The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-07-07

tiAeth oOiAAS az bllC OOOi hlSil-
ed to see him.
"But it's that miserable Wilkins, sir"
"Never mind" said the captain, after a
moments hesitation, "show him in. Poor
fellow" he continued, after the servant had
gone, al wonder what he wants In truth
| pity him."
With a trembling step and downcast look,
Thomas Wilkins entered Captain Walkers
parlor.
"Ah, Wilkins" said the old captain,
"what has brought you here?"
The poor man twice attempted to speak,
but his heart failed him.
"Do you come for charity?"
"No, sir" quickly returned Wilkins,
while his eyes cleaned with proud light
'"Then sit down, and out with it," said
Walker, in blunt, but kind tone.
Captain Walker" commenced the poor
man as ne took the profered seat, 81 have
come to ask you if you still own that little
cottage beyond the hill"
81 do"
"And is it occupied?"
"No."
'Is it engaged?"
"No," returned the captain, regarding
his visitor with uncommon interest; "but
why do you ask?"
"Captain Walker" said Wilkins, in a
firm and manly tone, even though his eyes
lgistened and his lips quivered, 81 have
been poor and degraded, deeply stepped in
the dregs Of poverty and disgrace. Every
thing that made life valuable, l have almost
lost. My wife and my children have suffer
Ied-and God only knows how keenly! Ihave
long wandered in the path of sin. One after
another, the tender cords of friendship that
used to bind me to the world have snapped
asunder; my name has became a by-word,
and upon the earth l have been but foul
blot. But, sir, from henccforth, l am man!
Up from the depth of its long grave have
dragged forth my heart, and love still has
its home therein. have sworn to touch
the fatal cup no more; and in my heart there
is no lie My wife and children shall suffer
mo more for the sins they never committed.
| have seen my employer at the machine
shop, and he has given me situation, and
is even anxious that should come back;
and, sir, he has even been kind enough to
give me an order in advance for necessary
articles of clothing, food and furniture. To
morrow morning, | commence work"
"And you come to see if you could obtain
your cottage back again to live in," said
said Captain Walker, as Wilkins hesitateJ.
ayes, sir; to see if Icould hire itof you,''
returned the poor man.
"Wilkins, how much can you make at
your busness?" bluntly asked the old cap
tain, without seeming to heed the request.
"My employer is going to put me on job
work, sir; and, as soon as get my hand in,
| can easily make from twelve to fourteen
dollars week.
"And how muoh will it take to support
your family"
GAS soon as I can get cleared up, can
cascly get along with five or six dollars a
week
"Thcn you might be able to save about
four hundred dollars year"
II mean to do that, sir"
A few moments Captain Walker gazed
into the face of his visitor, and then he asked:
"IIayc you pledged yourself YETI"
"Bcfore God and in my heart, I have;
but one of my errands here was to get you
to write me a pledge, and have it made to
my wife and children"
Captain Walker sat down tohis table and
wrote out the required pledge, and then, in
a trembling, buthold hand, Thomas Wilkins
signed it."
wilkins" said the old man, as he took
his visitor by the hand, Il have watched
well your countenance, and weighed your
words. | know you speak truth. When l
bought that cottage from yonr cred
itors, six years ago, paid them one thous-
and dollars for it. 1t has not been charmed
and is as good as it was then. Most the time
| haze received good rent for it. Now, sir
you shall have it for just what paid for it,
and each month you shallpay me such sun
as you Can comfortably spare, till it is al
paid. will ask you forno rent, nor for q
cent of interest. You shall have deed o.
the estate, and in return l will take but a
single note and mortgage, upon which yov
can have your own time"
Thomas Wilkins tried to thank the ole
man for his kindness, but he only sank banl
into his chair and wept like child; an(
while he sat with his face buried in hi
hands, the old man slipred from the room
And when at length he returned he bore ir
his hand neatly covered basket.
"Come, come" the captain exclaimed
"cheer up, my friend. Here are some tit
bits for your wife and children-take them
home: and, believe me. Wilkins, if you fee
half as happy in receiving my favor as l dc
in bestowing it, you are happy indeed"