Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-09-18


might have been the kind father and
the aiiectionatc husband that he once
Was, ] own Al cost me some considcra-
lie effort 90 suppress my cmotion.-
Whittier are YOU all go.ng:'' said the
holy man. Ny husband, Who had al
ways appeared extremely humble in
presence of the minister, and replied
to all bis inquiries IN a Subducd tone
OF Voice, answered, with unusual firm
ness. To jail, reverend SIR" To
Jail - said he, all, see how it is /:
YOU have wasted your substance I'm
Ilo'ous living, and arc going 10 paw for
your impro,idcncc and folly. You
have had the advantage of my prcccp,
and example. aud YOU turned deaf
ear 10 the one and neglected the o.
Their
" Reverend SIR, my husband rcpli-
ed, CALLED by this rcproof, which appear
ed 10 him AT that particular moment.
AN unnecessary aggravation OF his mise
~, reverend sir, your prccept and
Your example have been NV RUN: I
followed them both-You, who had no
experience Of the temptations Ia which
your weaker brethren are liable. who
are already addicted to the temperate
and daily use of arden; spirits. advised
me never TO sign pledge. have fol-
lowed your advice To the letter. You
admitted that extraordinary occasions
miSht Justify the use OF ardent spirit
and that OH such occasions Won miOht
use II yourself. ! followed your cx-
ample; but it has been nv misfortune
never TO drink spurious liquors without
finding that my occnSioaS were more
extraordinary than ever. Had follow
ed the prccpt and eXamplc OF neigh
Dor Johnson, should not have made 4
good wife miserable. nor nv children
beggarS. While he uttered these last
words, my poor husband looked upon
ms little ones, andburst into tears: and
the minister rode slowly away without,
uttenng word.
| rejOiced even in tho midst of our
misery, To- see that the heart of nv poor
George was tenderly affected: for il is
not more needfil, that the hardness of
wax should be subducd bv fire. than
the heart of man should be softened
10y ailliction, before a deep and lasting
impression can be made. Dear hus-
band, said !, we are Young; itisno,
too late; let us trust in God. and all
may bc well. He made no reply. but
continued TO walk ON, and weep in 81
lencc. Shortly after, the Deacon ap-
pcarcd, AT some distance coming towards
us on the road; but as soon rs he dis
covered who VIC were, he turned away
INTO private path. Even the conSta-
BILE seemed somewhat touched with
compassion at our situation, and urged
MS TO keep good heart, for he thought
some one might help us, when we least
expected IT. My husband whose vein
of humor would often display itself
even in hours Of sadness, Instantly re-
Piled, that the good Samaritan could not
be far off. for the priest and the Levitc
lad already passed by on the other side.
But he little thought-poor man-,hat
even the conclusion Of this beautiful
parable was likely TO be verified. a
one horse wagon, at this moment. ap-
peaTcd To be coming down the hill be-
hmd us, at an unusually rapid rate, and
the constable advised us, a. the road was
narrow, TO stand aside and let it pass
1t was soon mp with US and when the
dust had cleared away, it turned out, as
little Robert had said, when IL first ap-
pcared on the top of the hill. TO be far
mer Johnson's gray mare and yellow
wagon. The kind-hcaTted farmer was
out in an instant, and, without saving a
word, was putting the children into IT,.
one after another. \ word from far
mcr Johnson was enough for any con-
stable ~ the village. II was all the
work Of moment. lie shook INV nus
band by the hand; and when he began.
" Neighbor Johnson, YOU arc the same
Kind friend -" Get IN. said he 'lct
Us have no words about IL. must be-
home in trice; for. turning 10 me.
your oil school mate, Susan. nv wife
Will 81, crying at the window, til she
sees you safe home again" Saving
this, he whipped the gray mare. Who.
regardless OF the additional load. went
up the hill faster than she came down.
as though she entered into the spin, OF
the whole Transaction.
II was not long before VIC reached the
door Of our cottage. Farmer johnson
took out the Children and while wa.
irving 90 find words 20 thank him for
all las kindness, he was up in las wag-
on and off before could utter a sylla-
blc. Robert screamed after him, Ia tell
Tim Johnson a. come over. and that be-
should have Ill his pinks and marigolds.
When We entered the cottage. there
were bread and meat and milk upon the
table. which Susan. the farmers wife
had brought over Tor the children.
could not help sobhing aloud. Tor nv
heart Was fall. Dear George. saiJ
tuning 10 my husband YOU used a.
pray. lei Us thank God 81 Tia gr At
dclltcrancc from csd. Dear jenny
said he, fear God win scarcely lis
ten a. my rpyr prater4 affer al me ~