,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,mytton1 never so much as raising his eyes from his occupation1 went on as if life depended on success1 setting one little scrap by another4 ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,life ,,or ,what is a ,christian4 ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,,authoress ,,of ,,the ,,white ,,bear',s ,,den1 ,,sheer ,,off1 ,,the ,,hartley ,,brothers1 ,,etc4 ,london3 ,,gall ,,and ,,inglis1 #be ,,paternoster ,,square2 ,,and ,,edinburgh4 ,,contents4 ,a ,,pilgrim2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,daily ,,walk4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a ,blessing4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,no ,blessing4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,in the ,dark4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,watcher4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,sickness and ,sorrow4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,mother's ,errand4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,thinking over it4 ,,an ,,heir ,,of ,,heaven2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,privilege4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,lonely ,cot4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,treasure ,found4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,search4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,earthly ,hope4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,heavenly ,hope4 ,a ,,saint2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,character4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,patient ,restored4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,decision4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,division4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,sabbath ,hours4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,darkness and ,night4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,way ,opened4 ,a ,,conqueror2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,life',s ,,struggle4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a ,storm ,down ,below4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,twins4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,in ,peril4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,struggle4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,brother to the ,rescue4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,victory4 ,a ,,light2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,influence4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,young ,stepmother4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,off to the ,station4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,dinner-,party4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,battle in the ,nursery4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,silver ,turned into ,gold4 ,a ,,thankful ,,guest2 ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,communion4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,back ,again4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,neglected ,duty4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,service of ,obedience4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,a ,service of ,hope4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,service of ,love4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,one ,family4 ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,life4 ,a ,,pilgrim ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,daily ,,walk4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a ,blessing4 ,,there',s no use in talking more over the matter1 mother2 when ,i says a thing--,i does it6 cried ,john ,carey1 striking his fist upon the table1 to give emphasis to his words4 ,i've told ,dick ,brace that as soon as ,i gets the thirty pounds of my uncle's legacy1 ,i'll club it with his1 and we'll start in business together1 and make a good thing1 ,i don't doubt1 out of the ',jolly ,ploughboys1' now the brickmaking is begun so near to the place4 ,i don't like your keeping a public1 ,john2 and ,i don't like your joining in anything with ,dick ,brace1 observed ,widow ,carey1 with an anxious shake of the head4 ,he's a jolly good fellow1 said ,john4 ,he's not a ,god-fearing man1 rejoined the widow4 ,i doubt there will be a blessing upon anything in which you are mixed up with him4 ,i shouldn't care to have him for a brother1 but he's just the fellow for a partner in business1 cried ,john2 sharp as a fox1 and merry as a cricket4 ,you'll see we'll get on like a house on fire1 mother1 and ,i'll be able to pay your coal club for you every week1 and maybe your rent too1 if you don't care to have the little back-room at the ',jolly ,ploughboys4' ,and ,john bent his tall form1 and looked with a merry1 kindly smile into his parent's face as he added1 ,there's a bribe for ye1 mother6 ,mrs4 ,carey returned the smile2 indeed it would have been hard not to have done so1 so pleasant1 at least to a parent's eyes1 looked that fine strong young peasant1 in the prime of life1 with the fresh hue of health on his cheek4 ,there was something in the appearance of ,john1 with his tawny hair and whiskers1 broad and somewhat flat face1 and bold decided manner1 that made his companions sometimes call him in sport the young lion3 but he was a very good-humoured lion1 for though self-willed and sometimes hasty1 there was nothing savage in the nature of the widow's only son4 ,mrs4 ,carey smiled indeed1 but she was thoroughly in earnest as she replied1 ,were the sacks full of gold sovereigns instead of coals1 they wouldn't be bribe enough for me2 and as for taking your back parlour--let alone that ,i'd not choose to end my life in a public--maybe you'll want a younger companion one of these days to keep house for ye1 my boy4 ,john threw back his head and laughed4 ,i've been a-thinking of that1 said he4 ,if matters go right1 and the money come in1 there's ,dinah ,dealtry at the farm--she'd make a trim little wife4 ,again the widow shook her head4 ,i hope you'll never put the ring on her finger1 ,john4 ,she's not a girl to make a good man happy1 nor to bring up a family in the right way4 ,there wouldn't be a blessing1 ,i fear1 on such a marriage as that4 ,mother1 you're always thinking about a blessing1 cried ,john1 with a little impatience4 ,because ,i've always found ,god's blessing to be the one thing needful1 my son1 and ,i never feel myself safe in doing anything upon which ,i cannot ask it4 ,we may plough and sow a field1 but not a blade will grow1 unless ,god's blessing come in the rain and the sunshine4 ,and so it is with everything in life3 we spend our money for that which is not bread1 and our labour for that which satisfieth not1 unless ,god's blessing crown all4 ,i don't see that1 said ,john1 bluntly4 ,look at your ,bible1 my boy2 ,jacob left home with nothing but his staff and the blessing1 and came back with his children1 his flocks1 and his herds4 ',twas the blessing on ,joseph that brought him from prison to palace1 and made all things to prosper in his hand4 ,david was hunted like the partridge on the mountains1 but the blessing brought him at last to the throne4 ,those lived in old times1 cried ,john ,carey2 but we don't look now for palaces or thrones1 or1 if we did1 we shouldn't get 'em6 ,what does the blessing do for us now8 ,john1 ,john1 ,i'm an old pilgrim1 and maybe ,i'm getting nigh the end of my journey1 so ,i may speak the more boldly about it4 ,i've found the blessing like a staff to lean on all the way through2 and if ,i hadn't grasped it1 there's many and many a time ,i'd just have lain down1 and given myself up to despair4 ,i think you've had more troubles than most folk1 mother1 observed ,john1 more gravely2 and if there was a blessing on dear good father1 how was it that he suffered for years8 ,there was a blessing on him1 yes1 in his illness1 and through his illness1 said ,mrs4 ,carey1 fervently1 while the tears started to her eyes2 no one could have been with him day and night as ,i was1 and not have seen that there was one6 ,your father had peace1 and hope1 and joy1 and patience--oh6 ,wonderful patience6 ,and hard as we were put to it sometimes1 ,god always raised up some friend to help us1 and opened a way before us when it seemed as if we could not got on4 ,god's blessing was sought by my dear husband from his youth1 and ,i'm sure it went with him wherever he went1 prospered him in his honest labour1 brought him through troubles1 temptations1 and trials1 cheered him in sickness1 made his deathbed at last like the very gateway of heaven6 ,and now he's gone where all is blessing--for ever6 ,mrs4 ,carey closed her sentence with a little stifled sob1 as she looked at an empty chair which was now never moved from its place in the corner4 ,i didn't mean to make ye sad1 mother1 said ,john1 laying his broad hand with rough kindliness upon the shoulder of the widow2 and ,i don't want to worry ye about either the public-house or the girl1 but ,i can't look at matters just as ye do1 and1 ye see1 about that there business with ,dick ,brace--,i've made up my mind4 ,don't ye be a-vexing yourself about me--all will go right1 never fear6 ,then1 turning and taking down his cap from its peg1 ,john said1 in a merrier tone1 ,i'm going to old ,justice ,burns1 to get him to pay me uncle's legacy as he promised he would1 and then ,i'm off to ,london to buy a few things as ,i want1 but ,i hope to be back soon after dark4 ,mrs4 ,carey saw that expostulation was useless1 so she made no further opposition4 ,you've a long trudge before you1 said she1 take your father's good staff2 and she rose to bring it from its place in the corner just behind the arm-chair4 ,leave it there1 mother1 ,i don't want it1 cried the lion4 ',tain't twenty miles to ,london and back2 and were it forty1 'twould not be much to young limbs like mine4 ,only mind you've a good supper ready for me1 for ,i'll come back hungry as--as a lion6 ,and nodding a good-bye to the widow1 the young man quitted the cottage1 whistling merrily as he walked down the hill4 ,mrs4 ,carey watched him fondly as long as his tall form continued in view1 and listened to the sound of that whistle which was so pleasant to her ears4 ,god bless the lad6 said the mother4 ,bless him in his work and his ways1 bless his going out and his coming in1 bless him now and for ever6 ,he mayn't know the worth of the blessing now1 but since my eyes first looked on my babe1 there's not been a day1 scarce a waking hour1 but ,i've asked it for him from my heart4 ,god will hear a poor mother's prayers1 though ,i'm afraid just now that this legacy hardly comes as a blessing4 ,my dear husband's brother never gave him so much as a shilling to help him through all his long illness1 and now leaves to his son thirty pounds1 money which seems likely to set the lad against the steady work by which he has gained his bread1 to bring him amongst bad companions1 and perhaps lead him to marry a girl whose mind is set on flirting and finery1 who is not worthy of the true love of a noble-hearted fellow like ,john6 ,it's a care and trouble to me the thought of this money--but1 like all other cares1 ,i must just bring it to my ,lord2 if pilgrims but set their faces towards ,zion1 ,god will direct all their path6 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,no ,blessing4 ,,what an odd view mother takes of life6 thought ,john1 as he went whistling along the road towards the house of ,justice ,burns1 to whom his uncle had been butler1 and in whose hands he had left his savings4 ,mother always seems to feel as if she were on a journey1 with her staff in her hand1 and her bundle on her back1 though she has bided these thirty years in that little cottage where ,i was born4 ,she's always a-thinking of getting on to another world1 and perhaps since father has gone there that's natural enough1 for he was the light of her eyes4 ,but ,i take it this world is a very good world1 and ,i'm in no hurry to leave it4 ,i mean to settle down and thrive in that little public-house which is to be let at such a bargain1 drive a good business1 make plenty of money1 and then ask little ,dinah to come and share my home4 ,a lucky legacy that of my uncle's1 and come at a lucky time4 ,mother may say what she likes1 there's nothing better in life than a little hard cash--except a great deal of it6 ,and ,john ,carey laughed gaily to himself as he pulled the bell at the ,justice's door4 ,what do you want here8 asked the liveried servant who answered the bell4 ,i want to see ,justice ,burns4 ,i'm the nephew of his late butler1 and he has money of mine in his hands4 ,ah6 ,you're the nephew of poor old ,carey1 are you8 said the footman1 relaxing into an easy sociable manner4 ,come in and sit down in the hall4 ,you can't see master yet1 for he's taking his breakfast4 ,as ,john entered the hall1 he might have guessed that a meal was going on in the house1 from the very savoury scent which proceeded out of the dining-room4 ,breakfast6 ,why it's nigh noonday6 cried honest ,john1 who had already taken his dinner1 ,it's plain the ,justice ain't up with the lark4 ,you wouldn't be up with the lark neither1 if you had such nights as he has1 said the servant1 who was inclined for a gossip4 ,the ,justice is a martyr to gout--suffers misery1 he does1 and makes every one about him miserable too1 ,i suppose to keep him company4 ,i should say his gout doesn't take away his appetite1 observed ,john1 glancing at a steaming dish which the butler was carrying in at that moment to his master4 ,the footman shrugged his shoulders4 ,there's the mischief1 said he4 ,the more the ,justice suffers1 the more he eats2 the more he eats1 the more he suffers2 but he can't do without his turtle and venison1 his sauces and wines4 ,doctor and cook1 he keeps both of them at work4 ,i'd not have such legs as he has for ten thousand pounds a year2 they're swelled as big as two1 and he can hardly get up from his chair2 we've to wheel him from one room to another4 ',twould have been better1 maybe1 for the ,justice if he'd had to follow the plough at sunrise1 and get a good appetite for his bread and cheese1 observed ,john1 glancing down with some satisfaction at his own active powerful limbs1 that had never suffered from an hour's disease4 ,oh6 ,i often say that it would have been a good thing for him1 if he'd had to work hard for his bread1 clip hedges or break stones on the road1 said the talkative footman4 ,but there's his bell1 ,i must answer it at once1 for he's mighty easily put out when a fit of the gout is upon him4 ,well1 maybe hard cash1 even a great deal of it1 is not always a blessing1 was the thought which ,john ,carey had leisure to turn well over in his mind during the half-hour which he had to wait while the ,justice was eating and drinking in misery and pain1 wasting on gluttonous indulgence that money for which he would one day have to render a strict account4 ,at last the ,justice was ready to see ,john ,carey in the study4 ,the young countryman1 as he trod the ,turkey-carpet of that luxurious room1 looked with mingled pity and contempt on the owner of so much wealth1 bolstered up with cushions1 and swathed in flannels1 with the peevishness of suffering written upon his red bloated face4 ,john could not help thinking of the cheerful patience of his own father during sickness1 and the thankful pleasure with which he had received every little comfort1 as a direct gift from his ,god4 ,what's this you want--your uncle's legacy8 ,i don't know why he should have bothered me with a petty matter like this1 said the ,justice peevishly1 when ,john had explained his business4 ,thirty pounds--is that the sum8 ,yes1 ,i remember2 ,i was writing out a cheque for it last night when ,i was taken so ill that ,i could scarcely hold the pen in my fingers4 ,the ,justice looked as if it were a labour and pain to him now to open the desk before him with his swollen gouty hands1 and he had hardly taken out the cheque when his servant ushered in the doctor4 ,there--go1 they'll cash it for you in ,argyll ,street2 ,i can't be plagued with business1 said the ,justice hastily1 motioning to ,john to quit his presence4 ,young ,carey hurriedly put the cheque into his pocket-book and left the house1 feeling that he would not change places with that wretched ,dives1 who lived but for self1 even if there were no danger of the place of torment succeeding the state of luxury of him who fared sumptuously every day4 ,i'm thirsty1 and ,i've a long trudge before me1 said ,john to himself4 ,i'll just step into the little inn yonder1 and refresh myself with a tumbler of beer4 ,john found in the ,white ,hart1 ,sam ,soames1 a man with whom he had but a slight acquaintance1 the less the better1 as ,mrs4 ,carey often had said4 ,no one who looked at ,sam as he sat with his elbows rubbing through his sleeves1 with his battered hat1 dirty shirt1 and poverty-stricken aspect1 would have guessed that he was a skilled workman1 who could win two guineas a week4 ,sam had earned a great deal of money in his time1 but as fast as he made it1 the gold seemed to slip through his fingers4 ,it might be said of him in the forcible language of ,scripture1 he earneth wages to put into a bag with holes4 99 99 ,haggai i4 #f4 ,never had ,john's father1 through all his long sickness1 when he had no power to earn a shilling1 known the actual want which was staring in the face of this man1 who had no one to blame but himself that he was not one of the most thriving workmen in the town where he lived4 ,money had come--and had gone--a blessing was not upon it6 ,john ,carey was of a kindly1 sociable temper1 such as scarcely suited his nickname of young lion4 ,worthless as he knew ,sam ,soames to be1 he pitied his wretched condition1 and was willing to do him a kindness4 ,he treated ,soames to beer1 and while the two men drank together1 ,john chatted freely with his companion over his own affairs4 ,carey told ,soames of the legacy which had been left by his uncle1 and of the cheque for thirty pounds which he was going to get cashed in ,london4 ,in his openness of heart1 the young lion told him moreover of his own plan of partnership with ,brace1 and invited ,sam to come and look in on him sometimes when he should be landlord of the ,jolly ,ploughboys4 ,this ,sam ,soames very readily promised to do1 hoping1 no doubt1 that his easy-tempered friend would not be hard upon him when the time for reckoning should come4 ,it was too bad in me to talk about my good-luck to that poor ruined fellow1 thought honest ,john1 as1 after paying for what he and his companion had taken1 he started off on his long walk to ,london2 it was like making a hungry dog look in through the window at a well-filled larder1 when he has not so much as a bone to grind between his jaws4 ,well1 well1 if ,sam ,soames had my thirty pounds to-day1 there would not be thirty pence of it left by ,sunday4 ,he's one of them chaps that no one can help2 hard cash--much or little of it--would be no blessing to him4 ,and with this reflection ,john dismissed the subject from his mind1 and took to whistling again4 ,the young lion was scarcely at all tired by his ten miles' walk to ,london4 ,he was puzzled1 however1 to find his way through its labyrinth of streets1 crossing each other in every direction1 and found the noise and bustle of the mighty city very distracting4 ,i've heard of some one who said that he'd rather hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak1 muttered ,john to himself1 and ,i'm much of his mind4 ,i'd think a fortune dearly earned if ,i'd to go moiling and toiling all my days in a racket like this4 ,but different folk have different tastes2 maybe there are some who like it1 and would rather see carriages rolling along1 than a field of fine wheat bending as the wind blows across it4 ,i'm not one of that sort--that's all4 ,john had some trouble in finding ,argyll ,street1 and it was an hour later than he expected when he reached the bank at last4 ,the young peasant felt a little shy on entering the large room in which were so many clerks at their desks4 ,here be a lot of fine gentlemen1 thought ,john1 who have nothing to do from morning till night but count up money1 and shovel out gold4 ,how tired one would get of the clink of it1 and the endless summing and reckoning6 ,i'd rather by far sow beans6 ,john's rough jacket and hob-nailed shoes seemed to himself out of place in the bank4 ,anything like transacting business was new to him1 and the young lion looked awkward and shy as he advanced1 cap in hand1 to the front of one of the desks1 behind which stood a clerk1 who appeared to ,john to be a very fine gentleman indeed4 ,the clerk inquired what was his business4 ,i want to get this here cheque cashed1 said ,john1 pulling his pocket-book from his breast-pocket1 and then fumbling in it to find his valuable paper4 ,it was some little time before he could lay his strong clumsy fingers upon it1 and put it down on the desk4 ,who gave you this8 asked the clerk4 ,justice ,burns1 it's for thirty pounds2 you see my uncle1 he left me a legacy1 and-- ,the man of business cut the speech of the countryman short4 ,this cheque is of no use1 he said1 pushing it back towards ,john1 there is no signature on it4 ,carey stared in blank amazement1 first at the speaker1 then at the cheque4 ,what the clerk had said was true enough2 the gouty ,justice in drawing out the cheque had forgotten to sign his name4 ,john rubbed his heated forehead1 and looked perplexed4 ,what's to be done8 said he4 ,you must take back the cheque and get it signed1 of course1 said the clerk2 as it is1 it is of no more use than blank paper4 ,and having thus summarily dismissed the business1 the clerk turned away to attend to a gentleman who had just entered the office4 ,this ben't the ,first of ,april1 or ,i should have thought the ,justice had chosen to play me a trick1 thought ,john1 as1 somewhat mortified and provoked1 he replaced the cheque in his pocket-book1 and then quitted the bank4 ,he'd no right to send me on such a fool's errand as this because he'd a twinge in his gouty foot4 ,i'll tell him my mind when ,i see him to-morrow4 ,i'll just go and refresh myself now a bit2 for an hour of walking about this ,babel takes more out of a fellow than a day spent in hedging and ditching4 ,i'll buy the few things ,i want1 and then get home as fast as my legs will carry me4 ,i shall be ashamed to tell ,dick ,brace that ,i've lost a day's work1 and had a twenty miles' walk for my pains2 'twill always be a-coming up as a joke against me4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,in the ,dark4 ,,john ,,carey had enjoyed his walk to ,london1 and had never so much as thought if he were tired or not2 but whether from the noise and excitement to which he had been unaccustomed1 or whether from the damp on his spirits telling on his bodily frame1 the road which he retraced on his return seemed to him a weary long one4 ,the sun set in a bank of clouds1 a heavy mist filled the air2 it appeared to ,john as if he should never get beyond the line of streets and villas which stretch1 mile after mile1 along the suburbs of ,london4 ,the country was reached at last1 but the evening mist lay so heavy upon it1 that ,john could see nothing of the fields1 and the hedges and trees which bordered the road loomed dim and indistinct through the increasing darkness4 ,john had no inclination to whistle4 ,somehow1 everything looks dull to me this evening1 and ,i feel a bit down-hearted1 muttered ,john1 as he dragged his weary limbs along4 ,mother says as how there's nothing ever comes to us by chance1 that there's never a brier thrown across a pilgrim's way but he may pluck a blessing from it4 ,i don't see how that can be1 but mayhap that's because ,i ain't a pilgrim1 and don't ask or look for the blessing4 ,i can see nothing in this here matter about the cheque but the stupid blunder of a lazy old glutton1 and all ,i get from it is a waste of shoe-leather1 and a loss of time and temper4 ,i suppose that ,i shall have another trudge up to ,london to-morrow2 no1 that there ,justice should pay for the coach1 if there's anything of justice in him but the name4 ,darker and darker grew the night1 weary and more weary the traveller2 one of his shoes hurt his foot1 and he painfully limped along4 ,if ,i didn't know every foot of the road here1 said ,john to himself1 as he turned down the lane which led to his home1 ,i'd be a-losing myself in the darkness4 ,i wish ,i'd done as my mother bade1 and taken my father's good oaken stick2 one doesn't think1 when setting out fresh and hearty in broad daylight1 how glad one may be of a staff before the journey is done4 ,john was to have need of that staff in more ways than one4 ,scarcely had the thought passed through his mind1 when he was suddenly startled by a violent blow on the back of his head1 which knocked off his cap1 and stretched him on the road4 ,up the young lion sprang in a moment1 facing the cowardly assailant who had attacked him from behind1 and receiving as he did so1 another heavy blow1 which made him stagger backwards1 while the blood gushed from his wound4 ,john was bold and strong1 and not one to be easily mastered in a struggle1 but he had been taken by surprise1 he was weary1 and had no weapon but his own bare fists4 ,in vain ,john tried to close with his assailant1 another blow laid him prostrate again1 and the highwayman kicked him with his heavy boot1 when attempting again to rise4 ,lights seemed flashing in the young man's eyes1 there was a rushing sound in his ears1 he had a confused sense of pain and of a struggle for life1 and then all consciousness left him--,john ,carey lay senseless and bleeding4 ,while ,sam ,soames1 stooping over him1 rifled him of the pocket-book1 which the ruffian expected to find full of money obtained by cashing the cheque4 ,soames made off at once with his booty1 without attempting to take anything else1 or to ascertain whether his victim yet breathed4 ,it was not long before the guilty ,soames discovered that he had hazarded soul and body for that of which he could make no use4 ,but had the pocket-book1 instead of an unsigned cheque1 contained hundreds of bank-notes1 worse than worthless had been that which bore on it the stain of blood1 and carried with it a curse like that which rested upon ,cain1 a fugitive and vagabond upon the face of the earth4 ,john ,carey lay for some time apparently lifeless1 perhaps it was the drizzling rain which awoke him at last2 he opened his eyes on the darkness1 but was utterly unable to move from the damp ground on which he was lying4 ,he could scarcely collect his senses sufficiently to remember anything that had happened1 or to imagine how he came to be stretched there1 helpless upon the road4 ,gradually there dawned upon his mind some recollection of a struggle1 then a desire to get home1 then a belief that he should never be found till the morning1 when his corpse would be carried to his mother4 ,so confused was ,john's brain from the shock which it had sustained1 that even this idea was more like a half-waking dream1 than an actual effort of reasoning powers4 ,the sufferer could not fix his thoughts upon anything1 not even on the awful probability that he was on the very verge of an eternity for which he was not prepared4 ,here lay the only son of the widow1 the child of so many fond prayers1 likely1 before the night should have passed away1 to be summoned before his ,maker1 yet unable even to utter the cry-- ,god be merciful to me1 a sinner6 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,watcher4 ,,in the meantime1 ,widow ,carey sat hour after hour in her little cottage1 watching and waiting for the return of her son4 ,she had laid the supper ready1 the home-made loaf on the spotless cloth1 the red herrings which she had bought that afternoon as a dainty for ,john after his long tiring walk4 ,though ,mrs4 ,carey had had no refreshment since noon but a cup of weak tea1 she would not taste the food before her1 till ,john should be present to share it4 ,many a time ,widow ,carey rose1 went to the door1 and looked down the lane1 hoping to see the tall form which she knew so well ascending the hill2 many a time she fancied that she heard his blithe whistle in the distance1 and stirred her little fire1 and put on the kettle1 that ,john might have something warm to drink after being out so long in the damp night air4 ,a very long time ,widow ,carey waited1 and it was to her all the longer from the anxious thoughts which were her companions4 ,hard as she tried to draw comfort from prayer1 to assure herself that ,god would direct her and her son1 and bring everything right in the end1 the shadow of approaching troubles lay heavy that night on the widow4 ,she could not help picturing to herself ,john at the bar of the ,jolly ,ploughboys1 constantly associating with a man of ,brace's loose and dangerous views1 and a girl who never so much as gave a thought to religion4 ,mrs4 ,carey pictured ,john gradually becoming more careless and worldly1 more cold in his affection towards herself1 more neglectful of his duty towards ,god4 ,the widow dreaded her son's being exposed to temptations from which she had no power to guard him1 temptations to which his easy1 unsuspicious nature would especially expose him4 ,oh6 ,if ,i could but have the comfort of knowing that my boy had given himself1 heart and soul1 to his ,god--,i think ,i could bear any hardship or trial6 sighed the widow1 as she sat thinking1 with her hand pressed over her eyes4 ,he's such a loving son1 such a brave1 noble1 generous man1 he has kept so steady1 he has worked so hard1 ,i don't wonder that he feels less than others might feel the need of a ,saviour to forgive1 and of the ,holy ,spirit to guide him4 ,but there's only one path that leads us to ,heaven1 and the ,lord ,himself has told us that that path is a narrow one4 ,we can't walk on it1 yet go on our own way1 we can't follow two guides at once who would take us in opposite directions2 and oh6 ,if we wilfully stray but ever so little from the path which ,god has marked out1 'tis in the nature of things that we should wander off farther and farther4 ,there's no standing still in the journey of life2 our course each day must be upward or downward1 and ,i'm afraid1 how sorely afraid1 that my darling is entering upon one that will not have a blessing upon it4 ,time passed on1 midnight was near2 ,mrs4 ,carey grew a little alarmed4 ,certainly ,john might have been tempted to tarry for the night in ,london1 which offered so many amusements1 but she had never known him do so before4 ,he might have been persuaded by ,dick ,brace to join some jovial party1 and sit drinking to a late hour2 the widow had never known ,john give way to intemperance1 but the doubt which would rise in her mind1 made her more uneasy and restless than ever4 ,at last the poor mother could no longer stop in her cottage1 suspense was more than she could bear2 she could not sleep1 she could not rest1 she lighted her little lamp and went forth into the darkness1 in the faint hope of meeting her son4 ,chill fell the night rain upon the slight form of the widow4 ,even to herself1 it seemed as if she were bound on a useless errand1 and yet her heart impelled her to go on4 ,her steps were on withered autumn leaves which the night wind blew over her path2 their rustle as they fell was the only sound which reached the ear of the mother4 ,twice she stopped and half resolved to go back1 then went on her dark dreary way4 ,presently the gaze of the widow fell on a dark object indistinctly seen on the road2 ,mrs4 ,carey's heart throbbed faster1 and she quickened her steps4 ,the light of her lamp fell on something which seemed at once to stop the beating of that heart altogether1 and to curdle the very blood in her veins6 ,then from her lips burst a loud wild cry for help1 a cry which startled and aroused sleepers in the cottage next to her own1 so piercing and shrill it sounded on the still midnight air4 ,in a few minutes1 but to the mother they seemed like hours1 forms were seen hurrying through the darkness1 and kindly voices answered the repeated cry for aid4 ,widow ,carey was found kneeling on the road by the senseless body of her son1 supporting his head upon her knees1 and1 with trembling fingers1 trying to staunch the blood which flowed from a deep gash in the young man's brow4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,sickness and ,sorrow4 ,a ,,time of heavy tribulation to the widow followed the horrors of that night4 ,john ,carey was not indeed killed1 the spark of life glimmered still1 but he lay for weeks in a dangerous state1 sometimes buried in stupor1 sometimes raving with fever1 never able to give a clear account of what had occurred4 ,it was evident that he had been the victim to violence2 the fact of his having gone to ,london to cash a cheque for a considerable sum was soon known far and wide1 and it was1 of course1 concluded that the young lion had been waylaid on his return home1 and robbed of the money4 ,search was made at once for the man who had committed the crime1 a reward was offered for his apprehension4 ,suspicion fell upon ,soames1 who was proved to have heard from ,john's own lips of the cheque1 and whose character and wretched circumstances made him appear one not unlikely to have committed an act of violence to save himself from destitution4 ,the sudden disappearance of ,soames from the neighbourhood confirmed the suspicion2 but the wretched man succeeded in eluding pursuit2 he was reserved to suffer1 at a later period1 the punishment due for other crimes4 ,in anguish1 the widow watched and prayed by the bedside of her suffering son1 imploring ,god1 day and night1 to spare his life and his reason4 ,the crisis was over at length2 the fever was subdued1 consciousness returned1 but the once powerful young man lay weak and helpless as a child4 ,his tawny locks shorn away1 the bandage over his brow1 his eye dim1 his cheek hollow1 who1 in that languid invalid1 would have recognised the young lion6 ,the doctor forbade any subject being mentioned to ,john that could produce excitement2 he must be kept as quiet as possible1 and have as much good wine and generous nourishment as he could take to restore his exhausted strength4 ,good wine1 generous nourishment6 ,how were they to be procured8 ,that question which she could not answer1 went to the mother's heart4 ,mrs4 ,carey had earned her livelihood by charing and washing1 but during her son's illness she had been unable to earn a sixpence by either1 nursing him had engaged all her time1 and taxed her utmost strength4 ,during the first fortnight1 his mother had felt the press of poverty but little2 ,john could hardly touch food1 the doctor had not sent in his bill1 much interest was excited in the neighbourhood1 little presents were received1 and the few tradesmen who supplied necessaries let their accounts run up1 without troubling the afflicted mother for immediate payment4 ,thus for a while1 as has been said1 ,mrs4 ,carey1 watching by the sick-bed of ,john1 and absorbed by the anxiety caused by his critical state1 felt no actual want of money4 ,but this did not last very long4 ,when ,john was once known to be likely to recover1 interest in his case grew weaker1 while the need for help grew greater4 ,the hunger of convalescence began just when the shelf was empty2 and bills came dropping in when not a sixpence was left in the purse4 ,the baker1 who had at first been all sympathy and bustling kindness1 shrugged his shoulders1 and threw out hints that a man in receipt of wages was bound to subscribe to a club1 and not leave the burden of his support during sickness to a widowed mother1 and neighbours who were willing enough to help1 but who had to care for families of their own4 ,dick ,brace1 over his glass of foaming ale1 observed that ,john ,carey had been a simpleton to travel at night with thirty pounds in his pocket1 and doubly a simpleton for having given notice in a low inn that he intended to do so4 ,mrs4 ,carey1 worn out with anxiety and watching1 her nerves shaken by lack of sleep1 her spirits depressed by debt and difficulties which thickened around her1 found it hard indeed to let patience have its perfect work1 and to place firm trust in the changeless love of ,him who so sorely tried her4 ,there are times in the experience of most ,pilgrims to ,heaven when darkness seems to be above and around them1 and the ,tempter whispers into their troubled ears1 ,god hath forgotten to be gracious4 ,the feeble body weighs down the soul1 the spirit can scarcely rise in prayer4 ,in such seasons of weakness and gloom1 how soothing these words of ,scripture6 ,who is among you that feareth the ,lord1 that obeyeth the voice of ,his servant1 that walketh1 in darkness and hath no light8 let him trust in the name of the ,lord1 and stay upon his ,god4 99 99 ,isaiah l4 #aj4 ,the widow could better have borne her outward trials1 her son's illness1 and the poverty which it brought with it1 had she been able to see any spiritual good arising from them to one who was dearer to her than life4 ,but it did not seem to ,mrs4 ,carey that affliction had brought ,john nearer to ,god4 ,when his brain had been excited by fever1 it was about ,dinah