suggested the crimson draperies and gilded ornaments of his home1 for he was thinking of a sight he had seen there only the day before2 when there had been at the birthday of his eldest son a grand gathering of friends1 and a feast such as a rich man makes to the rich1 with dainties1 and spices1 and wines1 served in gold1 and silver1 and rarest china1 in the utmost profusion1 and with the greatest display4 ,he remembered the hilarity of the guests1 the healths drank1 the speeches made1 the compliments so freely given and taken2 and with some pride he remembered1 too1 it had been said1 that within the memory of man1 no one had given so grand a feast in the parish as he had done that day4 ,dandy's feet fell softly1 and made little noise on the soft carpet of grass and last year's leaves1 that covered and hid the stout roots of the oaks4 ,it was no wonder1 then1 that presently the squire heard a gentle sound not far away4 ,he became aware that some other human being than himself was in the wood1 and checking his horse1 he listened a moment1 as words1 half prayer1 half praise1 met his ears4 ,who can be praying here8 he asked himself1 and as the voice was near1 he pushed aside a bough or two1 and stretched his head1 till he could see into a little shady hollow not far from the roadside1 and discovered the strange wood-guest4 ,ah6 it was only an old man1 a pauper1 or next door to one1 whom he had frequently seen before1 breaking stones by the highway4 ,but what was the deaf old man about8 ,praying6 ,with his eyes shut1 and his head uplifted1 and his hat just taken off1 held in his toil-swollen fingers1 while before him was spread out his dinner--a piece of dry bread1 part of a small loaf1 and a can of water by his side--bread and water1 nothing else2 but the old man was thanking ,god for it1 and was content4 ,more than content4 ,an expression of happy praise was on his uplifted face4 ,such an expression the squire had not seen on any face at his own loaded table for many years4 ,and he was thanking ,god for bread and water1 and was happy6 ,the old man was a sincere ,christian4 ,the richest man in the parish did not understand how1 when the soul loves ,god1 the least mercies from his hands are felt to be priceless blessings2 how bread and water1 with a thankful heart1 are sweeter to the taste than any food without it2 and he felt humiliated4 ,what right had that old man to thank ,god for bread and water1 when he never thanked him for all his great possessions8 ,the woods closed in on him again1 he left the stone-breaker behind1 and his face soon assumed its usual self-satisfied expression4 ,but during that morning's ride1 again and again returned to him the picture he had seen in the green hollow1 of the man who had thanked ,god for bread and water1 and the thought of his own great riches did not give him quite its usual satisfaction4 ,had those riches ever made him as happy as that old man looked to be over his poor meal8 ,he was obliged to confess to himself that they had not1 and it was to him a sad confession4 ,his pride was sorely touched1 and his heart disquieted1 and the farther he rode1 the more he felt a sense of discomfort and discontent1 that was strangely new to him4 ,presently the bright sun became overcast1 great clouds gathered1 and the woods looked dark and gloomy4 ,dandy walked along untroubled by nervous fears and fancies1 but an influence came over the squire for which he could not account4 ,a strange sinking was at his heart1 and an impression of coming calamity4 ,then a voice struck his inward ear1 a voice not of this world1 one of those voices ,god sends sometimes to be heard for our good and guidance1 and the words it uttered were terrible to him4 ,that voice spoke to him clearly and distinctly1 ,this night the richest man in the parish will die4 ,strange and fearful were these words4 ,he did not look round to know whence they proceeded2 he knew it was an inward and spiritual voice that spoke1 and he believed what it said4 ,with a shudder he remembered the parable of the rich man in the ,gospel1 to whom had come the same terrible warning--,this night thy soul shall be required of thee4 ,what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8 and what shall a man give in exchange for his soul8 were words that haunted him now1 and a cold perspiration covered him from head to foot4 ,he felt that he had been an unwise merchant1 who had exchanged his soul for very little4 ,unable at length to bear his own reflections1 he galloped home4 ,illustration3 ,christ in the ,home of ,mary and ,martha ,there he arrived in a state of great agitation1 and alarmed his wife and family by sending at once for a physician4 ,to all inquiries he gave the answer that he was about to die1 and must prepare for it4 ,in vain they tried to persuade him that his health was as good as ever1 that he was only the subject of a nervous fancy4 ,the physician arrived1 and laughed at his fears1 but he heeded neither ridicule nor entreaties4 ,death was not a thing to be laughed or entreated away1 and to death he was doomed4 ,what did it signify what the world said about it8 ,he must make ready for it4 ,his solicitor was called in1 and his worldly affairs settled4 ,wife and children were all provided for1 houses and lands were portioned out to his beloved ones1 then he had nothing to do but prepare himself for the great change2 that1 however1 he found impossible4 ,in great perturbation of mind he awaited the coming of his great enemy1 ,death4 ,when night drew on1 his fears increased2 every time the great hall clock sounded the hour he shuddered1 not knowing if he might ever hear it again4 ,the physician and lawyer remained with him at his request1 but they could not bring calm to his agitated mind4 ,they could only listen to what he said1 as to the ravings of a madman1 for mad they judged him to be4 ,hour after hour went by1 and the richest man in the parish1 lying in his splendid bed1 expecting ,death every moment1 found how poor he had become1 and of how little real use all his vast possessions were to him now4 ,midnight passed away1 early morning came1 light dawned upon the hills4 ,a faint color came into the sky1 and with it color once more stole back into the cheeks of the squire1 and hope returned to his heart4 ,death had not arrived as he had feared2 he was still living4 ,the night was passed1 the morning was come1 and the prophecy of the mysterious voice was not accomplished4 ,his family gathered about him1 and with smiles congratulated him1 advising him to take his rest1 now the danger was past4 ,but how could he rest after such a night1 such an upturning of all the cherished thoughts and aims of his life1 such a revelation of the poverty of riches8 ,he chose rather to walk abroad1 and with thoughtful face and slow steps proceeded towards the village4 ,there he heard that ,death had indeed been a visitor in one house during the night1 but instead of appearing in his own grand mansion1 he had entered the poorest cottage in the place--the old stone-breaker had died during the night4 ,with a still more thoughtful face he returned home1 for his heart smote him4 ,he remembered the old man's simple dinner2 he saw again the uplifted face1 on which ,god's sunshine rested in a double sense2 he heard again the words of his thankful prayer1 and his own laugh of derision1 and he was again humiliated1 but this time to better purpose4 ,his wife met him at the threshold of his house1 with a smiling face1 glad to see him once more1 clothed and in his right mind1 for she1 too1 had feared for his reason4 ,she accompanied him in1 and then1 when seated at his side1 gently chided him for his last night's fears1 and what she called superstitious fancies4 ,i hope now1 she added1 you are quite satisfied that there was no truth in what that mysterious voice told you4 ,the night is past1 and you are alive1 and as well as ever4 ,true1 my dear1 he replied1 the night is past1 and ,i am alive and well4 ,but nevertheless the richest man in the parish has died4 ,if you will take the trouble to inquire in the village1 you will find it is so4 ,how is that8 she asked1 and as she spoke she looked round somewhat proudly1 as though a rival to her grandeur had appeared4 ,who can be richer here than you8 ,the man who can say to ,god1 ',whom have ,i in heaven but thee1 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire beside thee4' ,i cannot say that1 for ,i have desired many things and persons besides ,god1 and almost all things more than ,god4 ,but there was a poor stone-breaker alive yesterday1 who in possessing ,god possessed all things4 ,i call him poor after the manner of the world1 but he was really rich--an heir of the kingdom of heaven4 ,last night ,i was shown his riches and my poverty4 ,people will tell you he is dead1 and ,i dare say that he did not leave a shilling to pay for his burial2 but he was 'the richest man in the parish4' ,,walking ,,with ,,god4 ,walking with ,god in sorrow's dark hour1 ,calm and serene in his infinite power2 ,walking with him1 ,i am free from all dread1 ,filled with his ,spirit1 ,o6 softly ,i tread4 ,walking with ,god1 ,o6 fellowship sweet1 ,thus to know ,god1 and in him be complete2 ,walking with him whom the world can not know1 ,o6 it is sweet through life thus to go4 ,walking with ,god in sorrow's dark hour1 ,soothed and sustained by his infinite power2 ,o6 it is sweet to my soul thus to live1 ,filled with a peace which the world can not give4 ,walking with ,god1 ,o6 may my life be ,such that my ,lord can walk always with me2 ,walking with him1 ,i shall know1 day by day1 ,that he is my ,father1 and leads all the way4 ,,over ,,the ,,crossing ,o please sir1 take me over the crossing1 said a little faint voice1 as ,i was leisurely taking my morning walk4 ,the strange request roused me from my reverie2 and looking imploringly in my face stood a thinly-clad1 shivering little girl1 who carried a small bundle1 which she held in her hand with a singular tenacity4 ,i gave a searching look into the child's face1 while she imploringly repeated3-- ,will you take me over the crossing quick1 ,i'm in such a hurry4 ,tossing her in my arms ,i bounded over the muddy pathway2 and just as ,i set down my little charge1 the bundle slipped from her grasp1 or rather its contents1 leaving the empty paper in her hands1 and an embroidered vest on the sidewalk4 ,i picked up the vest1 and in doing so unrolled the same1 when lining1 sewing-silk and padding were all disengaged1 so that the nimble fingers of the poor child picked up1 and brushed1 and packed them together again with scrupulous care2 and tying them firmly1 she gave me a sweet smile and bounded along4 ,she would soon have passed from my sight had ,i not again called after her1 and interrogated her why she made such haste4 ,o sir1 she replied1 because my mother must have expected me an hour ago4 ,i have been waiting for the young gentleman at the tailor's to decide which color he preferred1 and then the tailor told me to stop while he cut it1 and then he gave me such a beautiful pattern for my mother to embroider it by--but it is a sight of work to do it1 sir1 and ,i'm afraid she will set up all the long nights to sew1 while ,i am sleeping1 for the man said he must have it completed by next ,thursday2 the young gentleman is to be married then1 and will want it--and if it isn't done1 maybe he would never give mother another stitch of work1 and then what would become of us8 ,and as the child hurried on ,i caught the same hurried footsteps1 and followed on until we came to another crossing1 when again came the beseeching tone3-- ,will you take me over this crossing too1 sir8 ,it was done in a trice1 and my interest in the child increased as her prattle continued3-- ,mamma is to have a dollar for this work1 and she means to buy me a new frock with part of the money1 and then we shall have a great loaf of bread and a cup of milk1 and mother will find time to eat with me--if there is any money left1 ,i shall have a little open-work straw bonnet1 and go to ,sabbath-school with ,susy ,niles4 ,and her little feet scarcely touched the walk1 so light and fairy-like was her tread4 ,and does your mother work for one man all the time1 little girl8 ,i inquired4 ,oh1 no1 sir2 it is only now and then she gets such a nice job4 ,most of the time she has to sew for shops where she earns about twenty-five cents a day1 and then she has hardly enough to pay her rent1 and it isn't all the time we get enough to eat--but then mother always gives me the big slice when there is one big and one little one2 sometimes she cries and don't eat her's at all4 ,a coach was passing--the child looked toward it and remarked3-- ,i know the lady in that pretty carriage2 she is the very one that is going to marry the young gentleman who is to wear this embroidered vest4 ,she came to my home yesterday to get my mother to spangle the wreath round her white satin dress2 and it's just the same pattern that is to be put on this vest2 but she could not do it1 'cause her eyesight is so poor1 and the spangles shined so4 ,my tongue was silent4 ,could it be that these were to be the very articles that were to be worn at my ,ellen's wedding8 ,for did ,i not pay for spangles yesterday1 and what was it that vexed ,ellen but because she could not find anybody to sew them on when she returned8 ,she said ,mrs4 ,taggard was almost blind4 ,my little girl1 said ,i1 ,is your name ,taggard8 ,yes1 sir--',gusta ,taggard1 and we live down in ,sullivan court4 ,are you going home with me8 ,it was a sensible conjecture2 for why else should ,i follow on8 ,i am going to see you safely at the door1 and to help you over all the crossings4 ,there's only one more1 sir1 and here it is2 we live down there at ,no4 #c1 on the third floor back4 ,the child looked kindly1 and as she sweetly bade me good by1 sir1 ,i thrust my hand in my pocket and drew from it all the change it contained1 which was a bright fifty cent piece1 and placed it in her little palm4 ',gusta ,taggard gave me her heartfelt thanks1 and was soon out of my sight4 ,an hour before1 ,i had started from my home an invalid4 ,i had long deliberated whether an exposure to a chilly east wind would not injure rather than improve me4 ,i was melancholy1 too2 my only daughter was about to be married--there was confusion all over the house--the event was to be celebrated in fashionable style4 ,ellen's dress had cost what would have been a fortune to this poor seamstress1 and ,i moralized4 ,but ,i had forgotten myself2 the cough which had troubled me was no longer oppressive4 ,i breathed quite freely1 and yet ,i had walked more briskly than ,i had done for months1 without so much fatigue as slow motion caused1 so that when ,i returned1 my wife rallied me upon looking ten years younger than when ,i left her in the morning2 and when ,i told her the specific lay in my walk with a little prattler1 and the satisfaction of having left her happier than ,i found her1 she took the occasion to press the purchase of a diamond brooch for ,ellen1 affirming if the gift of half a dollar made me so much happier1 and that1 too1 to a little errand street girl1 what would fifty times that amount confer upon one's only daughter1 upon the eve before her marriage8 ,i gave the diamond brooch--,i paid the most extravagant bills to upholster's1 dry goods establishments1 confectioners and musicians1 with which to enliven the great occasion1 and yet ,i found more real satisfaction in providing for the real wants of little ',gusta ,taggard and her mother than in all the splendid outlay of the wedding ceremony2 and it was not that it cost less which made the satisfaction1 but it was that all extravagant outlays1 in the very nature of things1 are unsatisfactory1 while ministering to the necessities of the truly needy and industrious confers its own reward4 ,i had seen the glittering spangled dress--but it was made ready by some poor1 emaciated sufferer1 who toiled on in patient trust1 and the embroidered vest as finished by the strained vision and aching head of another1 who was emphatically one of ,god's poor1 upon whom blight or disgrace had not fallen1 save by his appointment2 and the diamond brooch was borne off by admiring throngs but to be envied and coveted1 while the simple coin bestowed upon my little street acquaintance had introduced me to a new species of enjoyment that never cloys in the retrospective4 ,i had learned to do good in small ways--my morning walks have now an object and aim4 ,i pass by splendid palaces to hasten to ,sullivan court1 and thence on to yet other sources of enjoyment1 so that my invalidism is fast leaving me by the new direction which is given to my thoughts4 ,i am free to acknowledge that while ,i cheerfully pay for flannel robes1 and silverware1 and servants1 and all the requirements which fashion imposes1 ,i derive far less pleasure from surveying them1 than in sitting beside some worthy recipient of charity1 who tells me that the little sum you gave me saved me from despair and self-destruction1 and enabled me to become helpful1 so that no other assistance is now necessary4 ,such a confession fills a void which administering to a luxury never can2 and all the satisfaction originated in first helping a little child over the crossing4 ,,stop ,,and ,,look ,,around6 ,life is full of passing pleasures ,that are never seen or heard1 ,little things that go unheeded-- ,blooming flower and song of bird2 ,overhead1 a sky of beauty2 ,underneath1 a changing ground2 ,and we'd be the better for it ,if we'd stop and look around6 ,oh1 there's much of toil and worry ,in the duties we must meet2 ,but we've time to see the beauty ,that lies underneath our feet4 ,we can tune our ears to listen ,to a joyous burst of sound1 ,and we know that ,god intended ,we should stop and look around6 ,drop the care a while1 and listen ,when the sparrow sings his best2 ,turn aside1 and watch the building ,of some little wayside nest2 ,see the wild flower ope its petals1 ,gather moss from stump and mound2 ,and you'll be the better for it ,if you stop and look around6 ,,the ,,fence ,,story ,a man who prided himself on his morality1 and expected to be saved by it1 was constantly saying1 ,i am doing pretty well on the whole4 ,i sometimes get mad and swear1 but then ,i am strictly honest4 ,i work on ,sabbath when ,i am particularly busy1 but ,i give a good deal to the poor1 and ,i never was drunk in my life4 ,this man hired a canny ,scotchman to build a fence around his lot4 ,he gave him very particular directions4 ,in the evening1 when the ,scotchman came in from his work1 the man said1 ,well1 ,jock1 is the fence built1 and is it tight and strong8 ,i canna say that it is all tight and strong1 replied ,jock1 but it is a good average fence1 anyhow4 ,if some parts are a little weak1 others are extra strong4 ,i don't know but ,i may have left a gap here and there1 a yard wide1 or so2 but then ,i made up for it by doubling the number of rails on each side of the gap4 ,i dare say that the cattle will find it a very good fence1 on the whole1 and will like it2 though ,i canna just say that it's perfect in every part4 ,what6 cried the man1 not seeing the point4 ,do you tell me that you have built a fence around my lot with weak places in it1 and gaps in it8 ,why1 you might as well have built no fence at all4 ,if there is one opening1 or a place where an opening can be made1 the cattle will be sure to find it1 and will go through4 ,don't you know1 man1 that a fence must be perfect1 or it is worthless8 ,i used to think so1 said the dry ,scotchman1 but ,i hear you talk so much about averaging matters with the ,lord it seems to me we might try it with the cattle4 ,if an average fence won't do for them1 ,i am afraid an average character won't do for you in the day of judgment4 ,when ,i was on shipboard1 and a storm was driving us on the rocks1 the captain cried3 ',let go the anchor6' but the mate shouted back3 ',there is a broken link in the cable4' ,did the captain say when he heard that3 ',no matter1 it's only one link4 ,the rest of the chain is good4 ,ninety-nine of the hundred links are strong4 ,its average is high4 ,it only lacks one per cent4 of being perfect4 ,surely the anchor ought to respect so excellent a chain1 and not break away from it8' ,no1 indeed1 he shouted1 ',get another chain6' ,he knew that a chain with one broken link was no chain at all4 ,that he might as well throw the anchor overboard without any cable1 as with a defective one4 ,so with the anchor of our souls4 ,if there is the least flaw in the cable1 it is not safe to trust it4 ,we had better throw it away and try to get a new one that we know is perfect4 ,,put ,,yourself ,,in ,,my ,,place4 ,i cannot wait any longer4 ,i must have my money1 and if you cannot pay it ,i must foreclose the mortgage and sell the place1 said ,mr4 ,merton4 ,in that case1 said ,mr4 ,bishop1 it will of course be sold at a great sacrifice1 and after the struggles ,i have made1 my family will again be homeless4 ,it is hard4 ,i only wish you had to earn your money as ,i do mine2 you might then know something of the hard life of a poor man4 ,if you could only in imagination1 put yourself in my place1 ,i think you would have a little mercy on me4 ,it is useless talking2 ,i extended this one year1 and ,i can do so no longer1 replied ,mr4 ,merton1 as he turned to his desk and continued writing4 ,the poor man rose from his seat1 and walked sadly out of ,mr4 ,merton's office4 ,his last hope was gone4 ,he had just recovered from a long illness which had swallowed up the means with which he had intended to make the last payment on his house4 ,true1 ,mr4 ,merton had waited one year when he failed to meet the demand owing to illness in his family1 and he had felt very much obliged to him for so doing4 ,this year he had been laid up for seven months1 during which time he could earn nothing1 and all his savings were then needed for the support of his family4 ,again he failed1 and now he would again be homeless1 and have to begin the world anew4 ,had heaven forsaken him1 and given him over to the tender mercies of the wicked8 ,after he had left the office1 ,mr4 ,merton could not drive away from his thoughts the remarks to which the poor man gave utterance1 ,i wish you had to earn your money as ,i do mine4 ,in the midst of a row of figures1 ,put yourself in my place intruded4 ,once after it had crossed his mind he laid down his pen1 saying1 ,well1 ,i think ,i should find it rather hard4 ,i have a mind to drop in there this afternoon and see how it fares with his family2 that man has aroused my curiosity4 ,about five o'clock he put on a gray wig and some old cast-off clothes1 and walked to the door4 ,mrs4 ,bishop1 a pale1 weary-looking woman opened it4 ,the poor old man requested permission to enter and rest a while1 saying he was very tired with his long journey1 for he had walked many miles that day4 ,mrs4 ,bishop cordially invited him in1 and gave him the best seat the room afforded2 she then began to make preparations for tea4 ,the old gentleman watched her attentively4 ,he saw there was no elasticity in her steps1 no hope in her movements1 and pity for her began to steal into his heart4 ,when her husband entered1 her features relaxed into a smile1 and she forced a cheerfulness into her manner4 ,the traveler noted it all1 and he was forced to admire this woman who could assume a cheerfulness she did not feel1 for her husband's sake4 ,after the table was prepared 7there was nothing on it but bread and butter and tea71 they invited the stranger to eat with them1 saying1 ,we have not much to offer you1 but a cup of tea will refresh you after your long journey4 ,he accepted their hospitality1 and1 as they discussed the frugal meal1 led them without seeming to do so1 to talk of their affairs4 ,i bought this piece of land1 said ,mr4 ,bishop1 at a low price1 and instead of waiting1 as ,i ought to have done1 until ,i saved the money to build1 ,i thought ,i would borrow a few hundred dollars4 ,the interest on the money would not be near so much as the rent ,i was paying1 and ,i would save something by it4 ,i did not think there would be any difficulty in paying back the money2 but the first year my wife and one of the children were ill1 and the expense left me without means to pay the debt4 ,mr4 ,merton agreed to wait another year if ,i would pay the interest1 which ,i did4 ,this year ,i was for seven months unable to work at my trade and earn anything1 and1 of course1 when pay-day comes around--and that will be very soon--,i shall be unable to meet the demand4 ,but1 said the stranger1 will not ,mr4 ,merton wait another year1 if you make all the circumstances known to him8 ,no1 sir1 replied ,mr4 ,bishop2 ,i saw him this morning1 and he said he must have the money and should be obliged to foreclose4 ,he must be very hard-hearted1 remarked the traveler4 ,not necessarily so1 replied ,mr4 ,bishop4 ,the fact is1 these rich men know nothing of the struggles of the poor4 ,they are men1 just like the rest of mankind1 and ,i am sure if they had but the faintest idea of what the poor have to pass through1 their hearts and purses would open4 ,you know it has passed into a proverb1 ',when a poor man needs help he should apply to the poor4' ,the reason is obvious4 ,only the poor know the curse of poverty4 ,they know how heavily it falls1 crushing the heart of man1 and 7to use my favorite expression7 they can at once put themselves in the unfortunate one's place and appreciate difficulties1 and are therefore ready to render assistance as far as they are able4 ,if ,mr4 ,merton had the least idea what ,i and my family had to pass through1 ,i think he would be willing to wait several years for his money rather than distress us4 ,with what emotion the stranger listened may be imagined4 ,a new world was being opened to him4 ,he was passing through an experience that had never been his before4 ,shortly after the conclusion of the meal he arose to take his leave1 thanking ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,bishop for their kind hospitality4 ,they invited him to stay all night1 telling him he was welcome to what they had4 ,he thanked them1 and said1 ,i will trespass on your kindness no longer4 ,i think ,i can reach the next village before dark1 and be so much further on my journey4 ,mr4 ,merton did not sleep much that night2 he lay awake thinking4 ,he had received a new revelation4 ,the poor had always been associated in his mind with stupidity and ignorance1 and the first poor family he had visited he had found far in advance1 in intelligent sympathy and real politeness1 of the exquisite and fashionable butterflies of the day4 ,the next day a boy called at the cottage1 and left a package in a large blue envelope1 addressed to ,mr4 ,bishop4 ,mrs4 ,bishop was very much alarmed when she took it1 for large blue envelopes were associated in her mind with law and lawyers1 and she thought that it boded no good4 ,she put it away until her husband came home from his work1 when she handed it to him4 ,he opened it in silence1 read its contents1 and said1 fervently1 ,thank ,heaven6 ,what is it1 ,john8 inquired his anxious wife4 ,good news1 wife1 replied ,john2 such news as ,i never hoped for or even dreamed of4 ,what is it8 ,what is it8 ,tell me quickly6 ,i want to hear1 if it is anything good4 ,mr4 ,merton has canceled the mortgage2 released me from the debt1 both interest and principal2 and says any time ,i need further assistance1 if ,i will let him know1 ,i shall have it4 ,i am so glad6 ,it puts new life into me1 said the now happy wife4 ,but what can have come over ,mr4 ,merton8 ,i do not know4 ,it seems strange after the way he talked to me yesterday morning4 ,i will go right over to ,mr4 ,merton's1 and tell him how happy he has made us4 ,he found ,mr4 ,merton in1 and expressed his gratitude in glowing terms4 ,what could have induced you1 he asked1 to show us so much kindness8 ,i followed your suggestion1 replied ,mr4 ,merton1 and put myself in your place4 ,i expect that it will surprise you very much to learn that the strange traveler to whom you showed so much kindness yesterday was ,i4 ,indeed6 exclaimed ,mr4 ,bishop1 can that be true8 ,how did you disguise yourself so well8 ,i was not so much disguised1 after all2 but you could not very readily associate ,mr4 ,merton1 the lawyer1 with a poor wayfaring man4 ,well1 it is a good joke1 said ,mr4 ,bishop2 good in more senses than one4 ,it has terminated very pleasantly for me4 ,i was surprised1 said ,mr4 ,merton1 at the broad and liberal views you expressed of men and their actions generally4 ,i supposed ,i had greatly the advantage over you in means and education2 yet how cramped and narrow-minded have been my views beside yours6 ,that wife of yours is an estimable woman1 and that boy of yours will be an honor to any man4 ,i tell you1 ,bishop1 said the lawyer1 becoming animated1 you are rich--rich beyond what money could make2 you have treasures that gold will not buy4 ,i tell you1 you owe me no thanks4 ,somehow ,i seem to have lived years since yesterday morning4 ,what ,i have learned at your house is worth more than you owe me1 and ,i am your debtor yet4 ,hereafter ,i shall take as my motto1 ',put yourself in his place1' and try to regulate my actions by it4 ,we cannot measure the need ,of even the tiniest flower1 ,nor check the flow of the golden sands ,that run through a single hour4 ,but the morning dews must fall1 ,and the sun and summer rain ,must do their part and perform it all1 ,over and over again4 ,the path that has once been trod ,is never so rough to the feet2 ,and the lesson we once have learned ,is never so hard to repeat4 ,though sorrowful tears may fall1 ,and the heart to its depths be driven ,with storm and tempest2 we need them all ,to render us meet for heaven4 ,,forgive ,,and ,,forget4 ,forgive and forget1 it is better ,to fling all ill feeling aside ,than allow the deep1 cankering fetter ,of revenge in your breast to abide2 ,for your step o'er life's path will be lighter1 ,when the load from your bosom is cast1 ,and the glorious sky will seem brighter1 ,when the cloud of displeasure has passed4 ,though your spirit swell high with emotion ,to give back injustice again1 ,sink the thought in oblivion's ocean1 ,for remembrance increases the pain4 ,o1 why should we linger in sorrow1 ,when its shadow is passing away1-- ,or seek to encounter to-morrow1 ,the blast that o'erswept us to-day8 ,our life's stream is a varying river1 ,and though it may placidly glide ,when the sunbeams of joy o'er it quiver1 ,it must foam when the storm meets its tide4 ,then stir not its current to madness1 ,for its wrath thou wilt ever regret2 ,though the morning beams break on thy sadness1 ,ere the sunset1 forgive and forget4 --,robert ,gray4 ,,the ,,infidel ,,captain ,the ship ,st4 ,thomas1 ,captain1 ,robert ,williams1 was bound from ,new ,york to ,liverpool1 in the month of ,june4 ,favored by a fresh westerly wind1 she soon cleared the land1 and on the first ,sunday out was going along finely with all drawing sail set4 ,the chief mate1 ,mr4 ,wm4 ,briggs1 after the crew had breakfasted1 and the watch had been set1 asked the captain if he had any objections to calling the men aft to prayers4 ,no objection whatever1 ,mr4 ,briggs1 provided you do the preaching and praying yourself2 for you know well enough that ,i have but little faith in such exercises4 ,captain ,williams was between forty and fifty years of age1 a plain1 blunt seaman1 who was more ambitious of being considered an enterprising shipmaster than a ,christian4 ,his mate was not quite thirty1 and was indebted to him for his promotion from before the mast to second mate1 and then to that of chief mate2 they had sailed together many years1 and each had boundless confidence in the other4 ,appreciating the motives of his mate1 he always permitted him to have prayers on board when the state of the weather was favorable1 although he took no interest in religious matters himself4 ,mr4 ,briggs ordered the watch to arrange some seats on the quarter-deck1 while he went forward himself and invited the watch below to come aft1 and listen to the reading of the ,scriptures1 and such other religious exercises as the occasion might suggest1 remarking at the same time1 that it was not his desire to force any man against his will4 ,without a murmur the watch below1 as well as that on deck1 repaired to the quarter-deck1 and were soon seated around the capstan4 ,the captain took charge of the deck himself1 that is1 looked out for the proper steerage of the ship1 and relieved the second mate1 whose watch it was1 to join the men at prayers4 ,these arrangements completed1 the chief mate placed a ,bible on the capstan1 read a chapter from the ,new ,testament1 made some remarks upon it1 and then prayed2 after which he read a sermon1 and closed with prayer4 ,the whole exercise occupied about an hour1 and seemed to produce a good effect upon the men1 who1 during the rest of the day in their intercourse with one another1 talked about religion4 ,that afternoon1 when it was the mate's watch on deck1 ,captain ,williams entered into conversation with him as follows3-- ,i say1 ,briggs1 what does all your preaching and praying amount to in the long run8 ,i have managed to get along very well thus far without either1 and if ,i were to die to-day1 ,i could safely say that ,i never injured any man knowingly1 and have always endeavored to do my duty to my family and to all4 ,what more can a man do1 even if he has all the religion in the world8 ,captain ,williams1 replied the mate1 this world1 sir1 is not our home2 we are here only for a few short years1 and then we go to the place for which we have prepared ourselves4 ,place6 interrupted the captain1 place--what do you or ,i or any one else know about any other place than this world8 ,place1 indeed6 you do not suppose that ,i am silly enough to believe the ,bible1 with its strange fish-stories1 and unaccountable yarns about miracles1 etc48 ,yet1 replied the mate1 you believe ,bowditch's ,navigator1 and rely upon its statements4 ,of course ,i do1 because ,i have tested their correctness by actual experience4 ,and for the same reason ,i believe the ,bible1 and so will you1 sir1 when you come to ,christ and learn of him the truth4 ,i have heard that statement before1 ,briggs4 ,but how would you propose for me to come to ,christ8 ,by retiring to your stateroom alone1 sir1 and throwing yourself upon your knees1 and imploring him with your whole soul to enlighten you4 ,continue this process every moment you can spare from the ship's duty1 and ,i will be answerable that you will not pray long in vain1 if you pray sincerely4 ,but you must first convince me1 ,briggs1 that the ,bible is true before ,i make a fool of myself in my stateroom4 ,my dear captain1 replied the mate1 ,i cannot convince you1 that is the work of the ,holy ,spirit2 but ,i can1 and often do pray for you4 ,yet let us recur to ,bowditch's ,navigator again1 and see if we cannot make out a case from it in favor of the ,bible4 ,both of us believe the ,navigator1 yet neither of us knows thoroughly the principles by which all its numerous tables have been calculated1 many of which we use every day without question4 ,if we make a bad landfall1 or1 at the end of a day discover that we have made a different course from that which we projected1 we do not attribute the errors to ,bowditch1 but to our own miscalculation4 ,it is just so with the humble inquirer after truth2 the ,bible is his ,navigator2 he believes it the fountain of living truth1 endeavors to shape the course of his life by it2 and when he errs1 he looks for the error in himself1 not in the ,bible4 ,still1 ,briggs1 said the captain1 ,i don't believe the ,bible4 ,the fact is1 ,i have never looked into it since ,i was a boy4 ,the greater your loss1 captain2 but ,i have no doubt your mother believed it1 and has often spoken to you about ,god1 and ,christ1 and taught you to pray when you were a child4 ,if you will take the trouble to visit ,jim ,wood's gin-palace1 in ,playhouse ,square1 when we reach ,liverpool1 and enter into conversation with the people there about the ,bible1 they will laugh at you1 and sneeringly tell you it is a humbug2 in short1 repeat your own arguments2 but if you will leave there and obtain admission into the best society1 you will find that every person present will speak with reverence of the ,bible4 ,now ,i know you love good company here1 and that you dislike the low1 vulgar conversation of the profane2 therefore1 ,i should like to see you make some effort to prepare yourself for the society of the redeemed in heaven4 ,what you have said about my mother1 ,briggs1 is true as the needle to the pole1 ,god bless her2 ,i can't help saying so1 for she was good to me2 and if there is a heaven she is sure of it4 ,and1 of course1 captain1 you would like to join her there1 when you have run down your reckoning here4 ,you have either to join her1 or such fellows as those who frequent places like ,jim ,wood's4 ,which like you the best--gamblers1 drunkards1 and thieves1 or your mother8 ,this is the simple question which you must decide for yourself4 ,here the ship's duty interrupted the conversation1 but that night ,captain ,williams thought much of the teachings of his mother1 her earnest prayers to ,god in his behalf1 and the flimsy arguments with which he had so long deluded himself about the ,bible2 and the more he thought the more uneasy he became4 ,he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of ,god1 unworthy of the many favors he enjoyed1 and during the whole of that passage1 whenever an opportunity offered he engaged in earnest conversation