Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-01-04
n I s q q Il u a " = G
A s X E I c II.
"For what knowcst thou, oh wife, whether thou shall
save thy huSband.'-[l Cor. vii, l6.

'for what knowcSt thOu oh wife, whether thou half
save thy huSband."-[ II Cor. vii, l6.
The room, though scantily and meanly fur.
nished, still bore marks of neatness: the I'M
carpeted floor had been carefully swept. the
few chairs, the old mahogany table, and the
mantel piece, were free from dust the books
were arranged OH the little shelf, and in the
middle OF the room, on small stand, was
burning Pickering tallow candle On the
bed, whose poverty could not be concealed
by any art, lay young woman, wasted bv
disease. Her glossy hair was parted over her
marble brow, and on her wan cheek was the
bright hectic of that syren disease of our eli
mate, mption.-Consumed indeed was
that patient sufferer; but there is a disease
which preys more upon the heart than upon
the lungs. She lay now completely exhaust
ed, Tor 1t was her eXertIons that had made that
cherries chamber wear its present appearance
OF comfort To be sure, there was no fire.
though 1t was deep winter, and the storm
howleG piteously without, and the chill wind
came in at every crack, but how could she
make fire without Goals !? And indeed. she
uiu no! leeI aoie TO go out and get any, and
even II she should venture, where was She 70
apply? MI. b. had repulsed her rudelv when
she last went. She raised her clasped hands
Z
her palid features a trusting smile. as she
murmured, '.Lord, | believe help thou mine
unbelief ~
The door opened, and the storm rushino
in, nearly eXtinguished the taper. A man in
the prime of life, of good figure, but alas
bearing too plainly the evidences of ruinous
excess, walked hurriedly into the room
"Dear George" exclaimed the woman. start
ing from her pillow, show glad am you have
come so soon. have been so lonesome.n
| The man approached the bed, and taking
her hand in his, said,
| YES, Mary, and / am glad too: for il is
an ugly night 10 be out in; and | am lucky
enough 10 get off sooner than usual this even
/ ing. have brought you some crackers-to-
morrow you shall have some medicine.n His
voice choaked-he hastily dropped his wife's
hand, and approaching the fire place, began
raklng up the ashes, and to make a fire with
some bits of board he had brought in.
Mary covered her face with the quilt, and
burst into tears; but with every sob was
( mingled thanksgiving. She felt at that mo-
ment as If she would willingly have died, so
great, so ecstatlc, was the bliss that filled her
soul Her husband, her dear George, was
himself, his own generous self once more
God had heard her prayers-the burning tears
had gone up to the mercy seat But She is
trembling PerhaPs-nay, nay--"with
God all things are possible, "-and drying her
eyes, she arose, and stealing to the fire. threw
her arms around her husbands neck, and thew
both wept, locked in fond embrace.
! Nlary's happiness gave her strength a pan
OF water was soon boiled, cup of lea made
and though without sugar ormilk, and accom-
panied only with dry biscuit, it was swee,cr
to both than the richest meal in the DAYS OF
their prosperity; for the angels who rejoice
over returning Penitents sat at the board, and
made the meal heavenly one
The wife spoke tenderly on bright and hap
/ Ply topics. She recalled the sweet DAYS ol
their first acquaintance, of their mutual love
and pride she spoke of her own errors, but
never breathcd a word of hs-of the future
OF better times, coloring the future with wo-
mars trusting faith and love. George sat in
silence, but his kind looks and unbidden tear
told Mary that his degradation had not steel
ed his heart to better influences
The morning dawned, and Mary having
slept TRANQUILITY on her husbands bosom
awoke, refreshed. The breakfast was as
frugal and as happy as the supper, and as her
/ husband kissed her, she murmured, dear
dear George, trustin Gods strength it is per-
! feet III our weakness"
"Long, long, did that sweet sufferer kneel
/ IN prayer; iervently did petitions 60 up to
/ Him who pities us as father Dities his chill
/ dren, that strength might be vouchsafcd 70
| her husband, TO persevere in the path of recti-
/ tude. She arose refreshed, comforied, filled
'wih the peace that passeih all understand
ing;" she felt assured that God would hear
her prayers.
/ About eleven o'clock she was startled by a
loud knocking at the door. For a moment
her heart died within her--her knees smote
together--a deadly faiutness came over her
but rccOverjur she murmured ~ Luovv -,