that he had raved2 and now1 though he spoke but little1 ,john had more than once dropped words which shewed that he had not given up his scheme of partnership with ,brace1 that he still looked forward to being joint-landlord with him of the little public-house near the brick field4 ,this grieved the widow beyond everything else4 ,she did not1 indeed1 fear that either ,dick or ,dinah would have much to do with a penniless man who might--and probably would--be unable to work for months yet to come2 but that ,john after all that had happened--after what seemed to his mother like a solemn warning from ,heaven--should persist in going on his own wilful way against the wishes of a parent who had almost broken down her health in nursing him1 nearly crushed his mother with grief4 ,one day 7it was the first day on which ,john had been able to sit up in a chair71 ,mrs4 ,carey placed before him the little dinner which she had obtained with difficulty1 and had prepared with the greatest care4 ,the pale1 gaunt man1 who looked the wreck of what he had been1 felt that strong craving for food which often follows long illness1 and the slender repast which his mother brought excited his impatience and scorn4 ,why1 mother1 you must think me a baby still1 exclaimed the invalid almost with anger4 ,is that spoonful of minced meat a dinner to put before a man who could devour a sirloin of beef8 ,and where is the wine which the doctor said ,i must have8 added ,john1 glancing impatiently round him4 ,my son1 answered the widow meekly1 ,i give you what ,i can1 not what ,i would8 ,she had herself not tasted meat for a fortnight4 ,what do you mean8 cried ,john4 ,you know as well as ,i do that ,i've plenty of money--there's all the legacy left by my uncle4 ,another pang to the heart of the mother6 ,she had often noticed before that ,john's illness had affected his memory1 but she had hoped of late that this was improving4 ,it was a bitter disappointment to find him thus1 as she thought1 forgetting the fact that he had been robbed as well as almost murdered4 ,what do you mean8 repeated the sick man with petulance4 ,and why do you look so sad8 ,my boy1 you know that you were robbed of your all six weeks ago1 said the widow4 ,not of a farthing6 cried ,john4 ,surely you cannot have gone on all this time without asking for the money8 ,he looked eagerly into the face of his mother1 who could hardly bear to meet his excited gaze4 ,you applied for it yourself1 dear ,john1 on that dreadful ,monday1 said she4 ,and got a cheque--but the cheque was not signed1 ,i could not cash it1 ,i could not get a farthing of the money6 exclaimed ,john1 with unusual animation4 ,go1 mother1 go directly to the ,justice1 ask him for the legacy which he has in charge--tell him that the cheque was not worth a nettle-leaf6 ,john's manner was becoming more excited1 for he read in his mother's face that she either did not understand1 or did not believe him4 ,i cannot go to ,justice ,burns and ask him for--for-- ,mrs4 ,carey did not finish the sentence aloud1 but thought for money which he doubtless has paid already4 ,the simple widow knew nothing about cheques1 had never seen one in her life1 and she feared that her son's fever was returning upon him4 ,if you do not go1 ,i must1 and will6 exclaimed ,john1 by a desperate effort starting to his feet1 and then sinking back exhausted on his seat4 ,oh6 ,my son1 ,i will do what you wish1 anything that you wish6 cried the anxious mother4 ,only promise that you will keep quiet1 and ,i will go at once to the ,justice4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,mother's ,errand4 ,,never had ,mrs4 ,carey gone more unwillingly on an errand4 ,it was not merely that--after being long shut up in a sick-room1 weakened by watching and fasting1 the fresh air made her feel giddy1 so that1 but for her husband's good staff1 she could scarcely have gone on her way2 but that she shrank with extreme dislike from making what she feared to be an unjust claim1 and naturally dreaded that1 by so doing1 she would arouse the anger of the ,justice1 whose irritable temper was well known in the village4 ,i'm sure that ,i shall never have the face to give him my poor son's message1 murmured the widow1 as she at last reached the ,justice's door1 and timidly rang the bell1 so timidly that the sound was not heard1 and she had to ring again4 ,would the ,justice be so kind as to see me1 just for two minutes1 said the poor woman1 when the butler at last appeared at the door4 ,the man glanced at the thin1 anxious face1 the shabby but decent mourning2 he felt pity for a widow who1 as he believed1 had come to ask for charity1 and who was not likely to receive it4 ,master does not care to see poor folk1 observed he2 there's no use coming to him4 ,perhaps if you were so kind as to give him my name1 ,widow ,carey1 he might let me have just a word with him2 ,i bring a message from my son4 ,your son1 what1 the poor fellow who was almost battered to pieces in the lane6 cried the butler4 ,just you wait here a little--there's no harm in taking in your name4 ,the butler was scarcely absent a minute1 but in that minute the poor widow had found time for a silent1 fervent prayer4 ,the ,justice will see you1 said the kindhearted man1 and ,mrs4 ,carey was ushered into the study4 ,the knees of the widow trembled under her1 partly from weariness1 partly from fear2 she grasped her staff more tightly1 and leant more heavily on it4 ,timidly she glanced at the ,justice as she entered his presence4 ,he was1 as when ,john had seen him1 bolstered with cushions and swathed with wraps1 but his fat swollen face looked more grave and annoyed than when young ,carey had come for his money4 ,how shall ,i ever dare to tell him what brings me here6 thought the widow4 ,justice ,burns was the first to speak1 which he did in a sharp decided tone4 ,i know what you've come for1 ,mrs4 ,carey4 ,he's clever--for ,i scarce know myself1 was the poor woman's silent reflection4 ,when a man's ill1 and worried with sleeplessness and pain1 continued the ,justice1 knitting his brows1 no one has a right to find fault1 if for once1 he make a stupid blunder4 ,i'm so glad--so thankful that you think so1 ,sir1 ,i'm sure you're very good1 began ,john's mother1 amazed that the ,justice should guess beforehand what she had come to say4 ,i hope then1 that you'll kindly forgive-- ,forgive--,i've nothing to forgive6 cried the ,justice1 surprised in his turn4 ,i never dreamed that the cheque had not been signed1 till two days ago ,i glanced over my bank-book1 and found that the thirty pounds had never been drawn by your son4 ,as ,i had concluded--like the rest of the world--that he had been robbed of that sum1 ,i wrote up to ,london to make inquiries1 and heard this morning that a countryman had presented an unsigned cheque in ,argyll ,street1 which1 of course1 had not been cashed4 ,i'll not trouble you again with cheque2 here's the money in good hard cash2 ,i'd have sent it1 had you not called2 the ,justice pushed across the table a canvass bag heavy with gold4 ,i suppose that you can give a receipt2 just count out the money1 and see that all's right4 ,to the surprise of the ,justice1 the poor widow1 instead of taking up the bag1 burst into tears4 ,the relief was so great1 so unexpected1 that1 weak as she was1 it quite overcame her4 ,well1 ,i see nothing to cry about1 said ,justice ,burns1 in a softened tone1 for1 selfish as he was1 even he had a kindly corner in his heart2 it was odd enough that ,i should have made such a blunder for the first time in my life1 but it was the rarest piece of luck for your son that ,i neglected to sign that cheque4 ,it was a blessing1 faltered the widow1 drying her eyes4 ,oh6 ,sir--it was all through ,god's blessing6 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,thinking over it4 ,,while his mother was putting on her bonnet before setting out on her errand1 ,john ,carey had finished the slender meal which appeared to leave him more hungry than before4 ,he had watched the widow as she had taken his father's staff from the corner to stay her feeble steps1 and it had then struck ,john1 for the first time1 how much his mother had aged since his illness1 how pale and weary she looked4 ,stay1 dear mother1 ,john had cried1 with a feeling of self-reproach2 you look so tired1 ,i can't bear to see it4 ,wait1 and we'll find some one else to send4 ,but the widow's only reply had been a faint smile1 as she had left the cottage on her errand for her son4 ,my mother has been half-killing herself for me1 ungrateful dog that ,i am1 muttered ,john1 his self-reproach growing stronger and stronger4 ,why1 what can she have been living on all these six weeks1 while ,i've been lying like a log in my bed8 ,i can see well enough in her face what she's been a-suffering for me1 without grudging1 without complaining1 bearing with all my ill temper1 nursing me night after night6 ,and what kind of a return do ,i make for it all8 ,did ,i not say to mother this very morning that ,i wanted to speak to ,dick ,brace about our little piece of business8 ,she only sighed--,i could see she was vexed2 but ,i let her be vexed rather1 than give up what ,i'd set my heart on4 ,i've sometimes thought1 continued ,john ,carey1 still muttering to himself1 ,i've sometimes thought that if ,i ever get well again--and now it's like as ,i may--,i'd turn to ,god1 serve ,him as my parents have served ,him1 and begin what mother calls a pilgrim's life in good earnest4 ,but if ,i did so--ah6 ,the first steps are those as be so hard to take6 ,if ,i did so--,i must honour and obey my mother1 as the ,bible tells me ,i should2 ,i must give up this pleasant plan of starting in business with ,brace1 ,i must give up the ',jolly ,ploughboys4' ',twould be a hard pull--it would6 ,john rubbed his chin2 thinking wearied him1 but he could not throw the subject off his mind4 ,i might give up ,dick ,brace and the business1 but that would not be the worst of it4 ,dinah ,dealtry6 thought ,john4 ,she would not look at a mere day-labourer--she would not live in a cottage like this with my mother6 ,he glanced with something like discontent around him at the humble home in which he had been born4 ,dinah has as good as told me that she'd ha' nothing to say to a man who could not offer her a house of her own4 ,if she wouldn't choose to live with mother1 mother wouldn't care to live with her2 them two could never get on together1 they've such different notions and ways4 ,john heaved a sigh of perplexity and vexation4 ,it seems as if ,i must choose between the two1 for ,i can't have both--that's clear2 and ,i must choose between the two paths also2 ,i know well enough which is the right one1 but--but--how thinking does make one's head ache--and one's heart too for the matter of that6 ,there are many who1 like ,john ,carey1 are quite convinced that the pilgrim's path is the right one1 the only path which can end in peace2 many who are almost persuaded to try it1 and who yet shrink back from the sacrifice of what conscience tells them that they must leave behind1 if they decide on following the ,lord fully in their daily walk through life4 ,it was from this hesitation1 from this indecision1 so dangerous to the soul1 that our ,lord would warn ,his servants when ,he spoke those solemn words3 ,if thy hand offend thee 7cause to offend7 cut it off2 it is better for thee to enter into life maimed1 than having two hands to go into hell4 99 ,things dear as a hand or an eye must be given up through ,god's helping ,grace1 if they keep us back from the narrow way which leads unto life eternal4 99 ,mark ix4 #dc4 ,john ,carey thought long1 and thought sadly2 his brain grew weary1 his mind confused1 till at length he could do no more than simply lift up his heart to ,god1 and ask for ,his ,spirit to guide him4 ,the once strong1 self-willed man was becoming more like the little child who knows his own weakness1 and turns to a parent for help and support4 ,john's solitude was suddenly broken by the sound of tramping footsteps without1 and then a loud rap from some one's knuckles on the outer door of the cottage4 ,the latch was lifted1 and ,dick ,brace entered with a quick1 bustling air4 ,he threw down a newly-killed pigeon on the table1 and greeted ,john in a loud hearty tone1 such as had not been heard for many weeks in that sick-room4 ,ha6 ,old fellow1 glad to see you about again1 though1 he added with an oath1 you look like one who's had to swim hard for life--they've cropt your mane1 and not left much of the 'young lion' about you4 ,i've brought a pigeon ,i've shot with a new gun ,i've been trying--no1 it's not worth talking about1 he added1 with a blustering awkwardness of manner1 as ,john seemed about to thank him for the bird4 ,and ,brace seated himself opposite to the invalid1 looking fidgety and somewhat embarrassed1 as ,john might have perceived1 had he not been too busy with his own thoughts to notice the manner of his companion4 ,you are just the man as ,i was a-wanting to see1 said young ,carey1 his pale face flushing with the effort of speaking2 ,i've something to say to ye1 ,dick1 and ,i'd better out with it at once4 ,you see1 ,i don't want to deal unhandsome by you--but about that partnership we meant to set up-- ,of course that affair went to smash when you were robbed of your tin1 interrupted ,dick ,brace2 one can't set up in business with only a shovel1 a spade1 and a hammer6 ,but ,i was not robbed1 began ,carey1 when again his companion cut him short4 ,besides1 ,i've been thinking1 said ,dick1 that two landlords would be one too many for the ',jolly ,ploughboys'--a landlady would be quite another thing2 so1 he added1 with an awkward little laugh1 ,i'm going to enter into partnership for life1 and ,i've found ,dinah ,dealtry quite willing to set up in business with me4 ,john's flushed face turned very pale2 this was the only sign of emotion which he gave4 ,he let not a word escape that might betray his secret to ,dick1 who1 having told his tale1 soon afterwards took his leave4 ,when ,widow ,carey came home1 full of thankful joy1 with the money1 she only thought her son unusually silent and grave--she believed that this was because he was weary1 but she did wonder not a little that his appetite should have so suddenly left him4 ,when ,mrs4 ,carey heard afterwards from the baker of ,dick's engagement to ,dinah1 the mother guessed what it had been that had cast a gloom over her son4 ,she never mentioned the girl's name to ,john1 and it never once passed his lips4 ,the young man felt that his prayer for guidance had been answered in wisdom and goodness1 but he could not feel thankful then for the blighting of earthly hopes4 ,but a time was coming when ,john ,carey could not only submit1 but rejoice that he had been kept from the path that he had wished to pursue2 when he could be grateful from the bottom of his heart for the blows which had nearly cost him his life1 for the sickness which had wasted his strength1 the disappointment which had wounded his heart4 ,this was when1 about a year afterwards1 he brought a bright1 happy young bride to his home1 and saw his mother's eyes beaming with pleasure almost as great as his own2 for ,jane was the girl of all others whom the pious widow would have chosen to dwell with her as the wife of her son4 ,you'll give us your blessing1 mother1 won't you8 asked ,john4 ,the widow took the strong hand which was held out to her1 joined it to ,jane's1 and pressed both to her happy heart4 ,oh6 ,my children1 she cried1 may ,god--your father's ,god--give you both grace to go on as you have begun1 walking hand in hand1 as pilgrims to a better home--cheering each other1 and helping each other on the way6 ,never forget that all earth can give is nothing without ,god's blessing2 that blessing gives peace and hope in this life1 to be followed by perfect bliss with ,him in whose presence is fulness of joy1 and in whose right hand are pleasures for evermore6 ,,an ,,heir ,,of ,,heaven ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,privilege4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,lonely ,cot4 ,,lonely was the little cottage in which dwelt ,silas ,mytton1 the hewer and chopper of firewood4 ,it stood in a corner of a heath1 with not another house near it1 and all the winds could sweep over it unchecked from every quarter4 ,it was a small patched-up place1 with one little window at the side of the door1 and above it another peeping from under the low thatched roof4 ,the cottage had been scarcely large enough to hold ,silas1 his wife1 and their five children2 but now ,mrs4 ,mytton was dead1 and the eldest boy had gone to sea4 ,the common looked pleasant enough in the summer1 when the blossoms on the flags showed like white feathers round the patches of water1 and the heather purpled the ground1 and yellow furze dotted it with gold1 and geese fed there1 and donkeys browsed1 and butterflies fluttered over the honied wild-flowers4 ,but a very dreary place looked the common in winter1 when the heath was brown1 and the blossoms dead1 and the patches of water grew broader and larger1 and all around them was swamp1 till sharp frost turned the water into ice1 and the north wind rushed wildly across the waste1 and covered it with snow4 ,mytton's cottage was then a dreary abode indeed1 for seldom did any one care to go near it1 and the wind not only swept over but through it1 at least so it seemed to the dwellers therein4 ,there was a little thatched out-house or shed in front of the cottage1 and from thence1 hour after hour1 as long as daylight lasted1 might be heard the sound of chopping up wood4 ,it was by this1 that ,mytton gained his living2 for1 except in harvest-time1 and then rarely1 he never worked as a day-labourer for any of the farmers around4 ,wood-chopping seemed to come as natural to the ,mytton family as flying does to birds1 or swimming to fishes4 ,mrs4 ,mytton had been chopping in the shed but the day before she died1 and on the evening after the poor woman's funeral1 when her sorrowing family returned from the churchyard1 they set to chopping again4 ,mytton might be seen constantly at work1 with his shirt-sleeves rolled up to his elbows1 showing his hairy freckled arms as he steadily plied the hatchet4 ,he was a hard-featured1 stern-looking man1 with rough grizzled chin1 and cheeks shaven but once a month1 and his appearance was that of one who had had a long struggle with want and care4 ,mytton's trials1 however1 had rather soured than subdued him2 he was a prouder man in his cottage than ,sir ,marmaduke in his castle4 ,the wood-chopper was wont to tell his children on winter evenings how his grandfather's grandfather had been a gentleman1 and a mighty rich one too1 who had owned more acres of land in ,shropshire than there were sedges round the pool2 who had kept twenty hunters in his stables1 and had gone up to ,london once every year in a family coach drawn by six fine grey horses4 ,the little ,myttons1 shivering in their cold cottage1 used to listen to their father's accounts of such grandeur in bygone days1 much as they would have listened to fairy stories4 ,they knew that they neither fared better1 nor worked the less hard1 because they bore the name of some grand squire who had lived at a time which seemed to them as far back as that of the ,deluge4 ,the fine family coach was to the young wood-choppers much the same kind of thing as that which ,cinderella's fairy in the story made out of a pumpkin4 ,when the tale had been told1 the cottage children went to their beds1 and thought very little more about the grandeur of olden times4 ,all but ,amy1 the eldest girl1 a shy and thoughtful child1 with large forehead and earnest brown eyes1 which seemed never to rest on the objects near her1 but to be looking for something beyond4 ,as ,amy's eyes1 so was her mind2 in her secluded cottage home1 the girl was living in a little world of her own4 ,when scrubbing the tile-floor1 or mending the linen1 or chopping wood 7for girls as well as boys passed most of their time at this work71 ,amy's thoughts were full of fancies suggested by her father's winter tales4 ,she was imagining the grand times come again--her father living in a turreted castle ten times as large as ,sir ,marmaduke's dwelling1 and her brothers--,silas1 ,ned1 and ,joe--each mounted on a prancing white horse with trappings of gold2 and her dear mother dressed out in satin and gems1 giving out loaves every ,sunday to hundreds and hundreds of the poor4 ,these were but foolish fancies1 and ,amy would have been ashamed to have told them to any one but little ,may1 her youngest sister1 who would open wide her blue eyes and think how delightful it would be to ride in a carriage1 and eat roast meat every day in the week6 ,amy's foolish day-dreams only lasted till the time when1 at a lady's request to her parents1 she attended a village school1 which was nearly two miles from her home4 ,then every day the little pale girl1 with her bag on her arm1 might be seen crossing the common4 ,amy was the quickest and most willing of scholars1 her lessons were always well learned1 she was ever ready with her answers1 and the teacher regarded as her best pupil1 the thin1 stunted1 sickly child1 who seemed to take in the meaning of everything with her eyes4 ,these were very happy times for poor ,amy1 though the walk to and from the school was almost too much for her strength1 and wearily she dragged her limbs along before she reached her father's cottage4 ,amy was ill-clad and ill-fed1 her frame had never been hardy2 with her nothing seemed to grow but her mind4 ,at the age of twelve1 which was hers when my story opens1 ,amy was little taller1 and scarcely as heavy1 as her sister ,may1 who was but half that age4 ,amy's happy school-days had not lasted for long4 ,after the sudden death of her mother1 the eldest girl of ,mytton could no longer be spared from home4 ,she must1 young and fragile as she was1 do the cleaning and cooking1 the washing and mending1 and help with the chopping besides4 ,amy never complained1 and seldom cried except at night when every one else was sleeping1 but she felt her mother's loss keenly4 ,she felt also her own weak health1 for her strength was ebbing away day by day4 ,still the poor child went on with her labour as long as her small thin fingers could work2 till one day she almost fainted in the shed1 and never more was the chopper to be lifted by ,amy ,mytton4 ,she did what she could in the cottage1 but that little grew less and less2 a terrible cough racked her frame2 her head drooped as if its weight were too much for her strength to support1 her appetite totally failed her1 and ,amy could never keep herself warm4 ,mytton did not appear to see the change in his daughter1 or1 if he did1 it aroused his impatience1 not his tenderness2 indeed there was little of tenderness in the nature of ,silas ,mytton4 ,i wish that you would get rid of that trick of barking1 child6 would be the almost angry exclamation of the father1 when disturbed by the cough which had broken ,amy's rest half through the night4 ,if1 when he drove his bundles of wood in a donkey-cart to the town1 any one who knew poor ,amy inquired after her health1 ,oh6 she's well enough1 he would say4 ,or1 if he could not say that1 ,mytton's answer would be1 ,the child's a bit pinched with the cold1 but she'll be all right in the spring4 ,but spring came1 and ,amy was not all right3 the ,march winds seemed to chill her slight frame1 even more than the hard frosts of winter4 ,with a bitter spirit ,mytton saw his pale1 patient little girl gradually fading away4 ,if she'd common comforts1 she would do well enough1 he would mutter4 ,if she had a rich man for her father1 she'd not live in a cottage which lets the wind in like a sieve1 she'd be wrapped up in velvets and shawls1 and have a score of doctors1 and they'd soon get the little one round4 ,mytton fell into the common mistake of thinking that money could do everything1 and this had the effect of filling his soul with malice and envy towards those better off in the world than himself1 as if what the rich possessed were something taken from the poor4 ,mytton had the savage feelings of a man who thinks that he has been pushed out of a place which is his by right1 and ,amy learned to dread anything recalling to her parent what his grandfather's grandfather had been in the past1 for it always put him out of humour with everything in the present4 ,mytton would growl at his hard fare1 abuse every one above him in social position1 or1 if he were in a silent mood1 hack savagely at his wood1 looking as if it were by no means the only thing which he would willingly chop into pieces4 ,amy's brothers and little sister were so much accustomed to hear her cough1 and see her feeble and sickly1 that it never entered their minds that her illness might end in death4 ,they had never known ,amy strong1 and the change in her was so gradual1 that the children who were with her day after day scarcely noticed it at all4 ,one ,march morning1 however1 little flaxen-haired ,may came to her sister with a perplexed and rather troubled expression on her round1 chubby face4 ,amy1 she said1 laying her thick sun-browned fingers on the wasted hand of her sister1 when ,mrs4 ,gapp was here about the wood1 what do you think ,i heard her a-saying to her husband 'bout you8 ,what was it1 dear8 asked ,amy4 ,she looked at you sad-like and said1 7she didn't know ,i was a-hearing17 ',she's not long for this world1' says she1 and ,gapp1 he answered nothing1 but he nodded his head so gravely4 ,amy1 what did she mean8 ,a light delicate flush rose on the pale cheek of ,amy1 and a strange brightness came into her eyes4 ,she raised them for a moment towards the blue sky1 and then turned them earnestly1 not sadly1 on her young sister4 ,did she say that8 asked ,amy1 softly4 ,what did it mean8 repeated ,may4 ,that ,i may soon go--where dear another has gone1 murmured ,amy1 folding her thin little hands1 and again glancing up at the sky4 ,may1 child as she was1 was startled at the words and the look2 for the first time it flashed across her mind that her sister must be very ill4 ,you must not go--you shall not go--we can't spare you--we can't do without you6 cried ,may1 throwing her arms around her sister1 as though to imprison her in their tight1 loving embrace4 ,one thought possessed the mind of the little rustic for all the rest of that day1 how could she make ,amy well8 ,the child was chidden by her father for being hours absent from the wood-shed1 after some mischief1 as he said1 when poor ,may had only been employing her clumsy fingers in stitching up her own pinafore into a pillow-case1 and tearing up paper to stuff it1 so that ,amy's languid head--that head which so often was aching--might have a cushion to rest on4 ,it was with great triumph that ,may carried her pillow to ,amy in the evening2 to have made it all by herself was a feat1 to have invented it was an effort of genius1 and the child thought that her cushion must work a wonderful charm on her suffering sister4 ,is it not nice--does it not make you feel so comfy8 asked ,may1 as she placed her somewhat flat and limp paper cushion over the back of the wooden chair upon which ,amy was seated4 ,it is very nice1 very comfy1 ,i shall prize it so dearly1 for it is stuffed with love1 replied the sick girl1 with a faint but pleasant smile4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,treasure ,found4 ,,on a bright sunny morning in the beginning of ,april1 ,silas ,mytton harnessed his donkey to the cart1 and led it to the shed1 where he and his two younger sons loaded the cart with the bundles of wood on the sale of which their livelihood depended4 ,the air was mild2 ,amy's chair was dragged by ,may to the doorway1 where the sunbeams came streaming in2 and there the little invalid sat watching her father and her brothers1 ,joe1 the elder of the two boys1 standing in the cart to receive the bundles that were tossed up to him1 and pile the firewood in something like order4 ,it was always with goodwill that the boys helped to load the wood-cart1 for on the days when it went to the town1 the noise of chopping was silenced1 and the axe and knife might lie still on the block in the shed4 ,hard work they've cost us1 and little enough they'll bring us6 muttered ,mytton1 as the last bundle was put on the top of the rest4 ,he gave a blow with his stick to the patient donkey to make it move on1 and slowly the wood-cart creaked along the rough road across the common1 ,silas ,mytton walking beside it4 ,may followed it awhile with her eyes1 and then ran up to her sister4 ,amy1 you're better1 much better6 cried the affectionate child4 ,i know you'll soon be quite well4 ,what makes you think so8 asked ,amy4 ,oh your eyes are so bright1 and you look so happy--happier than you ever have looked since mother died1 and ,silas went off to sea4 ,i am happy1 ,i was having such pleasant thoughts1 said ,amy4 ,i daresay you was telling yourself a nice story1 such as you used to tell me1 observed ,may1 about our being very rich and grand1 and wearing--oh ,i such fine clothes6 ,very different from this old thing6 added the child1 laughing1 as she touched her father's fustian jacket1 which lay across ,amy's knee4 ,the sick girl had been attempting to put a patch on one of the sleeves1 but the weight even of an old garment wearied her wasted arms1 and she had put it down on her lap4 ,i was thinking of royal robes--white and shining1 like those beautiful clouds up yonder1 said ,amy1 softly1 and crowns all glittering like the dew on the grass1 when the sun is shining upon it4 ,for us to wear8 asked ,may4 ,yes1 for us to wear1 replied ,amy2 and again that expression of peace and joy which1 had struck her little sister before1 lighted up the sick girl's sunken features4 ,oh6 ,amy1 ,i want you to tell me a story1 like as you used to do1 cried ,may1 with eager pleasure4 ,there's father gone away with the cart1 ,joe and ,davy are off to see if they can't find a bird's nest in some hedge-row1 there's no one here but you and me1 and won't we be cosy together6 ,i'm going to make another pillow1 for that one's got a bit flat2 7rather flat it had been from the first1 notwithstanding being often beaten up by the thick little fingers that had made it47 ,look1 ,i'll bring the three-legged stool and sit at your feet1 continued the child2 but first ,i'll run and get some paper to tear up into bits--,i know where ,i can find some1 quite enough for a tiny pillow4 ,away ran the little cottager1 cheerful and blithe as the bee that was humming over the common on that sweet morning in early spring4 ,her fears for her sister had quite passed away--childhood is seldom long burdened with cares4 ,and the discovery of an old bag which might1 with very little trouble1 be turned into a tiny pillow-case had sufficed to make ,may quite happy4 ,the child soon returned to ,amy1 holding up with one hand her print dress1 so as to enable her to early in it a supply of loose pieces of paper1 which she intended to tear into fragments for stuffing1 while with the other hand she dragged the three-legged stool which was to serve as her seat4 ,i must take care that the wind does not blow all my paper away6 cried ,may1 as the breeze which she met at the cottage door sent some fragments fluttering behind her4 ,i'll sit with my back to it--just here2 or1 stay--please hold my papers for me1 ,amy1 while ,i run for the bag to put the little bits into as fast as ,i tear them up1 or they'll be blown all over the common4 ,when ,may returned with the bag1 she found ,amy eagerly looking over the papers which had been left in her charge4 ,oh6 ,may1 darling1 where did you find these8 exclaimed ,amy1 without raising her eyes from her occupation1 as soon as she heard the step of her little sister4 ,in the boys' room1 replied ,may2 them papers was all turned out of the old box that ,joe made into the hen-roost2 it was full of dirty old papers that warn't no use to nobody4 ,no use6 exclaimed ,amy1 with unwonted energy4 ,oh6 ,may1 look--look--here are leaves from a ,bible1 from ,god's own ,word6 ,i am so happy1 so thankful to get them6 ,and the sick girl pressed a fragment1 yellow with age1 to her lips4 ,i thought you'd a whole ,bible of your own--what you got at the school as a prize1 said ,may1 who did not share1 nor understand the pleasure of her sister on finding a few torn leaves4 ,i gave it to ,silas1 'twas my parting present1 and oh6 ,how ,i've longed for a sight of a ,bible since6 exclaimed ,amy1 whose affection for her brother had led her to make what had been to her a sacrifice indeed4 ,and now ,god sends me these precious papers6 ,let's gather out every piece1 ,may1 that has any of the ,word printed upon it4 ,not such a little scrap as this surely1 said ,may1 picking up a small fragment that had fallen on the ground4 ,let us see what that little scrap holds1 said ,amy1 and taking it from ,may she read aloud1 'an inheritance undefiled1 and that fadeth not away1 reserved in heaven for'-- 99 ,here the paper was torn1 it contained but a part of a verse4 ,but the gaze of ,amy rested on it with joy as she cried1 ,may1 ,may1 these few words describe what we look for1 long for1 the ,home prepared up above6 99 #a ,peter i4 #d4 ,i don't know what they mean1 said ,may2 what is that long word ''heritance8' ,it has something to do with coming into property1 ,i think1 replied ,amy4 ,don't you remember what father said yesterday evening about the great inheritance in ,shropshire which some one of our name had a long long time ago8 ,oh6 ,that meant the great house1 with all the hundreds and thousands of acres about it that we hear about1 but never see6 laughed ,may4 ,but we believe--we believe that there is such place1 said ,amy4 ,i don't care much about it1 for ,i know ,i shall never have it6 cried ,may4 ,but if you believed that you might have it1 that you certainly would have it one day1 that it had been bought and was reserved--that means kept for you1 would you care then8 asked ,amy1 with an eagerness which brought on a violent fit of coughing4 ,it was some time before she had recovered her breathing sufficiently to enable her to go on with the conversation4 ,as soon1 however1 as ,amy could speak1 she continued1 but in a fainter tone1 ,now1 ,may1 this is just what ,i believe about the inheritance in ,heaven1 undefiled1 and that fadeth not away4 ,i believe that there is a bright1 happy1 glorious ,home which the ,lord ,jesus bought for us1 for me1 for you1 with ,his own precious blood1 and which ,he is keeping for us1 until ,he has made us ready to enter in1 and dwell there for ever4 ,you mean when we die8 said ,may very gravely1 looking full into the pallid face of her sister2 the fear which she had dismissed was rising up again in the mind of the child4 ,oh6 ,what is dying to a ,christian6 ,it is going home--getting possession1 cried ,amy1 faintly but joyfully4 ,his treasure is in ,heaven1 and he is going to enjoy it6 ,you should have heard1 ,may1 how our teacher used to speak of the beautiful land above6 ',there fairer bowers than ,eden bloom1 ,nor sin nor sorrow see--' ,again the cough interrupted the words of the young invalid4 ,amy1 after the fit was over1 leaned back on her pillow in a state of exhaustion4 ,may ran and brought her some water2 ,amy drank it1 and smiled4 ,you must not speak1 it makes you cough so1 said ,may4 ,i mayn't have much time left for speaking1 darling1 faltered ,amy2 and ,i wish so much to tell you things that may make you happy1 as ,i am1 when ,god has taken me up to my ,home4 ,may1 what does it matter now to that ,mytton who lived so long long ago that he was so rich and so great1 had servants and horses in plenty1 and all else that money could get6 ,he had his inheritance1 but he could not keep it1 he could not take anything with him into his grave4 ,but he may have been a good man1 observed ,may1 some rich people are good1 you know4 ,if he was a real1 true ,christian1 as ,i hope he was1 said ,amy1 then he left his earthly inheritance for one ten million times better6 ,see1 ,may1 see1 here is another description of it in this leaf torn from the ,bible2 listen how beautiful it is3 ',the street of the city was pure gold1 as it were transparent glass4 ,and ,i saw no temple therein1 for the ,lord ,god ,almighty and the ,lamb are the temple of it4 ,and the city had no need of the sun1 neither of the moon to shine in it2 for the glory of ,god did lighten it1 and the ,lamb is the light thereof4' 99 99 ,rev4 xxi4 #ba1 #bb1 #bc4 ,who is the ,lamb8 asked ,may1 who had listened with a kind of wondering awe4 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 replied ,amy1 pronouncing the sacred ,name with reverence4 ,he is called the ,lamb1 because as a lamb was killed by the ,jews in the old-old times as a sacrifice for sin1 so the ,blessed ,saviour was killed as a ,sacrifice for the sins of all mankind4 ,he is 'the ,lamb of ,god that taketh away the sins of the world4' ,that is the wonderful history which ,i used to read in my ,bible4 ,may1 the ,lord suffered1 willingly suffered all the pain that cruel men could inflict1 that ,he might wash away our sins1 and make us the heirs of ,heaven4 ,was not that wonderful love6 ,he lay1 as a ,babe1 in a manger1 and died1 as a ,man1 on a cross1 that we might dwell in glorious mansions