Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-20

his wrongs were all forgotten, in the memory
of his sinful anger and murmurings. The
: spirit of other days was returning-the divine
was triumphing ever the human and they
bowed down before God, with the loving con-
fdence of little children casting all their ca res
on His mighty arm, and committing the future
to his wise direction. That humble cottage
was holy place, sancti6ed by the presence of
the King of kings; and they rose up, with
peace ard resignation in their hearts.
A storm was evidently coming on Already
the snow began to fall, but there was not wood
enough at the door TO last two days, and Will
liam must 90 to his neighbor, and get permis-
sion TO cut few trees, or at least to pick up
the limbs which were lying about He but
toned up his coat and went out. He could
not forget the home Of other days and the shed
full of wood all dry and ready for the fire.
which he had been forced to leave; but he
brushed away tear that dimmed his SIGHT
and pressed on through the storm, which every
minute increased in violence Already a thin.
white drarery-purer and whittier than maid
ems bridal robes-lay over the rough and froz-
en- bosom of the earth, twisted here and there.
'by the breezy fingers of the wind into grace
ful knots and wreaths. He stepped on some
thing which moved beneath his foot, and look
ing down he saw large pocket book. half
covered with the snow. A sudden flash of
joy darted through his heart. Selling it he
turned his face from the wind to examine the
contents There was roll of bank bills, and
he carefully unrolled and counted them-tens
Observation-Disclosures all five hundred
His first impulse was, to secure the money
and throw the pocket book away. He saw
nothing clearly but the money before him-he
thought of nothing but the blessings which it
would bring to his poor family. Was il not
his own he had found it-had not Heaven
sent IL in mercy as relief 10 his wants ,-an
answer to his prayers, How much good this
money would do Bread and shelter for his
wife-his patient accomplishing wife-and
for his little ones, whose cheeks were growing
pale with want-whose merry smile was
changed 10 the anxious look of care Thus
he reasoned but conscience whispered beware,
suffer not the love of gold to make a plague
spot on thy heart. This money is no, thine,
and Satan may have permitted it as suare to
thy soul-God may have permitted it as a trial
of thy faith
But perhaps, he thought, | canno; find the
owner, then it will be minc-honestly mine
and with the hope that it might contain no evil
dence of ownership, he commenced examining
the pocket book again. Mortal, condemn him
not too harshly, for this wish-st not in hasty
Judgment on the heart of thy erring brother
Thus tempted, perhaps thy own had been no
better. But the examination left no room for
doubt. There was the owners name, fully
inscrlbcd-the name of rich merchant with
whom in days past, William had been ac-
quainted What death blow was this to his
wild hopes The vision of home comforts,
which had blessed him for moment, as if in
mockery, was snatched away, and he saw
again, the miserable hut, the pale wife, hun
CRY children. Dashing the pocket book to the
ground, he stood for moment gazing on it.
'Tempter! deceiver, y he exclaimed, 'why
am thus Knocked and tantahzed : and then,
as if sudden thought had struck him. he
picked it up, and stepped into thicket, which
afforded partial shelter from the storm, and
seated himself on fallen tree. The elements
were in commotion, but there was iercer
conflict in his BOSOM The love of gold, not
for its own sake, but for the sake of the good
which it might bring to him and his, was con-
tending with long established principles of
Justice and rectitude.
This man is rich, the tempter whispered,
'he will never miss this sum, nor know the
want of it; and Oh the good which it would
do thy shivering wife and babes Is il not a
GodsenJ, and wilt thou put away the proffered
cup Of blessingsr
1t is not thine it is not thine said con-
science. Stain not thy hands with dishonest
gains. Bring not upon thy soul the curse of
an offended God. Better that thy children
perish before thy eyes, than that their father
be robber'
He sat there for more than an hour, the
rushing wind and the falling snow all unheed-
ed, but when he rose up, the conflict was past,
and the expression of his Eace, though sad,
was peaceful and resigned.
Remembering the purpose for which he had
started, he turned his face towards his neigh
boris house, where he obtained small load of
wood, and team to haul it home.
That night, after the children were in bed,
William produced the pocket book, unrolled
the bank bills before his astonished wife, and
told her how he found it, half hid beneath the
snow.
What shall you do with it,, she said.
'What shall do with it was the reply.
Return it to the owner We can bear toll
and poverty, but not the reproaches of guilty
conscience
i knew j: would be thus. When that dark
temptation was on me, and the evil in my heart
seemed ready to triumph, knew that you
would not fail to see clearly, and to approve the
right
But William, how will you get it to him,
you have no horse, you have no money, and it
will not do to risk it in a letter.
Il have ethought of that said William, rising
and going to the window. The storm is over,
and tomorrow must 60 on foot, and carry