with his mate4 ,he was alarmed at the prospect of being forever separated from his mother1 for he loved her dearly2 and this feeling soon gave birth to others of a more spiritual nature1 and finally he was led to exclaim1 ,what shall ,i do to be saved8 ,,every ,,heart ,,has ,,its ,,own ,,sorrow ,every heart has its own sorrow4 ,there was a sad smile upon the lips that said it1 and the eyes of the speaker were full of unshed tears1 as if the heart rebelled a little1 while a sigh stole up and was breathed out wearily4 ,she sat in the full glow of the firelight1 a patient1 gentle woman1 and on a low cushion at her feet was a young girl with her face hidden in her hands and sobbing passionately4 ,don't think so much about it1 ,maggie2 it is all for the best4 ,it seems strange and dark now1 but the time will come when you will see that it was all right4 ,all the time she smoothed softly the golden curls that fell over the flushed forehead--the head was lifted at length1 and a fair face looked up1 stained and swollen with weeping4 ,i can't see how you can say this1 ,miss ,levick4 ,the time will never come when ,i shall see that it was all right4 ,the young face was hidden again1 and tears dropped like rain through the small1 white fingers4 ,by and by they ceased flowing and the head was laid with a long1 tired sob upon the lap where it had rested before4 ,the hours went by in silence1 while the firelight shone clear and steady in the room1 sometimes bathing the watchers in its radiance1 then flickering and going out like the hopes that they had cherished4 ,maggie ,harlan had cause to weep4 ,six years before her mother died1 just as the sensitive1 high-spirited child was learning to feel her need of a tender counselor1 whose love was even greater than the many faults that tried it sorely4 ,her eldest brother graduated1 and with impaired health went to ,cuba for the winter4 ,he never returned1 so ,maggie had only her father to cling to4 ,mr4 ,harlan almost idolized her1 but he was an invalid1 and felt that his child needed some influence besides his own in molding aright a character that already showed strong points1 that might be shaped for good or evil4 ,bidding farewell to the old home they removed to a quiet country village1 where there was a long-established female seminary1 and here ,maggie had been to school1 advised1 aided1 and benefited by ,mrs4 ,champlan1 the head of the school1 and also the mother of daughters1 causing her to take a warmer interest perhaps in the motherless girl1 who not only proved an amiable pupil1 but a brilliant scholar4 ,mrs4 ,champlan employed numerous teachers1 and it is with one we find ,maggie4 ,miss ,levick had been there only six months4 ,she was not one of those brilliant characters that dazzle at first acquaintance2 but she possessed a quiet1 unobtrusive loveliness that won surely upon the affections of those who knew her4 ,she had learned many lessons in the school of life2 adversity and sorrow had been her teachers1 and if they had made darkness in her heart1 it was in this she had learned patience1 and lip and eye told by their chastened beauty of a peace1 storms could not disturb4 ,maggie ,harlan knew nothing of her history2 she had come a stranger to ,dalton4 ,well educated1 a skilful musician1 and speaking the languages with fluency1 ,mrs4 ,champlan was glad to employ her2 and to ,maggie especially had she proved a most devoted friend4 ,mr4 ,harlan's health had been slowly but surely failing since the death of his wife1 but his friends were so accustomed to his pale face and wasted figure that they little realized how near his feet were to the dark river4 ,hopeful and cheerful1 he seldom spoke of bodily infirmities4 ,three months ago he left home partly to attend to business in a distant city1 and partly from the hope that travel might be of service to him4 ,he only reached the place of his destination1 was seized with severe hemorrhage1 and died in a few hours4 ,only strangers were with him1 strangers ministered to his last wants1 and strangers sent back to his home the news of the desolation that had come to it4 ,it was a terrible blow to ,maggie2 all the more terrible for falling so suddenly4 ,she moved about in a kind of stupor for several days1 till the funeral was over1 and she was left alone with no other friend than ,miss ,levick4 ,it was uncertain with regard to ,mr4 ,harlan's property4 ,he had always passed for a man of wealth1 lived handsomely1 and enjoyed all that money could bring4 ,but ,maggie remembered that he had often spoken anxiously with regard to the future1 and it was with some misgivings that she awaited the investigation of his affairs4 ,it proved as she feared4 ,there was very little property beyond what would pay outstanding debts1 and a very heavy mortgage was held upon the place where they lived4 ,it was arranged that ,maggie should go to ,mrs4 ,champlan1 graduate with the close of the present term1 and then become a teacher4 ,this is the last night in the dear old home2 all day has ,maggie borne up bravely--now utterly overcome4 ,it is a hard lesson to learn1 darling1 but some hearts have learned it1 and when the agony was passed have blessed ,god for so teaching them4 ,sorrow sooner or later comes to all1 and it works in the heart of each patience or despair4 ,it all depends upon the way and manner in which they receive it4 ,perhaps you have the power to choose1 said ,maggie1 but ,i have not4 ,it is not so much for you to be patient2 it is your nature1 and then you can't have so great cause for grief4 ,how ,miss ,levick's heart went backward at the words of this weeping child1 while she repeated to herself many a precious promise4 ,hour after hour they sat there2 the sun had gone down1 and the purple twilight shrouded the outer world2 while ,maggie's thoughts were busy with memories of the beautiful past1 that was gone from her forever--shrinking from the future that looked so blank and cheerless1 and keen agony as the present sorrow rose up in all its intensity--a radiant cup of joy dashed from her lips just as she was beginning to taste its sweetness1 and her heart was full of murmuring and despair4 ,miss ,levick's words irritated instead of soothed her1 and she could not help feeling there was not so much sympathy as she had a right to expect4 ,the teacher felt all this1 and her tears dropped silently as she thought over ,maggie's words4 ,you have not so great cause for grief4 ,there was a lesson in her past life that her heart prompted her to unveil for the instruction of the young mourner1 and though she shrank from the task she determined it should be done4 ,maggie1 she began in a low voice1 ,i have no home1 ,maggie4 ,there are times when my path looks dreary to me4 ,once loving hands clasped mine1 but one by one they have all lost their hold upon me and crumbled away into dust1 while ,i am left to walk alone4 ,i do not murmur at this1 though there have been times when my heart has said1 ',the ,almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me4' ,and if you will listen ,i will tell you how a heart more impulsive and passionate than yours was brought to rest quietly in the hands of ,one who doeth all things well4 ,i was born in ,new ,england1 and amid its wild1 picturesque scenery ,i grew to love nature most devoutly--not calm1 serene1 quiet2 ,i gloried in the war of elements1 the play of the winds1 the lightning1 the thunder4 ,when very young it was one of my pastimes to be out in the rain-storms2 there was something in this akin to my own passionate nature4 ,i did not like anything tame and restrained4 ,my mother was a warm-hearted1 loving woman1 but so given to the world1 so immersed in the whirl of society that she could not spend much time with her children4 ,she saw that we were well fed1 well dressed1 well behaved1 and her duty was done4 ,i remember so well how prettily she looked--the dainty cap and collar1 and when ,i used to put my arms about her neck and tell her how pretty she was1 she would put me aside for fear ,i should spoil her toilet4 ,my father was a proud-spirited man1 who dearly loved my wild1 uncontrolled ways2 there was no danger of mussing him1 and rare sport we used to have during his hours of leisure4 ,i loved my father fondly1 and people said that ,i had more influence over him than any other human being4 ,wealthy1 and possessed of a social disposition1 our house was a rendezvous for all4 ,an ,englishman by birth1 my father was accustomed to seeing his sideboard well filled1 and by degrees he grew to frequent it too often4 ,when ,i was about twelve years old my mother died1 and after four years spent in school ,i returned to find a great change in my father4 ,he would at times be gloomy and morose for days together1 keeping the whole house in a state of fear and discomfort by his sudden caprice and unreasonable exactions4 ,this would pass away and he would appear as usual4 ,these attacks grew to be more frequent1 and at last came to be his habitual frame1 and his frequent absence from home1 which at first was a great sorrow to me1 came to be looked for as a great relief4 ,months passed on1 and at last ,i woke up to know what others had known for a long time1 that my father was drinking deeply and losing constantly at play4 ,o1 ,maggie1 ,i can never tell you the terrible suffering through which ,i passed4 ,i left society and shut myself up at home1 determined1 if it was possible1 to save him4 ,i had influence with him3 but how could ,i appeal to him--how let him know that ,i knew the places he frequented and the company he kept6 ,then change came4 ,i grew indignant that he should bring all this misery upon me--the poverty and disgrace that ,i felt sure must follow such a course4 ,then in a moment of tenderness ,i would plead and expostulate with him1 begging him with tears to leave his habits of dissipation for my sake1 for his own sake1 for the sake of my dead mother2 while he would talk and weep1 telling me that he could not break away2 there was something continually drawing him to the gaming-house--he knew it was ruining him1 but he must go1 while the bitter1 burning tears would roll over his face4 ,little by little every available article of property was disposed of and poverty stared us in the face4 ,at length my father's constitution failed under the wear of constant excitement1 and he was forced to leave his customary resort and confine himself to the house1 and not unfrequently to his bed4 ,remorse preyed upon him1 and his sufferings at times were terrible4 ,with all this ,i was not impatient1 neither did ,i leave him1 for it was a part of my being1 the love ,i had for him2 and though at times a flood of bitterness possessed my soul--wretched1 helpless1 tortured with distress of mind and body1 ,i sought to comfort and console him4 ,he lingered for two years a pitiable wreck of what he had once been1 and died1 ,i trust1 repentant1 leaving me alone and utterly destitute4 ,i had relatives in ,baltimore1 said to be wealthy1 and for a few weeks ,i trusted in their kindness2 but there was no notice of my letters for a long time1 and then one came couched so blandly1 sympathizing with me in my loss1 hoping ,i was well1 but saying not a word of the future1 or manifesting the least care or concern for what might become of me4 ,bitter were the tears1 but it roused me4 ,i determined to rely upon myself4 ,my father had been a thorough scholar1 and ,i was educated according to his system4 ,there was nothing superficial1 and the extent of my reading1 both in ,english and the classics1 was far more than the course usually prescribed for ladies4 ,i also inherited a talent for music which had been carefully cultivated1 so that ,i was well able to teach any branch that might be desired4 ,through the kindness of our family physician ,i obtained a situation in a seminary at some distance from my home1 as music teacher4 ,my deep mourning1 together with my extreme youth1 procured sympathy and kindness from many2 but ,i rejected all the overtures and led a life of perfect isolation1 as much alone as if in a wilderness4 ,i aimed to be kind and courteous in my demeanor to all1 but no one was admitted in the least degree into my confidence1 and every emotion was carefully concealed from observation4 ,satisfied with my books and my music1 learning language after language1 not that ,i liked study so passionately1 but it made me forget1 ,i felt that ,i never could be again what ,i had been4 ,my chief solace1 when not studying1 was at the instrument2 and here with my pupils did ,i spend hour after hour1 reveling not alone in the written music1 but improvising according to my will4 ,these pieces pleased me best1 for here ,i could pour out my anguished feelings1 the mournful1 withering wail of my despair4 ,how long this might have lasted ,i can not say2 but my heavenly ,father1 against whom my heart1 without knowing it1 rebelled so grievously1 was pleased to deal mercifully with me1 and sent me in my withering1 deadening grief a great and precious gift4 ,you have often asked me about this miniature1 ,maggie1 and she unclasped a bracelet from her arm4 ,it was richly chased1 and contained the likeness of a noble-looking man in the prime of manhood4 ,it was my husband1 my noble1 generous husband1 and she pressed her lips to the dumb semblance4 ,harris ,levick was an inmate of the same boardinghouse with me1 but for a long time we were as perfect strangers4 ,he pitied me at first2 and not repulsed by the manner in which his advances were met1 he persevered until my heart gave way1 and ,i learned first to regard him as a friend1 a brother1 and after that to love him with all the devotion of one whose love flowed in but one channel to one object4 ,once more ,i entered society because he wished it1 and again sunshine rested in my heart and on my life4 ,months passed2 we were married1 and ,i left my labors at the seminary to preside over a home simple in all its furnishing1 for ,harris was not wealthy1 but oh1 what a paradise it was to me6 ,we had books1 flowers1 and music4 ,we had young hearts full of love for each other and hope for the future1 and for one short year ,i forgot all the bitterness of the past2 and when love's signet ring was clasped with one sweet pearl ,i felt that ,god was good to me1 and thought ,i was grateful for his blessings4 ,four years with rare delight swept over me1 and when ,god touched my treasures ,i found that my heart was as proud and as bitter as ever4 ,harris was a lawyer1 with fine talent and a steadily increasing practice4 ,for a young man he was said to excel1 and all looked forward to a brilliant future for him4 ,how many times we talked over the home we should possess in a few years1 planning its surroundings and its adornments with almost satisfaction1 hardly thinking that change might mar the programme2 and still would ,harris often close this dreaming by1 ',if ,god wills1' and seated by his side with no wish for anything beyond his love1 ,i too could respond1 ',if ,god wills4' ,yes1 it was easy to say1 ',thy will be done1' when that will brought me only what ,i craved4 ,we had been married four years4 ,willie1 my precious baby1 was three years old1 the joy of our home1 the dearest1 most affectionate little heart4 ,there was a particular case on the docket4 ,my husband had need of all his skill and ability1 besides it was necessary that he should meet personally with several connected with it1 and on whom much depended4 ,this rendered a journey to ,chicago necessary4 ,how ,i remember the morning he left me2 bright and beautiful as it was1 ,i could not help the tears that would come4 ,true1 it was comparatively a short journey1 still ,i could not keep down the sobs4 ',i shall be gone only a week1 darling1 it will soon pass4 ,cheer up1 here is ,willie1 bright as a sunbeam1 and ,i will write if possible every day4' ,try as ,i would1 ,i could not restrain myself4 ',why1 ,allie1 had ,i thought you would have felt so bad ,i would not have gone4' ',it is very foolish ,i know1 ,harris1 but it seems to me that ,i shall never see you again1' and ,i wept convulsively4 ',god bless and keep my treasures1' said ,harris4 ,i kissed him passionately again and again1 and then saw the door close after him4 ,it was two days before ,i heard from my husband2 he was well1 business prospering1 would be home in the time specified1 and ,i was sorry that ,i had been so foolish2 the days were pleasant1 and he needed change2 he might have made a pleasant excursion of it if ,i had not been so babyish2 and ,i told ,willie of all my weakness1 and ,i promised ,i would never give way again4 ,i knew my husband was never so happy as when at home2 he was ambitious in his profession1 a stirring business man2 it would be necessary for him to go away often1 and his leaving should never be clouded again4 ,thus ,i resolved4 ,willie1 putting his dimpled arms about my neck would say to me1 ',good1 pretty ma1 don't cry any more when pa goes away4' ,the week was nearly passed1 ,harris would close his business and leave in the morning4 ,how my heart thrilled as at night ,i dressed myself carefully1 and put the little suit his father liked best on ,willie6 ,then1 seating myself and taking my baby on my lap1 ,i rocked him and told him stories to while the time away till ,i heard the tramp of the iron horse4 ,nine o'clock rung out from the little ,french clock on the mantel4 ,a moment and the rumbling of the cars was heard1 while the whistle screeched out its warning1 and ,willie bounded from my arms1 ',pa come1 pa come6' ',not yet1 darling1' and ,i whiled him back to wait patiently4 ,it was far past his usual bedtime1 but his eyes were never brighter4 ,this was an unusual occasion1 and he could sleep later in the morning4 ,an hour passed1 it seemed to me an age2 again and again ,i went to the door to listen4 ,by and by there was a carriage at the gate1 and footsteps coming up the graveled walk4 ',there is more than one2 my husband must have brought company1 that is what has kept him so long at the depot4' ,and ,i took ,willie by the hand and opened the door4 ,four gentlemen stood on the steps1 but my husband was not among them4 ,i staggered back1 and should have fallen but for the kindly care of one4 ',tell me all2 ,i can bear it2 my husband is dead4' ,i did not need the words1 ,i knew it4 ,but when they told me of the accident1 the terrible collision1 the fearful death of so many1 and my husband among the number1 ,i felt the good slipping away from me4 ,my grief was too bitter1 my eyes were dry1 and my brain like bursting4 ,why should ,god take one and not the other8 ,and ,i clasped my child to my heart2 and if ,i ever prayed earnestly it was that we might both go4 ',we thought it would be a comfort to you to see your husband2 the body will soon be here4' ,and the humane man began making preparations to receive it4 ,all the