Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-08-09

ing boat, as II were Charon, ferrying,
not the souls, but the bodies, of the de-
parted and the damned, over some infer
nal lake, and could endure it no longer;
but, breaking from my listlessness, order
ed the sails to be furled, and the oars re-
sumed-action seemed better than such
unnatural stupor."
The Typography Of the volume is beau
tiful, and the work is illustrated by two
sketch maps, and some thirty fine engrav-
ings. The workmanship Of the whole re-
fleets great credit upon the enterprising
publishers.
..a From the American Messenger.
Old Chairs 1t Interest.
Nobody in all the neighborhood interest
ed me like Mr.; love to think Of the
dear old gentleman. How pleasant was
it to run into his bright little parlor, and
sit by his side, hearing him talk, or talk
ing to him; reading to him, or hearing
him read asking questions, or listening
to stories Of old times, when he was boy.
Though his frame bore the frosts and in
firmities Of threescore years and zen, they
had not chilled his heart; it was still
young and fresh, and brimful Of kindness.
1t also held his purse-strings, so that from
the little parlor streamed substantial bles-
sings, as well as hearty love; and it hap
pened that had occasion to know how
often they found their way to the humble
lodgings Of widow and her daughter.
These two were the relics Of past
generation, and they seemed to be almost
strangers amidst the new one which had
sprung up around them. They had, in
measure, outlived their connections, their
property, their early friendships, and the
poor make no new friends. Few car
ed for them, and they cared for few.
The only light which warmed or cheered
them was the setting sun of days gone by.
But if this warmed them, it could not feed
or shelter them, or hinder the embarrass-
ments Of poverty, had not the old mans
purse come to their aid and so stately
did he exc out the scanty income Of the
widow, that | sometimes thought he ives
like to make her believe that her last days
were her best days. used often to Won
or why he was so thoughtful other wants
others were not, and what claim had she
upon him?
One evening, in speaking of his early
struggles, he said, 'sWhen Mary and |
were married, we were young and foolish,
for we had nothing to be married with;
but Mary was delicate, and / thought l
could take care of her best. knew | had
stout arm and brave heart TO depend
upon. We rented chamber and went to
housekeeping. We got together little
furniture "a table, bedstead, dishes-but
our money failed US before we bought the
chairs. told Mary she mus, turn up
the tub, for could not run in debt. No,
no. 1t was not long before our rich neigh
Dor, Mrs NJ, found us out, and kind
~ enough she supplied our necessities:
half dozen chairs were added 10 our stock.
They were old ones, to be sure, but an
swered just as well for US. shall never
forget the new face those chairs put on
our snug quarters--they never looked just
right before. The tables are turned with
Mrs NJ, and me now: she has be-
come poor widow, but she shall never
want while l have any thing, never!"
cried the old man, with beaming face.
81 don't forget those old chairs"
All, now the secret was out. 1t was
the interest Of the old chairs which main
tanned the poor widow. She was living
upon an income drawn from the interest
OF little friendly act done fifty years be-
fore, and it sufficed for herself and daugh-
ter.
How beautiful is it to see how God
blesses the operation Of his great moral
law, "Love thy neighbor;" and we should
oltener see it, could we look into the hid
den paths Of life, and find that it is not
self-interest, not riches, not fame, that
binds heart to heart. The simple power
Of friendly act can do far more than they.
1t is these, the friendly acts, the neigh
borly kindnesses, the Christian sympathy
Of one towards another, which rob wealth
fits power to curse, extract the bitter
from the cup of sorrow, and open wells Of
gladress in desolate homes. We do not
always see the golden links shining in the
chain Of human events !; but they are there,
oh yes, they are there, and happy is he
who feels their gentle but irresistible in
fluence.
Do we not sometimes see people blest
through channels new and unexpected, in
ways and times which they thought not
of, and at seasons when the blessing came
like an angel unawares9 We wonder,
for we know not why or wherefore it
comes. 10 US there may seem no natural
connection between the spring and the
gift, the good and our own desert. Could
we look farther and deeper, we might
possibly find it to be the compound inter-
est Of some long-forgot,en kindness or af-
fectionate counsel, Of some self-denying
act or fervent prayer. To US they had as
it were ceased to be, but it was only as
the seed hidden in the earth, which might
spring up hereafter and bear precious fruit.
Are we not our brothers keepers; and
is not this our Christian brotherhood?
Shall not he that hath much give to him
that hath little? From our abundance
shall We not help our neighbor in his ex-
tremity? Shall not our ready sympathy
Tighten the cares and dispel the gloom Of
our fellow-traveller? Shall not the spir-
itual wants of our less favored brothers
incite US to fresh acts Of self-denial, If
hanlv WA can lsend to them the bread of