Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-03-23
ANTI-sLAVERY BUGLE, SALEM, o.


if palsy.stricken with the laughter that
filled him, as IN earthquake might some
gray old continent.
Round q ~fireless fireplace stood four
shivering children. In their midst, on
his knees, a fifth was trying to kindle
some wet chips that he had just brought
from the s%hip-yard, as he returned from
his days work at the bagging factory
On the bed lay the mother, a newborn
infant, and a little girl with the quinsy.
OF the two boys and two girls, who stood
about the fire-builder, but one had on
shoes-it was the smallest, not two years
old. A pile Of red flannel shirts lay up.
on q bureau. The room was clean, and,
had there been a fire, would have been
quite cheerful, with its white curtains and
engravings. Over the mantel hung a por-
trait of the Duke Of Wellington. and a.
bove it, the sword of an English Off
Ger.
The fire kindles, goes out again; once
more it lights up, and the little solemn
faces around glisten, and half smile; but
the wet drops a second time extinguish
their hopes.
'lt's too hard on you, John,' said the
pale mother, family, after your twelve
hours labor.
Make it 90 yet, mother,' answered
John, with a tone that was a perfect chal-
lenge TO dependency. Fathers had
many a worse time making a fire in the
mountains
Hope and perseverance conquer; the
old chips slewIy catch the blaze; picture
after picture on the white washed walls
wakes up and the little bare toes on the
bare floor forget TO curl with cold any
longer. The child with the quinsy tries
to speak her gratitude through her swol.
len throat; and the mother closed her
eyes, to thank God.
There comes u knock at the door,
John, who had stood back TO give the
youngest a chance, opens it. A muffled
form is seen holding out a bundle of
some kind; a pair of eyes which are
small, then large, look in at the scene,
at the just kindled fire, and comprehend
il all.
FLANNEL for to night for father. Pay
10 morrow, next day. Dollar; work to be
done next week.
John takes the flannel and the dollar
bill, knowing nothing of what il all means.
The visiter kisses the little girl that has
gone to the door to see who is come;
slips something into her hand, and slips
himself down the abrupt hill, over the
rail track, 10 the road where his old white
horse and green wagon are waiting for
him. No m on earth heard that small
laugh through the nose, as he turned his
cud with closed lips. and wiped what he
thought the snow water out Of his eyes.
so father bought his goods, said the
poor woman, thankfully, but what the
dollar means, | don't know. Let US
thank God for it though, for there's not
a mouthful in the house but Johns din
ner.
John was about TO say he had his din
ner at the factory and indeed he has
eaten his usual chunk Of bread-for his
dinner was always kept till evening, it
tasted so much better at home-but he
remembered the dollar, and saved him.
self from the temptation. He did not
want to lie. even 10 give them a meal.
Little Mora, meanwhile, had run to the
fire, 10 see what the strange man had CIV
en- her. 1t was a paper Of sugar plums
and candy, with an orange at the bottom
of the bag. That was for mama; they
all knew that was for mama, and the
most delicate morsels of cream candy
were for poor Kate; they wouldn't hurt
her throat one bit. But who could the
strange man bel There was no end of
wondering, In half an hour, the fathers
step was heard. The door opened, the
children sprang to meet him; he embra.
ced them with n mournful face; buttheir
hearts were so bright that their eyes were
dim they saw in his couutenance reflected
the Joy that sparkled in their own.
sand who was it brought you flannel
said the mother, 'and what does the
dollar mean
FLANNEL dollarp cried Ferdinand,
with amazement. The articles were
shown him, but there was no end of
wondering. The cry still was, 'Who
could the strange man be-
However, the dollar was used, and
John ate his dinner in company.
Long after those merry eyes were
closed and those cheerful voices silenced.
Ferdinand was at work. The sick child
turned and moaned, and he gave it drink,
and it, too, slept at length. He beat up
his wiie's pillow, walked the uneasy in
FAINT to rest, and in the intervals, and af.
ter all were lost TO this worlds trials, his
needle was busy. 1t was a strange sight,
doubtless, to any ghoslsthat fitted through
Fulton that night-this old soldier of The
Peninsula making flannel shirts on the
banks ofthe Ohio.
Spalding had come to America with
a competence. He had bought a farm
in Ohio; had been ruined by Merino sheep
and endorsements. Giving up every.
thing. ha pamn IN Cino;nno,; NJ. /