while ,i sat mechanically clasping my child tightly and passionately1 asking to be taken out of a life so wretched as mine would be without his presence4 ,the door opened1 and a litter borne by four men was placed in the middle of the room4 ,gently they arranged everything1 and with the delicacy of those who know what sorrow is1 left me alone with my dead4 ,there lay my husband dressed just as when he left ,chicago--his face calm and serene1 while the blood still oozed from a wound in the temple1 and his breast was mangled and bleeding2 still ,i could not make it real1 while ,willie begged so hard for 'pa to wake up4' ,poor child6 he could not realize his misery2 he did not know what it was to be fatherless4 ,days passed4 ,they put my dead from me4 ,how was ,i to live without him8 ,alas6 had ,i read the lesson rightly ,i should perhaps have been spared another4 ,hardly three months had passed when scarlet fever broke out in the village1 and ,willie sickened and died4 ,my cup was full2 the waves of bitterness rolled over me2 ,i was ready to curse ,god who had dealt so severely with me2 and no words can describe the darkness1 like the shadow of death1 that settled over my soul4 ,i neither wept nor prayed4 ,i thought of ,god only as an enemy whose hand was relentlessly against me1 and every power of my body and mind seemed locked up by a stony despair4 ,i followed my baby to the grave1 but it was as one who neither saw nor heard4 ,i went back to my lonely home and brooded silently over my hard fate4 ,illustration3 ,he ,is ,not ,here2 ,he ,is ,risen ,the autumn days hung their beauty all around me1 but ,i had no eye to see1 no ear to catch the joyfulness floating around me4 ,christmas came1 a bright1 beautiful winter morning1 and ,i stood by the window watching passers-by4 ,there were no friends1 no ,christmas cheer for me4 ,why was my fate so pitiless8 ,as ,i stood by the window1 my heart making bitter responses to every peal of the bell1 our clergyman passed1 a kind1 benevolent-hearted man2 he bowed kindly1 and then entered4 ',are you not going out this morning1 ,mrs4 ,levick8' ',no sir4 ,i have nothing to rejoice over1 unless it be that every drop in my cup has turned to bitterness4' ,he did not answer me at once1 but taking both my hands1 and looking earnestly into my face said1 ',almost every house was smitten2 we lost two of our darlings4' ,he passed on to the church1 and presently ,i heard the swelling notes of the organ1 and the voice of the people4 ,every note came directly to my ear1 for the door was being opened and closed continually4 ',ah6' thought ,i1 'they can sing1 they can observe ,christmas2 they have lost only children1 ,i have lost all4' ,when the service was over ,i watched to see the people go back to their homes4 ,my heart smote me not a little as ,i saw that not less than one-half the congregation wore the badge of bereavement4 ,there was a widow with her fatherless children2 feeble age tottered on missing the strong arm of manhood on which it had been accustomed to lean2 little children1 motherless1 walked with demure steps by their father's side2 and there a lonely couple thinking of the little ones that used to follow them with dancing steps4 ',what a wretched1 suffering world it is6' and ,i bowed my head upon my hands and wept1 the first tears ,i had shed since they took my baby from my arms4 ,just then baby's old nurse came in--the dear old motherly heart--the sight of my grief touched her4 ',he knoweth what is best2 each heart has its own sorrow1' and she held me in her arms just as she used to hold ,willie4 ,then she talked to me a long time of ,god's goodness and love2 that he knew and pitied our anguish2 that this life was not all1 there was a future1 and that it would not be long till we should stand on the farther shore4 ,somehow her simple words went directly to my heart2 and although ,i wept till ,i was nearly exhausted it did me good1 and that night ,i slept like a child4 ,i awoke next morning with a strange feeling of weakness in every limb1 and a sense of bewilderment and confusion that ,i tried in vain to shake off4 ,past events1 even my recent bereavement1 would rise up for an instant before me1 and then float away into dim distance4 ,i was prostrate with high fever1 through which ,i was tenderly watched by ,mrs4 ,bryan1 aided by friends whose approach ,i did not now repel4 ,after long delirium and unconsciousness ,i awoke at last to reason1 and for several days bore reluctantly with what ,i fancied was ,mrs4 ,bryan's needless caution in keeping the room so dark4 ,at length ,i could bear it no longer1 ,i wanted to see the sunlight once more1 and insisted that the window should be opened4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,bryan put me off till to-morrow1 then the curtains were rolled up1 and the blinds thrown open2 ,i knew it1 for ,i felt the pure air on my cheek4 ,but1 alas6 ,i could dimly see the sun shining through the rose tree1 and the white spire of the village church2 all was dim and faint as before4 ,it was not that my room was darkened2 the light had gone out of my eyes1 ,i was almost blind2 ,i should never see the sunshine nor the flowers again2 all my life ,i must be a helpless1 dependent creature1 a burden to myself and to others4 ,i remembered then my ingratitude1 the hardness of my heart1 because he had taken my idols1 and ,i felt the ,lord had justly smitten me4 ,day after day ,i could see less of the flickering sunlight1 and at length it was gone to me entirely4 ,oh how beautiful now seemed to me the broad green earth6 ,how ,i longed to look upon the sweet flowers6 ,once ,i would not look at them because they reminded me of those his hands had so often gathered for me4 ,now ,i longed but to look at them1 while the song of the birds filled me with pleasant music4 ,for hours did ,i sit and listen to the robins as they crooned out their love songs in the old elm tree1 when suddenly a thought struck me3 ',these winged creatures warble and bask in the sunlight1 answering the purpose of their existence1 while ,i1 a rational creature1 am gloomy and sad of heart1 and full of complainings4 ,i am of more consequence in ,his sight than a bird4' ,these reflections brought tears1 and ,i found myself offering up a prayer that ,i too might become as happy in the purpose of my life4 ,this prayer was the earnest wish of my heart1 and it was not long till ,i found the ,saviour1 and1 leaning upon him1 felt happier in my blindness than when ,i walked alone with my wicked heart4 ,my chastening was severe1 but the ,lord raised up friends in my necessity4 ,after three months of total blindness1 the result of long-continued nervous excitement1 my sight was gradually restored4 ,in the meantime ,i had made the acquaintance of a family from the ,south1 who pressed me so kindly to return with them to their own home that ,i could not refuse4 ,this home was in the suburbs of ,new ,orleans1 where the mild air and sweet perfume of orange groves did much toward establishing health4 ,alas1 that blight1 war and desolation should sweep over such a home6 ,how ,i felt ,i hardly know1 nor in what way ,i found myself in camp and hospital4 ,the lengthened watch that knew no variation in the long wards1 the terrible suffering of the brave men who had periled their all for the ,union1 and ,i ministering to their wants1 aiding them to bear suffering patiently1 binding up their wounds1 above all1 pointing them to ,him whose precious love had brought him to do more for them than they had done for others--sad as it was1 it was no doubt the very thing for me2 ,i forgot my own griefs1 personal sorrow was unthought of4 ,i felt thankful for the benefits ,i had received1 leaned more and more upon his protecting care1 and looked forward1 not blindly and with mute despair1 but with hope of a joyful reunion on the other shore4 ,for me ,i can say1 ',it is good that ,i have been afflicted4' ,i feel a firm confidence in the goodness and mercy that will not leave me nor forsake me4 ,the hands of the clock were slowly creeping past the midnight hour2 the leaping flames were gone2 in their place were only embers glowing redly under the white ashes1 even as hope will live and glow in a strong heat under all the smoldering ashes of disappointment4 ,maggie rose from her seat and folded her arms about her teacher's neck4 ,i pray ,god to teach me the sweet lesson you have learned4 ,i am so sorry that ,i said 'you had not so much cause for grief as ,i4' ,but why do they call you ,miss ,levick8 ,your question is very natural4 ,it was simply a mistake on the part of ,mrs4 ,champlan1 and ,i had not energy enough at the time to correct it4 ,after that ,i felt it was just as well1 ,i should escape questioning4 ,they went forth in a few hours1 each to her appointed lot1 and the angels looked down upon them both4 ,,alone4 ,alone with ,god6 the keynote this ,of every holy life1 ,the secret power of fragrant growth1 ,and victory over strife4 ,alone with ,god6 in private prayer ,and quietness we feel ,that he draws near our waiting souls1 ,and doth himself reveal4 ,alone with ,god6 earth's laurels fade1 ,ambition tempts not there2 ,the world and self are judged aright1 ,and no false colors wear4 ,alone with ,god6 true knowledge gained1 ,while sitting at his feet2 ,we learn life's greatest lessons there1 ,which make for service meet4 ,,evening ,,prayer4 ,our ,father4 ,the mother's voice was low and tender1 and solemn4 ,our ,father4 ,on two sweet voices the tones were borne upward4 ,it was the innocence of reverent children that gave them utterance4 ,who art in heaven4 ,who art in heaven1 repeated the children1 one with her eyes bent meekly down1 and the other looking upward1 as if she would penetrate the heavens into which her heart was aspiring4 ,hallowed be thy name4 ,lower fell the voice of the little ones4 ,in a gentle murmur they said1-- ,hallowed be thy name4 ,thy kingdom come4 ,and the burden of the prayer was still taken by the children-- ,thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven1 filled the chamber4 ,and the mother continued-- ,give us this day our daily bread4 ,our daily bread1 lingered a moment on the air1 as the mother's voice was hushed into silence4 ,and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 but deliver us from evil4 ,for thine is the kingdom1 and the power1 and the glory1 forever4 ,amen4 ,all these holy words were said piously and fervently by the little ones1 as they knelt with clasped hands beside their mother4 ,then as their thoughts1 uplifted on the wings of prayer to their heavenly ,father1 came back again and rested on their earthly parents1 a warmer love came gushing from their hearts4 ,pure kisses--tender kisses--the fond good-night4 ,what a sweet agitation pervaded all their feelings4 ,then two dear heads were placed side by side on the snowy pillows1 the mother's last good-night kiss given1 and the shadowy curtains drawn4 ,what a pulseless stillness reigns without the chamber4 ,inwardly1 the parents' ears are bent4 ,they have given those innocent ones into the keeping of ,god's angels1 and they can almost hear the rustle of their garments as they gather around their sleeping babes4 ,a sigh1 deep and tremulous1 breaks on the air4 ,quickly the mother turns to the father of her children1 with a look of earnest inquiry upon her countenance4 ,and he answers thus her silent questions3-- ,far back through many years have my thoughts been wandering4 ,at my mother's knee thus said ,i nightly my childhood's evening prayer4 ,it was that best and holiest of all prayers1 ',our ,father1' that she taught me4 ,childhood and my mother passed away4 ,i went forth as a man into the world1 strong1 confident1 and self-seeking4 ,once ,i came into great temptation4 ,had ,i fallen in that temptation1 ,i should have fallen never to rise again4 ,i was about yielding4 ,all the barriers ,i could oppose to it in the in-rushing flood1 seemed just ready to give way1 when1 as ,i sat in my room one evening1 there came from an adjoining chamber1 now first occupied for many weeks1 the murmur of low voices4 ,i listened4 ,at first no articulate sound was heard1 and yet something in the tones stirred my heart with new and strong emotions4 ,at length there came to my ears1 in the earnest1 loving voice of a woman1 the words1-- ',deliver us from evil4' ,for an instant1 it seemed to me as if that voice were that of my mother4 ,back with a sudden bound1 through all the intervening years1 went my thoughts1 and a child again ,i was kneeling at my mother's knee4 ,humbly and reverently ,i said over the words of the holy prayer she had taught me1 heart and eye uplifted to heaven4 ,the hour and power of darkness had passed4 ,i was no longer standing in slippery places1 with a flood of water ready to sweep me to destruction2 but my feet were on a rock4 ,my pious mother's care had saved her son4 ,in the holy words she had taught me in childhood was a living power to resist evil through all my after life4 ,ah6 that unknown mother1 as she taught her child to repeat this evening prayer1 how little dreamed she that the holy words were to reach a stranger's ears1 and save him through the memory of his own childhood and his own mother4 ,and yet it was so4 ,what a power there is in ,god's word1 as it flows into and rests in the minds of innocent childhood4 ,tears were in the eyes of the wife and mother1 as she lifted her face and gazed with a subdued tenderness1 upon the countenance of her husband4 ,her heart was too full for utterance4 ,a little while she thus gazed1 and then with a trembling joy1 laid her hand upon his bosom4 ,angels were in the chamber where their dear ones slept1 and they felt their holy presence4 ,hallowed1 ay1 hallowed6 not alone in prayer1 ,but in our daily thoughts and daily speech2 ,at altar and at hearthstone--everywhere ,that temple-priests or home-apostles preach4 ,oh1 not by words alone1 but by our deeds1 ,and by our faith1 and hope1 and spirit's flame1 ,and by the nature of our private creeds1 ,we hallow best1 and glorify thy ,name4 ,nature doth hallow it4 ,in every star1 ,and every flower1 and leaf1 and leaping wave1 ,she praises ,thee1 who1 from ,thy realm afar1 ,such stores of beauty to this fair earth gave4 ,but these alone should not ,thy love proclaim-- ,our hearts1 our souls respond--,all hallowed be ,thy ,name4 ,,the ,,happy ,,new ,,year ,happy ,new ,year1 papa6 ,the sitting-room doors were thrown open1 and a sweet little girl came bounding in4 ,her cheeks were all aglow4 ,smiles played around her cherry lips1 and her eyes were dancing with sunny light4 ,happy ,new ,year1 my sweet one6 responded ,mr4 ,edgar1 as he clasped the child fondly to his heart4 ,may all your ,new ,years be happy1 he added1 in a low voice1 and with a prayer in his heart4 ,little ,ellen laid her head in confiding love against her father's breast1 and he bent down his manly cheek until it rested on the soft masses of her golden hair4 ,to her it was a happy ,new ,year's morning1 and the words that fell from her lips were heart-echoes4 ,but it was not so with ,mr4 ,edgar4 ,the cares of this world1 and the deceitfulness of riches1 had1 like evil weeds1 found a rank growth in his heart1 while good seeds of truth1 which in earlier life had sent forth their fresh1 green blades1 that lifted themselves in the bright1 invigorating sunshine1 gave now but feeble promise for the harvest-time4 ,no2 ,mr4 ,edgar was not happy4 ,there was a pressure on his feelings2 an unsatisfied reaching out into the future2 a vague consciousness of approaching evil4 ,very tenderly he loved his little one2 and as she lay nestling against him1 he could not help thinking of the time when he was a child1 and when the ,new ,years were happy ones4 ,ellen loved no place so well as her father's arms4 ,when they were folded tightly around her1 she had nothing more to desire2 so she lay very still and silent1 while the thoughts of her father wandered away from the loving child on his bosom to his own unsatisfied state of mind4 ,for years1 he said within himself1 ,i have been in earnest pursuit of the means of happiness1 yet happiness itself seems every year to be still farther in the distance4 ,there is something wrong4 ,i cannot be in the true path4 ,my days are busy and restless1 my nights burdened with schemes that rarely do more than cheat my glowing fancy4 ,what is the meaning of this8 ,and ,mr4 ,edgar fell into a deep reverie1 from which he was aroused by the voice of his wife1 as she laid her hand upon his shoulder4 ,a happy ,new ,year1 and many joyful returns6 she said1 in loving tones1 as she pressed her lips to his forehead4 ,he did not answer4 ,the tenderly spoken good wishes of his wife fell very gratefully1 like refreshing dew1 upon his heart2 but he was distinctly conscious of not being happy4 ,so far as worldly condition was concerned1 ,mr4 ,edgar had no cause of mental depression4 ,his business was prosperous under a careful management1 and every year he saw himself better off by a few thousand dollars4 ,always1 however1 it must be told1 the number fell short of his expectations4 ,there is something wrong4 ,mr4 ,edgar's thoughts were all running in one direction4 ,a startling truth seemed suddenly to be revealed to him1 and he felt inclined to look at it in all possible aspects4 ,why am ,i not happy8 ,that was urging the question home2 but the answer was not given4 ,after breakfast1 ,mr4 ,edgar left home and went to his store4 ,as he passed along the street1 he saw at a window the face of a most lovely child4 ,her beauty1 that had in it something of heavenly innocence1 impressed him so deeply that he turned to gain a second look1 and in doing so his eyes saw on the door of the dwelling the name of ,abraham ,james4 ,there was an instant revulsion of feeling2 and for the first time that morning ,mr4 ,edgar remembered one of the causes of his uncomfortable state of mind4 ,abraham ,james was an unfortunate debtor who had failed to meet his obligations1 among which were two notes of five hundred dollars each1 given to ,mr4 ,edgar4 ,these had been placed by the latter in the hands of his lawyer1 with directions to sue them out1 and obtain the most that could be realized4 ,only the day before--the last day of the year--he had learned that there were two judgments that would take precedence of his1 and sweep off a share of the debtor's property4 ,the fact had chafed him considerably1 causing him to indulge in harsh language toward his debtor4 ,this language was not just1 as he knew in his heart4 ,but the loss of his money fretted him1 and filled him with unkind feelings toward the individual who had occasioned the loss4 ,no wonder that ,mr4 ,edgar was unhappy4 ,as he continued on his way1 the angry impulse that quickened the blood in his veins subsided1 and through the mist that obscured his mental vision1 he saw the bright