Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-04
THE PARENTS LEGACY.
AN INCIDENT IN REAL Ii

Whoever has travelled among the Scottish hills
and daIcs, cannot have failed to observe the
pulous fidelity Of the inhabitants to tho old family
Bible. a more honorable trait of character than
this cannot be found--for all men, whether
Christians infidels, are proud to put reliance
in those who make the Bible their confident. and
whose we'll thumbrd pages show tho confldenc
which their owners possessed in il.
A few years ago there dwclt in Ayrshire an
ancient couple, possessing Of tho worlds gear
sufficient to keep them Independent from want
or voc aud tottcring steps. n gallant OF Il far
mcr hecarnc cnamourcd Of the daughter, and she
nothing 10th, conse nted to be his. AS tho match
was every way worth Of her, the old folks con-
scented, and they were DESTROYS Of seeing their
bnirn comfortable, the two were made one. In
n few short years the scytlle OF 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 be ond the sea, gathered his buds,
and selling such were useless, packed up those
calculated to be Of service to him at his he W
home. Some neghbors, having the same itching
for adve nture, sold of their homes and home
ste ads and set sail for America.
Possessed of considerable property in the
shape Of ".ilIer," this company were not like
the generality Of emigrants. poor and frie ndless
but happy and full Of hope for the future
The first thing done after the landing was taking
ont Of the old heir loom, and returning thanks
and praise to Him who had guided their bark to
II safe haven. As the farmers object in coming
TO this country was to purchase a farm and follow
his occupation, but little time was spent in the
city he had arrived in, and his fellow passen-
gers had previously determined on their destina-
ton, he bade them farewell, and with a light
he art turned his face towards this setting sun.
Indiana ut tho time was settling fast, and having
heard OF its cheap and fertile lands he deterMin-
ed OH settling within its borders.
On the banks of the Wabash he fixed
farm, and having paid cash for one-haf, gave
mortgage for the balance, payable in one year.
81.
ground, he rested from his labor, and patiently
waited the time when he might go forth ana reap
the harvest: but alas! no gram gladdened his
heart or rewarded his toll. Tho fever Of the
country attacked him, and at the time when the
fields white with the ful'ncss Of the labor
~rs skill, death called him home, and left his
di>consolate wife a widow, and his only child
orphan.
We leave this first sorrow and pas. on TO the
struggles of the afflicted widow year after
wards. Tho time having arrived when the
mortgage was to he paid, she borrowed the money
Of IL neighbor who had been very attentive to her
husband and to herself, one who knelt at the
same table with her to renew their protested
obligation TO the Giver of all good. Hard ami
patiently did she toll to repay the sum against
the promised time; but all would not do-for-
tame frowned, and She gave way To her accuunu-
lated troubles Disheartened and distracted she
relinquiSh-d the farm and stock for a less sum
than she owcG her Christian neighbor, who, not
satisfied with that, put an execution upon her
furniture.
On the Sabbath previous to the sale she took
courage. and strengthened herself with the
knowledge Of having wronged no one. went to
the temple of her Father. with heart filled with
hu mainly and love, poured out her soul to "fIm
who turneth not away and having communed
side by side with her Christian neighbor, Re-
turned to her desolate home.
Here her fortitude had like to have forsaken
her, but seeing the sold family Bible" she re-
vercnily put il to her lips and sought consoa-
ton from its pages. Slowly she perused its holy
aud inspiring verses and gathered hope from its
never failing promises
The day of sale having arrived. her few goods
and chaitcls were in due course knocked off to
the highest bidder. Cnmoved she saw pass from
her possession article after article without a
murmur. I'LL the constable held up the old family
Bible. This was too much. Tears flowed and
gave silent ntterance TO a broken heart.-She
begged the constable to spare her this NE me nto
Of her rcvered and departed parents-and the
humane man OF the law would willingly have
gwen il TO her. but the memorable creditor de-
clarcd everything should be sold, as he was de-
termined TO have all that was owing to him.
The book was therefore put up, and about be-
ing disposed of for few siillings, when she
sudie niy sna.ched il and declaring she would
have some relic Of those she loved, cut the sen-
de thread that held the brown linen cover, with
the intention Of retaining il. The cover fell
into her hands, aud with i, two flat pieces of
thin. dirty paper. Surprised at the circumstance
. she examined them and vha. was hcr JOY and