and live for ever and ever4 ,was not that love--oh6 ,such love6 ,john i4 #bi4 ,amy closed her eyes1 and ,may1 glancing up at her sister1 could see that their lashes were moist with tears4 ,the little child laid her hand upon ,amy's4 ,we will love the ,lord too1 said she4 ,amy opened her eyes1 and1 smiling on ,may1 softly murmured1 ',we love ,him because ,he first loved us4' 99 ,it is so sweet to love the ,lord ,jesus1 and rest on ,his love2 to serve ,him now1 and then see ,him1 as ,i hope to do--very soon4 99 #a ,john iv4 #ai4 ,there was nothing more said on the subject at that time4 ,may busied herself in carefully separating every fragment of the torn ,bible from the rest of the papers which she had brought1 putting the holy words1 as she called them1 into her bag4 ,amy intended to stitch them all carefully together1 to keep as a treasure1 when she should have strength to sort and arrange them4 ,in the meantime1 the few verses which she had read to ,may were as manna for her soul to feed on4 ,in her coarse1 faded black print dress1 seated at the door of her humble home1 with deadly sickness upon her1 the cottager's child felt happy and rich2 was she not1 through redeeming love1 an heir of the kingdom of light and glory8 ,yea1 far firmer than the mountains stands the promise of ,christ to the lowly believer1 ,blessed are the poor in spirit1 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4 ,matt4 v4 #c4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,search4 ,,how late father is of coming back1 cried ,joe1 as he entered the cottage1 flushed and heated1 after a long ramble with his brother4 ,sunburned little peasants were they1 clad in coarse garments which1 with their rough wear1 gave plenty of work to ,amy's thin fingers4 ,you've been a-clamberin' and scrambling about1 observed little ,may4 ,joe1 your smock is torn right down the side1 and1 ,david1 the brim is nigh off your straw hat--a bit o' yer hair is sticking through4 ,you'll give a stitch or two1 and make the old thing hold together6 cried ,david1 tossing the hat to ,amy4 ,it ain't fit for a scarecrow4 ,that rich old ,mytton1 as father talks on1 he'd ha' stared could he ha' seen what his grand-grand-children would ha' come to6 ,oh6 ,that old ,mytton1 ,i think he was the man in the moon6 laughed ,joe4 ,i don't believe a word about that big carriage and six grey horses4 ,but ,i say1 what's become of father1 ,i thought he'd ha' been back afore now4 ,i hope father's sold the wood1 or won't he be in a way1 and won't we catch it6 cried ,may4 ,he was going not only to sell but to buy at the town1 observed ,amy4 ,father promised to get a nice new bit of print for you1 ,may1 for ,i told him ,i'd mended and patched that frock of yours as long as ,i could1 but that now it's all coming to pieces1 let me do what ,i will1 it's so old4 ,i don't think as how it ever was new6 cried ,joe4 ,you wore it at first yourself as long back as ,i can remember1 ,amy4 ,ah6 ,there's father coming6 ,i can see him over the common6 exclaimed ,may eagerly1 for the purchase of a new frock was a great event to the child4 ,and there's no wood left in the cart1 ,i'm glad of that1 observed ,david4 ,but sure ,dobbin must be lame1 he's a-going so slow4 ,there's father a-whacking him well2 but he don't go much the faster4 ,the sound of ,mytton's blows on the back of the patient1 plodding creature always gave pain to ,amy's kindly heart4 ,she would never have willingly inflicted pain on any of ,god's creatures1 least of all upon one that had long and faithfully served her4 ,the children went out to meet their father1 all but ,amy1 who was so feeble that to rise unaided from the chair upon which she was seated was an effort almost beyond her strength4 ,the poor girl could tell from the tone of ,mytton's voice before he entered the cottage that he was out of temper1 and inclined to quarrel with all the world4 ,take the beast out of the cart1 boys2 he's not worth the thistles that he crops6 ,i don't believe ,i could get five shillings for the lazy brute if ,i sold him to-morrow4 ,and there was ,sir ,marmaduke1 with his two spanking bays1 continued ,mytton1 as he crossed the threshold of his humble little dwelling1 whirling along the highway1 covering me with his dust1 and nigh driving over cart1 donkey1 and all2 a fellow whose grandfather was a manufacturer1 and spun all his money out of sheep's wool6 ,mytton threw himself down on a seat1 pulled off his felt cap1 and wiped his heated brow with his hand2 a handkerchief was a thing of which he did not boast the possession4 ,did you buy the print for me1 father8 cried ,may1 who had followed ,mytton into the cottage4 ,no1 the man answered sharply4 ,oh6 ,you forgot it6 exclaimed ,may1 in a tone of disappointment4 ,i didn't forget it1 ,i was in the shop1 the fellow behind the counter was just going to serve me1 when a fine open carriage pulls up at the door1 and ,sir ,marmaduke flings the horses' reins to his liveried lackey and gets out4 ,of course1 ,i had to stand back to let the fine gentleman pass1 ,i whose ancestor kept a coach-and-six1 when he1 maybe1 was a-running barefoot behind it6 ,mytton looked unutterable scorn as he spoke4 ,he'd come to ask after the yellow satin he'd ordered for his drawing-room curtains2 yellow satin1 forsooth6 ,every yard of it costing as much as ,i'd earn in a week by my labour6 ,i didn't choose to stand there waiting till a sneak of a shopman had done bowing and fawning and smiling to the great man1 whose fortune had sprung up like a mushroom1 so ,i turned on my heel and went out4 ,i'm as good a man as ,sir ,marmaduke any day1 for all his swaggering pride6 ,any one who had seen the sneer on the lip of the peasant might have guessed1 and would have guessed truly1 that there was more of pride under his blue smock1 than swelled the heart of the wealthiest peer in the land4 ,in a savage spirit of discontent1 ,mytton cut a thick hunch of bread from the loaf which ,amy had spread ready for him1 and a slice from the piece of stale cheese4 ,there was no grace said before dinner by ,mytton1 indeed thanksgiving would have keen a mockery from one who looked upon himself as wronged1 because he had been born in a station as lowly as that which the ,lord of ,heaven1 when ,he came to visit earth1 had chosen for ,his own4 ,mytton ate his bread and cheese in gloomy silence1 which his daughters were afraid to break2 the two boys were lingering outside with the donkey4 ,presently ,joe thrust in his flaxen poll at the door1 and said1 ,there be a yellow post chaise coming 'cross the common4 ,and ,may ran out to look at it1 either because any kind of conveyance was a rarity in that place1 or because the presence of one stern irritable man made the cottage uncomfortable4 ,the thoughts of ,amy had wandered far-away from the scene before her1 when they were suddenly recalled to earth by an exclamation from her father1 who was seated opposite to the open door4 ,why--the chariot is stopping here6 cried ,mytton4 ,a bald-headed gentleman put his head out of the carriage window4 ,can you tell me1 little girl1 if any one of the name of ,mytton lives in this neighbourhood8 said he1 addressing himself to ,may1 who stood with her chubby finger in her mouth1 staring at instead of answering the stranger4 ,that be my father1 said ,joe1 grinning with wonder that any one coming in a yellow chariot should wish to see him4 ,is any one wanting me8 asked ,silas1 rising and going forth from his cottage1 for in that quiet spot every word spoken had been heard in the dwelling4 ,instead of replying1 the gentleman opened the door of the chaise and got out4 ,i thought1 from the description given me1 that this must be the place1 ,sharp1 said he to a younger man who directly followed him4 ,mytton looked a little surly1 like an ,englishman who feels that his cottage is his castle1 and wishes to know on what errand strangers come1 before he welcomes or admits them4 ,have you any business with me1 sir8 he inquired4 ,i have a little business1 my good man1 which can best be transacted within doors4 ,my name is ,garway--,i am from ,london4 ,can ,i have a little talk with you8 asked the gentleman4 ,and1 taking ,mytton's silence for consent1 he and his companion entered the cottage1 followed by ,silas and the wondering group of his children4 ,pray don't disturb yourself--an invalid1 ,i fear1 said ,mr4 ,garway1 motioning courteously to ,amy1 who had attempted to rise on his entrance to offer one of the strangers her chair4 ,the lawyers1 for such they were1 then seated themselves on high wooden stools which ,mytton had made himself1 and the younger man produced1 to the surprise of the children1 not only a large pocket-book1 but an ink-bottle and steel pen1 and pushing aside the fragments of bread and cheese on the table1 placed his writing materials upon it1 evidently preparing to take notes4 ,this looked like business indeed4 ,can you inform me1 said ,mr4 ,garway to ,silas1 whether you are in any way1 however remotely1 connected with the ancient family of the ,myttons of ,oaklands1 in ,shropshire4 ,the question brought the blood to the swarthy cheek of the hewer of wood4 ,my grandfather's grandfather was the owner of the finest place in that county1 said he4 ,the children glanced curiously at the strangers1 half expecting them to laugh at such a boast from so poor a man as their father2 but they both looked perfectly grave1 and ,mr4 ,sharp dipped his pen1 and wrote something in his book4 ,from what source do you derive your information--,i mean1 how do you know the fact which you assert8 inquired ,mr4 ,garway4 ,i have heard my grandfather speak about it often1 when ,i was a boy1 answered ,silas2 he died afore ,i was ten years old4 ,mr4 ,sharp set down the reply4 ,but have you only oral--,i mean1 do you only draw upon your own memory8 asked the lawyer4 ,can you trace up the family links which connect you with ,hugh ,mytton1 who lived in the reign of ,queen ,anne8 ,have you any proofs to give that you are descended from him8 ,may ,i be bold1 sir1 to ask why you put these questions8 asked ,mytton1 the strong brawny fist which he was resting on the table actually trembling with nervous excitement4 ,it may be of consequence to you1 my good friend1 that ,i should know all that you can tell me4 ,i put these questions in no spirit of idle curiosity4 ,the fact is1 that the last inheritor of ,oaklands1 in the direct line1 has died1 and there is considerable difficulty in tracing out to whom the succession legally belongs4 ,the little rustics stared at each other2 they could not understand the lawyer's long words1 but they could see that they powerfully excited their father4 ,the veins in his forehead swelled1 his hand trembled more than before4 ,a dim idea dawned on the minds of the young ,myttons that the fairy tale of the coach and six horses might turn out to be true after all6 ,now1 let me ask you again1 continued ,mr4 ,garway4 ,have you any means of proving your descent from ,hugh ,mytton of ,oaklands8 ,i remember my grandfather telling me all about him forty years ago1 as well as if it were yesterday1 stammered forth ,mytton4 ,ah--you remember1 but that's not quite enough4 ,can you tell me the names of your grandfather's parents1 when they lived1 and at what church they were married8 ,silas rubbed his brow1 passed his fingers through his hair--looked first to the right1 and then to the left--but could make no reply to the question4 ,it was very clear that his memory could not go beyond his grandfather1 and the tales which the old man had told4 ,he was unable to declare1 with certainty1 even where his own parents had been married4 ,mytton could give no distinct evidence on any point1 except as to his having heard in his childhood of the great property in ,shropshire1 owned by one of his ancestors1 who used to go up to ,london once a year in a coach drawn by six fine grey horses4 ,but have you no documents1 no certificates1 no family papers of any kind8 asked ,mr4 ,sharp1 upon whose steel pen the ink had dried1 while his companion was vainly trying to draw information from ,mytton4 ,mytton caught at the lawyer's suggestion1 as a drowning man might at a rope4 ,there was a box holding papers somewhere1 cried he4 ,yes1 in our room1 said ,joe4 ,fetch it--bring it at once6 cried both the lawyers and ,mytton1 speaking together4 ,can't1 it's a hen-coop now1 muttered the boy1 shrinking back1 alarmed at the fierce expression on the face of his father4 ,you little dog-- began the enraged man1 but ,mr4 ,garway stopped his explosion of rage with a gesture of the hand4 ,softly1 friend1 let me question the boy1 he said4 ,if the box has been made into a hen-coop1 what have you done1 let me ask1 with the papers it contained8 ,i han't done nothin' with 'em1 faltered ,joe1 giving a timid sidelong glance at his father4 ,yes1 you patched the window-pane1 said little ,may1 pointing to the casement in which more than one pane held more of paper than of glass4 ,mr4 ,sharp instantly rose1 went up to the window1 and carefully examined the paper2 then shook his head1 and returned to his seat4 ,it1 is desirable that every fragment of old papers which the box contained should1 if possible1 be recovered1 observed ,mr4 ,garway4 ,i would have the strictest search made for them at once4 ,off started ,joe and ,david1 almost before the sentence was finished2 they were only too glad to make their escape from the room1 and their ambitious hopes were awakened by the gentlemen evidently setting great value upon what had seemed worthless to them4 ,i has1 began ,may1 and stopt short in fear4 ,you have what1 little woman8 asked ,sharp4 ,bits in my bag1 whispered the child4 ,mytton eagerly snatched the bag from her arm1 and emptied its contents on the table2 turning-the bag inside out1 to make sure that no scrap should escape his notice4 ,he turned over the soiled printed leaves with evident disappointment4 ,only bits of an old ,bible1 no use at all1 he muttered4 ,i beg your pardon1 my good man1 said ,mr4 ,garway2 it by no means follows that an old family ,bible1 of which these leaves appear to have formed a part1 should be of no use to us in our search4 ,many persons keep family records of births and marriages in the blank page of their ,bibles1 and if this-- ,ha6 ,look here6 interrupted ,mr4 ,sharp1 catching up a yellow three-cornered morsel of paper with writing upon it1 which had got mixed up with the printed portions4 ,here is '--ried ,june #a1 #agad1' doubtless this is part of an old record of marriage4 ,if we could only discover the rest of the page from which that was torn1 cried ,mr4 ,garway4 ,i should not wonder if we found that we had got hold of the right clue at last4 ,diligent search was made amongst the papers which ,may had put into her bag1 but not another scrap could be found to match that three-cornered bit4 ,the whole cottage--upstairs and downstairs--was searched2--the shed1 the yard1 the dust-hole1 the hen-coop1 every likely and unlikely spot was hunted over for paper1 and papers were found1 but the lawyers1 after examination1 shook their heads at them all4 ,the ,mytton family were in a state of violent excitement1 all except one pallid girl who sat by the window1 almost unnoticed1 because too feeble to join in the search4 ,the extreme anxiety to find a page taken from a family ,bible1 a page which might possibly help to prove a right to an earthly inheritance1 sadly contrasted with the utter indifference felt as regarded the heavenly inheritance to which ,god's ,word skews the believer's claim4 ,but that indifference was not shared by ,amy3 the scene of bustle around her suggested holy thoughts to her mind4 ,while ,silas and the lawyers were eagerly peering over fragments of papers brought by the younger ,myttons1 the words of a hymn1 like soft1 low1 music1 were breathing peace into ,amy's soul4 ,when ,i can read my title clear ,to mansions in the skies1 ,i'll bid farewell to every fear4 ,and wipe my weeping eyes4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,earthly ,hope4 ,,the sun's red rim had just sunk over the common2 evening would soon close in1 nothing had been found1 save that one little scrap1 which could possibly help even a keen lawyer in finding a clue4 ,the strangers rose to depart1 sorry to have had their trouble for nothing2 the boys were quaking at thoughts of what would follow after the gentlemen had left2 for a thunder cloud of gloom had gathered on the face of their father1 and the children could read that face too well to expect to escape a storm4 ,may was standing close by ,amy's chair1 when1 after a severe fit of coughing1 her sister bent down towards her and whispered1 ,may1 ,i have just thought of something2 is not my pillow stuffed with paper8 ,oh6 ,please--please don't say nothing about it6 was the anxious whispered reply1 ,father will whack me well for tearing it up into such little bits4 ,i will try not to bring you into trouble2 but ,i think that we ought to tell father1 said ,amy4 ,mr4 ,garway had risen1 and was putting on his hat1 as he turned to nod a kindly good-bye to the sick young girl4 ,amy1 with a painful effort1 drew the pillow from under her head and said faintly1 ,perhaps this had better be looked at1 it is stuffed with pieces of paper4 ,why did you not tell that before8 exclaimed ,mytton with anger4 ,and in a moment1 his rough hand had torn up poor ,may's work from the top to the bottom1 and scattered its contents in a little heap on the table4 ,plenty of fragments of old manuscripts here1 said ,garway1 whose quick eye instantly detected the yellowish hue and the peculiar fabric of many of the morsels of paper4 ,ah6 ,i should not wonder if this matched our three-cornered bit1 cried ,sharp1 pouncing upon a tiny piece which held but three letters1 mar4 ,he placed the two fragments together1 they fitted exactly4 ,mytton uttered an exclamation of triumph4 ,we must carefully search over all these bits of paper1 observed ,garway1 and fit in the fragments1 if we can1 like pieces of a dissected map4 ,but this tedious work will take hours1 if not days1 and we have already been here for a considerable time4 ,we will take away this heap of little scraps1 and pursue the occupation at our leisure4 ,i beg your pardon1 genl'men1 but not one bit of paper shall go out of this cottage6 cried ,mytton1 to whom it seemed as if the fortunes of himself and his family had all been sewn up in that pillow4 ,search here till doomsday1 if you like it1 but ,i'll not have a scrap of that there heap taken out of my sight4 ,expostulation was in vain2 the hewer of wood1 feverish with ambitious hopes1 would not trust his treasure to the care of the lawyers4 ,the hunt for yellowish scraps1 which were carefully collected and put together1 went on till darkness closed in1 and then the lawyers re-entered their conveyance1 and drove off to take their dinner at the nearest inn1 promising to return in an hour4 ,during the time of their absence1 ,mytton1 never so much as raising his eyes from his occupation1 went on as if life depended on success1 setting one little scrap by another1 and muttering savage words1 which made ,amy's blood run cold1 about the folly which had torn into fragments that which might be of such priceless value4 ,it was well for the children that ,mytton was too busy with his heap of small scraps1 to vent his anger in anything but words4 ,it was nearly two hours before the lawyers returned1 and there they found ,mytton1 just where they had left him1 bending over the table1 and anxiously examining the stuffing of ,mary's pillow by the dull light of a tallow dip4 ,the children had all gone to bed1 for ,amy's cough had irritated her father1 whose nerves were painfully on the strain4 ,and ,may1 after many a long1 weary yawn1 having fallen asleep on the floor1 had been roughly wakened1 and sent upstairs4 ,the lawyers brought clearer light and sharper intelligence to the work before them1 which was pursued till far into the night4 ,with the help of a little paste1 all the scraps which could be made to fit into each other were arranged into something like order4 ,at last1 nearly half of the flyleaf of the family ,bible1 with its record in different handwritings of births1 marriages1 and deaths1 stretching over more than a hundred and fifty years1 was patched together--the rest of the leaf had been irrecoverably lost4 ,the lawyers left the cottage weary and sleepy2 ,mytton went to his pallet bed1 weary1 indeed1 but so restless that he could not close an eye till the dawn4 ,it seemed almost as if the labouring man were never again to enjoy a night of sound rest4 ,a lawsuit was commenced regarding the succession to the ,mytton estate1 which1 for month after month1 dragged its slow length along4 ,other evidence besides the mutilated fly leaf1 but partly collected through clues which it gave1 was brought forward in courts of law4 ,mytton awaited the conclusion of the suit with a restless impatience which deprived him of appetite and sleep4 ,daily labour to earn a scanty subsistence became intolerable to a man who hoped to find himself the possessor of several thousands a year4 ,mytton and his family almost starved while awaiting the wealth which would1 perhaps1 never be theirs4 ,mytton twice sold part of the scanty furniture of his home to scrape up money to take him to ,london1 to watch the progress of his suit4 ,the very flesh wasted from his bones1 the poor man grew haggard and wan1 and his temper more savage than ever4 ,from morning till night he could think of1 speak of nothing but the inheritance which he hoped for1 and the same theme haunted his dreams4 ,and this was a man who had had placed within his reach a heavenly inheritance beyond all price1 yet who had scarcely given it a thought6 ,a man who had had in the ,scriptures the very title deeds1 as it were1 of that inheritance1 and yet had not taken the trouble to read them4 ,stands he alone in his folly8 ,,chapter ,v4 ,heavenly ,hope4 ,,the summer flowers came1 and withered away2 the days grew shorter and shorter4 ,the swallows took their flight to warmer climes2 winter was stealing on apace1 and yet the lawsuit was not ended on which hung the succession to the ,mytton estate6 ,amy's feeble spark of life was growing fainter4 ,it was a surprise to herself that she had survived to see the winter1 with increasing cares and hardships around her4 ,but the poor sufferer had not been left deserted2 help had been sent her in time of need4 ,the clergyman1 who came from a considerable distance to visit the sick member of his flock in her lonely dwelling1 interested other friends in her case2 many a little comfort found its way to the cottage on the common1 which ,amy gratefully received as a gift from her ,father in heaven4 ,a few days before ,christmas1 when the wide common looked like an almost unbroken sheet of snow1 the rough and little used cart-track across it being entirely hidden from view1 little ,may sat on her low wooden stool at the feet of her sister4 ,the poor child looked thinner and more thoughtful than she had done in the spring1 when this story opened4 ,there was no sound of wood-chopping from the shed1 which was itself falling into decay4 ,mytton had now gone1 as he often went1 to the nearest public-house to get a sight of the papers1 for the tedious suit was apparently at length drawing near to its close4 ,the boys did not care to work unless their father's eye were upon them2 they had run off to amuse themselves1 no one exactly knew where4 ,they had little to tempt them to stay near the cottage2 the last bit of bread that was in it had been finished at breakfast4 ,oh6 ,amy1 sighed poor ,may1 ,i wish--,i wish we'd never heard of that ,mytton estate1 that those men in black coats had never come near our cottage1 or found these scraps in your pillow6 ,looking for that inheritance1 as father calls it1 has been plague and worry to us ever since1 and if he don't get it at last1 'twill drive him right out of his wits6 ,i fear that disappointment now would nigh break his heart6 murmured ,amy4 ,but if he does get it1 won't it make him happy1 oh6 ,so very1 very happy6 cried ,may4 ,i don't know--,i hope so2 but one can't be quite sure with anything earthly1 said ,amy4 ,may looked surprised at the doubt4 ,i'm sure that it will1 if father only gets the inheritance1 she cried2 but 'tis so very long a-coming1 ,i'm afraid it will never be his4 ,i believe that ,i shall enter into mine first1 said ,amy very faintly1 and her lips formed the words to which she had hardly strength to give breath1 far better--far better--undefiled and that fadeth not away6 ,there was something in the countenance of ,amy1 sweet and placid as it was1 that alarmed ,may1 she could scarcely tell why4 ,the child rose hastily and ran to the door1 she felt more anxious than she had ever before been for her father's return4 ,scarcely had ,may opened the door1 when ,mytton's shadow fell on the threshold2 she had not heard his footsteps on the deep snow4 ,the face of ,silas was pale with excitement1 even his lips were bloodless1 and wild eagerness was in his eyes4 ,he clutched in his hand a telegram paper1 having met the bearer in the way4 ,may saw at once that great tidings had arrived1 but scarcely knew whether ,mytton's strange manner betokened the excess of despair or of joy4 ,she was not long left in doubt6 ,with the loud exclamation1 ,i have it6 ,the inheritor of ,mytton strode into the cottage up to the place where ,amy was seated4 ,perhaps she had heard the exclamation of triumph1 for there was a smile on her lips1 but it might have been left there by a thought of deeper1 sweeter joy than any that his tidings could give4 ,amy's expectations had been realised1 she had entered on her inheritance of life1 and peace1 and bliss6 ,very often in succeeding years did ,may ,mytton think on the doubt expressed by her dying sister as to whether the possession of an estate would make their father happy4 ,it certainly never did so4 ,the chopper of faggots1 uneducated1 unfitted to mix in the society of those now his equals1 proud and shy1 afraid of ridicule1 and painfully conscious that his rustic manner must expose him to it1 was more miserable in his fine old mansion than he had been in his lonely cottage4 ,the conduct of ,joe and ,david planted his pillow with thorns4 ,they were sent to a fashionable school1 where they learned1 indeed1 much that gentlemen's sons are expected to know1 but with it1 acquired habits of reckless extravagance and folly4 ,the boys thought themselves far more of gentlemen than their uneducated father could be1 and ,mytton bitterly felt that they did so4 ,they wasted his money1 despised his control1 embittered his life by their excesses1 and at last disgraced themselves in the sight of the world4 ,to ,mytton and his two younger sons1 the inheritance so eagerly desired had brought sorrow1 disappointment1 and shame6 ,it was not so with ,may1 or with ,silas her eldest brother4 ,they never set their hearts upon riches1 nor chose their portion here4 ,they made use of the wealth which they inherited as a trust confided to them by their heavenly ,master1 most enjoyed when most laid out to ,his glory4 ,for ,amy's short life of suffering had not been spent in vain3 the ,bible which she had given1 the words which she had spoken1 had been of far more avail in ennobling the two who loved her best1 than all the broad acres of ,mytton4 ,may1 amidst many family trials1 pursued her course of usefulness in humble faith1 cheered by the hope of rejoining her sister1 and rejoicing with her for ever1 in that bright inheritance above which the ,lord hath prepared for them that love ,him6 ,a ,,saint ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,character4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,patient ,restored4 ,i',m glad that you'll have your husband back again to-day1 ,mrs4 ,laver1 and ,i hope that such a long time spent in the hospital will have set him up for good1 said ,mrs4 ,batten1 the fishmonger's stout good-humoured wife1 as she took up the little parcel of snuff which she had just been purchasing at ,mrs4 ,laver's counter4 ,it is time he was back indeed4 ,i've had the shop on my hands these ten weeks1 or rather1 ,i may say1 these six months1 for ,martin was1 ,i may say1 good for nothing long before he took to his bed1 replied ,mrs4 ,laver4 ,she was a thin care-worn woman1 about thirty years of age1 who had in her youth been good-looking2 but the lines on the forehead1 and at the corners of the lips1 showed the trace of trouble1 and perhaps also of temper4 ,mrs4 ,laver's manner of speaking was snappish and short1 giving an impression1 even to strangers1 that her life was full of worries1 and that she had not much patience to enable her to bear them4 ,mrs4 ,laver's dress was decidedly shabby1 and was by no means improved by her attempt to make it look gay4 ,fringe1 that did not match her gown in colour1 had been sewn on to hide the patches2 ,mrs4 ,laver had stuck faded roses into her brown-black lace-cap1 and dangling gaudy gilt drops were hanging down from her ears4 ,the tobacconist's wife had a trick of jerking her head when anything annoyed her1 which set these earrings quivering and shaking as if in anger or scorn4 ,altogether1 with her sharp grey eyes1 and tightly-drawn lips1 ,mrs4 ,laver looked a person with whom few would care to be very closely acquainted4 ,certainly it's hard upon a woman to have charge of a tobacconist's shop1 observed the fishmonger's wife1 glancing at the window1 which was darkened with bundles of meerschaums1 and boxes of cheap cigars1 labels of ,government manillas1 and fine old shag1 with pipes whose bowls were fashioned into all kinds of fanciful shapes to attract apprentice boys1 and other juvenile customers4 ,mingled with these1 prints and ballads1 of a very low description1 helped to block up the panes4 ,mrs4 ,laver shrugged her shoulders at the observation2 she quite agreed that her lot was a hard one4 ,i'm sure1 she said1 that if any one knew the moiling and toiling ,i've had1 what with looking after the shop1 and keeping things tidy and respectable like1 minding the child1 and--ah6 ,you little brat6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,laver1 interrupting her complaint1 to make a sudden dash at her little girl1 a child of about two years of age1 who1 having been placed by her mother on the counter1 had stretched out her hand to the jar of snuff left upon it4 ,you're always in mischief1 you are6 ,there was a sharp slap1 and then a low sobbing cry2 little ,annie was not likely soon to forget the maternal lesson against meddling with goods on the counter4 ,poor little soul1 said ,mrs4 ,batten1 glancing with pity at the child1 whose cheek1 usually pale1 was reddened by the mother's blow1 and wet with the tears running down4 ,how like she is to her father1 to be sure6 ,she does not look over strong either4 ,you'll bring her with you to ,greenwich to-morrow1 and your husband too1 ,i suppose4 ,yes1 a breath of fresh air on the river would do any one good who had to live in this poky little street6 ,hold your noise1 will you6 ,these last words were addressed by ,mrs4 ,laver to ,annie1 and accompanied by a violent shaking of the little girl's arm1 which set the mother's earrings quivering4 ,if you go on whining like that1 ,i'll give you to the black man1 ,i will1 instead of taking you with me to ,greenwich6 ,mrs4 ,batten had just succeeded in fumbling a lozenge out of her pocket1 and whether from the effects of the sweet1 the threat1 or the shaking1 ,annie was soon quiet enough1 though her cheeks still glistened with the tears which her mother had not wiped away4 ,we start at two1 don't forget1 said ,mrs4 ,batten2 if to-morrow is as fine as to-day1 the steamer is like to be crowded4 ,the more the merrier1 replied ,ann ,laver1 the frown passing away from her brow1 though its furrow always remained there3 a bit of a spree will brighten up my man2 he had got so gloomy and moping-like when his illness was coming on1 that ,i did not know what to make of him4 ,he's fond of the river1 ,i know4 ,good-day to you1 ,mrs4 ,batten4 ,we'll be down at the wharf before two4 ,good-bye1 little one1 said the fishmonger's wife1 as she quitted the shop1 nodding and smiling at ,annie1 who1 still perched on the counter1 watched her with wistful eyes4 ,the sweet little face of the child was again very pale1 with its habitual expression of patience and thought4 ,annie did not look like a light-hearted child4 ,one might have fancied1 as she sat with her large blue eyes fixed on the jars and pipes and papers in the window1 that a good deal was passing through her infant mind1 and that not of a cheerful description4 ,though ,mrs4 ,laver was fond of her only child1 there was not much tenderness in her manner towards her4 ,mrs4 ,laver would have been indignant had any one charged her with cruelty1 above all towards her daughter2 but the harsh word1 the hasty slap1 the angry threat with which ,annie was familiar1 had much the same effect on the poor little girl that a blight has on the tender green leaves of the spring4 ,annie loved her mother1 but scarcely as much as she feared her4 ,the little one wanted more of the sunshine of smiles4 ,she had pined wearily for her father1 and the two first nights after ,martin ,laver had gone to the hospital1 his child had cried herself to sleep1 ',cause ,daddy's away1 and ,i can't have his bye-bye kiss1 as she sobbed4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,decision4 ,,very quiet and very dull sat ,annie on the counter1 staring gravely at the window4 ,she could not clamber down from the counter1 and she dared neither play with anything on it1 nor ask to be set down on the floor by her mother1 who was putting things in order on a shelf1 with her back towards the little girl4 ,suddenly ,annie uttered a cry of delight1 stretched out her hands1 and in her eagerness to get down from her perch would have fallen off the counter1 had she not been caught in the arms of her father1 who fondly pressed her to his heart4 ,ah6 ,martin1 is that you8 ,i did not look for your coming till the evening1 cried ,mrs4 ,laver1 turning round1 and then giving her husband a welcome that was not unkindly1 though she shewed none of the rapturous delight of the child1 who clung to her father's neck1 and buried her face on his shoulder4 ,martin ,laver was a tall1 fine-looking man1 and until his illness had possessed more activity and strength than most men2 but his eyes were now sunken1 his face looked sickly1 and he slightly stooped from weakness4 ,put that monkey down1 she'll tire you1 said ,ann4 ,martin smiled1 and1 shaking his head1 pressed his little one to him more closely4 ,he however took a seat1 and sat down in the shop1 leaning his arm upon the counter4 ,it was such a pleasure to him to feel the soft little hands of his child again stroking his face1 and playing with his whiskers1 and then the sweet infant lips pressed to his cheek4 ,in the conversation between husband and wife which followed1 ,ann took by far the larger share4 ,she told all the gossip of the neighbourhood1 while ,martin sat listening1 or perhaps scarcely listening1 with a thoughtful1 and somewhat anxious look on his face4 ,ann expected a great deal of credit from her husband for the way in which she had conducted the business during his absence4 ,i cleaned that window with my own ten fingers1 she observed1 and that's not what every woman would have done1 you may take my word for that4 ,the expected praise was heartily given4 ,and ,i've arranged it too1 with a pretty bit of taste2 those picture ballads attract the passersby1 as fly-papers catch flies1 specially the one about the murder4 ,ah6 ,that reminds me of what ,i had resolved on1 said ,martin1 rising from his seat4 ,after setting down ,annie on the counter1 he went up to the window1 took down the papers1 and examined them1 one after the other1 dividing them into two sets as he did so4 ,martin then replaced the larger number in the window1 but four of the ballads he laid down on the counter with the words1 ,you had better use these to light the fire1 my dear4 ,light the fire6 ,my patience1 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,laver1 her earrings glancing and twinkling with the jerk of her head4 ,why1 each of those may bring us a penny1 and ,i'm not so flush of cash as to use them for lighting fires4 ,take care of the pennies1 and the pounds will take care of themselves4 ,with me this is no mere matter of money1 said ,martin4 ,i want to tell you1 dear wife1 all that is now on my mind4 ,i've been thoughtless and careless enough in times past1 but my eyes have been opened of late1 and ,i intend1 ,god helping me1 to lead from henceforth the life of a ,christian man4 ,martin spoke with some effort1 for he knew that his words would rouse a bitter feeling of opposition in his self-willed and worldly wife4 ,as a matter of conscience1 continued the husband1 ,i have resolved that nothing immoral or profane shall ever again be seen in my shop4 ,hoity1 toity6 ,fiddlety dee6 ,here's a pretty kettle of fish6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,laver1 in a tone that frightened ,annie1 and made her stretch out her hands to her father4 ,i thought that1 in the hospital1 you'd have got rid of all that stuff and nonsense4 ,in the hospital ,i hope that ,i have got clearer views