face of a child1 the child of his unfortunate debtor4 ,his own precious one was no lovelier1 no purer2 nor had her lips uttered on that morning in sweeter tones1 the words1 ,a happy ,new ,year1 papa6 ,how the thought thrilled him4 ,with his face bowed1 and his eyes upon the ground1 ,mr4 ,edgar walked on4 ,he could not sweep aside the image of that child at the window1 nor keep back his thoughts from entering the dwelling where her presence might be the only sunbeam that gave light in its gloomy chambers4 ,when ,mr4 ,edgar arrived at his store1 his feelings toward ,mr4 ,james were very different from what they were on the day previous4 ,all anger1 all resentment1 were gone1 and kindness had taken their place4 ,what if ,mr4 ,james did owe him a thousand dollars8 ,what if he should lose the whole amount of this indebtedness8 ,was the condition of the former so much better than his own1 that he would care to change places with him8 ,the very idea caused a shudder to run along his nerves4 ,poor man6 he said to himself1 pityingly4 ,what a terrible thing to be thus involved in debt1 thus crippled1 thus driven to the wall4 ,it would kill me6 ,men are very cruel to one another1 and ,i am cruel with the rest4 ,what are a thousand dollars to me1 or a thousand dollars to my well-to-do neighbor1 compared with the ruin of a helpless fellow-man8 ,james asked time4 ,in two years he was sure he could recover himself1 and make all good4 ,but1 with a heartlessness that causes my cheek to burn as ,i think of it1 ,i answered1 ',the first loss is always the best loss4 ,i will get what ,i can1 and let the balance go4' ,the look he then gave me has troubled my conscience ever since4 ,no wonder it is not a happy ,new ,year4 ,scarcely had ,mr4 ,edgar passed the dwelling of his unfortunate debtor1 when the latter1 who had been walking the floor of his parlor in a troubled state of mind1 came to the window and stood by his child1 who was as dear to him as a child could be to the heart of a father4 ,happy ,new ,year1 papa6 ,it was the third time since morning dawned that he had received this greeting from the same sweet lips4 ,mr4 ,james tried to give back the same glad greeting1 but the words seemed to choke him1 and failed in the utterance4 ,as the two stood by the window1 the wife and mother came up1 and leaning against her husband1 looked forth with a sad heart4 ,oh1 no6 it was not a happy ,new ,year's morning to them4 ,long before the dawn of another year1 they must go forth from their pleasant home2 and both their hearts shrunk back in fear from the dark beyond4 ,good morning1 dear1 said ,mr4 ,james1 soon afterward1 as1 with hat and coat and muffler on1 he stood ready to go forth to meet the business trials of the day4 ,his voice was depressed1 and his countenance sad4 ,the business assigned to that day was a painful one for ,mr4 ,james4 ,the only creditor who had commenced a suit was ,mr4 ,edgar1 he having declined entering into any arrangement with the other creditors1 coldly saying that1 in his opinion1 the first loss was always the best loss1 and that extensions were1 in most cases1 equivalent to the abandonment of a claim4 ,he was willing to take what the law would give him4 ,pursuant to this view1 a suit had been brought1 and the debtor1 to anticipate the result1 confessed judgment to two of his largest creditors1 who honorably bound themselves to see that a pro rata division was made of all his effects4 ,the business of this ,new ,year's ,day was to draw up as complete a statement as possible of his affairs1 and ,mr4 ,james went about the work with a heavy heart4 ,he had been engaged in this way for over an hour1 when one of his clerks came to the desk where he was writing1 and handed him a letter1 which a lad had just brought in4 ,he broke the seal with a nervous foreboding of trouble2 for1 of late1 these letters by the hands of private messengers had been frequent1 and rarely of an agreeable character4 ,from the envelope1 as he commenced withdrawing the letter1 there dropped upon the desk a narrow piece of paper1 folded like a bill4 ,he took it up with almost reluctant fingers1 and slowly pressed back the ends so as to read its face and comprehend its import4 ,twice his eyes went over the brief lines1 before he was clear as to their meaning4 ,they were as follows3-- ,received1 ,january #a1 #ah--1 of ,abraham ,james1 ,one ,thousand ,dollars1 in full of all demands4 ,,hiram ,,edgar4 ,hurriedly1 now1 did ,mr4 ,james unfold the letter that accompanied this receipt4 ,its language moved him deeply4 ,abraham ,james1 ,esq41 ,dear ,sir3 ,i was not in a right state of mind when ,i gave directions to have a suit brought against you4 ,i have seen clearer since1 and wish to act from a better principle4 ,my own affairs are prosperous4 ,during the year which has just closed1 my profits have been better than in any year since ,i started business4 ,your affairs1 on the contrary1 are unprosperous4 ,heavy losses1 instead of fair profits1 are the result of a year's tireless efforts1 and you find yourself near the bottom of the wheel1 while ,i am sweeping upward4 ,as ,i think of this1 and of my unfeeling conduct toward you in your misfortunes1 ,i am mortified as well as pained4 ,there is an element in my character which ought not to be there4 ,i am self-convicted of cruelty4 ,accept1 my dear sir1 in the enclosed receipt1 the best reparation in my power to make4 ,in giving up this claim1 ,i do not abandon an item that goes to complete the sum of my happiness4 ,not a single comfort will be abridged4 ,it will not shrink the dimensions of my house1 nor withdraw from me or my family any portion of food or raiment4 ,accept1 then1 the ,new ,year's gift ,i offer1 and believe that ,i have a purer delight in giving than you in receiving4 ,my best wishes are with you for the future1 and if1 in anything1 ,i can aid you in your arrangements with creditors1 do not fail to command my service4 ,most truly yours1 ,,hiram ,,edgar4 ,for the space of nearly five minutes ,mr4 ,james sat very still1 the letter of ,mr4 ,edgar before him4 ,then he folded it up1 with the receipt inside1 and placed it in his pocket4 ,then he put away the inventories he had been examining1 and tore up several pieces of paper1 on which were sundry calculations4 ,and then he put on his warm overcoat and buttoned it to the chin4 ,edward1 said ,mr4 ,james1 as he walked down the store1 ,i shall not return this afternoon4 ,it is ,new ,year's ,day1 and you can close up at two o'clock4 ,it cost ,mr4 ,edgar a struggle to write the receipt in full4 ,a thousand dollars was a large sum of money to give away by a single stroke of the pen4 ,love of gain and selfishness pleaded strongly for the last farthing2 but the better reason and better feelings of the man prevailed1 and the good deed was done4 ,how light his heart felt1 how suddenly the clouds were lifted from his sky1 and the strange pressure from his feelings6 ,it was to him a new experience4 ,on the evening that closed the day1 the first evening of the ,new ,year1 ,mr4 ,edgar sat with his wife and children in his elegant home1 happier by far than he was in the morning1 and almost wondering at the change in his state of mind4 ,little ,ellen was in his arms1 and as he looked upon her cherub face1 he thought of a face as beautiful1 seen by him in the morning1 at the window of his unfortunate debtor4 ,the face of an angel it had proved to him2 for it prompted the good deed from which had sprung a double blessing4 ,while he sat thus1 he heard the door-bell ring4 ,in a few minutes the waiter handed in a letter4 ,he broke the seal1 and read3-- ,,my ,,dear ,,sir3 ,this morning my dear little ,aggy1 the light of our home1 greeted me with a joyous ',happy ,new ,year4' ,i took her in my arms and kissed her1 keeping my face close to hers1 that she might not see the sadness of mine4 ,ah1 sir6 the day broke in gloom4 ,the words of my child found no echo in my heart4 ,i could have wept over her1 if the strength of manhood had not risen above the weakness of nature4 ,but all is changed now4 ,a few minutes ago the ',happy ,new ,year' was flowing to me from the sweet lips of my child1 and the words went thrilling in gladness to my heart4 ,may the day close as happily for you and yours1 as it is closing for me and mine4 ,god bless you6 ,,abraham ,,james4 ,mr4 ,edgar read this letter twice1 and then handed it1 without a word1 to his wife4 ,the story1 to which she listened eagerly1 was briefly told4 ,when ,mr4 ,edgar had finished1 his wife arose1 and1 with tears of love and sympathy in her eyes1 crossed over to where he was sitting1 and throwing her arms around his neck1 said1 ,my good1 my generous husband6 ,i feel very proud of you this night4 ,that was a noble deed2 and ,i thank you for it in the name of our common humanity4 ,never had words from the lips of his wife sounded so pleasant to the ears of ,mr4 ,edgar4 ,never had he known so happy a ,new ,year's ,day as the one which had just closed4 ,and though it saw him poorer than he believed himself in the morning1 by nearly a thousand dollars1 he was richer in feeling--richer in the heart's unwasting possessions--than he had ever been in his life4 ,illustration3 ,god ,be ,merciful to ,me a ,sinner4 ,,the ,,scripture ,,quilt ,in one of the boxes sent to us by the ,sanitary ,commission1 writes a ,christian worker in a southern army hospital1 was a patch-work quilt of unusual softness and lightness4 ,when we opened it1 we found a note pinned to it4 ,it read as follows3-- ',i have made this ,scripture quilt for one of the hospital beds1 for ,i thought that while it would be a comfort to the poor body1 it might speak a word of good to the precious soul2 the words are so beautiful and blessed1 and full of balm and healing6 ,may it be blessed to the dear boys in the army1 among whom ,i have a son4' ,it was made of square blocks of calico and white cotton intermingled1 and on every white block was written a verse from the ,bible or a couplet from one of our best hymns4 ,on the central block1 in letters so large as to catch the careless eye1 was that faithful saying1 in which is our hope and strength--',christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners4' ,and below it the prayer of all prayers1 ',god be merciful to me a sinner4' ,the head border1 which would be nearest to the sick man's eye1 and oftenest read1 had the sweetest texts of promise1 and love1 and comfort4 ,among them ,i read1 ',god so loved the world1 that he gave his only-begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish4' ',come unto me1 all ye that labor and are heavy-laden1 and ,i will give you rest4' ',ho1 every one that thirsteth1 come ye to the waters6' ',i sought the ,lord1 and he heard me1 and delivered me from all my fears4' ',oh1' we said1 ',oh that all our beds had such quilts6 ,god will surely speak through these texts to the sick and wounded men6 ,they will read them when they will read nothing else4 ,who knows how much good they will do8' ,it was not long before a man sick with pneumonia was brought in1 and we put our new quilt on his bed4 ,he noticed nothing at first1 he was too sick2 but when he grew better1 ,i saw him intent on the texts4 ',handy to have 'em here6' he said1 pointing to them as ,i stood near him4 ',you know how to value them1 then1' ,i said4 ',i do1' he answered1 with heartiness4 ,after that ,i saw many studying the quilt--almost all who lay beneath it4 ,one poor fellow1 who had tossed in pain and feverishness for several days1 caught sight of the words1 ',and ,i will give you rest4' ,he beckoned to me1 and said1 ',rest6 where can ,i get it8 ,rest for body and mind1 both6 ,i am half mad--sick1 as you see1 but sicker--as no one can see4 ,tell me how to get rest6' ',did you never hear of the way8--never hear of ,jesus8' ',tell me again4' ,i told him the story of the cross4 ',died for my sins8' he asked4 ',yes1 yours4 ,he saw you in your sins and pitied you1 loved you1 died to save you from sin and give you rest2 to make you happy4' ',i have never been happy--never4 ,i have been too wicked4 ,and he really died for me8 ,i never felt it before4 ,it never seemed to me a real thing4' ',i hope you will come to feel it the most real thing4 ,have you seen the lines-- ',none but ,jesus1 none but ,jesus1 ,can do helpless sinners good'8 ',it's true4 ,i know it is none but ,jesus6 ,i've tried everything else4' ',i'll go to ,jesus1 though my sins ,have like a mountain risen1' ,i repeated4 ',i can't go4 ,i feel that ,i can't do anything4 ,i am here a very wretched man2 and that is all4' ',just leave yourself to ,god1 then1-- ',here1 ,lord1 ,i give myself away1 ',tis all that ,i can do4' ,that's all you have to do4' ',is that verse here8' ,i showed it to him on the quilt4 ',i'll keep it before me4 ,oh for rest6 a little rest6' he groaned again4 ,not long after he found it1--found peace in believing1 and left his hospital bed1 happier than he had ever been before4 ,an ,irishman lay under the ,scripture quilt4 ,one day when nearly well1 he was looking at it4 ',is that radin8' he asked1 putting his finger on the text4 ',yes4' ',sure1 and what does it say8' ,i read1 ',and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes1 and there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there be any more pain4' ',ye might rade that1' he said1 pointing to another text4 ',i love them that love me1 and they that seek me early shall find me4' ',it is the ,lord who says this1' ,i added after the text4 ',sure1 it's good to a lonesome pareson to hear what you rade4' ',so it is4 ,there is no book like the ,bible in dark and trying hours4' ,at last came the boy who had the best right to the comfort of our ,scripture quilt1--the son1 of whom the good woman who made it spoke in the note attached4 ,it was a strange circumstance that he should have come to lie beneath it1 but so it was4 ,he had lain there nearly senseless for more than a week1 when ,i saw him kiss the patch-work4 ,i thought he might be wandering1 or if not1 had found a text of hope or consolation that seemed to suit his need1 and marked with my eye the place he had kissed1 to see what it was4 ,it was no text1 but a calico block1 the pattern a little crimson leaf on a dark ground4 ,he kept looking at it1 with tears in his eyes1 and ,i was almost sure his mind was wandering4 ,nay1 he was never more in his right mind1 and his thoughts were at home with his mother4 ,a bit of the gown he had so often seen her wear had carried him back to her4 ,he kissed it again4 ,i approached him4 ,he looked up1 and smiled through his tears4 ',do you know where this quilt came from8' he asked4 ',some good woman sent it to us through the ,sanitary ,commission4' ',you don't know her name1 nor where it came from8' ',no1 but ,i saved a note that was pinned to the quilt4' ',would you be willing to let me see it some time when it is convenient8' ',oh1 yes4 ,i'll get it now4' ,i got it for him2 his hand trembled1 and his lips grew white as he opened it and saw the writing4 ',please read it to me quite slowly1' he said1 returning it4 ,i read it4 ',it is from my mother2 shall you keep it8' ',yes1' ,i answered1 ',i value it very much1 and also the quilt4' ,he put his hands over his eyes4 ,i thought he wished to be alone1 and left him4 ,as ,i stood by his bed the next day1 ,i was wondering if he had not seen his mother's texts1 as well as the bit of her gown4 ,he had1 and pointed one out to me4 ,it was1 ',father1 ,i have sinned against heaven and in thy sight1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son4' ',i am no more worthy1' he whispered4 ,i put my finger on the next white block1 and read aloud1 ',when he was yet a great way off1 his father saw him1 and had compassion1 and ran and fell on his neck1 and kissed him4' ,as ,i looked up1 ,i saw there were tears upon his cheeks1 and his lips were tremulous4 ,he covered his eyes1 and ,i left him4 ,a few days after1 when he had grown much stronger1 he held up to me the text ,i had shown him4 ',i was a great way off1' he said1 'but ,he has met me and had compassion on me4' ',you feel the ,saviour's love8' ',it fills me with peace4 ,what love6 ,what a ,saviour6' ',shall ,i not write to your mother and tell her that her son1 who was dead1 is alive again2 was lost1 and is found8' ',will it not be too much trouble8' ',oh1 no1 a pleasure instead4' ,i wrote the blessed tidings1 making the mother's heart rejoice4 ,and now our ,scripture quilt was even dearer and more sacred than before4 ,however dark the skies may appear1 ,and however souls may blunder1 ,i tell you it all will work out clear1 ,for good lies over and under4 --,ella ,wheeler ,wilcox4 ,,speak ,,to ,,strangers ,who was that quiet-appearing girl that came into church quite late1 last ,sabbath8 ,i asked a friend of mine who was an active member in the church which ,i had recently joined4 ,did she wear a striped shawl and a dark dress8 inquired my friend4 ,if so1 it was ,annie ,linton1 a girl who is a seamstress in ,brown's shop4 ,i did not notice her clothes in particular1 ,i answered1 but her face attracted me2 ,i should know it among a thousand faces4 ,how could you pass by a stranger so indifferently1 ,mrs4 ,greyson8 ,i expected that you would ask her to remain to ,sabbath-school1 and go into your ,bible-class1 but you did not once look at her4 ,i did not once think of it1 and if ,i had1 probably she would not have accepted the invitation1 as she is a stranger in town1 and undoubtedly will not remain here long1 my friend replied quickly1 in the way of defense4 ,i said nothing more1 for ,mrs4 ,g4 was really an excellent ,christian woman1 with this one fault1--carelessness1--which sometimes caused her to make grave mistakes4 ,but ,i could not help thinking about the stranger girl4 ,her large dark eyes and finely formed face revealed more than ordinary intelligence1 and in some way ,i gained the impression that she was deeply impressed with religious conviction1 if not a ,christian already4 ,it seemed to me that she left the church very reluctantly1 and was half waiting an invitation to the ,bible-class4 ,the next ,sabbath she came again and occupied the same seat1--just in front of my own4 ,she bowed her head very reverently during prayer1 and once during the sermon ,i saw her lip quiver with emotion1 and a tear came into her eye4 ,the services closed1 and the stranger lingered as before4 ,my friend1 good ,mrs4 ,g41 again forgot to speak to the girl4 ,she passed out of the church slowly1 and did not come again4 ,i thought she must have left town1 as ,i had not seen her for several days2 but one ,sabbath1 as ,i attended another church1 ,i saw her again4 ,she seemed a little more at ease1 ,i thought1 and there was a quiet smile on her face4 ,after the services were concluded1 ,i saw many a pleasant smile given to the stranger girl1 and ,i understood the secret of the changed