The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-08-20
THE TRIAL.!
Or, the Pocket Pistol and Shears

lty is usually estimated. Ofhouses and land.
lgold and silver and the thousand othel
things that go to make up earth's possessions
he had little, very little. Gabriel WILCOX
was not poor man; he was rich in frame
broad and muscular; rich in robust health
rich in the affections of lovely and loving
wife; and rich in that heavenly treasure
which as far transcends the wealth O
this world, as the immortal interests of man
tranScends the brief cares of life So Gabri
Iel Wilcox was not poor man.
Gabriel was one of the early settlers of Yer.
mont, t,-men of stout hearts and iron frames
men well adapted to struggle with the pri
vations and hardships connected with the
settlement of new country; country clo-
Ithed with dense forests, the clearing up Of
which required severe toll before it could be
made to yield food, and afford fit abiding
place for man. Gabriel was man not to be
easily discouraged, or suffer slight impedi-
'ments to turn him from his purpose. He
was born and raised tiller of the soil: had
pictured to himself in his day dreams, farm
containing broad acres of upland and mead
ow, stocked with cattle and Sheep and there
fore emigrated from the old Bay State to the
cold regions of Vermont, that he might real
lZe his visions, surround himself with wife
and children, and take his place among the
really independent lords of creation. He
purchased hundred acres of wild land, in
habited principally by bears and wolves.
Fhe first season, with his faithful axe, buried
to the eye at every blow, he let in the sun
light on several acres, erected himself ca
bin, with the logs cut upon the spot, and
ere the year rolled round moved home
his wife, and had fairly made a beginning.
The location selected by Gabriel was
Judiciousl y chosen piece of table land, high
up among the hills-an elevation which af-
torded a prospect of the surrounding country
at once grand and imposing Away to the
northeast, at the farthest boundary of vis-
ION, arose the snow-wreathed SUBMITS of the
White Hills of New Hampshire; while to
the southeast stretched in their verdure and
grandeur, the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Here, amid the handiwork of the Great Ar
chitect, his soul was elevated from Nature
|up to Natures Great First Cause.
Time moved on. Plenty surrounded him,
or was won from the earth One after an
other bright cherub, in the form of chill
dren, surrounded his table and cheered him
lin his labor.
Death is at all times an unwelcome visitor.
When he gathers in the old-those ripe for the
sickle, and they are borne to their long sleep,
we weep, perhaps, but at the same time re-
Jolce that their weary pilgrimage is ended.
When the infant is removed, in its innocence
and loyelness, we feel that one too pure for
earth is carried on angels pinons up to the
paradise of God. But when good man, in
tie prime Of life, the head and support of
family, in the midst of his usefulness and in.
Huence, is suddenly and without warning cut
OFT, it seems as though main pillar in the
social fabric had crumbled and fallen. He
went forth in the morning to his accustomed
toll, and before the sun went down. was
brought back by his neighbors upon al
litter, mortally injured, tree having fallen
upon him, crushing and mutilatng him in a
shocking manner. Amid the struggle of the
last agony, when the soul tears itself from
the body, his mind was tranquil and serene );
it was stayed on God Gabriel Wilcox was
a Christian; not only in name and by pro-
fession, but in deed and in truth
AS the body, when severely injured, is
sometimes affected with numbness, which
frequently continues considerable time be-
fore the feelings are restored, and acute pain
experienced; SO the mind, when sudden,
crushing and overwhelming calamity comes
upon it, is affected with sort of mental stu
por, which is frequently prolonged to days
and even weeks before it is aroused to full
sense of the extent of its wretchedness.--I
When the Widow Wilcox awoke to iustI
comprehension Of the greatness Of her be-
she looked upon her now
fatherless. .children--when she considered the
deep responsibility of her situation, and her
own weakness and helplessness--she was led
to cry out, in the deep agony of her feelings, !
TO the sympathising neighbors who surround
ed her" Have pity upon me have pity
upon me oh, ye my friends! for the hand
Of God has touched me
AT the close of the day, after the funerall
rites were over and he whom they held near
and dear had been consigned to his last
resting place, this lone widow gathered her
family around her, and opening the "book
Of books, where the afflicted may always
drink from fountain of consolation pure and
holy, she turnedt to that beautiful lportion, the |
Esd Psalm--''The Lord is my shepherd, / !
shall not want, lie maketh me to lie down
IN green pastures; he leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul. ~
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life" She felt refreshed |
The comforting language of the Psalmist
seemed to dry up the fountains of her grief.
Then closing the book, with her little chill \
dren kneeling around her, she poured forth
her full soul in prayer; 90, thou God OF
the widow and fatherless, listen--assist by
thy grace feeble worm of the dust, righuy !
topertorm her duty to these little ones; that
we--when life's brief journey is ended
with their father, whom thou in thy provi-
dence hast suddenly removed from us--mayI
meet in thy heavenly kingdom, where sor-
rows and sighs shall have ended, and tears
shall be wiped from all eyesp When she
nad done her heart was strengthened and her
soul invigorated.
Years passed away. The widows little
amiy, comprising boy and three lovely
daughters, grew up around this heroic wo-
nan, In that happy contentmcnt, always en-
Dyed by those who scrupulously perform
heir relative duties to each o:hcH and to
heir Maker |,
AS might naturally be anticipated, this
widow had many offers Of second marriagc;i, |,
Dut none Of them coming from persons whose