both of a ,christian's hopes and a ,christian's duties than ,i ever had before1 began ,martin4 ,but his wife would not let him finish his sentence4 ,put back those pictures1 ,i say1 and don't let us have any more of this sort of thing1 which will only keep us in perpetual hot water6 she exclaimed4 ,put them back1 or ,i'll do it myself1 and she advanced as if to take them4 ,martin was a poor man1 but he knew that ,god had placed him in the position of master in his own little home4 ,he did not choose to bandy words with his wife1 but he gave his answer in his action4 ,quickly and firmly1 he put the four ballads together1 and tore them across1 then laid down the halves on the counter4 ,there was a resolution shewn by his manner and look1 that for a moment overawed as well as surprised ,ann ,laver4 ,no man is likely really to lose his hold over the affections of his wife1 by letting her see that her influence cannot turn him from what he knows to be right4 ,the husband who wins his spouse's respect is most likely to keep her love4 ,customers now entering the shop1 ,martin took his place behind the counter and served them1 while ,mrs4 ,laver carried off ,annie to the little back parlour4 ,the woman was sullen and out of temper2 she foresaw that struggle which must take place1 sooner or later1 in every home1 where two who are not agreed on the most important of subjects1 are coupled together as man and wife4 ,there will be no peace her2 ,i can see that well enough1 muttered ,ann to herself4 ,he'll be pulling one way1 ,i pulling the other2 but let him drag his very life out1 he'll never get me to follow him in his methodistical ways6 ,the jerk which followed this resolution was more defiant than usual4 ,there will be no peace here6 ,how often had that painful thought crossed the mind of ,martin1 as he had lain in the hospital ward1 silently resolving1 at whatever cost1 fully to follow the ,lord4 ,feeling too weak in health to be able to battle against a woman's violent will1 yearning for the quiet1 and comfort1 and love1 which can make even a humble home such a holy and happy place1 ,martin had looked forward with something like dread to the constant domestic struggle which was likely to follow any attempt on his part to lead a consistent life4 ,laver could better1 far better1 have borne even persecution from without1 than the constant jarring with the woman whom he loved1 which seemed likely to embitter his life4 ,it was as one who girds himself and prepares for a painful conflict1 that ,martin1 on returning to his home1 resolved from the very first to confess his principles openly1 to take his stand on the ground of conscience2 and while acting with consideration and gentleness towards his wife1 never to yield to her a single point where his duty to ,god was in question4 ,martin had not1 however1 much opposition to encounter on that day of his return1 which chanced to be the last of the week4 ,perhaps ,ann's heart1 for she had a heart1 had warmed towards the husband of her youth1 who had suffered so patiently and long2 perhaps the sight of that pale sunken cheek roused a feeling of pity within her4 ,ann kept truce on the first evening1 and gave only a look of careless indifference when ,martin asked aloud a blessing at his meal1 with his ,annie's little hands tenderly folded within his own4 ,annie was very unwilling to quit her father when ,mrs4 ,laver1 in her quick sharp manner1 told her that it was time to come to bed1 for that she could not keep her eyes open4 ,those blue eyes filled with tears1 little arms were clasped round ,martin's neck1 and he only prevented the child from bursting out crying1 by a promise to come in a little while1 and give her a good-night kiss4 ,mrs4 ,laver carried ,annie upstairs1 and ,martin was left alone with his thoughts4 ,that child is as a piece of my heart1 dearer than my life6 reflected the parent4 ,helpless and weak as she is1 able to do little more than lisp my name1 that very helplessness and weakness only serve to make her more dear6 ,she can1 at least1 cling to me--and love4 ,how gracious is ,god to compare ,his own tenderness to that of a parent6 ',like as a father pitieth his children1 so the ,lord pitieth them that fear ,him4' ,and all that ,god requires of us is just what a parent requires of a child1 faith1 love1 and obedience4 ,there was a proof of love and obedience which ,martin knew it to be his bounden duty to give2 but he1 like many other fathers of families1 especially those who are married to worldly wives1 felt it to be a duty very difficult to perform4 ,for some little time before going to the hospital1 ,martin had found the comfort of private prayer1 but he had never yet ventured to propose family prayer to his wife4 ,martin knew that it would be well to begin the custom on that night2 delay would not only be wrong1 but would increase the difficulties before him4 ,laver reproached himself for the repugnance which he felt to entering upon the subject to ,ann4 ,were they not one in the sight of ,god and of man8 ,should they not be one in their hopes and their actions8 ,but ,martin knew too well that1 in all that regarded religion1 he and his wife were not one1 but severed by a great gulf4 ,for several minutes he stood irresolute beside the little crib in which ,annie lay asleep1 before he could summon up resolution to say to her mother1 ,wife1 let us thank ,god for ,his mercies1 and ask for ,his blessing1 together4 ,without waiting for a reply1 ,martin instantly knelt down1 and though ,ann remained standing1 she was perfectly quiet while her husband offered up a short but very earnest prayer for herself1 himself1 and their child4 ,to speak was at first an effort1 but courage and joy came with prayer1 and ,martin rose from his knees like one who has had a burden rolled from his heart4 ,thank ,god1 ,i have made a beginning6 thought the husband4 ,where will this end8 thought the wife4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,division4 ,,as ,martin ,laver was still weak from recent illness1 he slept till a later hour than usual on the ,sunday morning4 ,it would have been pleasant to him to have begun his home-life again with a day of rest1 had he not more than suspected that1 from the opposing views of his wife1 ,sunday1 of all days in the week1 was most likely to prove a day of conflict4 ,the first sight which greeted the eyes of ,martin1 after he had come downstairs in the morning1 was that of ,ann ,laver arranging the pipes and cigars in the window4 ,nay1 ,ann1 no need to take that trouble1 said her husband4 ,i'll put up the shutters again4 ,i've asked ,god's forgiveness for having so often broken the ,fourth ,commandment1 and ,his help to keep it better in future4 ,from this time forth1 we will neither buy nor sell upon ,sundays4 ,ann's short truce with her husband was over1 and her passion burst forth the more violently from having for a while been kept under control4 ,i tell you what1 ,martin1 ,i'm not going to have more of this nonsense6 cried the woman1 turning fiercely round on her husband4 ,we've hard enough work as it is to keep soul and body together1 while we do as other folk do4 ,sunday's our best day for business1 and1 if you're such an idiot as to put up your shutters to please the parson1 you'd better give up shop-keeping at once1 and take to begging1 or throw yourself and your wretched family upon the mercy of the parish6 ,i do not think so1 replied ,martin1 calmly4 ,i believe that no one is the worse in the end for obeying the ,word of ,god in a simple1 straightforward way4 ',the blessing of the ,lord1 it maketh rich1 and ,he addeth no sorrow with it4' 99 ,but were it not so1 had we only the choice of a poorhouse with that blessing1 or a palace without it1 we should be fools indeed did we choose the latter4 ',what is a man profited1 if he shall gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8 ,or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul8' 99 ,prov4 x4 #bb4 ,matt4 xvi4 #bf4 ,i hope you don't mean to set up for a saint6 cried ,ann1 with a scornful jerk of the head4 ,i wish to be a real ,christian1 replied ,martin and the one is the same as the other4 ,what stuff you are talking6 cried ,ann1 with impatience4 ,of course we are ,christians1 not heathens1 though we don't pretend to be saints4 ,saint1 which means holy1 is the ,bible name for all ,god's servants1 replied ,martin1 leaning against the counter as he spoke4 ,you will find the word ,christian1 ,i think1 but three times in all the ,scripture1 that of ,saint more than forty or fifty2 ,st4 ,paul's description of all the ,lord's people in ,rome was 'beloved of ,god1 called to be saints4' ,rom4 i4 #g4 ,i am no saint1 and ,i don't want to be one1 said ,ann ,laver1 with scorn2 but ,i know that ,i'm a baptised ,christian1 and that is enough for me6 ,simon had but lately been baptised1 observed ,laver1 when ,st4 ,peter1 the apostle1 said to him1 ',thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter1 because his heart was not right in the sight of ,god4' ,oh6 ,dear wife1 suffer me to speak for a few minutes freely on those things on which our salvation depends4 ,god asks for our hearts1 ,he will accept nothing less1 and ,he accepts these hearts that1 by ,his ,spirit1 ,he may make them holy4 ,acts viii4 #ba4 ,ann would not hear her husband to the end4 ,how you veer and change about6 she exclaimed4 ,before you went to the hospital1 it was all--',what must ,i do to be saved8' ,and now you are all for holiness as the way to get to ,heaven4 ,no1 never1 not the way6 exclaimed ,martin1 with such energy that his wife stared at him in surprise4 ,christ is the ,way1 the only ,way1 it is ,his blood that cleanseth from all sin4 99 ,but1 as some good man has said1 ',he does not save us in our sins1 but from our sins4' 99 #a ,john i4 #g4 ',if any man be in ,christ1 he is a new creature'2 he that comes to the ,saviour in faith1 seeks to follow the ,saviour in that 'holiness without which no man shall see the ,lord6' #b ,cor4 v4 #ag4 ,heb4 xii4 #ad4 ,ann ,laver had never come to the ,saviour1 nor felt her need of being saved2 she was one of the many who choose their own way1 and do their own will1 and yet expect1 somehow or other1 to get to ,heaven in the end4 ,she was like a person with bandaged eyes walking towards the edge of a precipice1 and the attempt to unbandage her eyes1 or stop her on her perilous course1 only roused her pride and her anger4 ,it is needless to repeat the bitter things which she said to him whose love had made him speak the truth which she hated to hear4 ,after a violent burst of temper1 ,mrs4 ,laver1 slamming the door behind her1 retired into the back parlour1 where ,annie had good reason to know that something had put her mother thoroughly out of temper4 ,with a heavy sigh1 ,martin ,laver went to put up his shutters again4 ,he was so weak from his recent illness1 that he had to pause more than once1 even when making so slight an exertion4 ,six months before he would have lifted ten times the weight of a shutter with ease4 ,it was sad to feel the once strongly-knit arms so feeble2 but it was not this sense of weakness1 nor the fear of approaching poverty1 that drew that deep sigh from ,laver's heart4 ,it was the burden of that cross which is wont to press more or less heavily upon all who would follow ,christ fully--that cross of which the ,blessed ,master knew the weight day by day1 and which ,he bids all ,his servants take up4 ,because ye are not of the world1 but ,i have chosen you out of the world1 therefore the world hateth you1 99 the ,lord once said to ,his disciples1 and through ,his ,word ,he says so still4 ,persecution has been the portion of ,god's saints not only in times when fire and sword were used to destroy them1 but when hatred could be shewn only in sneers and taunts1 that do not endanger life1 but deprive it of earthly enjoyment4 99 ,john xv4 #ai4 ,while ,laver was replacing the shutters1 he thought of ,christian in ,pilgrim's ,progress1 and how hard his wife tried to stop him when he would flee from the wrath to come4 ,he had to bear her taunts and revilings1 thought ,laver2 what a hard struggle it must have cost ,christian to leave all that had once been most dear4 ,how different would his pilgrimage have been1 had he and his wife been of one heart and one mind1 and gone through all their trials together6 ,but though his wife would not go one step with him1 she followed at last in his track4 ,doubtless he had prayed for her very1 very often1 and ,god answered his prayer1 though not till after ,christian had left this earth and its sorrows behind him4 ,perhaps it may be thus with us2 my poor ,ann may remember my words1 when ,i am no more here to speak them4 ,martin raised his hand to his brow1 for a faintness was coming over him4 ,god help me to be so careful in my daily conduct1 to keep my lips and my life so pure1 that my wife must own1 however unwillingly1 that in trying to be a better ,christian1 ,i am also a better husband1 father1 and friend4 ,when she taunts me with being a saint1 may ,i have grace to become one indeed1 that1 at least1 she may never think me a hypocrite1 saying one thing and doing another4 ,ann would scarcely speak to her husband during all the time of breakfast1 but she missed no opportunity of speaking at him1 addressing herself to their child4 ,ah6 ,you want more butter to your bread1 do you8 she cried1 pushing towards ,annie a slice which she had just cut from the loaf4 ,your father takes good care that we shan't have butter1 and it will soon come1 ,i suppose1 to doing without the bread too6 ,ann glanced angrily towards the darkened shop as she spoke4 ,annie held out her little foot to her mother1 one of her tiny shoes needed repair1 and the cotton sock appeared through a hole in the leather4 ,so you want new shoes1 little brat6 cried ,ann4 ,i only wish you may get them6 ,you'll have to run barefoot about the streets soon1 and what will you do then1 ,i wonder6 ,ask ,daddy carry me6 lisped the little child1 as she calmly went on with her meal1 undisturbed by fears for the future4 ,even ,ann could scarcely help smiling at the unexpected reply4 ,and ,martin1 as he stooped to kiss his little one1 thought1 if she can so quietly trust her father1 shall ,i not trust mine1 who is the ,giver of all good things8 ,i suppose you'll be going to some prayer-meeting or other8 said ,ann1 abruptly1 to her husband1 as soon as the uncomfortable meal was ended4 ,i am going to church1 replied ,martin1 and he could not forbear adding1 ,i wish we could go there together4 ,oh6 ,i'm no saint1 whatever you may be6 exclaimed ,ann1 with a jerk of the head4 ,i'm going to ,greenwich with the ,battens and their set--a lark on the river is a deal more to my taste than all your preaching and praying4 ,i shall pay for my trip with my last ,sunday's earnings1 which ,i've kept for the purpose1 she added1 to give a keener sting to her taunt4 ,i should be the last to wish to deprive you of any harmless pleasure1 said her husband2 but if you spend the ,lord's day in such an excursion1 it will be without my consent4 ,your consent1 indeed1 ,i never asked for it6 exclaimed the rebellious wife to him whom she had vowed before ,god to obey4 ,you go your way1 ,i will go mine2 with your leave or without your leave1 ,i'm off to ,greenwich by two4 ,the husband and wife were1 indeed1 walking on different paths1 such as must conduct to different ends4 ,broad is the way that leadeth to destruction1 and many there be which go in thereat2 because strait is the gate1 and narrow is the way1 which leadeth unto life4 99 ,these are our ,lord's own words2 but how few act as if they believed them to be true6 99 ,matt4 vii4 #ac1 #ad4 ,crowds press along the broad way1 careless and disobedient1 yet hoping that1 after all1 peace and rest and ,heaven will be theirs at the end6 ,ye shall not surely die is the ,devil's whisper still1 and1 like ,eve1 we are too ready to listen4 ,but let those who would continue in their sins remember that ,god hath declared in ,his word that the end of these things is death1 and that they who are ,his servants indeed have their fruit unto holiness1 and the end everlasting life4 ,gen4 iii4 #d4 ,rom4 vi4 #ba4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,sabbath ,hours4 ,,martin found the time spent in church a time of refreshing1 and returned to his home in a quiet1 tranquil mood1 better able to bear and to forbear1 with the charity which hopeth and endureth all things4 ,it grieved him1 however1 to see his wife dressed in as flaunting a style as their narrow means would allow1 and his child also decked out in tawdry finery1 wearing a faded red sash1 and a blue bead necklace round her neck4 ,the dinner was as uncomfortable a meal as the breakfast had been1 though ,mrs4 ,laver now put on gaiety of manner1 in a spirit of defiance to her husband4 ,she took pleasure in talking to her child of the delights of the coming treat1 the band that would play on the deck of the steamer1 and all the mirth and fun there would be amongst the company there4 ,annie was too young to understand or to care much about such things2 she was rather frightened at the idea of going amongst strangers1 and looking up with her arch innocent eyes into her father's face1 she lisped out1 ,daddy come too6 ,martin shook his head1 and replied1 as he stroked the soft hair of his child1 ,no1 ,annie1 father is not going in the steamer1 father is stopping behind4 ,then ,annie 'top too6 cried the little one1 thrusting her small hand into that of her parent4 ,you little goose1 do you mean that you will not go with me1 and have all the fun8 asked ,ann1 in an angry tone1 which certainly had not the effect of making the child desire to do so4 ,no1 ,annie 'top with ,daddy6 repeated the little one1 beginning to cry at the idea of being taken away4 ,oh6 ,i'm sure ,i don't want you1 you'd be only a plague2 there's nothing so tiresome as having children dangling about one in a steamer2 one's always afraid of the stupid brats falling overboard1 cried ,ann1 with a passionate jerk4 ,it's time ,i was off1 she said1 rising from the table2 your father will have had enough of your company1 ,i guess1 before ,i come back in the evening4 ,but here ,mrs4 ,laver was wrong4 ,never had the invalid more enjoyed a walk than he did the quiet stroll which he took into ,kensington ,gardens on that warm afternoon1 to give his pale little girl fresh air4 ,how pleasant felt the breeze on his cheek1 how bright were the rays of sunshine that streamed here and there through the trees1 what a thankful heart was lifted up to ,god from him who so lately had left a sick-bed1 as he sat quietly on the green grass1 with his darling playing at his feet6 ,annie's simple prattle was to her father's ear sweeter than any music1 and scarcely disturbed the holy thoughts which were passing through his mind4 ,much as ,i delight in my child1 should ,i be willing that she should remain always what she is now1 small1 weak1 and knowing little8 ,i look for growth in her young frame1 and if from month to month she never grew taller1 ,i should know that some disease must be stunting my child4 ,so we are told in the ,scripture to 'grow in grace1' 99 every passing month should leave us more earnest1 devout1 and humble4 ,if our religion be not a growing one1 it is a stunted one1 nay1 we have reason to fear lest it be dead altogether4 ,faith1 true living faith1 must expand into holiness1 as the bud opens into the flower1 and the dawn brightens into the day6 99 #b ,peter iii4 #ah4 ,annie and her father were very happy together2 and when ,martin slowly walked homewards1 holding the hand of the little prattler who trotted by his side1 it seemed to him that but for one trial1 he would be one of the happiest men upon earth4 ,but the remembrance of his wife was to ,martin like a heavy black cloud in an otherwise brilliant sky4 ,silently1 he prayed for ,ann as he walked1 though little knowing how much at that moment she needed his prayers4 ,scanty as was the evening meal1 ,annie made it a very merry one4 ,no butter had been left from the breakfast1 so she played at spreading the dry bread with her spoon1 and when her father cut it into pieces1 and called them soldiers1 the child ate it as contentedly as if it had been iced-cake4 ,then a few empty reels to play with1 made the little one perfectly happy2 and while she rolled them backwards and forwards on the floor1 ,martin could quietly enjoy the pleasure of reading4 ,first1 he read his ,bible1 then a book which had been lent to him by the chaplain of the hospital which he had recently quitted4 ,it contained the ,memoir of a missionary's wife1 99 who had laboured amongst the ,jews in the ,turkish province of ,moldavia4 ,martin felt particularly interested in the account given of ,nahum1 a convert1 as conveyed in such passages as these1 which ,i extract from the published letters of the lady3-- ,i wish ,i could bring before you an aged man1 highly esteemed among the ,jews1 and also by the ,rabbis1 a respectable shopkeeper1 a good ,hebrew scholar 4 4 4 ,he is of an acute and philosophical turn of mind1 and was a bitter opposer of ,christianity4 ,fancy this man brought to the feet of ,jesus1 and you will see our most interesting ,rabbi ,nahum 4 4 4 ,he says that in hours of need he has prayed in the name of ,christ1 and is now praying for strength to confess ,christ openly2 but he says ,abraham was praised because he was willing to give up his one child2 but he would need to be nine times as strong as ,abraham to give up his nine4 ,he desires the prayers of ,christ's people4 99 ,memoir and ,letters of ,mrs4 ,edwards4 ,poor fellow6 ,poor fellow6 murmured ,martin1 pausing for a moment in his reading4 ,his was a hard test of faith indeed2 but could he not take his children with him8 ,and the father glanced fondly at his ,annie1 before he went on with his book4 ,some way farther on in the volume1 he again found mention of ,nahum4 ,his mind seems more and more decided2 he speaks now of baptism1 though still indirectly4 ,he acknowledges that faith should trust all things to the ,lord1 that ,he is able to do all things for us4 ,but who can withhold sympathy from the father of nine children1 when taking a step which probably will involve them all in ruin4 ,i feel for him from the bottom of my soul6 exclaimed ,martin4 ,after reading several more pages in the volume1 ,martin came to the account of the baptism of ,nahum with three of his children1 after bitter opposition from his unconverted wife4 ,she would not eat nor drink1 she abused and upbraided him1 but she could not hold him back from his purpose of openly confessing his ,saviour4 ,martin eagerly read the account of ,nahum's first meeting with his wife1 after the decisive step had been taken1 and her passionate exclamations of sorrow for her three baptised children4 ,i hear not--,i hear not6 ,i die--,i die6 ,i will kill them1 then ,i will die6 ,and indeed1 wrote the missionary's wife1 she threw herself on the balcony ready to die4 ,we feared more for the old man4 ,twenty-five years have they lived together1 true1 faithful1 attached4 ,after she went1 his anguish was fearful4 ,anguish1 indeed6 exclaimed ,martin4 ,when ,i think of this poor ,jew's heavy cross1 ,i take shame to myself for shrinking from taking up mine1 which is so much lighter4 ,i daresay that he had other troubles to bear besides the fierce opposition of his wife4 ,martin read on as follows3-- ,the dear old man determined on ,monday to open his shop1 his own shop1 in a street where there are none but ,jews4 ,he did so1 it almost cost him his life4 ,upwards of a thousand ,jews assembled1 stones were thrown1 and all manner of abuse heaped on him4 ,and ,i1 thought ,martin1 with self-reproach have deemed it a sacrifice merely to close my shop upon ,sundays1 to run the risk of a little loss1 of having1 maybe1 one meal less in the day1 or a more threadbare coat on my back6 ,what a small--what a paltry sacrifice seems mine by the side of that of this brave old man1 with a thousand of his old neighbours and countrymen baiting him1 yelling at him1 trying to stone1 so fierce against him1 that ,i see that it is written a little farther on1 'could they have gotten him they would have minced him into shreds6'--,ah6 ,i am glad that the ,germans were able to protect him a little4 ,in ,mrs4 ,edwards' next letter1 ,martin read more of the dangers of ,nahum and his ,christian children1 who had taken refuge under the missionary's protection4 ,the ,jews collected in vast multitudes1 the uproar became great1 the police could not keep peace4 ,our house had been beset with ,jews all day looking over the paling1 beating any of the lads whom they found in the streets1 throwing stones into the court1 c4 ,at length1 at night ,i was awakened by loud noises at the gate2 they were trying to break in4 ,nahum and his children were sleeping in a little room near the gate2 their object certainly was to beat or to murder him1 and carry off the children 4 4 4 ,a boy on horseback was sent to the ,consul for assistance 4 4 4 ,meantime several ,germans had encountered the ,jews1 and driven them back4 ,this poor ,nahum seems to have led the life of a hunted hare1 observed ,martin2 but the worst of all must have been the division between him and his wife4 ,ah6 ,there seems to be something more about her on the very next page4 ,he read on-- ,his poor wife held out ten days1 begging for a divorce1 which he would not grant4 ,at length1 both she and her eldest son came at night to our house with the young child1 and there they all are now4 ,they are very anxious to be baptised4 ,anxious to be baptised6 exclaimed ,martin1 joyfully1 half-closing the book4 ,then the tie between man and wife held fast after all the hard strain upon it1 and when she could not drag him back from the ,lord1 her husband drew her towards the ,saviour6 ,here are ,christian and ,christiana in that far-away place1 ,moldavia6 ,martin went on with his reading again4 ,ah6 ,i see that the missionary wisely refused to baptise the wife till she should shew that she really desired to be ,christ's1 and not merely to please her husband4 ,but ,nahum had won the victory2 his home was to be a ,christian home4 ,here is something more about him in a letter from the lady farther on in the book3-- ,in the old man we have exceeding great joy2 he reads each morning the ,scriptures with his family1 expounds and prays4 ,that story of ,nahum1 the converted ,jew1 seems as if it were just written for me1 cried ,martin1 laying down the volume on the table4 ,here am ,i1 an ,englishman1 in a ,christian land1 half-afraid to say to my neighbours1 ',i will close my shop on ,sundays1 because ,i will honour the law of ,god1' lest they should1 perchance1 laugh at me for being 'a ,saint4' ,there was ,nahum1 openly confessing his faith at the risk of losing both property and life6 ,here am ,i1 grieved and discouraged by a few hasty words from poor ,ann2 there was ,nahum standing firm against the persuasions1 the anger1 the despair1 of his wife1 though he dearly loved her6 ,a poor kind of ,christian must ,i be6 ,i fear but a coward at heart1 and ill-fitted to bear the burden and heat of the day4 ,god help me1 and give me more grace and more courage1 and then1 perhaps1 ,he will one day give to me1 as to faithful ,nahum1 more cause to rejoice over a converted and loving wife6 ,,chapter ,v4 ,darkness and ,night4 ,,the day wore away1 twilight came on1 ,annie grew tired of her play1 her eyelids were heavy1 she almost dropped asleep in her father's arms1 as he carried her gently upstairs1 and put her to bed4 ,martin was vexed1 but not alarmed at the prolonged absence of his wife2 he knew that ,ann would be unwilling to quit a party of pleasure early1 and he was thankful that his little nestling was peacefully asleep in her cot1 instead of being kept awake to a late hour in the midst of bustle and noise4 ,it was not till twilight had given place to night1 and storm and rain had come on1 that ,martin became uneasy and restless4 ,many times he went to the outer door1 and looked anxiously up the street1 where the gas-lamps were throwing their yellow light on the brown1 wet1 glistening pavement4 ,few passed the shop on that rough night1 save the policeman on his beat2 even the public-house on the opposite side of the way looked empty and dark4 ,at last there was the rattle of a cab over the paved road4 ,martin did not expect his wife to come in such a conveyance and was surprised when the horse was suddenly pulled up1 as the voice of ,mrs4 ,batten called out from the window3 ,here6 ,this is the place1 the tobacconist's shop4 ,then1 catching sight of ,martin standing at his door1 ,mrs4 ,batten called to him in a more subdued tone of distress-- ,oh6 ,mr4 ,laver1 for mercy's sake come and help her4 ,gently1 gently1 we shall hardly be able to get her out of the cab4 ,what has happened8 exclaimed ,martin1 scarcely able to utter the question1 ,mrs4 ,batten's tone had sent such a chill of dread to his heart1 as he threw open the door of the cab4 ,steamers racing--boiler burst--she is frightfully scalded2 we took her to a chemist's1 where her hurts were dressed1 but she moaned and prayed to be taken home4 ,i thought she'd have died on the road4 ,martin heard very few of the words of his neighbour1 his whole attention was anxiously given to his miserable wife4 ,fearfully disfigured1 her swollen features half-covered by bandages1 ,ann's husband would hardly have recognised her as the same flaunting woman who some hours before had quitted his home4 ,it was a difficult task1 even with the aid of ,mrs4 ,batten and the driver1 to lift ,mrs4 ,laver out of the cab1 and1 still more so1 to carry her up the narrow staircase4 ,every touch caused agony1 and the unhappy woman swooned as soon as she was laid upon the bed4 ,she ought to have been taken to the ,infirmary1 ,i said she ought1 cried ,mrs4 ,batten2 but she would hear of no place but home4 ,little ,annie1 roused from peaceful sleep1 started up from her pillow1 startled at the sound of voices in the room1 and still more so at the strange and fearful-looking figure stretched on the bed so close to her crib4 ,what's that8 cried the child in terror1 pointing at her insensible mother4 ,hush6 ,my lamb1 lie down1 whispered ,martin4 ,mother's come back from ,greenwich1 you must make no noise to disturb her4 ,even in that hour of distress ,martin thanked ,god from his heart that his child had not shared the fate of her parent4 ,mrs4 ,batten hurried off in the cab for a doctor1 whose arrival was anxiously awaited by ,martin4 ,when the medical man had come and examined the patient1 he pronounced ,mrs4 ,laver to be in a critical state4 ,she was in great pain of body and anguish of mind1 and passed the rest of that night in fearful misery4 ,at an early hour of the morning1 ,martin1 at ,ann's own desire1 sent an urgent message to ,mr4 ,vale1 the clergyman of the parish1 to ask him to come and see his sick wife4 ,laver6 repeated ,mr4 ,vale1 when the message was delivered by ,mrs4 ,batten4 ,surely that is the name on the tobacconist's shop in ,john ,street4 ,the very same1 said the fishmonger's wife4 ,i used always to see with regret that shop open when ,i passed it on ,sundays1 observed the clergyman1 who had once entered it when on his way to church1 in order to expostulate with ,mrs4 ,laver both on her ,sabbath-breaking1 and on the character of some of the ballads exposed in her window4 ,last ,sunday1 however1 ,i noticed that1 for the first time1 the shutters were up4 ,i suppose that both ,laver and his wife had gone on this unfortunate party of pleasure4 ,no1 sir1 not he1 replied ,mrs4 ,batten1 frankly4 ,i wish that none of us had had more to do with the matter than ,martin ,laver4 ,he had words with his wife1 she told me herself1 poor soul1 about that same closing of the shop2 he was determined to give up all selling and buying upon ,sundays1 and mighty angry was she at what she called his folly2 but maybe he was the wiser of the two after all4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,laver1 moaning on her sick-bed1 had good cause to come to the same conclusion4 ,what had she procured with those ,sunday earnings which she had reserved for the ,sunday treat8 ,a few hours of boisterous pleasure1 to be followed by many weeks of pain6 ,and sickness drew poverty after it2 for ,martin's time was necessarily so much taken up with nursing his wife1 and attending to their child1 that business was much neglected1 while illness brought many expenses4 ,ann ,laver had to pay a very dear price indeed for her frolic down the river1 undertaken against the will of her husband4 ,but this1 it may be said1 was quite accidental2 ,ann might have broken the ,fourth ,commandment every ,sunday in her life1 and yet have been never the worse4 ,no1 never believe that1 my reader1 all money unlawfully earned may be called ,satan's loan1 and at one time or other1 a fearful amount of interest has to be paid for every farthing thus borrowed4 ,lightly won--lightly gone1 says the proverb1 but this expresses but half of the truth4 ,ill-gotten money not only seems to slip through the fingers1 but it leaves a brand on the soul1 and a fearful debt on the conscience4 ,an account is kept1 and all must be paid for in this world1 in the next1 or in ,,both6 99 99 ,christ has paid all debts of ,his saints4 ,let not only the godless rich1 but the godless poor--the thief1 the ,sabbath-breaker1 the wretched earner of the wages of sin--pause and reflect on this awful sentence1 written in ,god's holy ,book--,your gold and silver is cankered1 and the rust of them shall be a witness against you1 and shall eat your flesh as it were fire4 ,ye have heaped treasure together for the last days6 ,james v4 #c4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,way ,opened4 ,,the next six weeks were for ,martin1 weeks of sore trial4 ,his wife's sufferings brought on her an attack of low fever2 his night's rest was broken1 his strength exhausted by watching1 his business was failing at the very time when comforts were most urgently needed4 ,martin locked his sorrow in his own heart1 and let not a word escape that could distress his suffering wife4 ,he strengthened himself in the ,lord1 comforting himself with the words of ,scripture1 ,if ye endure chastening1 ,god dealeth with you as sons 4 4 4 thus dealing with ,his children that they may be partakers of ,his holiness4 99 99 ,heb4 xii4 #g-aj4 ,the visits of ,mr4 ,vale were likewise a great comfort to ,martin ,laver1 especially as they seemed to have a softening effect upon ,ann4 ,she was often1 indeed1 irritable and complaining2 the pain which she had to endure well accounted for that1 but she would at least listen to the truth1 and never again did she venture to taunt her husband with being a saint4 ,at the end of six weeks ,ann was sufficiently recovered to be able to come again into her shop1 and even to take her place behind the counter for a short time1 while ,martin went to make some necessary purchase4 ,things seem little changed here1 said ,ann to herself1 as she glanced around4 ,there are the pipes which ,i tied up myself with a bit of old ribbon1 the ballads too in their place1 not a soul seems to have bought them4 ,i fear that business has been terribly slack1 and my poor ,martin looks ill too2 he has never had a chance of getting up his strength4 ,he must have had a hard time of it while ,i was keeping my bed4 ,oh6 ,mrs4 ,batten1 cried ,ann1 as the portly figure of the fishmonger's wife appeared at the door of the shop1 you see ,i'm again at my post4 ,glad of it1 mighty glad of it6 said ,mrs4 ,batten1 coming up to the counter1 but with little of gladness upon her good-humoured face4 ,i'm afraid you've been hard put to it1 she added1 lowering her voice1 or your good man would not have had his umbrella and greatcoat in pawn4 ,in pawn6 exclaimed ,ann1 with a startled look2 for she had little idea of the extent of the difficulties which ,martin had had to encounter4 ,are you sure that he has them in pawn8 ,as sure as that my name is ,betsy ,batten4 ,i saw him coming out of the shop1 and asked him about it1 just as he was turning into the chemist's1 next door1 to pay a precious long bill4 ,ann bit her lip1 and silently turned away to busy herself with sorting cigars4 ,here was a startling confirmation of a fear which had often crossed her mind during her illness1 that her husband's business was not thriving1 and that1 unless matters mended1 ruin might soon stare them both in the face4 ,the tobacconist's wife said nothing more on the subject1 though it was never out of her thoughts1 until she and ,martin were at their quiet evening meal1 with little ,annie sitting1 as usual1 upon her father's knee4 ,martin1 you're a-hiding something from me1 said ,ann1 abruptly1 looking full at her husband4 ,don't think ,i'm afraid to hear truth2 ,i'd rather know it right out at once1 and so be prepared for the worst4 ,we'll be bankrupt before the winter sets in4 ,no1 not so bad as that1 replied ,martin1 calmly2 but now that you are--thank ,god6--so much stronger1 it is better that you should know all4 ,there should never be a secret between man and wife4 ,ann1 ,i can't get on with this business2 it is to me a losing concern2 ,i don't make enough to pay rent and cover expenses4 ,and they have been so heavy1 so heavy