Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-07-29
MARTINsBURG VIRGINIA, THURSDAY

children beggers. While he uttered these last
words, my poor husband looked upon his IT.
tie ones, and burst into tears; and the minis
Ter rode slowly away without uitering a word.
| reioiced even in the midst of our misery.
to see that the heart of my poor George was
tenderly affected for il is not more needful.
that the hardness of wax should be suhdued
fire, than the heart OF man should be soltened
by atilic,ion, before deep lasting impression
can be made. "Dear husband said l., eve
are young; il is not too late let us trust in
God, and all may be we'll" He made no re-
ply, but continued to walk on, and weep in ST.
lence. Shortly after the deacon appeared, at
some distance, coming towards US on the road !;
but as soon as he discovered who we Were, he
turned away into private path. Even the
constable seemed somewhat touched with
compassion at our situation, and urged us to
keep good heart, for he thought some one
might help us when we least expected il.
NV husband, whose vein OF humor would Of
ten display itself, even in hours Of sadness, in
stantly replied. that the good Samaritan could
not be far off, for the priest and the Levite had
already passed BY on the other side. Bat he
little thought, poor man, that even the con
clusion of this beautiful parable was likely TO
be verified. A one horse wagon, al this mo-
mont, appeared to be coming down the hill
behind us, at an unusually rapid rate, and the
constable advised US, as the road was narrow,
TO stand aside and let pass. II was soon up
with us and when the dust had cleared away,
il turned out as little Robert had said, when it
first appeared on the top Of the bill, 10 be far
mer Johnson's gray mare and yellow wagon.
The kind hearted farmer was out In an instant,
aud. without saying word, was putting the
children into il, one after another A word
from farmer Johnson was enough for any con
stable in the village. 1t was all the work OF a
moment. He shook my husband by the hand;
and he began, s'neghbor Johnson, YOU are the
same kind friend"--.'get in'' said he let us
have no words about It, must be at home
in trice for" turning 10 me, "your old
schoolmate. Susan, my wife, will 81, crying
at the window. till she sees you safe at home
again" Saying 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 spirit Of the
whole transaction.
1t was not long before he reached the door
Of our cottage. Farmer Johnson took out the
children; and while was trying to find words
to thank him for all his kindness, he was up
in his wagon and of, before | could utter
syllable. Robert screamed after him, TO tell
have all 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 for the chill
dren. could not help sobbing aloud, for my
heart was full. "Dear George" said |, turn
ing TO my husband, "you used to pray lei us
thank God for this great delv.rance from evil"
Dear Jenny" said he, 81 fear God will
will scarcely listen to my poor prayers, after
all my offences; bui viii Try.
We closed the cottage door, and he prayed
with so much humility of heart, and SO much
earnestness of feeling, that ielt almos, sure
that Gods grace would be lighted up, in the
bosom of this unhappy man, If signs, and
tears, prayers could find their way to heaven.
He was very grave, and said little or nothing
that night. The next morning when | woke
up, was surprised, as the sun had not risen
10 find thai he had already gone down. A,
first feltalarmed, as such thing had become
unusual with him, of late years; but my anx- |
ious feelings were agreeably relieved, when
the children told me their father had been hoe
ing, for an hour in the potatoe field, and was |
mending the garden fence. With our scanty |
got ready the best breakfast could I
and he sat down TO il with good appetite, |
but said little; and now and then | saw the I
tears starting in his eyes.
had many fears that he would fall back /
into his former HABITS whenever he should I
meet his old companions, or stop in again at
the deacon's store, and was about urging /
him to moveinto another vlage.-After break
fast, he took me aside, and asked me If had |
not gold ring. "George," said |, ''that ring I
was my mothers she took il from her finger /
and gave it TO me the day that she died, /
would not part with that ring unless il were
TO save life. Besides if we are industrious and I
honest, we shall not be forsaken." "Dear /
Jenny" said he, 81 know how you prize that /
gold ring never loved you more than when /
you wept over IL, while you first told me the /
story of your mothers death: il was Just 4
month before we were married, the last sab
bath evening in May, Jenny, that we were
walking by the river. wish you would bring
that ring" Memory hurried me back in an
instant. 10 the scene, the bank upon the rivers /
side where we sat together and agreed upon a
wedding day. ! brought down the ring, and
he asked me, with such an earnesiness Of
TO put il on his finger, that did so
not however, without trembling hand AMI
misgiving heart. "And now, Jenny" said /
he, as he rose up TO go out, ''pray that God
will support me-"
My mind was not in happy state for I
feit some uOuDtS OF MS lHtenlOuS- FROM u /
lille hill at the back of our cottage we !
had a fair view ofthe deacon's store. went !
up to the top of it, and while watched my |
husbands steps, no one can tell how frequent.
" prayed to God to guide them Alright. /
saw two Of his old companions standing in the |
store door. with glasses in their hands; and, as |
he come in front Of the shop. saw them
beckou him in. II was sad moment for me |
"Oh, George" said !, though knew he I
could not hear me, ego on; remember your I
poor wife and starving children!" My heart |
sank within me. when saw him stop and I
turn towards the door lie shook hands with /
his old friends; they appeared 10 offer him
their glasses; | saw him shake his head and /
pass on. THANK God, said and ran down |
the hill, with light step. and seized my ba-
by at the cottage door, ! literally covered it
with kisses, and bathed il in teaSs Of Joy.
About ten O'Clock, Richard Lane. the
squire's Office buy brough, in piece Of meat
and some meal, saying my husband sent
word, that he could not be home all night, as
he was at work on the squire's barn. Rich
ard added, that the squire had engaged hun
or two months. He came home early, and
he children ran down the hill to meet him.
He was grave, but cheerful. 81 have prayed
Tor YOU, dear husband" said |. "And mer-
.iful God has supported me. Jenny" said he.
Il is not easy to measure the degrees oil happi-
Al l.. ~