Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-03-20
vice and the Bible Glass. In the evening

we will read"
"l've no objection TO that, but as a com
pensation for my Bible Class, you must join
the Ladies' Sewing Circle, and / will take
care Of Fred one afternoon in the week, TO
let you CO."
s'Thank you, dear husband, I will gladly
accept your offer, if you will let me stay
alone one evening in the week, while you
attend our excellent Lyceum Lectures
A nd now let us begin this very evening,
| feel that every moment is lost till we do.
We have much encouragement. Only
think of the many learned men who have
educated themselves, and risen 10 respecta-
bilty and usefulness, wholly through their
own eXertions, even after they were some
what advanced in life. Roger Sherman
for instance, and Elihu Burritt, and host
Of Others"
The young wife became quite enthusias-
tic as she proceeded, and would have spent
the whole evening in her dsquisiton upon
sel-educaton, had not Freddy, awaking
from his nap, required some maternal at
tention.
Augustus took up the Biblp, and read
good chapter in Proverbs, Oh the practical
duties of lite, and declared that he had new
er before read such chapter. The plan
was fairly begun.
Augustus was pale, spare young man
of nine and twenty. His education, as he
said, had been sadly neglected in his youth
He had been bound apprentice to rough
! shoemaker in the country, and had unhap.
! PLY settled the question in his own mind,
| that he was doomed to ignorance, and a
low and degrading employment for ile.--
/ He had imagined, also, that his relations
were willing TO lose sight of him, and his
/ sensitive nature was stung 10 the quick
| After few years Of veXation and toll, he
wandered far away from home and friends
J and familiar associations; and a wonder il
was. that he was not hurried away by the
/ awful whirlpool OF error and vice, and
dashed upon the rocks Of utter destruction
/ He had, however, been favored with the
instructions and prayers of christian mo-
ther, and had seen examples in his own
family, Of high purpose and noble and sue
ceSSiul effort. He had, therefore, preserv-
ed an unsuIlied reputation, had acquired
little property, had married an intelligent,
cheerful, healthy girl of twenty summers,
had removed 10 'city of shoemakers,'
where his occupation was honorable, and
where his aspiration after respectabiliiy
and Independence might hope to be real
lied.
But on the afternoon preceding his con-
versation, he had been unusually annoyed.
He had suffered some embarrassment in get
ting settled in his humble tenement--had
sustained some losses, aud heard bitter
sarcastic remark from an aristocrat of that
place. which crimsoned his pale cheek and
sent him home through a cold rainstorm,
weared IN body, depressed, vexed in spirit,
and almost determined never TO make an
other effort.
He was, and supposed he ever must be a
poor shoemaker OF l..
Twenty years had elapsed, and family
group We're arranged around marble CEN
tire table. in the parlor OF a magnificent
house in the city OF l.. A gentleman
OF some 6hy years, had just divested him
sell of his outer garments, and dressed in a
rich velvet gown aud embroidered slippers
sat reading the journals of the day. A Ia
dy some years younger, sat by his side, hel
face beaming with intelligence, benevo-
lence and gratifed pride, as she gazed a
her dignifed and hOnorrd husband, anr
then at the lovely group OF children arounc
: the table.
= One was noble youth just returned tc
:, spend lis college vacation at home; an
! other was a tall, graceful girl Of sixteen
+ who had finished long recitation TO he
i brother, aud was preparing 10 cheer the cir
0 Gle with her ever welcome music on ih
: piano. A bright boy of twelve was per
forming problem in mathematics, and
little cherry-chee girl was drawing pic
II lures on her slate, and teazing every bod
to teach her.
l. Presently the door bell announced vis
T, tor. A person entered and presented
81 subscription for religious charity.
u "Put me down hundred dollars" sal
} the good man, and the collector departe
blessing the giver.
;" When he was gone, the gentleman sal
=; -''my dear, did you think to send the COZ
~ and -four TO the poor woman on the CO
!" ner" Yes, and Frederick and Mary hay
been to see that sick family, and ca
" ried the clothes and the medicines" "f
"' papa, said little Kate, looking up from Il
l' house she was drawing, 'they carried ava
aa,, my new stockings" ''Shali send and g
!, them back again ?" said the father. 6
I'd, no, indeed" said the child, 81 sent theI
ST. Poor little Charley's feet were cold al
ng bleeding."
'ot The father now remarked that it W
'ut time for family worship. In moment
was silent-hooks, states, papers and wo
3D. We're all laid aside. A neat gilt bible, bei
nat ing the marks Of constant usage, "
oil brought. The son read an interesting pc
ng, ton. The whole family joined in ia
all liar hymn, and the father led in pray
all and worshiped the Father of mercies
spirit and truth, from the fulness Of gra
m ful heart.
on. After an interval of silence, the son loc
hat ed up as if from reverie and said-"l
,ou ther, think 1 have heard you say, Il
OF your youth was neglected, that you W