of late6 sighed ,ann4 ,it is a relief to me to find that ,mason1 our neighbour round the corner1 is willing to take the whole concern off our hands at ,michaelmas1 if you and ,i agree in thinking that it is better to give up the business before we are entangled in debt4 ,if this arrangement be settled1 we shall then be clear of the world1 though1 added ,laver1 with a melancholy smile4 ,we shall have little enough left1 ,i fear1 with which to begin life again4 ,ann covered her eyes with her hand1 and moaned aloud in her bitterness of spirit4 ,there's no use in going on longer1 struggling to get a livelihood here1 she murmured4 ,my father is dead1 my brothers won't help us2 ,i'm sure don't know which way to look4 ,upwards6 said ,martin1 hopefully4 ,the word had scarcely escaped his lips when a tap was heard at the door1 and on ,martin's rising and opening it1 the now familiar form of ,mr4 ,vale1 the rector1 entered the parlour4 ,even little ,annie had always a smile with which to welcome the kindly old man1 who used to pat her on the head1 and give her his cane to play with4 ,i ask pardon for interrupting you at your meal1 said the clergyman1 motioning to ,martin and his wife to resume their seats1 while he took that which was instantly placed for him by ,ann4 ,i thought1 ,laver1 that you might be the man to help me out of a little difficulty in which ,i unexpectedly find myself now4 ,my ,scripture reader1 ,john ,hallam--you know him8--came to me an hour ago to inform me that he had just received a telegram from ,wales4 ,his father1 who lives in a farm there1 has been taken dangerously ill1 and ,hallam is wanted at home4 ,now1 it so happens that at this time there is a particular press of work in our parish1 and my curate is absent on leave4 ,it has occurred to my mind that you might take my ,scripture reader's place for a week1 or longer1 if his return be delayed4 ,what do you say to the suggestion8 ,martin and his wife exchanged glances2 it seemed as if a door had been unexpectedly opened before them4 ,there is no kind of work which ,i should like better1 sir1 said ,laver1 were ,i only fit to undertake it4 ,but you see1 sir1 ,i've no experience1 and ,i should but disappoint you and wrong the people1 by attempting to do that which ,i could not perform well4 ,i know enough of your character1 ,laver1 observed the rector1 to feel sure that your heart would be in the work1 and this is one of the first of qualifications4 ,besides1 it appears to me that you have studied your ,bible1 and love it4 ,it would be a real relief to my mind if ,i could have one in whom ,i could put confidence to take ,hallam's place1 if but for a week4 ,there could be no harm at least in trying me for a week1 sir1 said ,laver1 deeply gratified at having been chosen by ,mr4 ,vale to fill1 even for a short period1 such a responsible office4 ,martin little guessed at that time1 that the engagement for a week was to last through many years4 ,the father of ,hallam died1 leaving to him1 as his eldest son1 the management of his farm and the care of his widow4 ,but ,mr4 ,vale1 in the meantime1 had found ,martin ,laver so zealous and useful1 so diligent in his work1 and so judicious in his way of performing it1 that the clergyman was glad to retain him in the office of ,scripture reader4 ,martin had now entered upon the happiest as well as the most useful portion of his life4 ,it was his delight1 as well as his duty1 to visit the widows in their affliction1 support the weak1 comfort the sorrowful1 and direct sinners to the ,saviour4 ,it was given to the humble labourer to win many souls from darkness into light4 ,but perhaps ,martin's deepest source of happiness was to be found in his own home4 ,annie grew up to be all that a father's heart could desire--his helper in all good works4 ,mrs4 ,laver also learned to realise the blessedness of living the life1 as well as of holding the faith1 of a saint4 ,she learned that whom the ,lord pardons and saves1 ,he purifies also1 and that faith and obedience are closely linked together in this world1 as in ,heaven holiness and happiness will both be made perfect together4 ,a ,,conqueror ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,life',s ,,struggle4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a ,storm ,down ,below4 ,,what--she says that she saw the silver paper knife in my box6 ,it's a false slander--it's a burning shame6 ,i defy her to say so again6 ,these exclamations were uttered by ,miriam ,macbean in a voice almost hoarse with passion1 as she turned suddenly round1 and with sparkling eyes and clenched fist1 faced the fellow-servant who had1 as she thought1 accused her of purloining the property of her mistress4 ,caroline cowered under the tempest of anger which she had brought upon herself1 for ,miriam looked ready to strike as well as to storm4 ,the young maid was almost foaming with fury1 for ,miriam regarded her own spotless character as something more precious than life2 it had never been so much as breathed on before1 and her naturally fiery temper was all in a blaze in a moment4 ,miriam1 there is no use in being so angry1 said her mistress1 ,mrs4 ,mellor1 with quiet dignity of manner4 ,no one wishes to accuse you unjustly1 or to believe anything against you4 ,i merely asked ,caroline if she knew what had become of the silver knife which1 as you are both well aware1 usually lies on the drawing-room table4 ,i had missed it to-day from its place4 ,caroline has hunted for it in vain1 but mentioned that she had seen something like it in your box1 and-- ,search my box--turn it upside down--,i don't care--,i'm not afraid of any investigation1 cried ,miriam1 with ungovernable rage4 ,let her--let that viper bring down the box1 and there's the key4 ,miriam pushed it rudely towards the lady4 ,you shall see yourself1 and judge for yourself2 ,i'll not stir a step from this spot until this matter is sifted to the bottom6 ,go and bring down the box1 ,caroline1 said ,mrs4 ,mellor1 perplexed and annoyed at the scene before her4 ,caroline was only too glad to escape for a few minutes from the presence of the furious girl1 and muttered to herself as she ascended the stairs1 that she wished that she had bitten her tongue off before she had said a word about seeing that knife in ,miriam's box4 ,mrs4 ,mellor1 feeling very uncomfortable1 took her seat on a chair in the kitchen1 leaning her arm on the dresser1 while awaiting ,caroline's return4 ,i am glad1 she thought to herself1 that ,miriam has a few minutes in which to let her passion cool down4 ,but ,miriam looked as if her passion were only glowing to more intense heat1 as she stood with her arms a-kimbo1 her eyes glaring1 her cheeks flushed scarlet1 and on her face an expression of defiance which nearly bordered on insolence4 ,open it--open it--turn everything out1 ,i insist on a thorough search6 she cried fiercely1 as ,caroline1 trembling1 brought in the box4 ,i shouldn't care a straw if all the world were to see what's in it6 ,and with her teeth rigidly set1 the young maid watched the movements of her mistress1 as ,mrs4 ,mellor put the key into the lock1 turned it1 and then raised the lid4 ,i am sure that ,i do not doubt your honesty1 ,miriam2 had you not insisted yourself-- began the lady1 as she lightly turned over a few of the neatly packed linens and books which the box contained4 ,she did not finish her sentence1 for at the moment that she uttered the last word her hand touched a paper cutter of white metal which lay near the top of the box1 and ,caroline exclaimed--,that's the thing that ,i saw6 ,this is certainly not my paper knife1 though something like it1 ,i own1 said the lady1 annoyed at the mistake which her housemaid had made4 ,certainly it is not1 muttered ,miriam4 ,it was the parting gift of my soldier-brother before he sailed from ,england--and there's about as much silver in it as there is truth in her6 ,and she turned a withering glance on ,caroline1 who appeared extremely confused4 ,i've not a notion what has become of the knife4 ,i've never touched it since ,i dusted it yesterday1 said the young housemaid4 ,mrs4 ,mellor saw that a fierce storm of words was beginning again between her two servants1 and was determined1 if possible1 to put a stop to this1 at least for a time4 ,caroline1 she said1 ,i hear the house-door opened1 your master has just come in1 go and ask him from me whether he has ordered the fish for dinner4 ,as soon as ,caroline had quitted the kitchen1 the lady said1 turning to ,miriam1 ,i can permit no high words1 no quarrelling in my house2 ,i hope that you and ,caroline will make up-- ,miriam had so completely lost self-control that she interrupted her mistress4 ,i'll not stop under the same roof with her--,i'll not stop in any place where ,i've been suspected of stealing6 ,i hope you'll suit yourself1 ma'am1 ,i give you warning6 cried ,miriam1 with passionate emotion1 the hot tears rising to her eyes4 ,i should be sorry to part with you1 ,miriam2 you have given much satisfaction to your master and me2 ,i do not suspect you in the least1 said the lady4 ,but ,miriam only muttered1 ,i'll not stop1 ,i'll not stop6 ,you had better consult your friends before you take any foolish step1 which you might bitterly regret1 observed ,mrs4 ,mellor4 ,i've no friends in ,london1 or anywhere else1 only my soldier-brother who has lately returned from ,abyssinia1 said ,miriam2 he is the only relation whom ,i have now left in the world4 ,go and consult with him then1 said her mistress2 you are much too angry at present to be able to judge for yourself4 ,and the lady quitted the kitchen1 thinking to herself as she did so1 ,what a valuable servant ,miriam would be1 if she could only control that terrible temper6 ,when there is nothing to ruffle her1 no one could perform her duties better1 but an affair like this serves to show how much of the tiger-cat spirit is within her4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,twins4 ,,anything the matter down in the lower regions1 my dear8 ,you look annoyed1 said the mild1 placid little husband of ,mrs4 ,mellor1 as his lady entered the drawing-room in which he was resting himself after his walk4 ,oh6 ,we've had a tempest in a teapot6 replied ,mrs4 ,mellor4 ,miriam is in one of her tempers4 ,i thought that ,i heard loud voices as ,i came into the house1 said the quiet1 easy-going master1 as he laid down on the table a new magazine which he had been reading as he walked4 ,the attention of ,mrs4 ,mellor was attracted by the shine of the paper cutter which was placed between the leaves as a marker4 ,why1 there's the very silver knife which has caused all this storm6 cried the lady4 ,i never dreamed of your having taken it out of the room4 ,i wanted it to cut the leaves of my book4 ,is any harm done8 asked her husband4 ,i'm afraid that that paper knife has lost me one of the most honest1 most industrious1 most steady girls that ,i ever had in my service1 replied ,mrs4 ,mellor1 who was really vexed at what had occurred4 ,however1 it may not be too late to set matters right1 she added2 and after hastily ringing the bell1 she quitted the room4 ,the loud voices which her husband had heard from the kitchen were sounding louder than ever4 ,mrs4 ,mellor had rung the bell rather sharply1 but it was not till she had more than once called out the name of ,miriam1 that ,miriam appeared up the kitchen stairs4 ,miriam1 the paper knife is found2 your master had it1 said the lady in a mild voice1 intended to soothe the feelings of the maid4 ,all is right now1 all is cleared up2 ,i've no wish that you and ,i should part because ,caroline made a mistake4 ,all's not right1 said ,miriam with petulance2 hurt feelings can't be plaistered up with a word4 ,i can't stop in this house with ,caroline4 ,i'm going to tell my brother1 ma'am1 that ,i've given you warning4 ,and the ill-tempered girl1 turning her back on her mistress1 hurried upstairs to put on her bonnet and shawl4 ,what a sad pity it is that ,miriam1 a good girl in other respects1 lets herself be so conquered by her temper1 thought ,mrs4 ,mellor1 as1 with just displeasure1 she returned to the sitting-room in which she had left her husband4 ,the lady would have thought it sadder still1 had ,miriam been long enough in her service for her to have known all the noble qualities possessed by this ill-tempered girl4 ,miriam had as high a sense of honour as could have been hers had she been born and bred a lady4 ,her lips were never stained with untruth1 she never did a mean or deceitful thing4 ,had ,miriam found the door of her mistress's store-room open1 there would not have been in it one spoonful of tea or one lump of sugar the less4 ,had ,miriam discovered the contents of a purse scattered over the carpet1 ,mrs4 ,mellor's gold would have been as safe in ,miriam's care as if locked up in an iron box4 ,there was no wretched purloining of trifles1 no picking or stealing with ,miriam2 her conduct was as upright when no mortal was near to watch it1 as if she had known that her actions were witnessed by all the world4 ,for ,miriam ,macbean lived in the fear and love of ,god4 ,religion with her was no empty name4 ,with all the straightforward earnestness of her nature1 she had given herself to the service of her ,heavenly ,master4 ,when1 at her confirmation1 in answer to the question whether she would take upon herself the vow made for her at her baptism1 she had uttered the solemn words ,i ,do1 that answer came from the bottom of her heart1 and with a fervent prayer that ,god would help her to keep her vow4 ,miriam had never forgotten that day1 and had often repeated that prayer4 ,and ,miriam was not only of a conscientious spirit1 she had a warm affectionate heart4 ,she and her twin brother ,hamil had at an early age been left orphans1 and almost alone in the world4 ,never1 perhaps1 had brother and sister loved each other more fondly than did the young ,macbeans4 ,often would ,miriam recall the days of her childhood1 when the twins lived in a country home4 ,there was a brook which flowed near the cottage in which they had dwelt1 and often1 when fording this brook1 ,hamil would carry ,miriam with tottering footsteps across the water1 to save her from wetting her feet4 ,the boy1 who was strong and hearty1 would never allow that the weight of his dear little sister could tire him4 ,a slight incident which had occurred when the children were scarcely ten years of age1 had shown how warmly ,miriam returned the affection of her twin brother4 ,hamil1 when searching a hedge for blackberries1 had chanced to be bitten by a viper4 ,the boy's cry of terror and pain had brought ,miriam in alarm to his side4 ,child as she was1 her little foot was in an instant stamped upon the head of the snake that had wounded her brother2 her love seemed to take away fear1 and catching up a large stone1 she actually succeeded in killing the reptile4 ,then1 seeing the small mark of the serpent's bite in ,hamil's bleeding hand1 the brave child1 without a moment's hesitation1 drew it to her lips1 and with all her might proceeded1 as she said1 to suck out the poison4 ,a farmer who happened to be not far from the spot1 and who had seen what had happened1 came up just as ,miriam1 panting and excited when all the danger was over1 was embracing her young brother with a violent burst of tears4 ,well done1 my brave little maiden6 exclaimed the farmer1 clapping her on the shoulder4 ,but you did not stop to think that you might have been sucking poison in while trying to suck it out4 ,it didn't need thinking6 cried the child through her tears4 ,i'd much rather have lost my life than my brother6 ,happily neither of the children suffered from the effects of the venom2 but ,hamil never forgot the proof of affection given to him by his sister4 ,the tie which united the hearts of the twins did not become weaker by the lapse of years1 and parting was a sore trial to both when ,miriam entered her first place1 and ,hamil enlisted as a soldier4 ,most of the young maid's spare moments were given to writing to her absent brother1 and when he was on his campaign in ,abyssinia1 a letter with the ,african post-mark on it1 filled her with keen delight4 ,the letter would be read over and over again1 and then hoarded amongst her treasures4 ,when victory crowned the ,british arms1 when ,magdala fell1 ,miriam was as proud of her hero brother as if the whole success of the war had depended on the prowess of his single arm4 ,she was almost wild with joy when she heard that ,hamill was ordered home1 and that1 after their painful separation1 she should see her twin brother once more4 ,great joys and great sorrows are often closely linked together2 sometimes when we are feeling for the sweet ripe fruit1 we unexpectedly find the serpent4 ,miriam had some difficulty in getting leave to go and see her brother1 who was stationed for a short time at ,greenwich after his arrival from ,abyssinia4 ,miriam's impatience was so great that she almost threw up her place1 because she had to wait for two or three days before obtaining this leave4 ,at last1 with a heart bounding with joy1 ,miriam set out on her little journey in company with ,mrs4 ,smith1 a soldier's wife1 who was going to her husband at ,woolwich4 ,fast went the train1 but not fast enough to suit the impatience of ,miriam4 ,short was the journey1 but to the eager girl every mile seemed to swell into ten4 ,woolwich was reached1 and ,miriam with her companion was soon hurrying up one of the streets4 ,how fast you walk1 my dear1 observed ,mrs4 ,smith with a smile2 you must remember that ,i'm not quite so young as you are4 ,i'll get my husband to find out your brother and bring him to our meeting-place at the baker's2 for1 eager as you are1 ,i suppose that you'll hardly rush right into the barracks to see him4 ,miriam laughed--how merry and blithe was her laugh--and slackened her pace a little4 ,as they turned the corner of a street1 ,mrs4 ,smith spoke again1 but in a lower tone1 to her young companion4 ,we had better cross over to the other side of the road2 don't you see that soldier in front of us can't walk straight1 ,i'm sure that the fellow is drunk4 ,miriam did not appear to have heard what was said1 and when ,mrs4 ,smith put her hand upon the girl's arm to draw her across the road1 to her surprise she felt that the arm was nervously trembling6 ,looking into ,miriam's face1 ,mrs4 ,smith saw that she had suddenly turned very pale1 and that her eyes were fixed with intense emotion upon the form of the soldier in front1 though his back was turned towards them4 ,come1 ,i say1 he's in liquor1 repeated ,mrs4 ,smith in a whisper1 let's go to the other side of the way4 ,at that moment the soldier chanced to turn round3 it had not been needful for ,miriam to see that face--that flushed face3 she had already recognised her darling brother in the half-intoxicated man whom her companion had been afraid to pass6 ,hamil was not so far gone in drinking as not to recognise ,miriam2 the sudden meeting half-sobered him1 and he gave her a loud1 much too loud a greeting4 ,but the red face1 the thick utterance1 the unsteady gait1 the noisy mirth1 all cut like a knife into the heart of poor ,miriam4 ,she had never thought1 till that day1 that she could be ashamed of her brother4 ,she would have given anything that ,mrs4 ,smith had not seen him1 that he had not turned round1 but gone on his way4 ,the words1 ,i'm sure that he's drunk1 seemed to haunt her1 ringing in her ears all the rest of the day1 and breaking her rest at night1 after she had returned from her miserable visit to ,woolwich4 ,wretchedness made ,miriam's naturally warm temper very irritable indeed on that evening4 ,caroline wondered what could have come over her1 and ,mrs4 ,mellor determined that she would not soon again give her young servant an afternoon's leave4 ,after a sleepless1 wretched night1 poor ,miriam rose before daybreak1 and wrote a letter to her brother4 ,a very touching letter it was1 and blotted with her tears4 ,there was not a word of reproach in it1 but much sorrow and more love1 and gentle tender counsel1 such as a pious mother might have given to her son4 ,no stranger who might have chanced to see ,miriam in one of her tempers1 would have believed that that girl with flashing dark eyes and unbridled tongue could ever have written such a letter4 ,with sickening suspense ,miriam awaited her brother's reply4 ,at that time her soul was almost constantly wrestling in prayer4 ,whether she were employed in dusting the room1 or preparing the meal by the kitchen fire1 or at the wash-tub1 ,miriam was silently lifting up her heart in an agony of entreaty for her twin brother4 ,the answer to her letter came before long4 ,miriam's heart was in a flutter as she tore the envelope open1 then she could scarcely read the lines before her1 because of the thankful tears which flowed before she had read the letter half through4 ,hamil was quite as much ashamed of his conduct as his sister had been1 and the young soldier had the manliness to own it4 ,he had been led away by evil company1 he had not had the strength to resist the temptations which beset a man in barracks1 but he promised to struggle against what he confessed to be his besetting weakness1 a taste for ardent spirits4 ,hamil asked his sister to pray for him2 he would1 he wrote1 follow her good advice1 and watch and pray for himself4 ,he trusted that he would never again give his darling ,miriam cause to blush for her brother4 ,a great weight was lifted from the heart of ,miriam2 ,hamil seemed dearer than ever4 ,again the sister could go on her way rejoicing in hope4 ,to ,miriam's great satisfaction1 ,hamil was soon afterwards removed to barracks in ,london4 ,though her brother was now so much nearer to her1 ,miriam was but seldom able to see him4 ,she was too upright a girl to spend on her own gratification without leave1 the time which belonged to her mistress4 ,miriam was by far too honest and conscientious to entertain even a brother without her employer's knowledge1 and still less at her employer's expense4 ,miriam was a ,christian girl1 and in this behaved like a ,christian4 ,an occasional meeting with ,hamil on a ,sunday afternoon1 when they would walk to church together1 was all that the sister could venture to expect1 but this was enough to make her whole life brighter4 ,miriam looked forward through all the week to her happy hour upon ,sunday4 ,matters had thus gone on quietly for some little time1 when the unfortunate affair of the silver knife occasioned the scene related in the first chapter4 ,from childhood1 ,miriam had had a hot impatient temper1 and though she had often regretted it1 she had never striven against it with all her heart and soul1 as against an enemy that was drawing her into serious sin4 ,it was natural to her1 ,miriam would say1 and this wretched excuse served in some measure to quiet her conscience4 ,miriam saw other people selfish and mean1 dishonest and untruthful2 she knew that her fellow-servant's standard of duty was very much lower than her own4 ,miriam did not realise that she1 with all her scrupulous honesty and piety1 was bringing disgrace on her religion by a temper quite unworthy of a follower of ,him who was meek and lowly2 nay1 that her conduct was actually a stumbling-block in the way of ,caroline1 who almost dreaded and disliked1 while she could not help in most things respecting her4 ,it's all very fine ,miriam's pretending to be better than other folk6 exclaimed ,caroline1 when ,miriam1 as has been related1 left the kitchen to obey her mistress's call4 ,but her praying1 her ,bible-reading1 and church-going1 don't prevent her from flying out like a fury4 ,i wouldn't have her temper for the world6 ,for all her strict notions1 ,i take it that ,i'm as much of a ,christian as she6 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,in ,peril4 ,,miriam1 excited and angry still1 went up to her little attic to prepare for her walk1 carrying up with her the box which ,caroline had brought down4 ,with ,miriam the storm had not yet blown over4 ,for ,caroline1 indeed1 to talk about seeing anything in my box6 she muttered1 as she put down her burden on the floor with a heavy bang4 ,she knows well enough that ,i'd no more stoop to do the mean things that she does1 than ,i'd go begging barefoot about the streets6 ,and to think of mistress listening for a moment to the backbiting sneak6 ,i'm glad that ,i gave her warning6 ,i'd rather be a galley-slave1 ,i would1 than stop in a place where ,i am not trusted4 ,miriam's mind was like a piece of water that has been violently disturbed1 and which can reflect nothing distinctly2 every image is distorted and confused4 ,but even before she had quitted the house1 reason had begun to resume its quiet power1 and ,miriam to have a suspicion that her own conduct in the affair had not been altogether either sensible or right4 ,i wonder if ,hamil will think that ,i have done a foolish thing1 said ,miriam to herself1 as she went out into the street1 where the freshness of the air served to help in cooling her temper4 ,he was vexed when he heard of my leaving my last place1 just because ,i had quarrelled with the nurse4 ,i shall only have a four months' character now1 and1 after all1 four mouths was hardly a long enough time for mistress to know me so well as to listen to nothing against me4 ,i wish that ,i had kept my temper better1 but ,i can't help flaring up when any one touches my character4 ,i am so much afraid that ,hamil will be vexed4 ,he is so quiet and calm and wise himself1 he has such a beautiful temper2 ,i never knew him fly into a passion in all his life6 ,he knows ,i have been a peppery little thing from my childhood1 only ,i never was angry with him1 oh6 ,no--,i never could be angry with him6 ,tender thoughts of her brother still further calmed the spirit of ,miriam2 the troubled waters were becoming quiet as a mirror again1 and the excited mind could once more reflect4 ,miriam began now to think that she had come on a useless errand1 for it was likely enough that she might not be able to have a word with her brother1 who did not expect in the least to see her at such a time1 and who would probably be engaged in performing military duty4 ,besides this1 ,miriam was by far too modest and well-conducted a girl to go to the barracks alone1 without any proper protection4 ,how was she to let her brother know that she was waiting to see him1 and wishing to ask his advice8 ,i do believe that ,i shall have to go back again just as wise as ,i came4 ,i've been acting the part of a foolish1 ill-tempered child1 thought ,miriam1 as she slackened her pace1 walking up ,albany ,street towards the barracks4 ,here1 however1 ,miriam was mistaken1 for the thought had scarcely crossed her mind1 when her glance fell on a tall form in uniform that she knew well1 on the opposite side of the street4 ,oh6 ,this is fortunate indeed1 exclaimed ,miriam1 to think that ,hamil should be the first soldier whom ,i should meet6 ,she had little time for self-gratulation1 however1 for as she spoke ,hamil turned aside from the pavement1 and disappeared within the door of a public-house4 ,miriam had been heated by exercise and excitement1 but now she turned suddenly cold4 ,the terror which had struck her two months before when she had looked at that same dear form staggering under the influence of drink1 came over her again1 and almost overpowered her4 ,was her brother1 the brave noble-hearted brother1 whom she so fondly loved1 he of whom she had been so proud1 was he yielding again to that deadly vice1 which would sink him lower than the brutes6 ,miriam's anxiety for ,hamil's safety during the campaign in ,abyssinia had been light and easy to be borne compared with what she felt now2 for had not her brother owned that a taste for drinking was his besetting weakness1 and to what must that taste1 if indulged1 inevitably lead in the end8 ,to shame1 disease1 and misery1 condemnation before ,god1 things a thousandfold worse than death6 ,hamil was entering on the steep downward incline1 and what a precipice lay before him6 ,the full extent of her brother's peril flashed on the mind of ,miriam1 and every other feeling yielded to the one desire to save him1 as she quickened her steps almost to a run4 ,the modest young maiden had never crossed the threshold of a public-house1 nor had she even thought of doing so before2 ,miriam had a natural shrinking from going amongst strangers1 and into a place where it would be unseemly for her to appear--and yet1 to the no small surprise of ,hamil1 as he stood at the bar with a glass of gin in his hand1 he heard a voice nervously pronounce his name1 and1 turning1 beheld his twin at his side6 ,you here6 exclaimed the soldier1 almost dropping the glass in his amazement4 ,i must speak with you--it is on a matter of importance--,i am leaving my place1 said ,miriam1 so breathless with excitement1 that she could hardly bring out the words4 ,hamil's first impulse was to toss off the liquor for which he had paid1 before leaving the bar1 but he changed his intention1 put down the untasted glass1 and followed his sister out of the place4 ,the soldier was annoyed that ,miriam1 even for one minute1 should have been seen within those doors4 ,what brought you here8 ,what had you to say to me8 ,hamil asked1 with a little approach to impatience in his manner2 had he possessed less fine a temper1 he would have been angry4 ,oh6 ,hamil--how could you1 after all that you promised-- began ,miriam1 but she could not1 from emotion1 go on4 ,all that had led her to seek her brother on the present occasion1 her own affairs1 her loss of place1 her quarrel with ,caroline1 seemed to have entirely escaped from her mind4 ,she had room there now for but one thought1 that of the temptation and danger of ,hamil4 ,the soldier could very well imagine what was passing through the brain of his sister4 ,he felt humbled and disgusted with himself1 for when he had entered that public-house1 ,hamil knew that he was breaking through many an earnest resolution made to himself1 as well as the promise made to his sister4 ,the twins walked on for some little way in silence1 then1 as if by tacit consent1 they took the first turn into the ,regent's ,park4 ,entering the enclosure1 ,hamil and ,miriam went over the grass to a quiet seat1 where they could converse together undisturbed and unheeded by any one4 ,neither of the ,macbeans uttered another word until they had reached this seat1 and sat down upon it2 each was busy with bitter thoughts which it would be difficult and painful to put into language4 ,miriam1 indeed1 was beginning to turn her thoughts into prayer1 and when once she was able to do this1 half their bitterness was taken away4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,struggle4 ,i ,,know all that you will say1 ,miriam1 began ,hamil1 who was the first to break silence1 looking down gloomily at the dusty grass before him4 ,you don't suppose that ,i've not often thought of my promise1 and tried to keep it too4 ,i had not so much as entered a public since ,i received your letter1 till a few days ago1 and then two of my comrades1 jovial fellows1 laughed me out of my resolutions1 and got me to stand treat4 ,and so the door was opened to the enemy1 suggested ,miriam1 sadly2 you did not find it easy to close it again4 ,i'll not deny it1 ,i took more than was good for me1 and ,i was near getting into a scrape at the time4 ,but the worst of it is1 continued ,hamil more rapidly1 kicking up the dust with the heel of his boot1 the worst of it is1 that now the thirst and the longing is awakened again1 and it seems as if ,i could not resist them6 ,i do not want to disgrace myself1 nor to vex you1 ,miriam1 but ,i hardly am my own master in this4 ,no one knows1 but those who have felt it1 the difficulties which beset a man who would get rid of a taste for spirits4 ,hamil1 you are a soldier1 a brave1 noble soldier1 one who never1 in the field1 was daunted or kept back by difficulties1 said ,miriam1 pressing the arm of her brother4 ,remember the fearful mountain passes through which you went with the army in ,abyssinia4 ,of what long weary marches you have told me1 when you had to struggle up heights1 through stony1 almost impassable defiles1 till your breath failed1 and your muscles were strained1 and you felt that your limbs could scarcely support your weight4 ,but difficulties did not turn you back then4 ,you were the ,queen's faithful soldier and were willing to serve her to the death4 ,i could not have held back then1 observed ,hamil4 ,and can you hold back now8 cried ,miriam4 ,oh6 ,hamil1 remember what our curate said to us before our confirmation2 you and ,i can never forget that sermon4 ,he told us that we are all the enlisted soldiers or ,christ1 with ,his weapons to bear1 and ,his battles to fight1 and that for ,his sake we must all learn to 'endure hardness4' 99 ,life is our one great campaign1 sin is our great enemy1 and the ,lord ,christ ,himself the ,captain of our salvation4 ,if we follow ,him we must expect to have to face some difficulties1 if we follow ,him we must fight4 ,oh dear brother1 after hearing that sermon1 do you not recollect how you and ,i went together to the wood in the hollow1 and1 under the great beech-tree1 prayed that we might indeed be ,christ's faithful soldiers and servants to the end of our lives8 99 #b ,tim4 ii4 #c4 ,hamil heaved a deep sigh2 sweet and holy was the remembrance of that day in their early youth1 when he and his twin sister had resolved that1 come what might1 they would ever keep steady in the service of ,him who had ,himself triumphed over ,satan1 and who could make them more than conquerors by the strength of ,his ,holy ,spirit4 ,the whole scene came back on the soldier's mind2 the golden sunlight streaming through the boughs on the ground strewn with the brown fallen beech-mast1 the sound of a stream gurgling near1 the hum of a bright insect on the wing that had hovered around the twins where they sat on the mossy seat afforded by the gnarled roots of the tree4 ,hamil passed his hand across his eyes as he murmured1 ,would ,i were now what ,i was then6 ,you may be more1 much more than you were then1 cried ,miriam4 ,you and ,i were but as young untried recruits1 who knew little of what might be before us1 but who were ready boldly to face an enemy1 whenever one might attack us4 ,now1 you are as one bearing the burden and heat of the day1 you know your enemy-- ,a great deal too well1 interrupted ,hamil2 he has not only attacked1 but has got the better of me at last4 ,only for a time6 cried ,miriam1 eagerly4 ,never despair1 the struggle is not yet over6 ,you were1 as one may say1 a straggler from the ranks1 you were not on your guard1 the enemy took you at disadvantage4 ,he struck you down for a moment1 but you are up and at him again1 you won't give in1 you'll fight to the end4 ,is it not written in the ,bible1 ',resist the ,devil1 and he will flee from you8' 99 ,wrestle against temptation1 and overcome it1 dear brother1 in the name and in the strength of the ,lord6 99 ,james iv4 #g4 ,miriam's eyes sparkled as she spoke1 and1 as ,hamil looked on that bright animated face raised so earnestly to his own1 the voice of his only sister roused his spirit like the call of a trumpet sounding to arms4 ,ah6 ,miriam1 cried the young soldier1 if ,i had you always beside me to keep me up to the mark1 ,i think that something might be made of me yet4 ,come what may1 you are always ready to rush to the rescue4 ,it's the old story of the viper again2 ,i wish that you could stamp your foot upon my enemy1 intemperance1 as you did on the venomous reptile4 ,you must do that for yourself1 or rather you must ask ,god to do it for you1 ,hamil1 struggling hard yourself all the time4 ,there is such comfort in that text which you and ,i learned together years ago2 ',god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able1 but will1 with the temptation1 also make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it4' 99 99 #a ,cor4 x4 #ac4 ,victory over sin is certainly worth a struggle1 said ,hamil4 ,it is worth the hardest1 the longest struggle6 cried ,miriam1 who felt that her words were making an impression on the mind of her brother4 ,oh6 ,hamil1 was it not joy when1 after all that you had suffered1 after all that you had done1 you stood a conqueror in ,king ,theodore's fortress of ,magdala6 ,was it not joy when you returned to old ,england to receive such a welcome as is given to victors alone8 ,but what is such joy compared to that of the ,christian soldier1 one who has been enabled to triumph over enemies without and within1 the world1 the flesh1 and the ,devil1 if1 at life's close1 he can say with ,st4 ,paul1 ',i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith2 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous ,judge1 shall give me at that day4' #b ,tim4 iv4 #g1 #h4 ,miriam1 my sister1 ,i thank ,god for sending you to me1 said the soldier1 pressing the hand of his twin4 ,i was throwing down my weapons1 ,i was yielding to the foe1 or rather1 like a deserter1 going over to his side4 ,i have been worse than a coward in the battle of life4 ,but from this hour1 ,god helping me1 ,i'll stick to my colours1 and follow my ,leader6 ,i'll never set my foot within the door of a place where ,i know from experience that