Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-11-21
TEARS OF 10Y.

fre, sat IN eventide, a grey-haired old
man. There was q loneliness about his
room and deep solitude in his heart
Three score and ten years had overshad.
owed his brow the brow that once was
so smooth and open. Labor and sorrow
had wi.hered the freshness OF his feelings,
and the life of that man was sadly wear
ing away. For one thing he had hoped,
till his heart had sIckened--had prayed,
until his spirit failed. Still his fondness
fingered for his ,hahkless child, his affec.
tions around the only tie that linked him
to earth, and now as he though, his last
hours were drawing near, his bosom swell.
ed with anguish. Once more bis voice
was heard in prayer. Tremulous were
his tones, and pale were the lips that
quivered in sorrow, as he uttered the
words, al am feeble and sore broken
| am bowed down greatly. Lord all my
desire is before the, and my groaning is
not hid from thee"
The sun was calmly gliding down from
the FURNISHED horizon, and ere those lips
were closed tall form passed the win
dows. The old man did not see il, for
his head was bent, ano his rayless eyes
were closed; but Just then heavenly
radiance seemed TO break in upon his
spirit for, as the door noiselessly opened,
he uttered the words, "This is my COM
tort in affection, for IN thee, O Lord, do
trust" The amen. with which he closed,
was in stronger and frmer tone. A
low voice ferventy responded, and as the
old man raised his eyes, his son stood be-
fore him. For moment a crimson flush
was upon his face. deadly paleness
succeeded. Tears that had been died ia
their fountain long. stole down his furrow-
ed cheek, and his shriveIed hand rested
on the head bowed in soul-felt pen,ence
before him. Why did the old man weep
as the FIST CLEAN OF light and Joy broke
10 upon bis stricken heart?
"Mothef, don't you think grandpa
grows Young" said little boy few
days after, as he combed the few slvered
locks that fingered on the bare brow. 81
have found one black hair. and do be.
lieve they will all come back if comb
them every day." and tue laughing,
sparkling eye gazed fondly on the face
which did indeed look fsifer and younger,
than when clouds rested ON the sorrowing
spirit. He smiled upon the pra,tler, and
replied, "Grandpa is happy now "
''Well, father said you would get well,
and We should all be happy together. and
now it isn't SO lonely, is it grandp +? and
BESIDES" he added, lowering his tone al.
most 10 whisper; and putting his lips
close TO his grandpa's ear, "don't you
think il makes people happy to pray p
remember when father prayed for the
frs, time. He came home sick-lor he
was so weak he couldn't stand-and he
laid down on the floor by the fire. Mo-
ther put his cloak over HIM, and then sat
down and cried. | was IN my trundle
bed and saw her cry; but didn't speak.
Father slept great while, and all the
time mother cried and sat close to him
At last he woke up. He didn't look at
her at first ; but turned his head away
suppose it made him feel bad to see her
cry. So she wiped the tears away and
smiled, and then he got up. In little
while he said, "Mary, if you will break
that bottle, III never touch another drop
as long as live; and mother cried out
then, and said, "God has heard my pray.
er, and my husband is saved" Then
father pray ed. land ever since that night
he has been happy. lsuppose mother
bruke the bottle. wonder what was in
IT. "Why, grandpa, ore you crying 7"
"For joy, my child, for joy" Then
said the little boy in an earnest tone, 81
suppose mother cried for Joy. too, didn't
she, grandpa -
"Yes, my boy" said the father, who
had just entered, and dearer 10 me than
earihS coStliest treasure were those tears
of ferrent hope and grateful joy.