look upon her face4 ,i made some inquiries1 and learned that she had joined this church1 and was earnest and active in all its work4 ,i also learned that she had made a profession of religion just before coming to our village1 and had an unusually clear experience4 ,how much the indifference of our own people had to do with her finding a home in another church1 ,i know not4 ,several years have passed since this occurred1 but ,i have never forgotten it4 ,many a stranger's hand ,i have clasped as ,i thought of ,annie ,linton's sweet face4 ,i was young in ,christian experience then1 and that lesson was a profitable one to me4 ,speak to the stranger1 ,christian friend1 with the assurance that no evil will grow out of it4 ,it is better sometimes to step over the rules of etiquette than to chill some warm stream of ,god's new-given love by coldness and indifference4 ,,loving ,,words4 ,loving words are rays of sunshine1 ,falling on the path of life1 ,driving out the gloom and shadow ,born of weariness and strife4 ,often we forget our troubles ,when a friendly voice is heard1 ,they are banished by the magic ,of a kind and helpful word4 ,keep not back a word of kindness ,when the chance to speak it comes2 ,though it seems to you a trifle1 ,many a heart that grief benumbs ,will grow strong and brave to bear it1 ,and the world will brighter grow1 ,just because the word was spoken2 ,try it--you will find it so4 ,,the ,,major',s ,,cigar ,after a separation of ten years ,i met my old friend1 ,major----1 at a railway station4 ,if he had not spoken first ,i should not have recognized my ,virginia comrade of '#fd4 ,it was not merely the disguise of a silken hat and shaven cheek1 but--as ,i told him after we had chatted a little about each other's ups and downs since the war--,i was sure this was the first time ,i ever saw him away from the table without a cigar in his mouth4 ,haven't smoked for five years1 was his reply4 ,i'm down on tobacco as thoroughly as you ever were4 ,good6 ,tell me all about it4 ,we locked arms1 and walked leisurely up and down the platform4 ,dropping the dialogue1 this was1 in substance1 his story3-- ,it wasn't a sudden conversion4 ,i never was quite so easy in my mind over it as ,i pretended to be4 ,i intended to taper off when ,i got home from the army4 ,and ,i did1 smoked less in three weeks than ,i used to in one4 ,but one summer ,i went off on some business for our company1 which kept me up in the mountains1 among the charcoal-burners1 three days longer than ,i expected4 ,i got out of cigars1 and couldn't obtain any for love or money4 ,in forty-eight hours ,i was more uncomfortable and unstrung than ,i ever was before in all my life4 ,i actually borrowed an old ,irishman's filthy clay pipe1 and tried to smoke it4 ,i thought of that miserable summer we spent crawling about the trenches in ,virginia1 and ,i wished ,i was there again1 with a cigar in my mouth4 ,then ,i began to realize what a shameful bondage ,i was in to a mere self-indulgence4 ,i1 a man who secretly prided himself on his self-control1 nerve1 and manliness1--who never flinched at hard fare or rough weather1--a downright slave to a bad habit2 unnerved and actually unfit for business for lack of a cigar4 ,it made me angry at myself2 ,i despised myself for my pusillanimity4 ,going into the matter a little further1 ,i found that the money ,i had spent for cigars in a dozen years would have paid for my house and furnished it4 ,i had smoked away more money than ,i had laid out for our library1 our periodicals1 and our intellectual culture generally4 ,cigars had cost me nearly twice as much as ,i had given to church work1 missions1 and charity4 ,my conscience rose up at the record4 ,i knew ,i could not plead any equivalent for the outlay2 it had not fed me2 it had not strengthened me2 it had simply drugged me4 ,every cigar had made the next cigar a little more necessary to my comfort4 ,to use the mildest word1 it had been a useless expenditure4 ,my detention in the mountains was calculated to open my eyes to my domestic shortcomings1 and ,i saw1 as ,i never saw before1 how selfishly unsocial tobacco had made me at home4 ,i smoked before ,i was married1 and my wife never entered any protest against my cigars afterward4 ,but our first baby was a nervous child1 and the doctor told me it would not do for it to breathe tobacco smoke4 ,so ,i got in the way of shutting myself up in the library of evenings1 and after meals1 to enjoy my cigars4 ,as ,i look at it now1 nothing is more absurd than to call smoking a social habit4 ,it's a poor pretense of sociability1 where a man is simply intent on his own enjoyment4 ,my wife owns now1 that my tobacco-tainted breath and tobacco-saturated clothing were always more or less a trial to her4 ,the satisfaction it has given her to be rid of a tobacco atmosphere1 and the thought of my contemptibly selfish indifference to her comfort all those years1 have humbled me1 ,i tell you4 ,and ,i wouldn't exchange my own daily satisfaction now-a-days in being a cleaner man--inside and outside--for the delight that anybody gets out of his cigars4 ,i didn't need to go outside of my own doors to find reasons enough for giving up the habit2 but ,i think ,i found still stronger ones1 after all1 when ,i went away from home4 ,the more ,i thought about the harm tobacco does in the community at large1 the more sure ,i felt that it was time for me to stop giving it the moral support of my example4 ,i know ,i smoked too much1 and that my nervous system is the worse for it2 and ,i think the people who are likely to be hurt the most by it are just the ones who are most likely to smoke excessively4 ,and then1 ,i've noticed that the medical men who stand up for tobacco1 are always men who use it1 and are liable to the suspicion of straining a point in justification of their own self-indulgence4 ,on one point1 though1 ,i believe the authorities agree4 ,no one denies that it is a damaging indulgence for boys4 ,it means a good deal when smoking is forbidden to the pupils in the polytechnic schools in ,paris1 and the military schools in ,germany1 purely on hygienic grounds4 ,the governments of these smoking nations are not likely to be notional on that matter4 ,but the use of tobacco by our ,american boys and men is excessive and alarming4 ,we ought to save our rising generation for better work than they can do if tobacco saps the strength of their growing years1 and makes the descent easier1 as no doubt it often does1 to worse vices4 ,i don't know how to forgive myself for the temptation ,i set before my ,sabbath-school class of bright boys1 year after year1 by my smoking habits4 ,it isn't in the family1 either1 that the selfishness of the habit is most apparent4 ,i don't believe1 other things being equal1 there is any other class of men who show such a disregard in public for other people's comfort as tobacco users do4 ,a man would be considered a rowdy or a boor who should wilfully spatter mud on the clothing of a lady as she passed him on the sidewalk4 ,but a lady to whom tobacco fumes are more offensive than mud1 can hardly walk the streets in these days1 but that men who call themselves gentlemen--and who are gentlemen in most other respects--blow their cigar smoke into her face at almost every step4 ,smokers drive non-smokers out of the gentlemen's cabins on the ferry-boats1 and the gentlemen's waiting-rooms in railway stations1 monopolizing these rooms as coolly as if only they had any rights in them4 ,i can't explain such phenomena except on the theory that tobacco befogs the moral sense1 and makes men specially selfish4 ,the ,major's train came in just then1 and as he took my hand to say good-by1 its smoking-car drew his parting shot3 ,see there6 ,did you ever reflect how the tobacco habit levies its taxes on everybody8 ,the railway company furnishes an extra seat to every smoker1 which1 in the nature of the case1 must be paid for by an extra charge on the tickets of all the passengers4 ,what a stir it would raise1 if the legislature should attempt to furnish luxuries to any special class1 at public cost1 in this way4 ,how we'd vote them down6 ,i vote against this thing by throwing away my cigar6 ,,what ,,to ,,mind4 ,mind your tongue6 ,don't let it speak ,an angry1 an unkind1 ,a cruel1 or a wicked word2 ,don't let it1 boys--now1 mind6 ,mind eyes and ears6 ,don't ever look ,at wicked books or boys4 ,from wicked pictures turn away-- ,all sinful acts despise4 ,and mind your lips6 ,tobacco stains2 ,strong drink1 too1 keep away2 ,and let no bad words pass your lips-- ,mind everything you say4 ,mind hands and feet6 ,don't let them do ,a single wicked thing2 ,don't steal or strike1 don't kick or fight1 ,don't walk in paths of sin4 ,,the ,,little ,,sisters ,you were not here yesterday1 said the gentle teacher of the little village school1 as she placed her hand kindly on the curly head of one of her pupils4 ,it was recess time1 but the little girl addressed had not gone to frolic away the ten minutes1 not even left her seat1 but sat absorbed in what seemed a fruitless attempt to make herself mistress of an example in long division4 ,her face and neck crimsoned at the remark of her teacher1 but looking up1 she seemed somewhat reassured by the kind glance that met her1 and answered1 ,no1 ma'am1 ,i was not1 but sister ,nellie was4 ,i remember there was a little girl who called herself ,nellie ,gray1 came in yesterday1 but ,i did not know she was your sister4 ,but why did you not come8 ,you seem to like to study very much4 ,it was not because ,i didn't want to1 was the earnest answer1 and then she paused and the deep flush again tinged her fair brow2 but1 she continued after a moment of painful embarrassment1 mother cannot spare both of us conveniently1 and so we are going to take turns4 ,i'm going to school one day1 and sister the next1 and to-night ,i'm to teach ,nellie all ,i have learned to-day1 and to-morrow night she will teach me all that she learns while here4 ,it's the only way we can think of getting along1 and we want to study very much1 so as to sometime keep school ourselves1 and take care of mother1 because she has to work very hard to take care of us4 ,with genuine delicacy ,miss ,m---- forbore to question the child further1 but sat down beside her1 and in a moment explained the rule over which she was puzzling her young brain1 so that the hard example was easily finished4 ,you had better go out and take the air a few moments1 you have studied very hard to-day1 said the teacher1 as the little girl put aside the slate4 ,i had rather not--,i might tear my dress--,i will stand by the window and watch the rest4 ,there was such a peculiar tone in the voice of her pupil as she said1 ,i might tear my dress1 that the teacher was led instinctively to notice it4 ,it was nothing but a nine-penny print of a deep hue1 but it was neatly made and had never been washed4 ,and while looking at it1 she remembered that during the whole previous fortnight ,mary ,gray had attended school regularly1 she had never seen her wear but that one dress4 ,she is a thoughtful little girl1 said she to herself1 and does not want to make her mother any trouble4 ,i wish ,i had more such scholars4 ,the next morning ,mary was absent1 but her sister occupied her seat4 ,there was something so interesting in the two little sisters1 the one eleven1 and the other eighteen months younger1 agreeing to attend school by turns1 that ,miss ,m---- could not forbear observing them very closely4 ,they were pretty faced children1 of delicate forms1 the elder with dark eyes and chestnut curls1 the other with orbs like the sky of ,june1 her white neck veiled by a wealth of golden ringlets4 ,she observed in both1 the same close attention to their studies1 and as ,mary tarried within during the play time1 so did ,nellie2 and upon speaking to her as she had to her sister1 she received the same answer1 ,i might tear my dress4 ,the reply caused ,miss ,m---- to notice the garb of her sister4 ,she saw at once that it was of the same piece as ,mary's1 and upon scrutinizing it very closely1 she became certain that it was the same dress4 ,it did not fit quite so nicely on ,nellie1 and was too long for her1 and she was evidently ill at ease when she noticed her teacher looking at the bright pink flowers that were so thickly set on the white ground4 ,the discovery was one that could not but interest a heart so benevolent as that which pulsated in the bosom of that village school-teacher4 ,she ascertained the residence of their mother1 and though sorely shortened herself by a narrow purse1 that same night1 having found at the only store in the place a few yards of the same material1 purchased a dress for little ,nellie1 and made arrangements with the merchant to send it to her in such a way that the donor could not be detected4 ,very bright and happy looked ,mary ,gray on ,friday morning1 as she entered the school at an early hour4 ,she waited only to place her books in neat order in her desk1 ere she approached the teacher1 and whispering in a voice that laughed in spite of her efforts to make it low and deferential--,after this week sister ,nellie is coming to school every day1 and oh1 ,i am so glad6 ,that is very good news1 replied the teacher kindly4 ,nellie is fond of her books1 ,i see1 and ,i am happy to know that she can have an opportunity to study them every day4 ,then she continued1 a little good-natured mischief encircling her eyes and dimpling her sweet lips--,but can your mother spare you both conveniently8 ,oh1 yes1 ma'am1 yes1 ma'am1 she can now4 ,something happened that she didn't expect1 and she is as glad to have us come as we are to do so4 ,she hesitated a moment1 but her young heart was filled to the brim with joy1 and when a child is happy it is as natural to tell the cause as it is for a bird to warble when the sun shines4 ,so out of the fullness of her heart she spoke and told her teacher this little story4 ,she and her sister were the only children of a very poor widow1 whose health was so delicate that it was almost impossible to support herself and daughters4 ,she was obliged to keep them out of school all winter1 as they had no suitable clothes to wear1 but she told them that if they could earn enough by doing odd chores for the neighbors to buy each of them a new dress1 they might go in the spring4 ,very earnestly had the little girls improved their stray chances1 and very carefully hoarded the copper coins which usually repaid them4 ,they had nearly saved enough to buy a dress1 when ,nellie was taken sick1 and as the mother had no money beforehand1 her own treasure had to be expended4 ,oh1 ,i did feel so bad when school opened and ,nellie could not go1 because she had no dress1 said ,mary4 ,i told mother ,i wouldn't go either1 but she said ,i had better1 for ,i could teach sister some1 and it would be better than no schooling4 ,i stood it for a fortnight1 but ,nellie's little face seemed all the time looking at me on the way to school1 and ,i couldn't be happy a bit1 so ,i finally thought of a way by which we could both go1 and ,i told mother ,i would come one day1 and the next ,i would lend ,nellie my dress and she might come1 and that's the way we have done this week4 ,but last night1 don't you think1 somebody sent sister a dress just like mine1 and now she can come too4 ,oh1 if ,i only knew who it was1 ,i would get down on my knees and thank them1 and so would ,nellie4 ,but we don't know1 and so we've done all we could for them--we've prayed for them--and oh1 ,miss ,m----1 we are all so glad now4 ,aint you too8 ,indeed ,i am1 was the emphatic answer4 ,and when on the following ,monday1 little ,nellie1 in the new pink dress1 entered the schoolroom1 her face radiant as a rose in sunshine1 and approaching the teacher's table1 exclaimed1 in tones as musical as those of a freed fountain1 ,i am coming to school every day1 and oh1 ,i am so glad6 ,the teacher felt as she had never done before1 that it is more blessed to give than to receive4 ,no millionaire1 when he saw his name in public prints1 lauded for his thousand-dollar charities1 was ever so happy as the poor school-teacher who wore her gloves half a summer longer than she ought1 and thereby saved enough to buy that little fatherless girl a calico dress4 ,,our ,,record4 ,we built us grand1 gorgeous towers ,out toward the western sea1 ,and said in a dream of the summer hours1 ,thus fair should our record be4 ,we would strike the bravest chords ,that ever rebuked the wrong2 ,and through them should tremble all loving words ,that would make the weary strong4 ,there entered not into our thought ,the dangers the way led through1 ,we saw but the gifts of the good we sought1 ,and the good we would strive to do4 ,here trace we a hurried line1 ,there blush or a blotted leaf2 ,and tears1 vain tears1 on the eyelids shine1 ,that the record is so brief4 ,,the ,,widow',s ,,christmas ,mrs4 ,mulford was a woman who doted on ruins4 ,nothing in the present was as beautiful as she had enjoyed in the past2 and it seemed utterly impossible for her to imagine that there was anything in the future that could compensate her for the trials she had endured4 ,in her girlhood ,mrs4 ,mulford had been surrounded with the luxuries of life2 and after her marriage her surroundings were but a trifle less magnificent4 ,in such an air of luxury and ease1 her children were being reared when suddenly a great change came4 ,mr4 ,mulford was a rash speculator1 and on that memorable ,black ,friday1 the idol he had worshiped1 the god of gold1 proved itself to be nothing but clay1 and was as dust in his hands4 ,he could not rally from the shock2 pride1 ambition1 courage1 were all annihilated2 and ,mrs4 ,mulford1 to whom beggary seemed worse than death1 could only mingle her tears with his in speechless agony4 ,arthur1 the eldest child1 a boy of fourteen1 endeavored to comfort his grief-stricken parents4 ,i will work for you1 father4 ,i can easily get a place in a store4 ,my boy6 my boy6 said the poor man1 clasping his son affectionately in his arms2 stay by your mother1 and the girls1 they will need you1 dear boy6 ,and he imprinted a kiss on the glowing cheek1 that had in it a father's blessing and farewell4 ,the next morning ,mrs4 ,mulford was a widow1 and her children fatherless4 ,a trifle the creditors allowed her was all she had to depend upon1 the money she had inherited from her father having been swept away by the financial tornado4 ,she had taken a little place in the country1 and with ,arthur's help1 and ,bridget's1--who had followed the fortunes of her mistress--had succeeded in making things look quite cozy and attractive4 ,sure1 ma'am1 said ,bridget1 in her homely attempts to comfort her mistress1 who dragged herself about like a sable ghost1 if ye'd only smile once in a while ye'd be surprised at the comfort ye'd get6 ,ah1 ,bridget1 ,mrs4 ,mulford replied1 with a long-drawn sigh1 my smiling days are over4 ,i try to be patient1 but ,i cannot be cheerful4 ,ah1 but1 it's the cheerful patience that brings the sunshine2 and ye really shouldn't grieve the children so4 ,do they mind it1 ,bridget8 ,sure1 an' they do6 ,master ,arthur1 bless the boy6 says it's just like a tomb where ye are2 and ,miss ,minnie and ,maud have their little hearts nearly torn out of them2 and they are such wee1 little birdies6 ,but ,mrs4 ,mulford could not be easily beguiled from her sorrow1 especially as she was obliged to have recourse to her needle to eke out the limited allowance1 and every stitch she took was but an additional reminder of the depth to which she was reduced4 ,to such a disposition the needle is but a weapon of despair1 bringing neither comfort nor hope1 nor in any way lightening the burdens of life4 ,the recurrence of an anniversary was1 to ,mrs4 ,mulford's mind like the unveiling of a monument to the departed1 and was usually spent in solitude and tears4 ,she had managed to exist through the ,thanksgiving season1 and ,bridget had done her best to make the occasion worthy to be remembered--by the children at least2 and if it hadn't been for that kitchen goddess1 ,i don't see how the house could have held together4 ,she had always some comical story to tell the children1 something to excite their wonder or admiration1 and every few days would surprise them with some fresh molasses candy or cunning little cakes baked in curious patty pans4 ,minnie and ,maud rather enjoyed their poverty1 as it allowed them more freedom and exemption from little rules that society enjoined4 ,it was such fun to roll in the snow1 and draw each other on the sled1 without any caution in regard to ruffles and frills that used to be such a torment to them1 and such a restraint on their buoyant natures4 ,illustration3 ,announcement to ,shepherds ,christmas was drawing near1 and its approach filled ,mrs4 ,mulford with uncontrollable despondency4 ,it had been a gay season in her young days1 and her own children knew it as the season of especial rejoicings and unlimited toys and candies4 ,now it was all so changed6 ,even a moderate expenditure was not to be thought of1 when it was so difficult to procure even the necessaries of life1 and she really wished the day was over1 for she dreaded its arrival4 ,the furniture never looked so dingy and faded1 nor the curtains so coarse1 nor her surroundings so pitiful1 as when she looked around and thought that ,christmas was coming4 ,neither did the past ever seem so beautiful and glowing as when she cast a retrospective glance in that direction at this memorable season4 ,but in the kitchen all was animation and excitement2 as different an atmosphere as if there were ever so many degrees of latitude between them2 ,mrs4 ,mulford occupying the frigid1 and ,bridget the torrid zone4 ,every afternoon and early in the morning1 ,minnie and ,maud were down in a corner of the kitchen very busy over some mystery1 in which ,bridget was as much interested as they were themselves4 ,arthur bustled about from one room to another1 always the active1 cheery1 hopeful boy1 who kept everybody informed of what was going on in the outside world2 and he1 too1 evidently had some weighty secret pressing against the buttons of his jacket4 ,christmas eve came1 and the children began to think it never would be dark enough for them to get ready for ,santa ,claus4 ,what are you going to do1 ,minnie8 inquired ,mrs4 ,mulford1 as ,minnie brought in the stockings to hang by the fire4 ,get ready for ,santa ,claus1 mamma1 was the reply4 ,you know that to-morrow is ,christmas6 ,but ,santa ,claus don't come to poor people1 my child1 and the tears filled her eyes at the recollection of the generous gifts of former years4 ,oh1 yes he does1 mamma1 said ,minnie1 who was eleven years old1 and two years the senior of her sister2 yes he does6 ,he knows where we live4 ,and she continued pinning the stockings upon the line she had stretched across the mantel4 ,i wish ,i could have afforded a tree6 sighed the mother1 watching her daughter's movements with considerable curiosity4 ,we don't want a tree1 do we1 ,maud8 ,a stocking is ever so much nicer4 ,it looks so funny all stuffed out1 and then you don't know what's in it1 and you have to shake it out1 and hunt way in the toe6 ,then you can put such tiny things in1 to make everybody laugh4 ,then she pinned on the names which ,arthur had printed very nicely on slips of paper1 and stood off a little distance to admire her handiwork4 ,bridget was called in from the kitchen to see if it was all right1 and ,arthur was induced to leave his work just for a minute to note the effect of the display4 ,here now6 he exclaimed1 ,i told you to hang up the clothes bag for me4 ,you don't suppose that little thing will hold all my treasures1 do you8 ,is the chimney clear8 ,and he pretended to search anxiously for anything that might prevent the descent of good old ,santa ,claus1 whose coming had never before been anticipated with such unqualified delight4 ,mrs4 ,mulford was in the midst of a troubled dream1 when shouts of ,merry ,christmas6 ,merry ,christmas6 rang through the house1 and awakened her to the reality of the day she so long had dreaded4 ,she knew how dreadfully disappointed the children would be1 it is so hard for them to understand the exigencies of life1 and wished she might keep her room all day and have ,bridget bring up her meals4 ,if ye please1 ma'am1 said the worthy maid-of-all-work1 not stopping to knock at the door1 if ye please1 ma'am1 ye'd better come down-stairs2 the children are nigh about crazy waiting for ye2 and the sunshine of her face illuminated the long room after she had retreated down the stairway4 ,they can't feel very bad1 said ,mrs4 ,mulford1 as she slowly turned from her room4 ,it seems to me ,i never heard them laugh so heartily4 ,oh1 to be a child again6 ,and she sighed heavily4 ,as she entered the sitting-room1 what a sight met her eyes6 ,there were wreaths of green over her portrait and papa's2 a narrow border running round the mantel2 and festoons falling in every direction4 ,come1 mother1 said ,arthur1 you first2 ,bridget can hardly wait1 and our breakfast won't be worth eating4 ,oh1 no1 said the mother1 ,maud should have the first chance2 and the impatient child eagerly availed herself of the privilege4 ,it was astonishing what an amount of goodies rolled out of that stocking1 and after they were laid aside there were one or two parcels to be opened4 ,there was a nice pair of warm gloves1 just what she wanted to use in drawing the sled1 or making snow-balls2 a new doll1 and a book full of pictures4 ,minnie's stocking was quite as bountifully stocked1 and every new surprise seemed to enkindle their mirth and enthusiasm4 ,arthur had filled his own stockings with all sorts of odds and ends1 on purpose to increase the fun and hilarity1 and pretended to be surprised that ,santa ,claus patronized second-hand shops4 ,bridget sat down with the children to unload her collection of treasures1 and even ,mrs4 ,mulford was forced to laugh heartily at her comical remarks1 especially when she drew out a potato1 which was labeled1 ,the last of the ,murphys6 ,may they always be first in the field6 said ,bridget4 ,when ,mrs4 ,mulford was finally induced to examine the contents of her own stocking1 the children1 with ,bridget1 who was only an older child1 gathered around1 and watched anxiously the proceedings4 ,there were a pair of nice brackets hanging outside1 which ,arthur had cut with a penknife2 and as she took up each article that had been wrought by loving little fingers1 the worsted pulse-warmers1 the pretty mats and tidies1 she felt that it was indeed possible for love to build upon the old ruins a beautiful palace for the heart to dwell in4 ,forgive me1 my dear children6 she exclaimed1 embracing them each in turn4 ,bridget1 my good girl1 we will begin the world anew4 ,i have been a weak woman4 ,sorry a bit of it6 said ,bridget1 wiping away her tears with the corner of her apron4 ,it's a heavy cross ye had1 but we're all going to help carry it4 ,and1 mother1 broke in ,arthur1 ,i've got a situation in a grocery store4 ,arthur6 ,yes4 ,it isn't much1 but ,i'll learn the business2 and then1 you know1 ,i can take care of you4 ,what a ,christmas breakfast they had6 ,it wasn't so much what was on the table1 although ,bridget had made delicious waffles1 and everything was super-excellent1 but it was the guest that sat at the board with them that made it a feast to be remembered4 ,while they were at the table1 talking over plans in which the mother manifested undoubted interest1 there was a sudden1 sharp knock at the door that startled all the inmates of the house4 ,a new calamity6 sighed ,mrs4 ,mulford1 falling back into the old attitude4 ,it must be ,santa ,claus himself6 exclaimed ,bridget1 putting her head through the kitchen door4 ,arthur admitted the gentleman1 so swathed in an immense scarf about the neck and chin as to leave one in doubt as to whether he were friend or foe4 ,well1 well6 said the stranger1 divesting himself of his wraps1 and stamping the snow from his boots in the little hall2 ,such a tramp as ,i have had6 ,where's ,carrie8 ,carrie8 inquired ,arthur1 fearing he had admitted a lunatic4 ,yes1 ,carrie4 ,my niece1 ,carrie ,wharton4 ,are you her boy8 ,i don't know1 sir4 ,no more do ,i4 ,she was ,carrie ,wharton1 married ,ned ,mulford1 and a long tramp ,i've had to find her4 ,have you any bad news8 inquired ,arthur1 laying a detaining hand on the stranger's arm2 because1 if you have1 ,i'd rather you wouldn't mention it to-day4 ,my name is ,arthur ,mulford1 and we've had such a happy ,christmas4 ,no fear1 my boy1 bless your tender heart6 ,why1 ,i've come from ,santa ,claus myself1 and am chock full of sunshine that turns into gold4 ,saying which1 he entered the room where ,mrs4 ,mulford and her children were sitting1 and ,bridget hurrying to clear off the breakfast things4 ,carrie6 said the stranger in eager tones1 advancing toward ,mrs4 ,mulford1 who seemed to have heard a voice from the far-away past4 ,she was in her own home again1 a careless child2 father and mother were living1 death had never crossed her threshold1 and all was joy and happiness4 ,a bewildered moment1 and then a flash of recognition4 ,uncle ,nathan6 ,yes1 dear child6 ,would ,i could have got to you sooner2 and he held the weary head close to his generous heart1 and smoothed the worn brow4 ,i felt ,i was growing old1 and had a hankering after a home to die in1 and always the face of my little niece1 ,carrie1 seemed to give me the heartiest welcome4 ,then you didn't die1 said ,arthur1 looking on the scene as if it were a part of a fairy story4 ,of course ,i didn't4 ,came near it1 a dozen times1 but always escaped4 ,couldn't see why ,i was spared and better folks taken1 but it's all clear now4 ,why1 ,i had as hard work finding out anything about ,ned ,mulford1 or ,ned ,mulford's widow1 as if ,i'd been trying to find ,captain ,kidd4 ,it's because of our poverty1 sighed the widow4 ,yes1 ,i suppose so4 ,it's the way of the world6 ,but who cares8 ,we'll begin the world anew4 ,mrs4 ,mulford stared at hearing her own words repeated1 and ,bridget1 who kept an ear on the proceedings1 stood for a moment in open-mouthed amazement1 much as if she feared that there was to be another great convulsion of nature4 ,yes1 continued ,uncle ,nathan1 yes1 that's what brought me back4 ,money don't make a home1 ,i know that well enough1 for ,i've seen it tried4 ,arthur1 what are your plans8 ,i was going into ,mr4 ,chase's grocery the first of ,january4 ,do you want to8 ,any taste for hams1 herrings1 tape1 and shoe-strings8 ,no1 sir1 replied ,arthur1 laughing at the combination1 but ,i'd like to help mother4 ,i promised father to see after her4 ,you've done your duty4 ,but my opinion is you'd rather go to college than into a grocery4 ,oh1 sir6 and the flush on the boy's face was not to be misunderstood4 ,college it is1 then4 ,carrie1 you are to be my housekeeper2 these are my little girls2 clasping the children in a hearty embrace1 and see if we don't turn out a happier family than any ,barnum ever exhibited4 ,the ,christmas dinner was a marvel of cookery1 and ,uncle ,nathan enlivened the meal with accounts of his adventures4 ,and this was the ,christmas ,i had dreaded6 said ,mrs4 ,mulford1 as she retired to her room4 ,the children had reluctantly gone to bed1 fearing that this good ,santa ,claus1 as they persisted in calling ,uncle ,nathan1 would disappear in the night1 and leave them as suddenly as he came4 ,arthur dreamed of his books and college1 and woke up half a dozen times in the night to assure himself that the great man sleeping so soundly beside him was not simply the magician of the ,arabian ,nights4 ,mrs4 ,mulford's pride was truly humbled by this manifestation of ,god's goodness1 and long and earnestly she prayed that henceforth1 whatever trials might come upon her1 she might bear the burden with cheerful patience1 trusting in ,god to lead her through the shadows into the sunshine of a more perfect day4 ,and in after life no memory was more precious to her than that of a ,christmas morning when the children taught her a lesson of unselfishness and duty4 ,come into our homes1 oh ye ,christmas angels6 ,brush away the cobwebs that regret and selfishness have strewn around1 and put in their stead the wreaths and vines that are fragrant with the immortality of love6 ,no home so poor that will not be the brighter for your coming6 ,no heart that is not enriched by your presence1 oh ever blessed ,christmas guests6 ,there are as many lovely things1 ,as many pleasant tones1 ,for those who dwell by cottage hearths ,as those who sit on thrones4 ,,with ,a ,,will1 ,,joe ,it was a summer afternoon2 the wheelbarrow stood before ,mrs4 ,robin's door2 the street was empty of all traffic1 for the heat was intense4 ,i sauntered languidly along on the shady side opposite the widow's house1 and noticed her boy bringing out some linen in baskets to put on the wheelbarrow4 ,i was surprised at the size of the baskets he was lugging along the passage and lifting on to the wheelbarrow1 and paused to look at him4 ,he pulled1 and dragged1 and then resting a moment began again1 and in the silence of the street1 ,i heard him saying something to himself4 ,i half crossed the road4 ,he was too busy to notice me1 and then1 in a pause of his toil1 ,i heard him gasp out1 ,with a will1 ,joe4 ,he was encouraging himself to a further effort with these words4 ,at last1 bringing the large basket to the curbstone1 he ran in and got a piece of smooth wood as a lever2 resting one end of the basket on the wheelbarrow1 he heaved up the other end1 and saying a little louder than before1 ,with a will1 ,joe1 the basket was mounted on to the wheelbarrow4 ,as he rested1 and looked proudly at his successful effort1 he saw me1 and his round1 red face1 covered with perspiration1 became scarlet for a moment1 as ,i said1 ,that's a brave boy4 ,the mother's voice sounded in the passage1 ,i'm coming1 ,joe1 and out she came as the child1 pointing to the basket1 said1 ,i've managed it1 mother4 ,it was a pretty sight1 the looks of the widow and her willing boy4 ,though no further word was spoken1 the sense of satisfaction on each face was very plain1 and ,i have no doubt in each heart there was a throb of pleasure that words have no language for4 ,i went on my way1 but the saying1 ,with a will1 ,joe1 went with me4 ,how much there was in that simple phrase1 ,with a will6 ,how different is our work according as we do it with or against our will4 ,this little fellow might have cried or murmured1 or left his mother to do the work1 and been dissatisfied with himself1 and a source of discontent to his mother1 but he had spurred himself on to toil and duty1 with his words1 powerful in their simplicity--,with a will1 ,joe4 ,often since have ,i recalled the scene and the saying4 ,when some young lady complains to me1 ,i have no time to give to doing good4 ,i've visits to make1 and shopping to do1 and embroidery to finish1 how can ,i help the poor when ,i'm so pressed for time8 ,i am apt to say mentally1 ,how different it would be with her1 if she had ever said to herself1 ',with a will4' ,yes1 with a will we can do almost anything that ought to be done2 and without a will we can do nothing as it should be done4 ,to all of us1 whatever our station1 there come difficulties and trials4 ,if we yield to them we are beaten down and conquered4 ,but if we1 ourselves1 conquer the temptation to do wrong1 calling the strength of ,god to aid us in our struggle with the enemy1 we shall grow stronger and more valiant with every battle1 and less liable to again fall into temptation4 ,our wisdom and our duty are to rouse ourselves1--to speak to our own hearts as the child did in his simple words1 ,with a will1 ,joe4 ,when there is any wrong thing that we want to do1 our will then is strong enough4 ,the ,evil ,one comes with his temptation1 and helps us to our ruin1 with his strength4 ,the times when we flag are when we want to do right4 ,when ,i would do good1 evil is present with me1 was the testimony of the apostle of the ,gentiles1 and it is the experience of all1 unless they go to ,him who can make our wills obedient to his will4 ,our prayer should be1 ,create in me a clean heart1 ,o ,god1 and renew a right spirit will within me4 ,,do ,,with ,,your ,,might4 ,whatsoe'er you find to do1 ,do it1 boys1 with all your might6 ,never be a little true1 ,or a little in the right4 ,trifles even ,lead to heaven1 ,trifles make the life of man2 ,so in all things1 ,great or small things1 ,be as thorough as you can4 ,,affecting ,,scene ,,in ,a ,,saloon ,one afternoon in the month of ,june1 #ahgj1 a lady in deep mourning1 followed by a little child1 entered one of the fashionable saloons in the city of ,n----4 ,the writer happened to be passing at the time1 and prompted by curiosity1 followed her in to see what would ensue4 ,stepping up to the bar1 and addressing the proprietor1 she said3-- ,sir1 can you assist me8 ,i have no home1 no friends1 and am not able to work4 ,he glanced at her and then at the child1 with a mingled look of curiosity and pity4 ,evidently he was much surprised to see a woman in such a place1 begging1 but1 without asking any questions1 gave her some change1 and turning to those present1 he said3-- ,gentlemen1 here is a lady in distress4 ,can't some of you help her a little8 ,they cheerfully acceded to the request1 and soon a purse of two dollars was made up and put into her hand4 ,madam1 said the gentleman who gave her the money1 why do you come to a saloon8 ,it isn't a proper place for a lady1 and why are you driven to such a step8 ,sir1 said the lady1 ,i know it isn't a proper place for a lady to be in1 