the enemy would have me at an advantage4 ,i'll pray not to be led into temptation1 and ,i'll keep1 as far as ,i can do so1 out of the way of temptation4 ,the heart of ,miriam bounded with joy4 ,she looked on the fine1 manly1 bronzed countenance of her brother1 with the expression of calm resolution upon it1 and felt how great1 how glorious is the ,christian's struggle against besetting sin1 when he engages in it1 strong in the ,lord1 and in the power of ,his might4 99 99 ,eph4 vi4 #aj4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,brother to the ,rescue4 ,,but now1 said ,hamil1 ,i want to know what brought you up to our quarters when ,i so little expected to see you4 ,i remember now that you said something--,i don't know exactly what--about leaving your place4 ,i thought that you were so comfortable in it1 continued the soldier4 ,when last we met on ,sunday1 you seemed pleased with your master1 mistress1 wages1 everything4 ,i hoped that you would stay in that place till my term of service should be over1 and we could set up business together in some snug little home of our own4 ,you remember that ,i spoke to you about my fellow-servant1 said ,miriam4 ,yes1 ,caroline1 ,i think1 was her name4 ,you described her as a poor1 ill-brought-up girl1 who has never been taught that black's black1 and who has scarcely found out yet that she has such a thing as a soul4 ,but you were taking her in hand1 ,miriam1 and had got her to read at least one verse in the ,bible every day1 and to go to church now and then4 ,i'm not the only one1 added the soldier with a smile1 whom a little sister of mine watches over for good4 ,i'm afraid that you'll not think me very good when you hear all my story1 said ,miriam4 ,not another case of quarrelling1 ,i hope6 cried ,hamil4 ,well1 you shall know all1 and judge for yourself1 said ,miriam4 ,and she and her brother arose from their seat and recommenced walking1 as they went on with their conversation4 ,caroline and ,i had just finished our dinner1 continued ,miriam1 when mistress's bell rang1 and ,caroline went up to answer it4 ,she was away for some time1 hunting in every nook and corner1 as ,i heard afterwards1 for a silver paper knife which mistress had missed from the drawing-room table4 ,i knew nothing1 of course1 to what she was about1 and was quietly washing up the dishes1 when down came ,caroline to the kitchen1 looking as red as your uniform1 and1 to my great surprise1 who should come with her but mistress4 ,mrs4 ,mellor looked grave and uneasy1 and told me of the loss of the paper cutter1 keeping her eyes fixed on my face as she spoke4 ',i have not been in the drawing-room1 ma'am1 since ,i helped to clean it in the morning1' said ,i1 'but ,i remember that the silver knife was then all right in its place4' ,mistress seemed more uneasy than before1 and then said1 glancing first at ,caroline1 then at me1 that my fellow-servant thought--fancied that she had seen that paper knife in my box when ,i had chanced to open it in the forenoon1 while we were up in the attic together4 ,i say6 exclaimed ,hamil1 indignantly4 ,did you tell her that you would as soon have swallowed the knife as have stolen it8 ,not exactly--though ,i said something like it--and ,i demanded that the box should be instantly brought down1 and thoroughly searched4 ,right1 perfectly right6 cried ,hamil ,macbean4 ,i called ,caroline a viper1 a sneak1 and ,i don't remember what names besides2 ,i bade her go and fetch down the box2 indeed1 ,i scarcely knew what ,i was saying1 ,i was in such a thundering passion4 ,hamil thought1 ,wrong1 quite wrong1 but he made no observation aloud4 ,so the box was brought down from the attic1 and mistress opened--,i cannot say that she searched it4 ,one of the first things on which her eye fell was your gift2 you remember my beautiful paper cutter1 made in the shape of a dagger8 ,ah6 ,caroline must have mistaken it for the silver one6 cried ,hamil4 ,she owned that she had done so1 said ,miriam2 they are really a good deal alike4 ,do you suppose1 inquired ,hamil1 gravely1 that this ,caroline had actually herself taken the silver knife from the table8 ,no1 replied ,miriam1 quickly2 to do her justice1 she is not bad enough for that4 ,we soon found what had become of the knife4 ,master had taken it to cut the leaves of some book that he was reading while he was out walking4 ,he chanced to return home in the midst of the business1 and everything was explained4 ,and so the whole matter ended1 ,i hope1 said ,hamil4 ,no1 ,i gave warning to mistress4 ,she wanted me to stay1 but ,i would not4 ,i can never speak to ,caroline again1 so how could ,i stop in that house8 ,why could you never speak a word to ,caroline again8 inquired ,hamil ,macbean4 ,there is at least one word which you should speak--you should ask her pardon for calling her a viper4 ,ask her pardon6 repeated ,miriam1 indignantly4 ,surely you are not taking her part--the part of one who would have blackened the character of your only sister6 ,listen to me quietly1 dear ,miriam1 for a minute1 and1 if you can do so1 answer me calmly4 ,did ,caroline1 or did she not1 believe that she had seen the silver knife in your box8 ,she must have known me well enough to be sure that ,i would have scorned to touch it6 cried ,miriam1 evading the question4 ,people readily believe what they wish to be true1 observed ,hamil4 ,what do you mean8 ,why should ,caroline wish me to be a thief8 asked ,miriam1 abruptly1 looking with surprise into the face of the soldier4 ,by your own account1 the knife was lost1 had been searched for in vain2 suspicion must have lain on ,caroline herself2 she naturally was only too glad to turn it on another1 and you yourself own that the paper cutter was like your own1 which she had chanced to see in your box4 ,and you must take another thing into account1 dear ,miriam4 ,caroline has not been able to live for months with you1 without finding out that your ideas of duty are very much higher than hers4 ,she must begin to suspect that if you are right1 she must be wrong1 and such suspicion is very unpleasant4 ,the life of every consistent ,christian is a rebuke to a godless world4 ,i believe that this is the chief reason why the world is so ready to hate him1 so eager to pick holes in his conduct4 ,i daresay that it was a comfort to ,caroline to think that you were no better than herself4 ,i am glad that she cannot now have that comfort of thinking me dishonest1 cried ,miriam1 who was half-amused1 half-vexed1 at the view of the subject taken by ,hamil4 ,but she can1 and1 ,i fear1 does think you violent and passionate1 observed the soldier4 ,caroline knows that1 though you keep your hands from picking and stealing1 you certainly do not keep your tongue from evil-speaking4 ,miriam felt hurt at the observation2 had any one but1 her twin brother made it1 she would have been seriously angry4 ,she was silent for a minute1 and then said1 ,you1 who are so calm and good-tempered yourself that nothing ever ruffles you1 cannot understand the difficulty of keeping down a quick1 hot temper like mine4 ,ah6 ,miriam1 ,miriam1 are you one to be daunted by difficulties8 cried ,hamil4 ,remember the words which you spoke a few minutes ago2 remember all that you said about the struggle1 the weapon1 the victory4 ,in the campaign of life1 woman as you may be1 you are as much a soldier as myself4 ,if one enemy rushes upon me from the right hand1 another lies in ambush for you on the left4 ,your besetting sin may be--and certainly is--very different from mine2 but we have both the same need to stand on our guard1 the same need to watch and to pray4 ,miriam thought to herself that giving way to temper was a little sin compared to giving way to intemperance4 ,hamil seemed to read what was passing through her mind4 ,you are not tempted to intoxication from drink1 he observed1 but you are tempted to intoxication from anger4 ,and while intoxicated from one cause or the other1 we are both led to do and to say things which we may afterwards bitterly repent4 ,sister1 the same ,word of ,god which bids us 'be sober1' and 'provide things honest in the sight of all men1' bids us also learn of ,him who was meek and lowly1 and tells us that 'he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city4' 99 99 ,prov4 xvi4 #cb4 ,certainly my temper did get the better of me to-day1 said ,miriam1 frankly1 for she was of a candid and open disposition1 and could not deny that she had been violent towards ,caroline1 and insolent in her manner towards ,mrs4 ,mellor4 ,ay1 let me repeat your own words in reference to myself1 cried ,hamil2 the enemy took you at disadvantage1 he struck you down for a moment1 but you won't give in1 you're up and at him again4 ,i don't see what you would have me do1 said ,miriam1 looking distressed4 ,return home1 tell your mistress frankly that you know that you were too hasty1 that if she will overlook what has passed1 you will be glad to remain in your place4 ,i should not like to do that1 and yet--if it were not for ,caroline1 began ,miriam1 in a hesitating tone4 ,caroline is to be settled with too1 said ,hamil4 ,go to her1 tell her that you are sorry that you gave way to anger 7though you had enough to provoke you to it1 ,i own71 offer to let bygones be bygones1 and-- ,never6 ,i could not do that6 ,i could never humble myself so6 exclaimed ,miriam4 ,there is pride up in arms6 said ,hamil4 ,satan has not1 perhaps1 in all his army1 a more dangerous spirit than he4 ,stand on your guard--he's upon you6 ,after all that has passed between us1 ,i could not speak to ,caroline6 cried ,miriam4 ,not if it were your clear duty to do so1 not in obedience to your ,captain's command8 ,there are some things too hard for flesh and blood6 exclaimed ,miriam4 ,hamil said nothing in answer to this2 he continued his walk in silence1 but bent his steps towards ,albany ,street1 which he soon re-entered1 ,miriam still by his side4 ,he went on without speaking a word1 till he reached the public-house from which he had been a short time before so hastily summoned by his sister4 ,hamil stood still before it1 and abruptly bade ,miriam good-bye4 ,where are you going8 she inquired4 ,where ,i don't want you to follow me again1 he said gloomily1 almost sternly4 ,i have a feverish thirst on me1 ,miriam2 ,i know that ,i ought to abstain2 but there are some things too hard for flesh and blood1 as you told me a minute ago4 ,all that ,hamil's words meant flashed upon ,miriam ,macbean2 his danger was1 in some respects like1 while yet so unlike1 her own4 ,each had a duty to perform1 each had a sacrifice to make2 ,miriam had urged her brother to the conflict1 and now1 like a coward1 was flinching from it herself4 ,oh6 ,hamil6 exclaimed the poor girl1 in a faltering tone of entreaty1 ,go back to your quarters at once1 and ,i will go back to my home4 ,you do your duty1 and may ,god help me to do mine1 pride shall not win the victory over your sister4 ,a smile and a warm grasp of the hand were all that passed then between the twins4 ,miriam turned and sped on her way2 but ere she reached the end of the street1 she stopped and looked back with a throbbing heart4 ,she saw her brother's tall form as he strode onwards1 far beyond that perilous place which he was never to enter again2 and the girl's spirit rose in thanksgiving and prayer--prayer for herself1 thanksgiving for him4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,victory4 ,,miriam',s ring at the door of ,mrs4 ,mellor's dwelling was answered by ,caroline4 ,the girl looked pale1 and her eyes were swollen as if with crying4 ,caroline1 said ,miriam at once1 for every moment of delay made the effort of speaking more painful1 ,i am sorry for what passed this afternoon between us4 ,i'm sure that you are not more sorry than ,i am6 cried ,caroline4 ,i wish that silver knife had been at the bottom of the sea--,i heartily do--mistress is so displeased with me1 and ,i never thought that ,i was doing such mischief by speaking a word4 ,let us both forgive and forget1 said ,miriam1 and she held out her hand4 ,poor ,caroline shook it readily and heartily1 she was surprised and relieved at the thundercloud having so rapidly passed away4 ,caroline was not of a proud or passionate temper herself and had cowered beneath the tempest of anger which she had thoughtlessly raised4 ,nothing had ever convinced ,caroline so much of the power of religion as ,miriam's saying1 as she did now1 ,i am sorry that ,i used such language towards you4 ,caroline knew ,miriam's character well enough to feel assured that no earthly motive would have brought her to humble herself thus to one who had deeply offended her4 ,miriam passed up the staircase quickly1 her mind relieved of a heavy burden4 ,she had found the performance of duty less painful than she had expected1 and it was such a comfort to be again at peace with herself and with all the world4 ,the beautiful words of ,st4 ,paul recurred to her mind with more force than they ever had done before3 let all bitterness and wrath1 and anger and clamour1 and evil-speaking be put away from you1 with all malice4 ,and be ye kind one to another1 tender-hearted1 forgiving one another1 even as ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 hath forgiven you4 99 99 ,eph4 iv4 #ca1 #cb4 ,on the landing-place1 ,miriam happened to meet her mistress4 ,there was still a grave expression of displeasure upon ,mrs4 ,mellor's face1 as she thus addressed her young servant4 ,have you seen your brother1 ,miriam8 ,on ,miriam's replying that she had just done so1 the lady continued1 in the same cold manner1 ,and what does he think of the hasty step which you have taken in giving me warning8 ,he thinks it a foolish one1 ma'am1 replied ,miriam1 colouring up to her eyes1 and pressing the bannister tightly with her hand1 for it was hard to a proud spirit to make the humbling confession4 ,then perhaps you would wish to remain in my service still1 said the lady1 and ,i should be very willing to keep you1 and overlook the burst of temper into which you were betrayed in my presence1 had ,i reason to hope that such bursts would not again recur4 ,but ,i cannot1 continued ,mrs4 ,mellor1 have perpetual quarrelling in my kitchen2 ,i cannot keep two servants who will not live in harmony together1 ,i must--and will have my house an abode of peace1 as every ,christian home should be4 ,oh6 ,ma'am1 if you would but try me1 cried ,miriam4 ,caroline and ,i have made up our quarrel1 and ,i hope that it will be our last4 ,the face of ,mrs4 ,mellor brightened4 ,if such be the case1 said the lady1 ,i will gladly try you again4 ,and never had ,mrs4 ,mellor cause to regret having done so4 ,it was not that ,miriam was never again tempted to give way to a temper naturally violent2 it was not that the hasty word would not rise to her tongue1 nor the angry blood to her cheek2 evil habits and evil tempers are not to be conquered without a struggle1 sometimes long as well as severe4 ,but both ,miriam and ,hamil had learned to keep watch against besetting sins1 and knew where to look for help in their time of need2 they both pressed onwards where duty called them1 as faithful soldiers of the cross2 and they hoped one day to join in the song of triumph which the redeemed will raise3 thanks be to ,god which giveth us the victory through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 99 99 #a ,cor4 xv4 #eg4 ,a ,,light ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,influence4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,young ,stepmother4 ,,this is most vexatious1 most perplexing2 ,i am sure that ,i scarcely know which way to turn1 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,fairley1 as she entered the room in which her firstborn babe lay asleep in his cradle1 trimmed with muslin1 blue ribbon1 and lace4 ,the lady was very young1 and looked even younger than she was4 ,she had but lately left the school-room when she had married ,mr4 ,fairley1 a widower1 and so had become stepmother to his two children1 who were six and seven years of age4 ,little suited was a lively girl1 who had never so much as paid a bill for herself1 to undertake at once the care of a house and family4 ,then ,i suppose that ,dr4 ,blane thinks1 ma'am1 that ,master ,tom's rash is something infectious2 ,i felt sure that it was1 said the nurse4 ,he says that it is scarlatina in a very mild form1 and that ,jessy's sore throat has been the same1 though we never guessed what was the matter with her1 replied ,mrs4 ,fairley4 ,my terror now is for the babe--my little1 fragile darling6 continued the young mother1 gazing with anxious love on the sleeping infant4 ,his brother and sister have the malady slightly1 but for a babe not five weeks old to take such a complaint might be--,i dare not think what it might be4 ,and the eyes of the lady filled with tears1 for her baby was the very delight of her heart4 ,i suppose1 ma'am1 that you'll join master in ,london at once1 suggested the nurse2 it would be a sad risk for baby to remain in this house while the scarlet fever is in it4 ,i feel as if we must go--and yet1 said the poor young mistress1 pressing her brow with her hand1 ,i cannot bear to leave the other dear children--above all1 when they are not in health4 ,oh1 ma'am1 ,miss ,jessy is all right again2 and as for ,master ,tom1 he will need nothing but a little care1 observed ,leah1 the nurse4 ,if ,i were but sure that he would have it1 ,i should leave with an easier mind1 said the lady2 but ,i must take you to look after baby1 and ,i leave the two children with a girl whom ,i never saw till a few days ago--a girl who has never been in service before4 ,it seems so strange--so unkind4 ,susan looks as steady a girl as ever ,i saw in my life1 ma'am2 she comes out of a good nest too2 her mother was highly respected1 and kept a school4 ,depend upon it1 ,susan will take good care of ,master ,tom and his sister1 observed ,leah4 ,i wish that ,i knew what to do1 said the young mother1 with an anxious sigh1 as she seated herself by the cradle4 ,before her marriage1 ,lucy had never had to decide on any matter more important than the colour of a dress1 or the choice of an amusement4 ,now she found herself in a position of serious responsibility as mistress and mother1 with no experience1 no strength of will1 no knowledge of character1 to help her4 ,mrs4 ,fairley wished to do her duty towards her husband's children2 kind and gentle she always had been to them both1 but she dreaded scarlet fever much for herself1 and a great deal more for her baby1 and dared not remain at the risk of catching the disease from ,jessy or her brother4 ,if ,i might be bold to speak1 ma'am1 said the nurse1 ,i'd say we'd better be off by the afternoon's train1 and none of us go nigh the children4 ,it's lucky they are on the upper floor1 and that they have not been with baby since ,miss ,jessy complained of her throat4 ,but scarlet fever is the most catching thing in the world1 ma'am1 'specially after the rash has come out4 ,susan will look after the others1 but we must think of the baby4 ,he's sickly1 he is1 poor darling2 a very little illness would make him go off like the snuff of a candle4 ,mrs4 ,fairley shuddered at the thought of danger to her child4 ,she hastily rose from her seat4 ,you are right1 quite right1 nurse1 she said2 we must leave this house at once2 you had better see to the packing directly4 ,i will speak to ,susan myself1 and give her the strictest orders1 and tell her--,and1 oh6 ,i must write at once to put off the children's party that we were to have had on ,friday to keep ,tommy's birthday4 ,i must send notes to the ,hardys1 the ,lauries1 the ,wares4 ,it will be a sad disappointment to poor ,tommy and ,jessy not to have their young friends1 but ,i'll give them each a new five-shilling piece to make up for their disappointment4 ,and so the young stepmother hurried away to write her notes1 give her orders1 arrange what dresses she should take to ,london1 send for a conveyance1 do the twenty little things which were needful to be done before suddenly quitting her country home1 things which might each be trifles in themselves1 but which required thought1 and care1 and time1 so became serious matters to ,mr4 ,fairley's young wife4 ,i am so vexed to leave ,tommy and ,jessy under the care of a new nursery-maid1 a mere girl6 repeated ,mrs4 ,fairley1 as she locked her desk1 after hurriedly writing off her notes4 ,what will the world say8 ,what will my husband say8 ,it seems like deserting the children4 ,but neither of them can be called really ill1 and they will have every comfort which they can require2 ,dr4 ,blane is skilful and kind1 and certainly4 ,if one can judge by face and manner1 ,susan is to be trusted1 yes1 ,i hope1 ,i think that she is to be trusted6 ,and repeating this again and again to herself1 to quiet her own anxiety1 young ,mrs4 ,fairley went on with her preparations for her sudden journey to ,london4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,off to the ,station4 ,,yes1 she is going away1 ,i told you that she was6 ,there's ,giles carrying out the big black box1 with the cords tied about it1 to put it up by the coachman6 exclaimed ,tom ,fairley in a tone of fierce passion1 as he stood on a chair by the window1 grasping the bars with his hands1 and looking down on the carriage which was waiting at the door to take his stepmother to the station4 ,master ,tom had been ordered to keep his bed during that day1 but ,tom cared little for orders4 ,he was a spoilt1 passionate boy1 whom his gentle new mamma had never been able to manage4 ,he loved ,mrs4 ,fairley a little perhaps1 but he had never learned to obey her4 ,perhaps mamma is only going for a drive1 said ,jessy1 a pale little girl with large dark eyes1 who was seated on a foot-stool nursing the doll that had been her stepmother's gift4 ,going to take a drive with a big corded box1 you stupid6 exclaimed ,tom4 ,i tell you she is going to ,london4 ,giles is bringing more packages out--one--two--three--and there's a hamper besides6 ,there's nursie coming out with baby wrapped up in the large ,india shawl4 ,she has got into the carriage1 and here comes mamma in her pink bonnet4 ,she is going to ,london without us--when she promised long ago to take us there with her6 ,mamma won't go without bidding us good-bye6 exclaimed ,jessy1 starting up from her seat and running to the window with her doll in her arms4 ,she clambered up on the chair beside her brother1 and flattening her nose against the pane1 glanced down as eagerly as ,tom at the departure4 ,she will go without bidding us good-bye1 she's in the carriage1 she'll soon be off6 ,and ,tom stamped so violently with his shoeless foot on the chair1 that he almost pushed off his sister4 ,the boy was only half-dressed1 for he had lately escaped from his bed2 he had neither jacket on his back1 nor shoes on his feet2 his hair was a wild mop round a face which looked as red as scarlet1 but quite as much from passion as from fever4 ,she's cruel1 she's very1 very unkind6 cried ,jessy4 ,betsy told us quite true1 she doesn't care for us1 not one pin1 'cause she is not our own mamma6 ,the last nursery-maid had done great wrong both to her mistress and the children by trying to make the latter think that their stepmother did not love them as if they were her own4 ,more from folly than from a wish to do mischief1 ,betsy had been sowing evil in the minds of those committed to her care4 ,blessed are the peacemakers1 for they shall be called the children of ,god4 99 ,but oh6 ,how unblessed must they be who help to destroy peace in families1 whose tongues1 like ,satan's own darts1 kindle malice1 distrust1 and jealousy in the hearts of those around them6 ,well had it been for the little ,fairleys that ,betsy had been dismissed from her place4 99 ,matthew v4 #i4 ,mamma is looking up at the window1 she is kissing her hand6 cried ,tom4 ,but ,i won't kiss my hand to her1 he sulkily added4 ,why does she go and leave us6 ,there--she's driving away--away to the station6 ,the boy jumped down from the chair1 and flung himself on his chest on the carpet1 kicking with passion4 ,he could not bear to watch the carriage disappearing behind the trees4 ,i'll never1 never again believe that mamma loves me6 exclaimed ,jessy1 bursting into tears as she got down more slowly4 ,oh ,i never say that1 ,miss ,jessy6 cried the mild voice of ,susan1 who had just entered the room4 ,she was a bright1 cheerful-looking girl of sixteen1 very neatly dressed1 with hair smooth as satin beneath her simple little white cap4 ,i'll say what ,i choose1 sobbed ,jessy2 it was very unkind to go without us1 and never even to come to bid us good-bye4 ,mistress is as much vexed as you are about it1 said ,susan4 ,yes1 indeed1 she continued1 without appearing to notice a volley of angry kicks on the floor1 by which ,tom expressed his utter disbelief1 mistress dared not come near you after the doctor had told her what was the matter with you both1 lest she should carry infection to the baby4 ,she cares for no one but the baby6 growled ,tom4 ,it's unfair1 it's horridly unfair4 ,now1 ,master ,tom1 will you listen to reason8 said ,susan1 turning towards the boy in a cheerful1 good-humoured manner4 ,suppose that you had to decide whether your mamma should come and give you a good-bye kiss1 at the risk of carrying back illness to your own little brother1 would you ask her--would you wish her to come to you at such risk8 ,she did not want to come--she did not choose to come6 muttered ,tom1 who was not inclined to listen to reason4 ,she never thought about us at all1 cried ,jessy4 ,nay1 ,miss ,jessy1 ,i can answer for it that mistress has been thinking a great deal about both of you1 said the young maid4 ,she has been giving me such particular directions about your comfort1 and the tears were in her eyes when she spoke of going to ,london and leaving you behind4 ,were they8 asked ,tom1 in a softened tone4 ,he raised himself to a sitting posture on the floor1 and looked up at ,susan through the rough tumbled hair which was hanging over his eyes4 ,some people have an art of putting things in the brightest1 fairest light1 of smoothing down angry tempers1 and raising kindly feelings in the hearts of others4 ,susan was one who had learned this art in the school of the ,gospel4 ,she shewed so clearly that it was no unkindness that had taken the young stepmother away1 she made the children realise so vividly what sad consequences would be likely to follow should their baby brother take the infection of scarlet fever1 that all the storm of anger was lulled4 ,when ,susan gave to ,jessy and her brother the two bright crown pieces sent to them by ,mrs4 ,fairley1 even the words ,how kind6 came from the lips of the girl4 ,susan had1 however1 a great deal of trouble in coaxing ,tom to obey the doctor's orders by returning to his crib4 ,she had no authority to punish1 and it was very hard to persuade4 ,susan promised the boy to sit beside him1 and read to him1 so that the time should not seem dull4 ,i'm tired of every one of my books1 they're so stupid1 cried ,tom4 ,i've read ,blue ,beard ever so often1 and ,i don't care for any of the rest4 ,i've a little book of my own1 which will be quite new to you1 ,i daresay1 said ,susan4 ,it is in my box2 ,i will go for it directly4 ,and ,i wonder1 she added1 playfully1 whether1 when ,i come back1 ,i shall find ,master ,tommy in bed4 ,as soon as the door was closed behind ,susan1 ,tom scrambled back into his crib in just as much haste as he had left it1 and pulled the bed-clothes almost over his rough little head1 to give ,susan a surprise1 as he said4 ,tom was1 perhaps1 a little tired and weak1 for though the attack of scarlatina had been but slight1 the fever had not quite left him4 ,susan had a soft pleasant voice1 and as she read one after another of ,anecdotes of ,christian ,graces1 choosing such as would be most likely to interest her young charges1 ,jessy drew near and sat close beside her1 resting her doll upon ,susan's knee1 while ,tom lay quietly listening till his eyelids grew heavy and drooped1 and long breathing soon told that the little boy had fallen asleep4 ,susan was very young1 and she felt that hers was an anxious and responsible charge1 left as the two children were entirely under her care during the absence of their parents4 ,the burden upon the nursery-maid was all the more heavy as the training of the young ,fairleys had been in some points neglected1 and in others mismanaged2 they did not submit1 they would not obey1 nor had they learned to look up with fear and love to a ,father in heaven4 ,jessy1 indeed1 before she went to rest1 knelt down before a chest of drawers1 put her little hands together1 and gabbled over something which was meant for a prayer1 her wandering eyes and careless tone showing that she gave not a thought to the solemn act of addressing the ,high and ,holy ,one whose ,name she was taking in vain every time that it passed her lips4 ,susan saw all this1 and it grieved her1 but she felt that she must have patience and ask for grace1 that she might be a humble means of leading to ,god the precious souls of these two children4 ,very different from ,jessy's careless saying prayers was the young servant girl's earnest pleading when she knelt down by her sleeping charges that night4 ,she entreated forgiveness for all her past sins1 as one who knows how hateful in the sight of ,god is all sin2 she asked for the grace of the ,holy ,spirit to make her heart pure1 and to guide all her thoughts1 words1 and actions4 ,susan also prayed1 and prayed heartily for her young charges--asking ,god to enable her to do her duty towards them1 both in caring for their health and comfort1 and in watching over their souls4 ,bless me1 and make me a blessing to others1 had been ,susan's earnest prayer since she had first learned to feel that she was not her own1 but bought with a price1 99 that she and all her powers should be devoted to her ,lord4 ,it was a great comfort to the young nursery-maid to be able to go straight to ,god for the guidance and help that she needed1 looking unto ,him in all her troubles and cares1 and doing her work as unto ,him4 99 #a ,cor4 vi4 #bj4 ,there was no human being to watch whether ,susan faithfully did her duty towards her absent mistress2 there was no one to find fault if--as too many girls would have done--she cared first for her own comfort and ease4 ,but ,susan had not read in vain the ,word of the ,lord3 ,servants1 be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh1 with fear and trembling1 in singleness of heart2 not with eye-service1 as men-pleasers1 but as the servants of ,christ1 doing the will of ,god from the heart4 99 99 ,eph4 vi4 #e1 #f4 ,three times during the night did the anxious young maid rise to see if her charges were resting quietly4 ,she gently replaced the coverlet which ,tom had tossed off in his sleep4 ,the night-light placed on the saucer was burning very feebly indeed2 it was flickering1 dying2 in a few moments more it would go out1 and leave the nursery in darkness4 ,susan took another from the box1 lit it1 and stood for a little space watching the tiny spark4 ,i am a poor weak girl1 thought ,susan4 ,i can do very little1 indeed1 to show my love for my ,lord1 but there was one command which ,he gave to all ,his servants1 and so to me amongst the rest3 ',let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven4' ,i cannot serve ,god as clergymen and missionaries do1 learned and holy men who shine as great lights in the world2 but may not even ,i be as this tiny night-light1 shut up in a quiet nursery1 where no one cares to look at it1 yet throwing its feeble light around1 useful according to its power1 shining as well as it can1 though it seems little more than a spark8 ,even ,i1 in my humble way1 may spend and be spent for my ,lord1 and help to cheer and enlighten others1 though they be but two little children4 ,matt4 v4 #af4 ,the thought was a sweet one to ,susan1 and she fell asleep with the prayer on her lips1 ,oh1 bless me1 and make me a blessing6 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,dinner-,party4 ,,tom ,,fairley arose in the morning perfectly free from fever1 and the doctor1 when he came in the forenoon1 said that the boy would soon be as well as ever1 and that in one or two days1 should the weather continue warm1 he and his little sister might take a turn in the garden4 ,a turn in the garden indeed1 muttered ,tom1 as soon as the doctor had left the room1 it's not there that ,i'm going1 to trot up and down the stupid gravel walks1 or make daisy-chains like a baby4 ,susan1 you shall take us to the toy-shop in the town1 and there we will spend all our money1 and buy lots of pretty things1 and sweeties besides1 and make ourselves jolly4 ,the boy finished his sentence by spinning his crown-piece on the table1 amusing himself by watching the round half-transparent silver globe which it seemed to form1 till the motion given by his fingers became less rapid1 and gradually the globe rattled down into its natural form1 and lay as a piece of money on the table4 ,susan waited till the noise of the spinning was over1 and then quietly observed1 ,i am afraid1 ,master ,tom1 that a long time must pass before it will be right for you and your sister to shop in the town4 ,why1 mamma often takes us there1 said the boy4 ,remember that for weeks1 if not months1 there will be a risk of your giving the fever to any one whom you meet4 ,you carry infection with you4 ,oh1 hang the infection6 exclaimed ,tom1 angrily4 ,i don't mean to be shut up like a wild beast in a cage4 ,and the boy looked so fierce as he said this that he seemed to have enough of the wild beast about him to render the cage a somewhat desirable thing4 ,no one will guess that we have had any fever at all1 observed ,jessy1 who1 while better tempered than her brother1 was less straightforward and open4 ,see--there are no marks left2 and if you are not so cross as to tell1 no one will know that anything has been the matter with ,tom or with me4 ,oh1 ,miss ,jessy1 your own conscience would know it2 your own conscience would whisper1 ',is it right1 for my own selfish pleasure1 to run the risk of carrying sickness1 and perhaps even death1 into some happy home8 ,if ,i should hear of some poor child catching the fever and dying1 could ,i ever feel happy again8' ,jessy stared at ,susan in surprise4 ,the idea of being guided by the secret voice of conscience in her heart was new to the child1 who had hitherto cared only to follow self-will4 ,tom broke out abruptly with the question1 ,as you make such a mighty fuss about infection1 ,susan1 are you not afraid of catching the fever yourself8 ,i wonder that you don't run away in a fright1 like mamma with the baby4 ,it was your mamma's duty to go2 it is my duty to stay1 replied the young nursery-maid1 with a smile4 ,i am not in the least afraid1 for ,i trust in ,god who careth for me4 ,do you mean that because you trust in ,god1 ,he will keep you from catching the fever8 asked ,jessy4 ,i did not mean that1 replied ,susan4 ,god sometimes lets ,his people have troubles1 and sickness is often one of them2 but ,he helps and cheers ,his servants in distress1 and brings them out of it at last4 ,god teaches them sweet lessons of patience and hope and faith1 so that every tried ,christian will be able to say1 sooner or later1 ',it is good for me that ,i have been afflicted4' 99 ,if we trust in ,god1 ,king ,david's beautiful words may be ours1 ',i will fear no evil1 for ,thou art with me2' for the ,lord will either keep trials away1 or ,he will1 by ,his power and love1 turn the trials themselves into blessings4 99 ,psalm cxix4 #ga4 ,psalm xxiii4 #d4 ,the ,fairleys would have cared nothing for teaching on the subject of religion from one whose conduct did not show its power over herself2 but ,susan lived as she tried to teach the children to live1 and therefore her words had some influence4 ,tom and ,jessy could see that she who feared ,god had no other fear1 and that while caring for others1 she could1 with happy trust1 leave the care of herself unto ,him4 ,this was the children's first lesson of faith in a watchful ,providence4 ,susan had a good deal to try her temper during the rest of that day4 ,the ,fairleys1 like most children when recovering from illness1 were very impatient and cross2 they would not bear contradiction1 they quarrelled1 they broke their toys1 they tore their books1 they grumbled against the doctor who kept them in-doors when they chose to go out4 ,susan came in for a large share of their rudeness2 but she was quiet and patient1 never returned a cross word1 and did all that she could to give pleasure to those who seemed resolved not to be pleased4 ,dinner in some degree restored the ,fairleys to good humour4 ,after being kept for some days on low diet1 the children were very hungry1 and keenly enjoyed their meal4 ,as ,tom was finishing a leg of chicken after having eaten a wing1 he abruptly stopped1 struck the handle of his knife and fork upon the table1 and exclaimed1 as a thought suddenly arose in his mind1 ,i hope all this nonsense about infection has not made mamma put off my birthday party6 ,he looked ,susan full in the face as he spoke1 and her silence was answer sufficient4 ,knife and fork were flung to the other end of the table1 ,tom started to his