The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-11
ISCELLANEOUS.
THE OLD AMILY BIBL II,
AN INCIDENT FROM REAL LIFE.


tish hills and dales, cannot have failed to
observe the scrupulous fidelity of the in
habitants to the old family Bible. A more
honorable trait of character than this can
not be fonnd; for all men, whether chris
tians or infdels, are prone to put reliance
in those who make the Bible their conf
tlant, and whose well remembered pages
4 show the confidence their owners possess
in it.
A few years ago there dwelt in Ayre-
shire an ancient couple, possessing OF this
worlds gear sufficient to keep them nde-
pendent from want or woe, and a canny
daughter to bless their gray hairs and tot
lering steps gallant OF farmer became
enamored Of the daughter, and she, nothing
10th, consented to be his. AS the match
was every way worthy her, the old folks
consented, and as they were desirous TO see
their BARN comfortable, the two were made
one. In a few short years the scythe of
4 time cut down the old people, and they gave
their bodies to the dust and their souls to
the Creator.
The young farmer having heard much
Of the promised land beyond the sea, gath
cred together his duds, and selling such as
were useless, packed up those calculated
to be Of service to him and his new home.
Some neighbors, having the same itching
for adventure, sold off their homes and
homesteads, and with the young couple set
sail for America.
! Possessed of considerable property in
| IL IF lt .,1 ~
not like the generality Of emigrants, poor
and iriendless, but happy, and full Of hope
of the future. The first thing done after
the landing, was the taking out of the old
family heir loom, and returning thanks and
praise to him who had guided the bark to
safe haven.
As the farmers object in coming to this
country was to purchase farm and follow
his occupation, but little time was spent in
the city he had arrived in, and as his fel-
low passengers had previously determined
on their destination, he bid them farewell,
and with light heart turned his face to-
wards the setting sun. Indiana at this
time was settling fast, and having heard of
its cheap and fertile lands, he determined
on settling within Its borders.
On the banks Of the Wabash he fixed on
a farm. and having paid cash for one half,
gave mortgage for the blance, pay able
in one year. Having stocked hi. farm and
put seed in the ground, he rested from his
labor and patiently awaited the time when
he might go forth TO reap the harvest; but
alas no ears of grain gladdened his heart or
rewarded his TOLL The fever Of the coun-
try attacked him, and at the time when the
fields were white with the fullness Of the
laborer's skill, death called him home, and
left his disconsolate wife widow, and his
only child an orphan.
We leave this first sorrow and pass on TO
witness the struggles of the afflicted widow
a year afterwards The time having ar
rived when the mortgage was to be paid,
she borrowed the money from neighbor
who had been very attentive to her hus-
band and to herself, one who knelt at the
same table with her to renew their profess
ed obligations to the Giver of all good.
Hard and patiently did she toll to repay the
sum against the promised time; but all
would not do, fortune lrowned and she
gave way to her accumulated troubles.
Dsheartened and distracted, she relinquish-
ed her farm and the stock for less sum
than she owed her christian neighbor, who,
not satisfied with that, put an execution on
her furniture.
On the Sabbath previous to the sale, she
took courage, and Strengthening herself,
with the knowledge Of having wronged no
one, went to the temple of her father, and
with a heart filed with humanity and love,
poured out her soul to Him who turneth
not away and having communed side by
side, with her christian neighbor, returned
TO her desolate home
Here her foriitlde had like to have for
saken her, but seeing the Old Family BIZ
ble,' she reverenly put it to her lips, and
sought consolation from its pages. Slowly
she perused its holy and inspiring verses,
and gathered hope from its never failing
promises, and while the tears flowed freely,
her heart seemed TO say -
i Within this holy book trace
The life Of Christ, his wondrous grace,
/ His anxious care and holy love,
Net earth's, nor mine, but heaven above.
The path is clear. the track is sure,
why wait then, these pangs endsre;
Oil grant my God my lie may be
Sincere aud praylul Lord, to Thee.
The day Of sale having arrived, her few
goods and chattpls were in due cpurse