The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-11-18

20 III front. lDen taerc was the greer
grass plat before the front door, and th,
huge old apple tree tha, threw its shadow
across il; and the great, old fashioned por,i
co, and the grape vine that crept arounc
the pillars; and the rose bush that lookeC
in at the bedroom window, and the spring
that went shining and singing through til,
bed Of mint al the side Of the house,
Old Bill moved uneasiIy in his chair ant
the muscles around his mouth twi,ched oc
casianally, but unmIndlu OF this, in tht
same low, melting tones, the lady continu
ed:
| "Many aud many were the hours, $50
taiher would say "Wille and used tc
.5ass under The shadow Of that cid apple
tree, playing at bide -and-seck, or ioling on
tue grass, telling each other the wonders
and when the sunset laid it, crown Of gold
3n the Top Of the oaks On the hill, can see
Wilie's mother standing in he front door
with her white cap and check apron, and
The pleasant smile that always lay around
her lips, and hear her cheerful voice calling
tAtDS. uDAs tOlBs u SdjpGi.
One after another the big, warm, bless
ed tears came rolling down old Bills pale
checks. All, The lady had found the door
hen
81 was always at home, at WiIlie's,"
father would SAT; and used 10 have my
1ow Of fresh milk, and bread too, and when
hese had disappeared, Willie would draw
his stool 10 his mothers feet, lay his head
90 her lap, and she would tell us some
pleasant story; il might be Of Joseph and
ID vid or some good child who afterwards
become great man; and then she would
part Hllile's brown cur1s from bis forehead.
md in voice can never forget, say
/. Promise ne, Willie, when YOU goout from
or home into the world and It's tempta-
uons, and oar mother has lain down with
ler grey hairs to sleep In the chufch-yard
nder, r,-promise, my child, 'hai the mem.
prf II her prayers and counscs shall keep
on from all evil ways" Aud Willie
woad raise his head lift his tlue eyes
proudly 10 bis mother, AID answer, u
premise YOU | will make a first ratio man,
maihorh And after he had said his even
ING PRAYER, we would go. happy as the
birds that nestled In the branches ol the
apple Tee. torest; and then, Just as we
were sinking 10 sleep, we would hear
wallknown foo, fall on the stairs, aud
loving face would bend ever us to see If
we were nicely tucked up. II is a long
,in1e,' father would say, after pause,
since heard from Willie, bu, sure am
that he has never fallen into any evil ways
fhe memory Of his mother would keep
Aim irom that.'"
Rap, rap, rap, went the words of the
lady AT the door Of that old mans heart
Creak, creak, creak, went the door on i's
rusty hinges (angeIs o! God, held ye moi
your brealhs to listen !)-The lady could
only see the subdued man bury his face In
his hands, and while his whole frame shook
ike sn aspen leaf, she heard him murmur,
amid childIike sobs:
"iiv mother! O! my motherm
And she knew the tears that were wash
ing those wrlnk!cd checks, were washing
aut also many dark page in the record of
Bits pas, life that stood against him. So,
with silent prayer Of thanhtulness, she re-
sumed:
..But there was one scene my father
loved to talk OF better than all the rest 1t
was OF the morning yon were TO be mar
red Mr. Strong. III was enough to do
mes ey yes good he would say, TO look a,
them as they walked up the old church
aisle; he, with his proud manly tread, and
she, delicate, fragile creature, fair as the
orange blossoms that tfembied in her hair.
| remember how clear and firm his voice
echoed through The old church, as he prom.
lsed to love, protect, aud to cherish the
gentle being AT his side; and know he
thonght, as he looked down tondly upon
her, ,ha, the very winds of heaven should
not visit her too roughly And then my
father you'd tell us Of a home made very
bright by watchta affection, and of the
bright eyed boy and fair haired girl who
came after while to gladden. t;and then
,ou know, he removed to the West, and
lost sight OF OF, MIR. Strong"
Once again the lady paused, for the
agony oi the strong man before Der was
fearful to behold; aud when she spoke a
gain. it was in Il lower and more mournlui
tone:
81 promised my father, previous to his
do alh, that if ever | visited his native
State, would seek out his old friend But
when Inquired for you, they untolded IA
terrible story to me, Mr.. Strong. They
Told me OF broken aud desolate household
II a dark eyed boy who left his home in
Iisgust and despair, for one on the home
.ess seas; of the good, accomplishing wife
that went down with prayer on her lips
or her errng husband, broken.hearted, TO
the grave; of the fair-haired gi.! they pac-
Ell by her side in little while. Oh it is q
sad, sad story have heard OF my fathers
old friend"
ut was |! it was that did il all! kill
ed them!" sa d old Bill, in a voice hoarse
With emotion, as he lifted his head from his
ehsped hands, and looked upon the lady,
every feature wearing such look Of ago
nizing remorse and helpless despair, some
shuddeted to behold it. When wide open
stood the door then and the lady FASTENED
to pass in. A small, fair hand was laid on
old Bills arm, and swaet voice murmur-
ed:
Even for all there is redempiion,' and