feet in a violent fury1 and ,jessy burst into tears4 ,it was some time before ,susan could gain a hearing4 ,the birthday party had been looked forward to with delight2 the ,fairleys were very little accustomed to disappointment1 and knew not how to bear it4 ,gradually1 however1 the storm lulled a little1 and ,susan was able to suggest a few thoughts of comfort4 ,the children should have a birthday feast after all1 she would ask ,mason the cook for a little flour1 eggs1 and strawberry jam1 she would show ,tom and ,jessy how to make pastry themselves1 and that would be far better fun than having it up from the kitchen1 or from a confectioner's shop4 ,jessy dried her eyes1 listened and smiled2 the child was accustomed to the pleasure of eating pastry1 but the pleasure of helping to make it was something entirely new4 ,tom's passion subsided into sulky ill-humour1 as he sat balancing his crown-piece on his thumb1 then throwing it up and catching it again4 ,what's the use of having a feast with no guests to eat it8 muttered the boy4 ,and what's the use of having money when one is not able to spend it8 ,well1 ,master ,tom1 said ,susan1 gaily1 if you can't tell what to do with your money1 ,i know a famous way in which you could spend it2 and if you want guests1 ,i know how you can get as many as you please to invite4 ,you do--do you8 cried the boy1 with eager surprise4 ,it happens1 said ,susan1 that my dear mother's birthday falls on the same day as yours1 and ,i have been intending1 for some time past1 to give a feast to four children in honour of the day4 ,you--a nursery-maid6 exclaimed ,tom ,fairley4 ,and pray1 does mamma know what you are after8 ,oh6 ,no1 replied ,susan1 smiling1 no one knows but myself2 but perhaps1 if you are very good1 ,i may let you into my secret8 ,but you've no business to invite any one into our house1 cried ,tom1 in an insolent tone4 ,it would be a pretty joke indeed if you could have friends here1 when we are not allowed to have one4 ,my guests will not eat their dinner here1 replied ,susan4 ,i shall send it for them in so clever a way that all the four dinners could be easily packed up in my thimble4 ,your thimble6 ,oh6 ,what do you mean--what can you mean8 cried both the ,fairleys in a breath4 ,and ,jessy added1 with a merry little laugh1 ,i don't think that such a feast as yours would feed a hungry mouse4 ,ah6 ,missie1 you are quite mistaken there1 cried ,susan1 amused at the children's looks of surprise4 ,my guests shall have right good cheer4 ,would you like to know what fare will be provided8 ,let's hear all about it1 said ,tom4 ,what would you think of meat1 potatoes1 rice1 and onions made up into a nice ,irish stew1 and a good slice of bread into the bargain8 ,each of my guests will have this4 ,i say6 exclaimed the astonished ,tom1 dropping his money in his surprise4 ,and can that--meat1 onions and all--go into your thimble8 ,not exactly the dinner itself1 but the dinner price1 replied ,susan4 ,and one good thing about my feast is this--,i am quite sure that my little guests will be pleased1 not one will go grumbling away4 ,they will most likely not have tasted meat for a whole week before1 and will enjoy their hot ,irish stew as much1 perhaps more1 than you1 ,master ,tom1 did your chicken4 ,i don't like riddles1 cried the boy1 impatiently4 ,who are these hungry guests of yours8 ,and how can you have them to dinner8 ,just tell us straight out what you mean4 ,susan was pleased at the opportunity of explaining to her young listeners the simple but beautiful arrangements of the ,,destitute ,,children',s ,,dinner ,,society1 99 by which a half-starved boy or girl from the miserable dens of ,london is provided with an excellent meal for threepence1 bringing a single penny in addition4 ,she spoke of the poor little ragged wanderers who have never in their lives known what it is to have a comfortable home1 nor perhaps--till this charity was begun--a really satisfying meal4 99 ,see ,ragged ,school ,magazine for ,february #ahfh4 ,susan had been in ,london with an uncle who kept a cook-shop4 ,she told how it made her heart ache to see pale1 thin1 barefooted children hovering round the place to smell the savoury scent which to them must have been so tantalising1 and to gaze through the windows at the tempting food which they might not taste4 ,susan did not say how often she had stinted herself in her meals that she might give to those who needed4 ,i was thankful1 said ,susan1 to find that ,god had put it into the hearts of the wise and good to feed these poor hungry lambs1 and in a way so simple and easy that even a servant girl can help a little in the work4 ,how will you do it1 how will you send your dinners1 asked ,jessy1 when you live so far-away from ,london8 ,twelve postage stamps can be bought for one shilling2 ,i will put twelve stamps into a letter1 and direct it to ,mr4 ,gent1 #a ,exeter ,hall1 ,strand1 ,london4 ,i will merely write inside1 ',for children's dinners1 from a cheerful giver4' ,and then1 when my letter is dropped into the post-box1 ,i know that it is all the same as if ,i had sent off four invitations to dinner4 ,i am sure that four pairs of eyes will look brighter1 and four young hearts will be merrier1 and ,i shall enjoy my own meals a great deal more when ,i think of my poor little guests4 ,why1 ,i could have a dinner-party of twenty for my five shillings6 exclaimed ,tom1 who had picked up his silver crown-piece4 ,mamma never asks more than a dozen at a time1 and ,i am sure that the feasting them costs her a lot of money1 for ,i've heard her talking to papa about the dreadful long bills4 ,i think that ,i'll get you to change my big piece of money into five shillings1 ,susan1 said ,jessy1 and take one of them for stamps1 and send my stamps with yours1 and then there will be eight hungry children feasted1 and two 'cheerful givers1' you know4 ,the eyes of ,susan glistened4 ,it was not so much that she was glad that the hungry should be fed1 but that she rejoiced at having been the means of giving to her young charge this first lesson in ,christian love4 ,it was for this1 and for this alone1 that ,susan had mentioned to any one her own intended deed of kindness4 ,she felt that she could in no way teach so well as by her own example2 the children might be quick to imitate1 though they would be slow to obey4 ,you'll not have any of my money for your dirty1 ragged beggar-boys1 said ,tom1 laughing1 as he chucked up his crown-piece again4 ,i'll not spend it on mutton1 potatoes1 and onions1 or pack up twenty hot dinners in a letter4 ,i know what ,i'll do1 since this stupid infection won't let me go to the town4 ,i'll ask ,giles to go shopping for me2 he shall buy me a top1 a whip1 some string1 and all sorts of things that ,i fancy4 ,jessy came up smiling to the nursery-maid1 and slipped her crown-piece into ,susan's hand4 ,i can't cut this into five bits1 you know1 but you will get ,giles to change it1 and buy the twelve stamps for the dinners4 ,susan took the money with a thoughtful air4 ,are you not pleased8 asked ,jessy4 ,i was just thinking1 observed ,susan1 that it would never do to pack up infection in the paper4 ,could you do that8 cried ,tom in surprise4 ,i never heard of anything like this horrid infection6 ,i know of one thing that is like it1 said ,susan1 gravely1 the infection of a sinful example4 ,evil spreads from one soul to another1 as fever from person to person4 ,oh6 ,how grievous it would be by one's works or one's words to give something far worse than any sickness to those whom we love4 ,i suppose1 observed ,tom1 that bad men are shut up in prison that they mayn't infect other people with their wicked example4 ,there are many who do harm in that way1 whom no one would think of shutting up1 replied ,susan4 ,the selfish1 the idle1 the worldly1 the proud1 may be spreading the infection of their faults around them1 and yet their company may be thought very good1 and not dangerous in the least4 ,no one would willingly take a fever1 but how many willingly take bad advice1 and follow an evil example4 ,but what is to be done about the dinners8 interrupted ,jessy4 ,it would never do to pack up scarlet fever with potatoes and mutton4 ,susan considered for a moment or two4 ,giles seems very good-natured1 she observed4 ,perhaps he would kindly take the trouble of not only buying the stamps1 but putting them up in the letter6 ,that will do famously1 cried ,jessy4 ,susan then removed the cloth from the table1 and carried away the plates and dishes4 ,the heart of the young maid warmed towards her little charge4 ,i doubt that my dear young lady ever before thought of helping the needy1 reflected ,susan1 and now she does so simply from kindness of heart2 she knows nothing yet of mercy to the poor1 shown as a proof of grateful love to the ,lord4 ,but it is well to make a beginning1 said ,susan to herself1 as she carried the tray downstairs4 ,the time may come when ,jessy will delight in doing good1 with the means and power to do much1 such as ,i never will have4 ,ah6 ,the tiniest spark that glimmers in a night-light may kindle a very large fire1 or a beacon that will be seen for many miles round6 ,who knows but that1 by ,god's blessing1 a poor nursery-maid's simple teaching may be the means of drawing children's hearts to the ,lord2 and that these children1 in future days1 may be burning and shining lights1 so as both by their words and works to glorify their ,father in ,heaven6 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,battle in the ,nursery4 ,,susan felt shy of speaking to ,giles about writing a letter for her1 and sending the stamps4 ,she would far rather not have told her little secret to the man-servant1 who1 she feared1 would laugh at her plan4 ,but ,giles1 on the contrary1 was pleased as well as amused at the idea of sending dinners to ,exeter ,hall4 ,i don't mind putting up a third dozen stamps of my own1 said the butler1 as he pulled out his brown leather purse to give change for ,jessy's crown-piece4 ,i like this notion of giving dinners1 and ,i've often an odd shilling to spare that ,i never should miss4 ,i was one of twelve children myself1 and know what a struggle it costs even a man in good work to fill so many hungry mouths2 ,i can't think how the orphans get fed at all4 ,i'm going to the town to-morrow1 so ,i'll get an envelope ready in the morning1 and ,i'll mention the matter to cook--dinners are just in her line2 ,i should not wonder if she1 too1 pulled out her shilling4 ,there are thousands of households in our land where kind hearts and generous hands would be ready to aid in such works of love1 if so simple a way of doing good were suggested4 ,in the servants' hall as well as in the drawing-room cheerful givers would be found4 ,well would it be1 if in every rich man's kitchen1 where the fire roars up the chimney1 and the joint turns round on the spit1 and the place is filled with the scent of steaming soups and savoury dishes1 a little collecting-box were kept for ,destitute ,children's ,dinner ,society1 into which those who never themselves know want might sometimes drop in a penny unseen1 to help friendless little ones1 faint and pining with hunger4 ,susan was delighted at her unexpected success4 ,how good does come out of evil6 thought she4 ,but for this fear of conveying infection by writing the letter myself while nursing my little patients1 ,i should never have dreamed of mentioning the matter to ,giles4 ,i should quietly have dropped my letter into the post-box1 and my fellow-servants would have known nothing about it4 ,my poor little shilling is likely to grow into four1 and this is not the best part of the business3 three persons may begin from to-day to take a pleasure in feeding the poor1 and who can tell how many meals to the hungry1 and what rich blessings to those who care for them1 may spring from so tiny a seed as my mentioning that good society to little ,miss ,jessy to-day8 ,susan was returning upstairs with a very light heart1 when the sounds which reached her ear from the nursery made her quicken her steps to a run4 ,there were screams either of passion or of pain1 and when ,susan opened the door she saw ,tom1 scarlet with rage1 holding ,jessy's doll by the feet1 and banging its head against the fender1 while the little girl was vainly struggling to rescue her toy from his hands4 ,in another minute1 ,mrs4 ,fairley's pretty gift would have been battered to pieces1 had not ,susan darted forwards1 wrenched it away from the hold of the boy1 and put the doll on the top of the cupboard1 beyond the reach of the furious child4 ,tom's passion was instantly turned upon her who had dared thus to interfere between him and his sister4 ,he flew like a wild cat on ,susan1 struck her with violence1 and then actually bit her on the arm1 then flung himself on the carpet1 kicking and roaring with passionate fury4 ,thus cruelly attacked by a cowardly bully1 ,susan felt at first anger as well as pain4 ,had her master been in the house1 she would have complained to him1 and ,master ,tom might for once have met with the punishment which he so richly deserved4 ,but poor ,susan had no one to appeal to1 and she had been given no authority to inflict chastisement herself4 ,she must bear and forbear1 and by patience endeavour to overcome evil by good4 ,oh6 ,the bad1 bad boy--how he has hurt you6 cried ,jessy1 indignantly1 as ,susan drew up her sleeve1 and showed the marks left by his cruel teeth on her arm4 ,i wish ,i could beat him--,i do6 ,when ,master ,tommy thinks quietly over his conduct1 ,i am sure that he will be sorry that he has hurt his poor nurse1 observed ,susan1 in a tone of gentle reproof4 ,this was all which she trusted herself to say on the subject4 ,she occupied herself in quieting and comforting ,jessy4 ,the hair of the doll1 rudely torn from its head1 was picked up by ,susan1 smoothed1 and replaced2 a few stitches repaired the doll's dress1 which had been rent in the struggle4 ,jessy was soon made happy again1 and then listened with interest to the account given by ,susan of her conversation with ,john4 ,the young nursery-maid forgot her pain when seeing the pleasure caused by the news that sixteen guests instead of eight were likely to be invited to share the hot ,irish stew4 ,susan1 for the rest of the day1 took no outward notice of ,tom1 except by attending to all his wants4 ,it would not be wise or right to treat him as if nothing had happened1 until he should ask forgiveness2 this would be to make him think lightly of his sin4 ,susan's silence towards him was more distressing to the boy than would have been the passionate chiding or even slap which he would have had from ,betsy1 had he treated her half as ill as he had treated ,susan4 ,tom tried indeed to show that he did not care for being in disgrace1 and for the first half-hour made as much noise as he could1 spinning his crown-piece1 drumming with his feet1 and singing snatches of rude songs to make-believe that he was happy4 ,but ,tom could not keep up this show for long2 ,susan's patience tired out his passion4 ,the boy became silent1 sulky1 and sad2 ,susan could not help thinking that ,tom was ashamed of himself1 though too proud to own that he was so4 ,in the meantime1 the young maid made ,jessy as happy as possible1 playing with or reading to her in a soft low tone1 to which ,tom could listen if he would1 as he sat with his back turned towards her1 pulling an old basket to pieces1 and scattering the bits on the floor4 ,when the children's bedtime drew near1 ,susan1 remembering the careless way in which ,jessy had said the ,lord's ,prayer1 thought that she could not better employ a few minutes than in giving her charge a short and simple explanation of the holy words1 which had so often passed her lips without her mind having an idea of their meaning4 ,susan took ,jessy upon her knee1 and explained as well as she could how great and holy is the ,being who permits us to call ,him ,father1 and how the bright1 happy angels do ,his will in the glorious ,heaven above4 ,it was sweet to ,susan thus to feed her ,lord's little lamb4 ,when ,susan came to the fourth petition in the ,lord's ,prayer1 ,jessy looked pleasantly into her face and observed1 ,god always gives me daily bread1 and meat1 and nice things besides2 won't ,god be pleased that ,i am going to give some to the poor little hungry children8 ,susan kissed the child1 and replied1 ,the ,lord is always pleased when we try to do ,his will1 by being kind to ,his poor4 ,when the fifth petition in the prayer was explained1 again ,jessy looked full into the eyes of her nurse4 ,can you forgive ,tom out and out8 asked the child4 ,i can--,i do1 replied ,susan4 ,i can't1 and ,i don't1 cried ,jessy4 ,oh1 dear ,missie1 we must pray for the spirit of forgiveness1 for without it we dare not hope to be forgiven by ,god4 ,the ,lord has taught us mercy and love to those who have wronged us2 not only by ,his words1 but by ,his blessed example4 ,and then to her quiet1 attentive hearer ,susan told that touching story of prayer even for murderers1 which1 while it is a lofty theme for angels1 falls sweetly on the ear of a child4 ,susan did not speak long1 for she feared to weary ,jessy4 ,the servant did not know what force her own gentleness and kindness gave to her words4 ,jessy felt that ,susan1 who thought and talked about holy things1 was a very different person in her conduct and ways from what ,betsy had been--she who never cared for religion4 ,even a child could draw the conclusion that what made ,susan good must be good--that what made ,susan happy would be likely to make herself happy2 and a wish arose in ,jessy's heart that she might grow more like ,susan4 ,the tiny night-light was already casting its radiance around4 ,after ,jessy had laid her little head on her pillow1 ,susan put ,master ,tommy to bed4 ,the little boy still seemed sulky1 neither attempted to say his prayers1 nor bade good-night to his nurse4 ,he carried his money with him to his bed1 and thrust it under his pillow4 ,master ,tom1 said ,susan1 gently1 as she bent over the child1 ,i could not bear to go to sleep till ,i had asked forgiveness of ,god1 and of any one whom ,i might have treated unkindly4 ,tom made no reply1 but pulled his coverlet over his head1 and turned his face to the wall4 ,the boy was struggling against the better feelings which were rising up in his heart4 ,the teaching and example of ,susan had made quite as deep an impression upon ,tow as upon his sister1 but pride and temper were strong within him4 ,tom fell asleep muttering to himself that he was not sorry1 he did not care6 ,as for begging pardon--that was a thing which he had never done in his life1 except when he had been in immediate fear of a flogging from his father4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,silver ,turned into ,gold4 ,,tom's sleep was1 however1 troubled1 and did not last very long4 ,he awoke feeling restless and thirsty4 ,he wished to call for some milk and water1 but the room was so still that he fancied that ,susan must be asleep1 and if she were at all like ,betsy1 there would be no use in trying to awaken her4 ,the candle had been put out1 only the tiny night-light was gleaming1 casting long black shadows from curtains and bed-posts upon the nursery wall4 ,nothing was heard but the ticking of the clock1 and to the nervous ear of the boy it seemed to tick strangely loud4 ,conscience was awake in ,tom's heart1 and in the stillness of night1 its voice was louder than usual4 ,the child softly drew back the curtain of his crib1 and looked towards the corner where he supposed that the young nurse was lying asleep4 ,he saw ,susan kneeling before a chair1 her head bowed down on her clasped hands2 in the quiet hour1 when she believed that her charges were slumbering1 she was pouring out her heart to her ,god4 ,the boy watched1 but did not dare to disturb her4 ,even he1 young as he was1 could feel that real prayer made that room a more holy place4 ,susan was speaking to ,one who could hear1 to ,one who was near2 the answer to the young servant's prayers was already seen in her life4 ,when ,susan arose from her knees1 ,tom softly called her by her name4 ,in a moment1 the nursery-maid was by the side of her charge4 ,did you want anything that ,i can give you8 she gently inquired4 ,were you praying for me8 asked ,tom1 in a low and earnest tone4 ,yes2 ,i should not be easy about the children under my care1 unless ,i often prayed for them1 the nursery-maid replied4 ,i am afraid that you went to sleep without asking a blessing for yourself1 and so there was all the more need that ,i should ask it for you4 ,to ,susan's great surprise1 the child's arms were suddenly thrown round her neck1 and in the voice of one struggling against a sob1 he exclaimed1 ,oh6 ,susan1 ,i'm sorry--so sorry that ,i hurt you so much6 ,his rough little head was on her shoulder1 and her dress was wet with his tears4 ,gently and tenderly ,susan forgave1 and tried to soothe the boy4 ,she did not1 however1 as in mistaken kindness some might have done1 tell him that his fault was nothing1 that he need not trouble himself about it4 ,but she assured him how freely and gladly she forgave it1 and told him to seek forgiveness from ,god1 and ask from ,him that grace by which alone he could conquer his temper in future4 ,susan then brought milk and water to relieve the feverish thirst of her charge1 beat up his pillow1 and made him as comfortable as it was in her power to make him4 ,tom was in a nervous excited state1 and wished ,susan to stay by his bedside4 ,i feel so hot and restless1 he despairingly said1 ,i never shall get to sleep4 ,shall we pray the ,lord to give you sweet sleep8 asked ,susan4 ,tom looked at her in surprise4 ,can we pray about things like that8 he inquired4 ,oh6 ,yes1 we can bring all our little troubles and trials to our ,lord1 replied the young maid4 ,it is ,he who giveth rest both to the soul and the poor weary body4 ,perhaps the first time that ,tom ,fairley had ever asked anything from ,god with a desire and hope of having what he asked for1 was when he prayed on that night for sleep4 ,when he had done so1 he thrust his little hand under his pillow1 pulled forth his silver crown-piece1 and tried to force it into the hand of his nurse4 ,this is for you--you shall have it for your own1 it's to make up-- cried the boy4 ,no1 ,master ,tommy1 no indeed--,i thank you all the same1 said ,susan1 drawing back her hand with decision4 ,take it for the hungry children1 then1 persisted ,tom4 ,not now1 dear1 certainly not now2 you are tired and sleepy1 you have had no time to think over the matter1 said ,susan1 who would have deemed it wrong to take advantage of the excited state of the child1 even to help a charitable cause4 ,turn round and go to sleep now1 dear boy2 perhaps you may think in the morning of some quite different way in which you would like to spend your money4 ,tom was too sleepy to reply2 his mind was growing calm and his eyelids heavy4 ,the touch of ,susan's soft hand was lulling him to rest1 with the sound of her soothing voice as she repeated a simple but beautiful verse-- ,this night ,i lay me down to sleep1 ,i give my soul to ,christ to keep2 ,wake ,i soon1 or wake ,i never1 ,i give my soul to ,christ for ever4 ,the young nurse did not quit ,tom's side till he had sunk into deep1 sweet slumber4 ,susan had expected that ,tom would change his mind in the morning regarding the way of spending his crown2 but she had done the boy injustice4 ,the heart of ,tom ,fairley was like rich and generous soil which had been covered with a thick growth of weeds3 there was much that was noble in him1 but it had never till then been drawn forth4 ,tom was heartily sorry for having struck and bitten the gentle girl who had so carefully and tenderly watched over his comfort4 ,he was resolved to make what amends he could1 and as ,susan would accept none of his money for herself1 he insisted that every penny of it should go in the way which he knew would please her most4 ,tom refused to taste his breakfast till ,susan should have carried his crown-piece to ,giles to increase the number of invitations to be sent to destitute children4 ,well1 to be sure1 ,i never knew money grow like your shilling6 exclaimed ,giles1 when ,susan1 with pleasure beaming in her eyes1 brought him the crown-piece to add to the little collection4 ,master ,tommy gives it1 and with all his heart4 ,may he never know1 dear child1 what it is to want a meal6 cried ,susan4 ,giles smiled good-humouredly as he turned the crown-piece round and round4 ,four shillings and five make nine1 he muttered1 that's an odd number1 and would buy an awkward lot of stamps to send in a letter4 ,i'll do the handsome thing myself--and follow this new fashion set in the nursery2 'tis but one shilling more to give--,i'll turn all the silver into one little bit of gold1 and send it safely in a registered letter to ,exeter ,hall4 ,we'll have a grand dinner-party amongst us1 and invite forty young folk at once4 ,it was keen delight to ,susan to feel that her little offering of one piece of silver had been--as it were--changed into gold2 that where she had meant to give food to four1 she had been the means of spreading the table for forty6 ,but far more important than the extension of this little work of charity in the dwelling of ,mrs4 ,fairley1 was the good which ,susan's influence was silently working around her in the hearts of those who could watch the tiny night-light of her example4 ,the little ,fairleys were learning lessons of piety and love which were likely to make them1 when they should grow up1 holy and happy ,christians1 influencing in their turn1 perhaps1 hundreds of their fellow creatures4 ,let no servant of ,god1 in however lowly a state1 think that one talent may safely be buried1 or the feeblest light safely be hidden4 ,especially let those who live amongst children remember how great the power of their own influence may be for evil or good4 ,those who have showered blessings on thousands may have received in the nursery their first impressions of religion4 ,a servant girl of whom the world never has heard1 may be found on that day when all secrets are known1 to have helped to form the character of a ,wilberforce or a ,howard4 ,to some ,christians whose lives have been very obscure1 may yet be fulfilled that glorious promise1 they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament2 and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever4 99 99 ,daniel xii4 #c4 ,a ,,thankful ,,guest ,,or1 ,a ,,christian ,,in ,,communion4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,back ,again4 ,,that's he--that's he--hurrah6 ,look1 wife1 look6 ,he's a-sitting on the box of the coach that we may see him the better6 ,hurrah6 ,and with a cheer which came from the heart1 ,michael ,garth lifted the straw hat from his wrinkled brow and grey hair1 as a carriage drove rapidly along the country road1 by the side of which stood his neat little cottage4 ,bless him6 ,bless him6 faltered old ,martha1 grasping eagerly her husband's arm with her trembling fingers1 and straining her dim eyes to see the vicar's sailor son returning after ten years' absence from ,england4 ,he sees us--he minds us6 said ,michael4 ,he's a-lifting up his cap--cheer1 ,mat1 cheer--are ye dumb1 lad6 cried ,martha to her grandson1 a red-haired lad of sixteen1 who had come running from the plough to see the officer drive past4 ,mat cheered1 and his grandfather cheered2 hearty and strong sounded the old man's voice--if an old man he could be called who had none of the weakness or infirmity of age4 ,and ,lieutenant ,harry ,maude nodded and smiled1 and shouted out as he passed a kindly greeting to the good old couple whom he had known from his childhood4 ,he's not changed--not a bit changed6 cried ,michael1 as the carriage rolled away down the dusty hill4 ,a trifle older1 may be1 and a trifle browner1 and he hadn't them fine whiskers afore2 but there's just the same smile1 the same merry look1 as when ,i lifted him1 over the five-bar-gate when he was a little chap no higher than my knee4 ,how happy the vicar and all the ladies will be1 said ,martha1 wiping her eyes with her apron1 for the pleasure of seeing the young master come back had made them fill with joyful tears4 ,ay1 to have him at home again1 and after such dangers1 cried ,michael4 ,warn't there a shipwreck8 asked ,mat4 ,a shipwreck--a dreadful one1 answered the old labourer4 ,didn't ye see the account of it in the ',times' the vicar lent me1 and which went the round of the village till the paper a'most dropped to pieces1 'cause every one wanted a reading4 ,i forgot--my memory's not what it was--ye were on the job at the farm down in ,surrey4 ,master ,harry there1 he did wonders1 brought off a lot of poor souls1 ,i can't mind me how many1 but ,i knows as he got thanks and praises without end4 ,and the ,queen--bless her6--sent him some medal--,i take it she was proud of him1 she was6 ,we are all proud of ,master ,harry6 cried ,martha4 ,if ,i was the ,queen1 ,i'd make him a duke4 ,i hopes now he's got such a deal of honour he'll not be above thinking of poor folk like me4 ,he'll not forget us1 not he6 said old ,michael1 rubbing his chin4 ,master ,harry won't never forget us4 ,we'll have him at the cottage to-morrow1 ,i'll be bound4 ,nay1 nay1 old man1 we mustn't look for that1 said ,martha4 ,mind ye what a many years he's been from his family1 and what lots they'll have to say to each other1 and what a many friends will be coming to see the lieutenant4 ,we mustn't expect him to-morrow1 nor the day after1 for that's when the ,squire's daughter is to be married1 and ,master ,harry will be at the wedding1 on course4 ,he'll be bridesman1 ,i s'pose1 observed ,michael4 ,and more looked at and thought of a deal than the bridegroom himself1 save by ,miss ,lily the bride1 said old ,martha1 as she turned and re-entered her cottage4 ,though the good woman had expressed her belief that a visit from ,lieutenant ,maude was not to be expected for two days longer at least1 there can be no doubt that she kept her cottage in as high a state of preparation as if he might at any moment appear4 ,there was not a spot on her pots and pans2 not a speck of dust rested on the rows of plates 7willow-pattern71 that adorned the shelf on the wall1 nor on her clean washed floor4 ,fresh snowdrops were put into the broken-handled crockery-teapot1 which served as a jar for flowers4 ,the glass of the case which held the stuffed owl which ,harry in his boyhood had so often admired1 was rubbed as bright as a mirror4 ,martha took into daily wear that green shawl which the young sailor had presented her with before going abroad1 and which she had reserved for high days and holidays1 as she had deemed it much too good for a poor old body4 ,even the approaching wedding of ,miss ,lily was a small event in the eyes of the old labourer and his wife1 compared to the return to the vicarage of brave ,master ,harry from sea4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,neglected ,duty4 ,,if there was pleasure in the cottage at the officer's return1 what was the joy within the home of his parents6 ,perhaps there was not a more cheerful group in all ,england than that which gathered round the pastor's fireside on that cold evening in ,march4 ,there were eager questionings1 pleasant replies2 every eye was turned towards ,harry as he sat with his feet resting on the fender1 and his mother's hand clasped in his own4 ,harry had much to relate which every one wanted to hear1 and half the tale seemed untold when1 at a later hour than usual1 the family retired to rest1 after the evening prayer had been prayed1 and the evening hymn sung by voices which trembled with thankful joy4 ,before breakfast on the following morning1 as the vicar was taking his usual early walk round his lawn1 he heard a quick step behind him1 and then ,harry's hand was laid on his arm4 ,ah6 ,my boy1 glad to see you6 ,i could hardly have a word with you yesterday1 your mother and the girls seemed resolved to have you all to themselves1 said the vicar1 as he wrung the hand of his son4 ,it is so delightful to be at home once more6 observed ,harry1 while he sauntered along the gravel path at his father's side4 ,everything looks just as when ,i left it1 ,i could fancy myself1 as in old times1 just returning from school4 ,it was a pleasure to me yesterday to see the familiar faces of good old ,garth and his wife1 who were standing in front of their cottage4 ,i suppose that the hulking lad at their side was 'little ,mat1' whom ,i remember at the ,sunday class1 when ,i made my first essay at teaching4 ,precious hard work it was to ram anything into his brain6 ,mat is a good lad1 though not a bright one1 observed the vicar4 ,as for the ,garths1 there is not a more honest fellow in the village than ,michael1 and ,martha is one of the kindest-hearted creatures that ,i ever met with in my life4 ,i recollect1 remarked the young officer1 that there was only one thing about the ,garths which you used to regret in old days4 ,they were steady in attendance at church1 but they were not communicants then4 ,nor are they now1 said the vicar1 stopping for a moment in his walk4 ,it is to me a strange1 an almost unaccountable thing1 that ,god-fearing1 ,god-serving people such as they1 who attend the ,lord's house1 and prize ,his ,word1 should yet1 month after month1 year after year1 turn their backs upon ,his table4 ,they brought their children to be baptised1 remarked the lieutenant4 ,ay1 and their grandchild too1 added the vicar1 resuming his walk2 the ,garths would have looked upon themselves as heathen had they neglected the one sacrament ordained by our ,lord1 while1 apparently without any scruple1 they constantly neglect the other4 ,i have preached in public1 and spoken in private on the subject1 but still ,i am grieved to see three-fourths of my flock leave the church before the communion service begins1 and the ,garths always amongst them4 ,have they ever given a reason for this8 asked ,harry4 ,i doubt whether they have any reason which they could put into words1 answered his father4 ,garth agrees to everything that ,i say1 will1 as he says1 'attend some day1 but not yet awhile2' his wife folds her hands1 looks down1 and says nothing4 ,i suppose that if either of them were to be taken dangerously ill1 ,i should be sent for in haste to administer the communion to the sick2 as if they thought that there was some charm in the service to smooth their journey through the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death1 or that life-long disobedience to their ,master's command could be atoned for by one dying attempt to do ,his bidding when1 perhaps1 the mind would scarcely have power to grasp the meaning of the service4 ,or death may come suddenly1 as ,i have seen it come so often to the strong and the young1 observed the naval officer4 ,how little we can tell whether1 when our summons comes1 we shall be left one hour for preparation6 ,i remember when ,i was ashore in one of the ,west ,india ports1 ,i ventured to say something to a friend of mine1 a young merchant1 who was showing me kind hospitality1 about his practice of doing business on ,sundays4 ,he answered me with perfect good humour1 that he was obliged to work hard1 for that he had set his heart on scraping up enough to take him home2 that he would act very differently when in old ,england again1 there he would take his rest on ,sundays1 go to church1 and attend to his soul4 ',now1 ,i've no time1' added he4 ',my friend1' ,i ventured to observe1 ',i often think of a proverb of ,zeller--' ',the ,americans say that time is money1 the ,christian says that time is ,grace6' ,the merchant smiled1 shrugged his shoulders1 and turned away4 ,poor fellow6 ,his time of grace was to be short6 ,he was seized with yellow fever that night1 and remained unconscious of all that was passing around him1 until called to meet his ,god6 ,a shade of sadness passed over the face of ,harry ,maude1 as he recalled the last moments of the poor young man who had been so busy in making the money which he was never to spend1 as to have no time to spare in preparing for that eternity on which he so soon was to enter6 ,the vicar and his son walked on some paces in silence1 then ,harry said in a more cheerful tone1 ,i think that ,i'll drop in at ,garth's cottage to-day2 ,i know that the kind old folk won't be sorry to see me enter it again4 ,and you might find some opportunity1 ,harry1 of giving a word in season4 ,i'm a little shy of doing that1 replied the young officer2 ,i don't feel myself fit to teach others1 there's so much that ,i myself need to learn4 ,but you have learned two things1 my son1 which are the very root and foundation of all ,christian knowledge2 you have learned that you are a sinner1 and that ,jesus ,christ is a ,saviour4 ,it is not the minister alone who is bound to spread the glad tidings of salvation4 ,the woman of ,samaria1 as soon as she had found the ,messiah1 left her water-pot1 and hastened away to carry the good news to all whom she met4 ,i believe that it is a cowardly feeling of shame that so often keeps us from speaking on the subject of religion1 said ,harry2 at least it is so with me4 ,certainly cowardice is the last thing of which any one but yourself would have accused the