and you ask me why ,i am driven to such a step4 ,i will tell you1 in one short word1 pointing to a bottle behind the counter labelled whisky1--that is what brought me here--whisky4 ,i was once happy1 and surrounded with all the luxuries wealth could produce1 with a fond1 indulgent husband4 ,but in an evil hour he was tempted1 and not possessing the will to resist the temptation1 fell1 and in one short year my dream of happiness was over1 my home was forever desolate1 and the kind husband1 and the wealth that some called mine1 lost--lost1 never to return2 and all by the accursed wine cup4 ,you see before you only the wreck of my former self1 homeless and friendless1 with nothing left me in this world but this little child2 and weeping bitterly1 she affectionately caressed the golden curls that shaded a face of exquisite loveliness4 ,regaining her composure1 and turning to the proprietor of the saloon1 she continued3-- ,sir1 the reason why ,i occasionally enter a place like this is to implore those who deal in this deadly poison to desist1 to stop a business that spreads desolation1 ruin1 poverty1 and starvation4 ,think one moment of your own loved ones1 and then imagine them in the situation ,i am in4 ,i appeal to your better nature1 ,i appeal to your heart1 for ,i know you possess a kind one1 to retire from a business so ruinous to your patrons4 ,do you know the money you take across the bar is the same as taking the bread out of the mouths of the famishing8 ,that it strips the clothing from their backs1 deprives them of all the comforts of this life1 and throws unhappiness1 misery1 crime1 and desolation into their once happy homes8 ,o6 sir1 ,i implore1 beseech1 and pray you to retire from a business you blush to own you are engaged in before your fellow men1 and enter one that will not only be profitable to yourself1 but to your fellow-creatures also4 ,you will excuse me if ,i have spoken too plainly1 but ,i could not help it when ,i thought of the misery1 the unhappiness1 and the suffering it has caused me4 ,madam1 ,i am not offended1 he answered1 in a voice husky with emotion1 but ,i thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have said4 ,mamma1 said the little girl--who1 meantime1 had been spoken to by some of the gentlemen present--taking hold of her mother's hand1 these gentlemen want me to sing ',little ,bessie' for them4 ,shall ,i do so8 ,they all joined in the request1 and placing her in the chair1 she sung1 in a sweet1 childish voice1 the following beautiful song3-- ,out in the gloomy night1 sadly ,i roam2 ,i have no mother dear1 no pleasant home2 ,no one cares for me1 no one would cry ,even if poor little ,bessie should die4 ,weary and tired ,i've been wandering all day1 ,asking for work1 but ,i'm too small1 they say2 ,on the damp ground ,i must now lay my head2 ,father's a drunkard1 and mother is dead4 ,we were so happy till father drank rum1 ,then all our sorrow and trouble begun2 ,mother grew pale1 and wept every day2 ,baby and ,i were too hungry to play4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,against ,liquor ,against ,tobacco ,recognizing in alcoholic beverages a,acknowledging smoking1 chewing1 deadly enemy to the delicate or snuffing tobacco to be functions of the human system1 a always detrimental to the human menace to the home1 and their use assystem1 an enemy to perfect a drink an outrage against society1 health and happiness1 and an the ,state and the ,nation1 ,i hereby offense against good form and promise to not only abstain from respectable society1 ,i hereby them myself1 but to use my influenceexpress myself against the use against their manufacture1 sale1 andof this vile poison4 ,i shall consumption4 also endeavor to discourage its use among my friends and ,name associates4 ,address ,name ,date ,address ,date ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,if any man defile the temple of ,god1 him shall ,god destroy2 for the temple of ,god is holy1 which temple ye are4 ,i ,cor4 #c3ag4 ,be not deceived3 neither fornicators1 nor idolators1 nor adulterers1 nor effeminate1 nor abusers of themselves with mankind1 nor thieves1 nor covetous1 nor drunkards1 nor revilers1 nor extortioners1 shall inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,i ,cor4 #f3i1 #aj4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,slowly they faded1 till one summer night ,found their dead faces all silent and white2 ,then with big tears slowly dropping1 ,i said1 ',father's a drunkard1 and mother is dead4' ,oh6 if the temperance men could only find ,poor1 wretched father1 and talk very kind2 ,if they would stop him from drinking1 then ,i should be very happy again4 ,is it too late1 temperance men8 ,please try1 ,or poor little ,bessie must soon starve and die4 ,all the day long ,i've been begging for bread2 ,father's a drunkard1 and mother is dead4 ,the game of billiards was left unfinished1 the cards thrown aside1 and the unemptied glass remained on the counter2 all had pressed near1 some with pity-beaming eyes1 entranced with the musical voice and beauty of the child1 who seemed better fitted to be with angels above than in such a place4 ,the scene ,i shall never forget to my dying day1 and the sweet cadence of her musical voice still rings in my ears1 and from her lips sunk deep into the hearts of those gathered around her4 ,with her golden hair falling carelessly around her shoulders1 and looking so trustingly and confidingly upon the gentlemen around her1 the beautiful eyes illuminated with a light that seemed not of this earth1 she formed a picture of purity and innocence worthy the genius of a poet or painter4 ,at the close of the song many were weeping2 men who had not shed a tear for years wept like children4 ,one young man who had resisted with scorn the pleadings of a loving mother1 and entreaties of friends to strive and lead a better life1 to desist from a course that was wasting his fortune and ruining his health1 now approached the child1 and taking both hands in his1 while tears streamed down his cheeks1 exclaimed1 in deep emotion3-- ,god bless you1 my little angel4 ,you have saved me from ruin and disgrace1 from poverty and a drunkard's grave4 ,if there are angels on earth1 you are one6 ,god bless you6 ,god bless you6 and putting a note into the hand of the mother1 said3-- ,please accept this trifle as a token of my regard and esteem1 for your little girl has done me a kindness ,i can never repay2 and remember1 whenever you are in want1 you will find me a true friend2 at the same time giving her his name and address4 ,taking her child by the hand she turned to go1 but1 pausing at the door1 said3-- ,god bless you1 gentlemen6 ,accept the heartfelt thanks of a poor1 friendless woman for the kindness and courtesy you have shown her4 ,before any one could reply she was gone4 ,a silence of several minutes ensued1 which was broken by the proprietor1 who exclaimed3-- ,gentlemen1 that lady was right1 and ,i have sold my last glass of whisky2 if any one of you want any more you will have to go elsewhere4 ,and ,i have drunk my last glass of whisky1 said a young man who had long been given up as sunk too low ever to reform1 and as utterly beyond the reach of those who had a deep interest in his welfare4 ,,nellie ,,alton',s ,,mother ,mamma1 ,o mamma6 cried an eager young voice2 and ,nellie ,alton1 a plump1 rosy schoolgirl of twelve summers1 rushed into her mother's room1 and1 flinging her text-books on the sofa1 seated herself on an ottoman at her mother's feet4 ,mrs4 ,alton looked up from her sewing with a quiet smile1 and said1 as she pushed back the tangled curls from ,nellie's uplifted forehead1-- ,what is the matter with my daughter8 ,has anything serious occurred at the institute8 ,o mamma1 said ,nellie1 half reproachfully1 you can't have forgotten that it is just a week to-day since ,i received that invitation to ,minnie ,shelburne's party4 ,you said at the time1 that you didn't know whether ,i might accept1 and ,i think ,i've been very patient not to tease you about it4 ,almost all the girls are going4 ,mrs4 ,doane has bought the loveliest silk for ,carrie and ,jessie2 and ,mrs4 ,hilton has three women sewing on ,emma's dress4 ,here ,i am not knowing whether ,i can go4 ,cousin ,sue said she thought my 'mother a woman of great deliberation4' ,in years to come you will rejoice over the truth of that remark1 my darling4 ,but1 mamma1 please decide now1 won't you8 ,i have decided1 my dear4 ,last night your father and ,i had a long talk about the matter1 and we agreed-- ,to let me go8 cried eager ,nellie4 ,no1 dear4 ,anxious for your truest good1 we were sorry we should have to disappoint you4 ,but we cannot grant you a harmful pleasure4 ,nellie bit her lip1 while her eyes filled with tears4 ,may ,i ask your reasons1 mamma8 ,yes1 dear2 and ,i feel that my sensible little daughter cannot but be satisfied with them4 ,all the advantages you are now having tend to make you1 at some future time1 a useful woman in society4 ,to obtain their full benefit1 your mind must remain undiverted from your studies1 and you must be kept free from everything that will detract from your health and strength4 ,parties will excite you1 deprive you of sleep1 fill your mind with foolish fancies1 retard you in your school work1 and make you thin1 pale1 and irritable4 ,we should sadly miss our bright1 blooming ,nellie4 ,do you wonder we refuse to let you attend the party8 ,but just once cannot hurt me1 pleaded ,nellie4 ,the one party1 my child1 will be followed by a score of them4 ,if you go to ,miss ,shelburne's1 the other girls will wonder why you cannot attend theirs1 and ill feeling will arise4 ,we will talk no more about it now4 ,sometime you will thank me for my course4 ,are you satisfied8 ,i'll try to be1 mamma1 said ,nellie2 but there were a few suspicious drops on her eyelashes4 ,the night of the party arrived4 ,nellie had had a very trying week at school1 for the girls thought of nothing else besides their fine preparations4 ,she bore it bravely1 and after tea sat resolutely down to her lessons1 which were unusually difficult4 ,half-past eight found her closing her books with the air of a conqueror1 while she exclaimed1-- ,now1 mamma1 they're all done1 every one4 ,may ,i run over and see ,cousin ,sue off8 ,consent was given1 and ,nellie entered her uncle's vestibule just as ,sue was descending the stairs1 in a cloud of lace and pink silk4 ,she felt a little choking in her throat1 but said1 quietly1 ,sue1 you look lovely2 but to-morrow's ,french exercise is terribly hard4 ,and ,miss ,propriety ,stay-at-home has prepared for it1 ,i infer4 ,aren't you sorry you can't go8 said ,sue1 settling her flounces with a satisfied air4 ,mother knows best1 said ,nellie1 decidedly2 then she went home4 ,while her sixth hour of sleep1 sweet and restful1 was passing by1 poor1 tired1 cross ,sue returned home1 and wearily climbed the stairs to her room4 ,next day ,nellie came home1 saying1 ,i am at the head of all my classes4 ,some of the girls were late1 others had headaches1 all of them were disagreeable1 and none of them had half prepared their lessons4 ,professor ,marshly was very angry1 but he thanked me for my good example to others4 ,you dearest mother6 ,i'll trust you as long as ,i live4 ,and grateful ,nellie sealed the compact with a kiss4 ,years afterward1 two ladies were seated in a pleasant room engaged in conversation4 ,one of them reclined on a sofa1 and her sallow features and restless1 dissatisfied manner marked her an invalid4 ,the face of the other was bright with health and vivacity4 ,her sunny smile and cheery voice showed her a stranger to sickness and pain4 ,nellie1 my dear1 sighed the former1 you can have no idea of the dreadful condition of my nervous system4 ,i spend the greater part of the day on the sofa4 ,the children are a perfect worriment1 everything about the house goes wrong1 ,ralph looks so discontented4 ,i cannot enjoy society at all4 ,in fact1 the doctor says ,i had too much dissipation when young1 and ruined my constitution with the parties and late suppers4 ,i would give my fortune for your good health and cheerful spirits4 ,cousin ,sue1 ,i remember when you used to drive off to parties1 and think scornfully of my quiet home evenings4 ,i remember1 ,nellie4 ,do hand me the hartshorn and another cushion1 and please lower that shade a little4 ,there1 thank you4 ,now will you inform me to what you owe your healthy1 happy life8 ,at this moment the door opened1 and a silver-haired1 sweet-faced lady entered4 ,nellie rose to meet her1 and twining one arm about the lady's waist1 ,cousin ,sue1 she said1 my perfect health1 my calm1 happy mind1 the good ,i am enabled to do for ,god and humanity1 the comfort ,i succeed in giving to my husband and children1 the knowledge ,i have of my heavenly ,father1 and the love ,i bear him1 ,i owe to the judicious care1 the wise counsel1 and the tender love and prayers of my mother4 ,,look ,,to ,,your ,,thoughts4 ,many suppose that if they can guard themselves against improper words and wicked deeds1 they cannot be very guilty on account of thoughts which may revolve in their minds1 however corrupt they may be4 ,they look upon their thoughts as things which spring up in the heart by some laws of association which they cannot understand1 or which1 if understood1 they cannot control4 ,as they have not summoned1 so neither1 in their view1 can they dismiss them2 but must surrender themselves to their influence for a period1 longer or shorter1 until some circumstance occurs which gives a new direction to the current of thinking4 ,when they confess their sins1 there are oftentimes words and deeds which they admit to be grievously in conflict with the demands of the divine ,word4 ,but it rarely happens that any unhallowed imaginations in which they have indulged awaken emotions of genuine sorrow4 ,now the thoughts are the guests we entertain--the company we receive into the innermost privacy of our bosoms4 ,and just as a man is censurable who voluntarily and habitually consorts with corrupting company1 so is he to be condemned who deliberately entertains depraved thoughts4 ,let every one1 and especially every young man1 remember that ,god holds us responsible for our thoughts4 ,man can take cognizance only of the outward appearance4 ,his observation must be limited to those words and actions which can be perceived by the senses4 ,but the scrutiny of ,omniscience extends further1 penetrating the evil which hides our inner selves from the view of others2 it explores the most private recesses of the spirit1 and perfectly understands that portion of our character which others cannot scan4 ,man can only call us good or evil1 as our words and actions authorize4 ,but ,he whose glance enters the heart and surveys the emotions which are there cherished1 condemns1 as wicked1 every unhallowed thought2 and will as surely take these into the account in determining our final retribution as he will consider in that reckoning our outward acts1 ,guard well your thoughts4 ,your thoughts are heard in heaven1 says a distinguished poet4 ,never was there a more scriptural sentiment4 ,but perhaps there may be those to whom this may look like a harsh procedure4 ,if it were true1 as some suppose1 that we could not control our thoughts--that they rushed uninvited upon our attention1 that they detained that attention for a time1 longer or shorter1 just as they pleased1 and that they departed as unceremoniously as they entered our mind--then ,i grant that it would be hard to make us responsible for such visitors4 ,if we had no power over our own mental operations1 it would seem as unjust to punish us for our delinquencies in these particulars as to censure us for the depravity of a resident of ,asia or ,africa4 ,but can you defend such a position as this8 ,have you no power to determine what themes shall and what shall not employ your meditations8 ,are you the mere slave for your thoughts1 compelled to follow as they1 by some caprice1 may direct8 ,no intelligent mind in which the will is ruler is prepared to admit that it has been subjected to such vassalage4 ,the truth is1 and ,i appeal to your own consciences in support of the declaration1 that you are endowed with the power of thinking upon just such subjects as you may prefer4 ,you can1 at pleasure1 direct your attention to any topic1 agreeable or disagreeable1 lawful or unlawful1 connected with the past1 present1 or future2 you can revolve it in your mind for a longer or shorter period1 and then you can dismiss it entirely from your consideration4 ,if this were not true2 if your thoughts were not under the control of the will1 you would be incompetent to manage your business2 you would be disqualified for every pursuit of life involving the exercise of reason4 ,you would in truth be insane4 ,now it is because ,god has given us the power over our own thinking that it assumes a moral complexion in his sight4 ,the man who resigns himself to unholy reveries1 or who entertains in his own heart purposes which1 if acted out1 would render him liable to the censure of his fellow men1 and to condemnation from ,god1 is as certainly guilty1 though it may not be to the same extent1 as though he had been openly corrupt and abandoned4 ,out of the heart1 says the ,saviour1 proceed evil thoughts4 ,here observe that our ,lord plainly teaches that our thoughts may be evil or sinful1 and therefore may expose him who harbors them to punishment4 ,and lest any one should be disposed to look upon evil thoughts as an offense too trivial to awaken any concern1 mark the company in which this sin is found4 ,learn from those offenses with which it is classed something of the enormity to which it may rise4 ,out of the heart proceedeth evil thoughts1 murders1 adulteries1 fornications1 thefts1 false witness1 blasphemies4 ,one of the most important counsels in the entire volume of ,revelation1 is the direction of the wise man3 ,keep thy heart with all diligence4 ,this is the fountain whence issue the streams which are to fertilize and gladden1 or to pollute and destroy4 ,no one was ever wicked in speech or action who was not first wicked in heart4 ,the deeds of atrocity which shock us in execution were first performed in heart--in thought4 ,had this been kept1 had the early idea been restrained1 the result so fearful in development might have been averted4 ,young men1 look to the springs of action1 as you would avoid acts which involve you in ruin and disgrace4 ,keep the heart as you would secure a conduit1 which1 with ,god's blessing1 will make you honorable1 lawful1 and happy now1 and all that you desire hereafter4 ,look to your thoughts4 ,build a little fence of trust around to-day2 ,fill the space with loving thought1 and therein stay2 ,look not from its sheltering bars upon to-morrow1 ,god will help thee bear what comes1 of joy or sorrow4