winner of the ,albert medal1 observed the vicar with a smile4 ,you showed1 on that awful night of the shipwreck1 how ready you were to risk your life or limb to save the bodies of your fellow creatures2 you are scarcely the man to flinch back when far more precious souls are in danger4 ,but here come two of the girls to seek you2 our sailor is not likely to be left much to himself after ten years of absence4 ,let us go and meet your sisters1 my son4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,service of ,obedience4 ,i ,,told you he'd come1 ,i told ye1 mistress6 exclaimed ,michael ,garth1 in a tone of triumph1 as he glanced in through the open cottage door at his wife1 who was darning her good man's stockings4 ,up started old ,martha at the words1 the threaded needle dropped from her fingers1 and the stockings from her knee4 ,maybe he's only taking a turn down the road1 she began1 as she hurried to the door4 ,but1 before the sentence was finished1 ,harry ,maude was striding up the narrow garden path which led up to the cottage1 and1 the next moment1 he was heartily shaking the brown1 hard hand of old ,michael4 ,so glad to see you both6 ,shall ,i come in8 asked ,harry4 ,and1 as ,martha's smiles and curtseys gave the reply1 the officer bent his tall head1 and entered through the low doorway into the cottage4 ,martha1 in a flurry of pleasure1 dusted with her apron the arm-chair which she had already twice dusted that morning2 but ,harry was too gallant to deprive the old dame of her accustomed seat1 and took possession instead of a rush-bottomed chair4 ,michael stirred the wood-fire to a blaze1 such being perhaps his idea of a warm welcome1 and stood with his cap in his hand1 pleasure written in every line of his wrinkled1 but still rosy face4 ,how well ,i remember this cottage6 cried ,harry4 ,and what pleasant visits ,i used to pay here when ,i wanted my fishing-rod mended1 or my kite put to rights1 or advice about my sick rabbits6 ,there is my old friend the owl with his staring glass eyes1 the sampler framed on the wall1 with the flowering tree worked on each side1 and the text down the middle2 the little crockery cow on the mantelpiece1 the old prints of ,george ,,iii41 ,wellington1 and ,nelson1 the kettle on the hob1 the big log on the hearth1 just as ,i used to see them all here ten years ago6 ,i wonders as how you han't forgotten such like things1 ,master ,harry1 said ,mrs4 ,garth1 with a smile of gratification1 such a power of fine sights as you must have come across in your travels4 ,i have seen a good deal1 observed ,maude1 for ,i have been in all the four quarters of the globe since ,i last crossed this threshold4 ,but of all the fine sights which have met my eyes1 there was not one that pleased me like that of the faces of kind old friends4 ,ye'll not be leaving home in a hurry again1 ,i take it1 master1 said old ,michael ,garth4 ,i hope only for a very short time1 but ,i must go up to ,london to-morrow4 ,go up to ,lunnon6 repeated both the ,garths in surprise2 and ,martha added1 ,why1 sir1 ye only came from it yesterday4 ,i must return thither to-morrow for all that1 but only to remain there one night4 ,it must be a mighty business to keep you tossing to and fro like a football1 a hundred and fifty miles each way1 as if ,lunnon weren't farther off than yon church1 said ,garth4 ,the honest labourer had never made one such journey in the course of all his long life4 ,i should ha' thought as how ye'd ha' needed a little rest1 observed ,martha4 ,i do need rest1 for ,i've been much knocked about1 replied the young sailor1 and ,i'd fever in the ,channel1 and have not yet picked up my strength4 ,but for all that1 sick or well1 ,i'm bound for ,london to-morrow4 ,maybe you've a lot of money to get there1 said old ,michael ,garth4 ,not a farthing2 not even will my travelling expenses be paid1 replied ,harry4 ,but sure and sartain1 sir1 ye can't go to-morrow1 it's ,miss ,lily's wedding-day6 exclaimed ,martha4 ,don't you wish to be at the marriage8 ,i do wish it much1 said ,harry ,maude4 ,it is a disappointment to me not to be present1 but ,i am obliged to give up the wedding1 for the train starts for ,london at eleven4 ,well--to be sure6 murmured ,martha ,garth1 lifting up her hands in surprise4 ,michael's curiosity was fairly aroused4 ,what1 going all the way to ,lunnon1 and just for one night1 and the wedding given up1 too1 he muttered4 ,might ,i be bold enough to ask1 ,master ,harry1 what is hurrying ye hither and thither like this8 ,simply an invitation to dinner1 replied ,harry1 smiling at the looks of astonishment exchanged between ,garth and his wife4 ,why1 sir1 ye can ha' dinners and to spare here--every house open to ye within ten miles round6 exclaimed ,michael4 ,sure and sartain1 if ,i was you1 ,i'd not go a-travellin' three hundred miles for one dinner6 ,perhaps if you had received such an invitation as ,i have1 replied the young naval officer1 you would hold a different opinion4 ,and1 leaning back in his chair1 ,harry drew from his breast-pocket a large envelope with a red seal bearing the royal arms1 which enclosed a card which he took out1 and handed across the deal table to ,martha ,garth4 ,the old lady began fumbling for her spectacles1 but her husband1 whose sight was better1 was at her side stooping to look over the card1 before ,martha had fixed her glasses on her nose4 ,her ,majesty's commands6 ,well--if ever6 exclaimed the labourer4 ,dearie heart6 ,to dine with the ,queen6 ,what an honour6 cried ,martha1 involuntarily half-rising from her seat4 ,i don't wonder ye couldn't put aside such an invitation as that1 sir1 said ,michael1 let what might come in the way6 ,my ,sovereign's invitation is a command1 replied the loyal young officer4 ,at whatever inconvenience or cost1 loss of time or of pleasure1 ,i am bound to obey it4 ,and you'll be proud to obey it1 ,i'll answer for that1 said ,michael ,garth2 you'd go to the ,queen's table1 if you'd to travel all the three hundred miles a-foot1 with shoes1 or without 'em4 ,would you do so8 inquired ,harry1 turning a quick searching eye upon the old man4 ,the ,queen's not like to ask such as me1 replied ,michael1 with a short laugh1 and he looked down on his fustian jacket and hob-nailed boots4 ,but if our ,sovereign were to do so1 if that card of invitation had come to you in your cottage with your and your wife's names upon it1 so that there could be no room for mistake2 would you have thrown it aside1 and let the day pass without so much as taking any notice of the gracious message from your ,queen8 ,no1 surely1 replied both of the ,garths in a breath4 ,though1 ,martha added1 neither of us be fit at all to appear before ,her ,majesty4 ,we should feel strange enough1 ,i take it1 amongst all the lords and ladies2 we'd be no fit company for them4 ,but ye see1 wife1 observed old ,michael1 if the ,queen invited poor folk like we1 she'd not expect much from us1 she'd put up with our country ways2 but1 if we disobeyed her1 and flouted her kindness1 the ,queen1 mind ye1 might be angered4 ,and with just cause1 observed ,harry ,maude4 ,now1 will you forgive me1 he continued1 leaning his arms on the table1 and bending forward in the earnestness of his speaking1 will you forgive me if ,i remind you that you both have received--not merely once--but very many times1 a most gracious invitation1 which is also a command1 from your ,heavenly ,sovereign1 the ,king of kings8 ,he bids you appear before ,him at ,his table to partake of ,his ,holy ,supper2 you know better than ,i can know1 how you have received the gracious invitation4 ,both the cottagers were taken aback by this sudden turn which the conversation had taken4 ,mrs4 ,garth uneasily twisted about in her fingers the card which she still retained4 ,michael was silent for some moments before he replied1 ,ye see1 sir1 there's such a difference6 ,a difference indeed1 said the naval officer2 we are a thousand times more bound to obey a ,heavenly than an earthly monarch1 and the honour and privilege of being bidden to ,god's table are a thousand times greater than those of appearing at the ,queen's4 ,i don't gainsay that1 sir1 ,i don't gainsay it1 replied ,garth2 but there be some difficulties1 you see-- ,harry waited for the labourer to finish his sentence1 but as he either could not1 or would not1 the officer spoke again4 ,i suppose that there are few duties1 ,michael1 which we might not find some excuse for neglecting4 ,for instance1 he held out his hand for the card which was returned to him by ,martha1 ,i might find plenty of excuses for not obeying my ,queen by going up to ,london to-morrow4 ,i might plead that ,i had just returned to my home after a very long absence1 that my family were unwilling to part with me1 that ,i was weary of travelling1 that ,i was expected to attend at a wedding1 and was very anxious to do so4 ,i might make such excuses1 and others besides1 and even persuade myself that they were good ones2 but in truth not one of them1 nor all of them put together1 would really be sufficient to acquit me of disloyal1 undutiful neglect of my ,queen4 ,now1 my friends1 suffer me to entreat you to ask yourselves honestly1 as in the sight of the ,lord1 will your excuses for never attending ,his ,holy ,supper be such as you will venture to plead when you stand at the last great ,day in the immediate presence of your ,king8 ,i never had it put to me afore like that1 said ,garth1 looking fixedly into the fire4 ,there are various lights in which we may regard the ,lord's ,supper1 continued ,harry1 the first and most simple1 perhaps1 is this2 it is a feast to which ,his faithful subjects are specially called by the great ,king1 whose invitations are commands4 ,turn to the parable which the ,lord himself has given to us4 99 ,observe the gracious invitation1 ',come1 for all things are now ready4' ,notice the excuses made by those who should have been joyful guests1 the ground bought1 the oxen to be proved1 the wife that had lately been married4 ,were these excuses accepted8 99 ,luke xiv4 ,martha looked troubled and uneasy4 ,i al'ays say as how we should go up to the ,table one of these days1 she said1 but somehow or other1 the time seems never to come4 ,i fear that you are not sufficiently in earnest on the subject1 observed ,harry4 ,were a message to be brought to you from our ,queen1 your mind would be fixed upon it1 you would scarcely think of anything else4 ,you see1 sir1 said ,michael ,garth1 if we neglected the ,queen's invitation1 we should never be likely to get a second2 but there's not a month as passes but we have an opportunity of staying to ,communion1 and so1 it may be wrong1 ,i don't deny it1 but one's more inclined to put off4 ,ah6 ,you wait for the convenient season1 observed ,harry1 gravely1 forgetting that present neglect may be sin1 and that by future obedience1 if we be permitted to live to show it1 we cannot make up for the past4 ,opportunities lost are blessings thrown away1 we cannot recall them again4 ,let us not forget1 in regard to taking the ,sacrament1 that the same voice which bade us watch and pray and keep the commandments1 said also1 ',this do in remembrance of ,me4'99 ,and had we no other reason for partaking of the ,holy ,communion1 no special benefits to hope for1 it should suffice to make us do the bidding of our ,king that this is ,a ,,service ,,of ,,obedience4 99 ,luke xxii4 #ai4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,a ,service of ,hope4 ,,there was silence in the cottage for a short space of time after ,harry had finished the last sentence4 ,michael ,garth continued to look fixedly into the fire1 with a thoughtful expression upon his weather-beaten face4 ,his wife watched him anxiously1 wishing that he should be the first to reply4 ,presently ,garth turned from the fire1 slowly seated himself beside it1 and resting his hands on his knees1 began-- ,all you've said1 sir1 is true2 but ,i don't feel us how ,i'm fit yet to take the ,lord's ,supper4 ,i've been a hard-working man1 ,i've no learning1 and ,i don't think ,i'm good enough yet2 that's the long and short of the matter4 ,and there be such terrible words about taking the ,communion unworthily1 said ,martha1 timidly4 ,those terrible words were written to the ,corinthians1 who were actually guilty of intemperance when they met together for their love-feasts1 replied ,harry ,maude4 ,it is impossible1 as our services are conducted1 that we could offend as they did4 ,but sure1 sir1 we can take the ,lord's ,supper unworthily1 observed ,garth4 ,yes1 assuredly1 if we dare to approach the ,table when living in wilful sin1 said the officer4 ,if we keep the leaven of malice and wickedness in our hearts1 we are unfit to partake of the feast4 ,if we are acquiring money by fraud or theft1 we are unfit to partake of the feast4 ,if we are denying the ,lord who bought us1 we are unfit to partake of the feast4 ,god forbid that we should do any of these things1 sir6 exclaimed honest ,garth4 ,i'm no better than others1 ,i know1 but ,i'd never touch a penny as was not my own1 and ,i don't bear malice1 ,i hope1 towards any living creature4 ,no1 ,i'm sure he don't6 cried the goodwife4 ,depend upon it1 my friends1 said ,harry1 there is nothing which unfits a believer for appearing at the ,table of his ,lord1 but that which would unfit him for ,heaven--self-righteousness and wilful sin4 ,if a man be really unprepared to partake of the bread and the wine1 he has cause to fear every hour of the day--he has cause to fear when he lies down at night1 lest death should suddenly overtake him--because he is unprepared to die4 ,but though we mayn't be living in wilful sin1 yet we're far from being what we should be1 said ,michael ,garth1 thoughtfully shaking his head4 ,and so were those whom our ,lord ,himself chose to appear at the very first ,communion service that ever was held upon earth1 cried ,harry4 ,why1 sir1 they were the holy ,apostles who took the bread and wine from our ,lord's own hands1 said ,michael4 ,and what were those ,apostles but weak1 erring men1 whose spirit was willing1 but whose flesh was weak8 asked young ,maude4 ,did not our ,lord1 when ,he called them around ,him1 know that some of them had just been disputing which should be the greatest8 ,did ,he not know that1 in the course of a few hours1 all would forsake ,him and flee8 ,did ,he not know that one1 the foremost amongst them1 would deny ,him with curses and oaths8 ,the ,lord knew all this1 and yet ,he invited ,his ,apostles to share ,his ,holy supper4 ,would ,he have praised for humility1 or rebuked for disobedience1 any one of them who should have refused to come1 saying1 ',lord1 ,i feel that ,i am not worthy8' ,there was no fear that they should refuse1 murmured ,martha1 they would not have dared to keep away when the ,lord bade them come4 ,but it seems that disciples in the present day dare to do that which ,apostles would not have ventured to do1 refuse their ,lord's invitation1 said ,harry4 ,but ye see1 sir1 observed ,garth1 after a pause1 it was all such a new thing with the ,twelve2 there had never been anything like the ,communion before4 ,excuse me1 said ,harry1 quickly2 the ,christian feast of the ,holy ,supper is founded on the ,jewish feast of the ,passover1 which our ,lord ,himself kept in obedience to ,god's command4 ,if you turn to the #abth chapter of ,exodus1 you will find that on one particular evening in the year1 every ,israelitish household had to partake of a lamb1 in remembrance of the firstborn of ,israel being spared1 through the sprinkled blood of a lamb1 when the firstborn of ,egypt were slain4 ',this day shall be unto you for a memorial1 said the ,lord1 all the congregation of ,israel shall keep it4' 99 ,a ,jew who should have neglected attending the ,holy ,feast would have shewn1 by such neglect1 that he cared not for the blood of sprinkling1 that he did not choose to cast in his lot with that of the ,lord's chosen people4 99 ,exodus xii4 #ad1 #dg4 ,but surely1 sir1 said ,michael1 earnestly1 we ,christians in ,britain are not bound to keep a ,jewish feast4 ,no more than we are called upon to sacrifice a lamb1 replied ,harry1 and sprinkle its blood on our door-posts4 ,our sacrifice was offered once for all1 when the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sins of the world1 died on ,calvary for us4 ,but the feast which he ordained in place of the ,jewish ,passover1 is to be kept 'till ,he come4' ,what are the words of ,st4 ,paul on the subject8 ',christ our ,passover is sacrificed for us3 therefore let us keep the feast4' #a ,cor4 xi4 #bf4 #a ,cor4 v4 #g4 ,i never understood afore that the ,passover had anything to do with the ,lord's ,supper1 said ,michael4 ,it was what is called a type of it1 replied the officer4 ,the ,israelites in the ,passover celebrated their deliverance from death1 and the bondage of ,egypt2 ,christians celebrate in the ,communion their deliverance from eternal death1 and the bondage of sin4 ,the ,israelites rejoiced in the gift of ,canaan1 ,christians rejoice in the gift of ,heaven4 ,the ,israelites1 when starting on their long journey through the desert1 gained strength in body by partaking of the food which they ate by ,god's command4 ,christians1 in their long journey through life1 gain strength in soul by partaking also1 by ,god's command1 of bread and wine1 with faith and repentance4 ,oh6 ,my friends1 let us never forget this4 ,if we feel that we are sinful and weak1 let us go to the ,lord's ,table for grace and strength to struggle against sin1 grace and strength to press on towards ,heaven4 ',let us draw near with a true heart1 in full assurance of faith4' 99 ,the ,christian ,communion is not only a service of obedience1 it is also a service of hope1 and a service of joy4 99 ,heb4 x4 #bb4 ,harry rose as he finished the last sentence1 but the old labourer did not rise2 ,michael did not wish his visitor to quit the cottage just yet4 ,then really ,i may be angering ,god by leaving this thing undone1 he began1 rather as if speaking to himself1 than as addressing any other person present4 ,i am afraid that wilful neglect of anything which we are bidden1 in the ,bible1 to do is sin1 a sin of omission1 said ,maude4 ,we are apt to think little of such sins2 and if we abstain to a certain degree from doing what we ought not to do1 we are seldom much troubled by the conviction that we have left undone that which we ought to have done4 ,but ,god's ,word teaches a different lesson4 ,the barren fig tree cumbered the ground1 not because it brought forth bad fruit1 but because it bore no fruit at all4 ,the man with one talent was reproved1 not because he had misspent the money1 but because he had not used it for good4 ,in our ,lord's own account of the ,judgment1 ,he tells us not of the sentence which will be passed upon those who have injured1 robbed1 or murdered ,his poor2 but that which awaits those who have neglected to help them4 ,this shews us most clearly that ,god marks our sins of omission4 ,i would not have ventured thus to speak to you1 my friends1 continued the young officer earnestly1 had ,i not feared that1 almost without knowing it1 you might be committing this sin by neglecting an ordinance of ,god4 ,i own that ,i have often myself thus offended by leaving known duties undone1 and from the bottom of my heart ,i join in the dying prayer of ,archbishop ,usher1 ',oh6 ,god1 forgive me my sins1 especially my sins of omission6' ,amen6 murmured the old labourer1 and his wife1 as she folded her wrinkled hands1 faintly echoed the ,amen4 ,and once more ,i ask your pardon for having spoken thus freely1 said ,harry ,maude1 holding out his hand to ,garth with cordial frankness of manner4 ,but ,i had it on my heart to entreat you not to miss a blessing by neglecting a duty1 and turning away from a service of obedience1 of hope1 and of joy4 ,every loyal subject of the ,lord1 when of ripe years1 is invited to the ,table of his ,heavenly ,king1 and it is his blessed privilege as well as his bounden duty to appear there as a thankful guest1 looking forward to the time when he1 through ,christ's merits and death1 shall be welcomed to sit down with ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 at the glorious feast in the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,service of ,love4 ,,harry ,,maude quitted the cottage1 and ,michael and ,martha returned to their occupations1 the one digging in the garden1 the other mending stockings by the fireside4 ,but the old man bending over his spade1 and his good wife over her needle1 were both reflecting on what they had heard4 ,to think of his taking us to task like that6 ,but he meant it kindly--yes1 he meant it kindly1 murmured ,martha to herself as she darned4 ,he'd not have us treat our great and merciful ,god as we would never dare to treat our ,queen4 ,we've been a-shutting ourselves out from the feast in church2 ,i pray ,god ,he mayn't shut us out from the ,feast up above4 ,but though ,michael and ,martha thus pondered over the subject1 neither of them felt inclined to talk about it4 ,when ,mat came in from the plough1 his grandmother told him that young ,master ,harry had come to see them1 but not one word did she repeat of the conversation that had taken place1 except that part which simply related to the invitation from the ,queen4 ,the husband and wife avoided even speaking to each other about that subject which was uppermost in the minds of both4 ,evening closed in2 the aged couple and their grandson sat down to their simple supper1 and1 while they ate1 chatted about the morrow's wedding1 and the sailor's return1 and the ,queen's invitation1 and other topics of the day4 ,but when the meal was over1 and ,martha had cleared away the fragments1 ,michael1 from his seat by the hearth1 gravely addressed his wife4 ,martha1 ,i've been a-thinking about what you and me was hearing to-day about these same sins of omission--that's the word--leaving undone what ought to be done4 ,you and me--we reads our ,bible on ,sundays reg'lar enough2 but ,i mind me that the parson told us in church that we should no more do without our daily reading of ,scripture than without our daily food4 ,suppose now you bring the ,book4 ,it's late to begin the custom1 seeing we're both growing old1 but there's the less time for delay1 so we'll read a bit o' the ,bible to-night afore we go to our rest4 ,ah6 ,michael1 ,i've often thought of this1 but ,i didn't like to be the first to speak about doing it1 said ,martha1 as1 after dusting the large ,bible with her apron1 she set it on the deal table before her husband1 and then pushed the little brass candlestick towards him1 that the light from the candle might fall on the ,book4 ,michael slowly opened the holy volume1 slowly turned over page after page1 before he found the passage which he sought4 ,then1 in a solemn tone1 tracing the lines as he read with his finger1 the old cottager began the #bbnd chapter of the ,gospel of ,st4 ,luke4 ,mat sat very quiet and attentive at his grandmother's side2 the cottage seemed to the lad to have become as holy a place as the church2 and though his grandfather certainly could not read like the parson1 the lad thought to himself that somehow or other the words went just as straight to the heart4 ,michael read on slowly and steadily till he came to the end of the #aith verse1 and then his voice faltered1 the finger which rested on the page trembled1 and1 with a deep sigh1 the old man closed the ,bible4 ,be you not well8 asked ,martha1 anxiously4 ,her husband leant back in his chair1 and pressed his hand over his eyes4 ,it's not that1 wife1 it's not that1 replied ,michael1 removing his hand4 ,it was those words--'twas the bidding us do this 'in remembrance of ,me4' ,i couldn't abide the thought of having so long neglected the dear ,saviour's dying wish1 let alone it's being the ,king's command4 ,you see1 continued ,michael1 addressing himself to his grandson1 ,i have known what it was to receive a dying request1 and to treasure it up1 and keep it1 as if 'twere a bit of my life4 ,your ,granny knows the story well1 but1 maybe1 you han't heard so much about it4 ,then1 after pushing back his chair from the table1 and again passing his hand across his eyes1 ,michael ,garth began his simple tale4 ,i had as good and kind a mother as ever lived1 and1 ,i take it1 never son loved mother more than ,i did4 ,when ,i was a lad1 not much older than you be1 ,i sickened with the fever which was a-spreading all through the village4 ,my mother she watched me day and night1 and would scarce stir from my bedside till the doctor he said as how the worst was over4 ,but the worst was not over1 continued ,michael with feeling1 for she had caught the fever from me1 she had1 and on the day when ,i first rose from my bed1 my mother lay a-dying upon hers6 ,i was just able to crawl to her side1 to get her blessing1 and to hear her last words4 ,i half wished in my grief that the fever had taken us both away1 so there would have been no sore parting for either4 ,my mother drew from under her pillow my father's silver watch1 which she had kept ever since she had lost him4 ,she was so weak she scarcely could hold it1 and her voice was so faint that ,i had to bend down close to catch her last words1 ',keep it for my sake2' they was the last words as ever she spoke4 ,i could not answer1 a lump was in my throat1 but ,i vowed in my heart that ,i'd never part with that watch to my dying day6 ,and you never did6 exclaimed ,martha4 ,so that there old watch is locked up safe in yon box at this moment4 ,i treasured that watch1 ,i wore it by day1 ,i put it under my bolster by night1 often and often did it bring my mother to my mind1 it seemed like a bit of herself4 ,if ,i was a-tempted to go wrong1 the very sound of its ticking when ,i wound it up at bedtime seemed like a warning voice from her grave4 ,years passed on1 and ,i married1 and a family came--bless 'em--and after that great troubles4 ,you mind that hard winter1 wife1 when ,i was ten weeks out of work1 and we scarcely knew where to turn to get a crust to keep soul and body together6 ,i can never forget it1 said ,martha2 we lay down hungry1 and we got up hungry1 and were well-nigh driven to part with the bed beneath us for rent4 ,i was well-nigh driven to part with something else1 observed her husband4 ,many and many's the time that ,i thought of my silver watch as the one thing that ,i could turn into money2 but ,i al'ays shrank back from doing that1 ,i counted it would be a'most like trampling over my mother's grave4 ,one day ,i was pretty near desperate2 there was the rent unpaid1 and the little uns crying1 and ,i started off for the town where the pawnbroker lived4 ,when ,i came nigh the place1 in sight of the three gilt balls1 ,i pulled out my watch1 it seemed to throb like a living thing in my hand4 ,i stood stock still and looked on it1 and all the deathbed scene came back upon me as fresh as if ,i had just left it1 the pale face--the wistful eyes--the faint whisper1 ',keep it for my sake4' ,i turned back1 ,mat1 ,i couldn't go on2 ,i had had my long trudge for my pains2 thinks ,i1 it's rather starve outright ,i will1 than break the last command of my mother4 ,the voice of ,michael sounded husky1 and ,martha raised her apron to her eyes4 ,and better times came1 observed ,mat4 ,ay1 lad1 better times came1 said ,michael2 but ,i've not finished the story of my watch4 ,it was about seventeen years ago1 the very winter when ye was born1 lad1 and a sharper winter never ,i knew4 ,i was coming home one evening1 a cutting wind was a-blowing1 which seemed to pierce to the very marrow4 ,the stream was quite frozen over1 ,i thought it was hard enough to bear me1 and to save going round by the bridge1 ,i tried to cross on the ice4 ,the first step ,i took there was a crack4 ,the next--the ice gave way1 and down ,i splashed into the water4 ,the stream ain't very deep1 observed ,mat4 ,quite deep enough1 lad1 to make a plunge into it on a bitter cold evening no pleasuring matter1 said ,michael4 ,i was any way up to my arm-pits1 and a bit cut by the ice besides4 ,i scrambled out with a little trouble1 shivering and wet1 my teeth chattering with cold1 and my hands a-bleeding with the ice4 ,but the first thing as ,i thought on was my watch1 ,i clapped my hand to the little pocket which your ,granny had made in my jacket on purpose to hold it2 the pocket was empty1 the watch had slipped out into the stream in the struggle and scramble4 ,it warn't likely to be worth much after being in the water1 said ,mat4 ,worth1 lad6 ,it warn't the money's worth as ,i cared for6 exclaimed the old man4 ,had it been a brass farthing as had been given me as a keepsake by a dying parent1 it would ha' been more to me than a purse of gold6 ,i didn't take much time to think about it1 the day was short1 'twas already getting dusk1 if ,i waited1 the under-current might drag my watch down where ,i never should find it again4 ,back ,i plunged into the deadly cold water1 striking my arms right and left to break the ice1 and to keep in the life which was well-nigh frozen out o' me1 for a numbness was a-creeping over my body4 ,i searched and searched1 feeling about the bottom1 now with my feet1 now with my hand1 and more than once ,i got right under the ice1 and lost my breath1 and thought it was all over with me4 ,i've done many a hard day's work in my life1 but the toughest job as ever ,i had was the seeking 'mid the ice for my watch on that piercing night in ,december4 ,but you found it at last1 said ,martha4 ,ay1 ay1 ,i found it at last1 rejoined the old man1 a gleam of honest pleasure lighting up his weather-worn face2 warn't ,i glad when ,i found it warn't a round pebble as ,i had touched with my foot1 as ,i was afeard at the first6 ,i brought the watch up out of the water1 after ,i'd been a-hunting1 gasping and struggling1 shivering and freezing1 the best part of an hour4 ,it was the thought of the words1 ',keep it for my sake1' as gave me strength to hold on2 and though ,i had to lie in bed for a week1 and had rheumatics that ,i didn't shake off till the summer1 all along of that search under the water1 there was something as out-matched the trouble and the pain--it was such a comfort to my heart to know that ,i'd kept the dying request of my mother6 ,the tale was not a now one to ,mat1 but it was one which1 by the family of ,michael1 was always heard with interest1 and it had deepened in the minds of his children and grandchildren impressions of filial reverence and love4 ,the old silver watch1 thus handed down from generation to generation1 was--and was likely long to be--a precious relic in the cottager's home4 ,when ,michael had finished his story1 his grandson observed1 ,i don't see why you should ha' thought about that watch when you was a-reading that chapter just now4 ,do you not see1 lad1 it's all plain enough to my mind6 exclaimed ,martha4 ,your grandfather was willing to suffer hunger and hardship1 danger and chill1 sickness and pain1 rather than neglect the last wish of a dear mother who had taken her death from watching over him-- ,and yet1 interrupted ,michael ,garth1 finishing the sentence for his wife1 never till this night have ,i taken to heart the dying wish of ,one who has loved me better than ever did my mother1 and has suffered more for me than ever a mother suffered6 ,i've read ,his words1 and scarce given them a thought--,god have mercy upon me1 a sinner--for my heart must have been more dead than a stone6 ,ah6 ,michael1 said old ,martha1 leaning forward on her chair1 and laying her hand on the arm of her husband1 there was something which ,master ,harry missed out when he spoke to us to-day so anxious and earnest about attending the ,holy ,communion4 ,he said that the ,lord's ,supper be a service of obedience1 and a service of hope1 and he was right enough there2 but it's more than that1 it's a service of love besides4 ,how the holy angels must wonder that those for whom the loving ,lord poured out ,his very life's blood1 can go on year after year as--shame to us we have done1 neglecting ,his dying command--as if ,he had never spoken1 or they had never heard the words--',this do in remembrance of ,me6' ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,one ,family4 ,,bright and cloudless rose the sun on the following morning4 ,the air was balmy as in ,may1 and the budding leaves on the boughs1 the early wild-flowers under the hedges1 all seemed to rejoice4 ,harry ,maude was up as early as the sun life was too full of happiness for him1 for the young officer to care to waste the fresh morning hours in sleep4 ,he gave his early moments to ,god1 and found that3 ,his morning smiles bless all the day4 ,though young ,maude could not1 on account of his journey to ,london1 attend the wedding service1 he accompanied his sisters1 who were bridesmaids1 to the ,grange1 before he started by the train4 ,the ,maudes found the family of their friends1 the bride included1 at their early breakfast1 a cheerful meal1 at which ,harry and his sisters joined as welcome guests4 ,the sight of the happiness of others was ever a source of happiness to the young lieutenant4 ,one of the brightest hours of his life was that spent at the ,grange amongst old friends and companions upon that bridal day4 ,pleasant is it to fulfil the command1 ,rejoice with them that do rejoice4 ,though the young officer quitted with regret the cheerful circle of his friends1 yet it was1 perhaps1 with a feeling of yet deeper gratification that he appeared on the evening of that day in the presence of his ,queen4 ,he sat at the board of his ,sovereign1 a welcome and honoured guest1 because he had nobly done his duty1 because in the hour of trial and danger his courage had never failed4 ,thankfulness1 and not pride1 beat in the bosom of ,harry2 he gratefully acknowledged that it was ,god who had helped him in need1 who had strengthened his arm and nerved his heart1 who had carried him safe through dangers1 and crowned him with honour and joy4 ,that evening1 when on the young officer rested the approving glance of his ,queen1 was one which to his dying day he would recall with gratification4 ,earth's pleasures are fleeting1 and its honours are passing away2 the bridal feast and the royal banquet may both be joyous1 but they belong to those things which ,time sweeps from our view at last1 as though they had never been4 ,god be praised1 who hath prepared for ,his children pleasures that abide1 and glory that never shall end6 ,so thought ,harry on the following ,sunday1 when1 for the first time since his departure ten years before1 the pastor's family1 as an unbroken family1 met in the ,house of ,prayer4 ,it was deep joy to the sailor to pass once more down the well-remembered aisle1 with kind familiar faces around him1 to occupy once more the very seat where so often1 when a boy1 he had listened with reverence to the voice of his father proclaiming the message of ,god4 ,it was deep joy to join again in worship with the friends of his youth in that church1 to which memory so often had turned during long years of absence4 ,harry did not leave it after the sermon was ended1 he and his family all remained to join in the service of obedience1 the service of hope1 the service of love4 ,there1 indeed1 they could enjoy the sense of communion1 not only with their ,heavenly ,father1 but with all ,his family in heaven and earth--there they could realise that all true ,christians are one in ,christ1 united with the angels above1 and the spirits of the just made perfect4 ,if anything could have added to ,harry's happiness at that sweet and solemn hour1 it was to know that the ,garths were worshipping near him4 ,there were the grey-haired labourer and his wife1 and their young grandson beside them1 sharing for the first time1 but not for the last1 the privilege and blessing of drawing nigh to the ,lord at ,his ,table4 ,as with meek reverence and love they obeyed their ,master's command1 faith raised their thoughts to the great ,feast above1 to which all ,god's servants are bidden4 ,blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of ,god4 99 ,blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the ,lamb4 99 ,luke xiv4 #ae4 ,rev4 xix4 #i4 ,my reader1 this is a solemn subject1 and should it be one to which you have not yet given much thought1 most earnestly would ,i commend it to your prayerful attention4 ,may we duly prize the privilege of ,christian ,communion while yet we remain upon earth1 nor refuse the loving invitation so graciously given to penitent sinners--,come1 for all things are now ready4 99 ,and when this life is over1 and earth itself shall have passed away1 may we1 through our ,saviour's merits1 be received at the heavenly feast above1 as rejoicing and thankful guests6 99 ,luke xiv4 #ag4 ,,hymn4 ,,obeying ,christ's command1 oh6 ,lord1 ,i come1 a thankful guest1 ,in no polluted tattered robe ,of human merits dressed1 ,but in my ,saviour's righteousness1 ,the spotless wedding-vest4 ,unworthy as ,i own ,i am1 ,thy feast of love to share1 ,for ,his sake hear my humble cry1 ,for ,his sake grant my prayer2 ,and let ,thy mercy cleanse my soul4 ,and shed ,thy ,spirit there6 ,oh6 ,make me one with ,thy dear ,son1 ,to ,him my soul unite1 ,a branch of the ,eternal ,vine1 ,not fruitless in ,thy sight3 ,thine own on earth--,thine own in heaven4 ,through ages infinite6