The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-08


heard. There was every prospect of Vi
olent tempest, and Helen hastened her
preparations for supper, in the hope that
her husband would seek refuge in his own
home. In this she was not disappointed.
The street door slammed heavily, and his
well known step was heard in the en-
try. lie came in without apparent no.
tice of his wife or child, and walked hur-
redly to and fro in their small apartment.
Helen saw at once that he had been drink
ing-not enough to appease his unquench-
able thirst, but enough to produce irritation
and partial arrangement of the senses.
AT her well known sign, little Arthur
seated himself quietly in his chair, and
with picture book in his hand, remained
aim 'st motionless. Half an hour passed,
and the hurried walk was still continued.
Helen's gentle summons TO the table was
dIsregarded, excepting by an impatient
gesture.
The storm had increased, and was now
raging fearfully.
Suddenly Henry paused, and turning to
Helen, demanded if she had not in her
possession golden locket containing his
miniature and hair.
Helen trembled. 1t was the last trinket
she possessed, and it had been carefully
preserved, that her boy might see what
his father had once been. She could not
part with it even if she incurred his dis
pleasure by a refusal. Mildly she replied ::
Yes, Henry, have the locket, | am
keeping it for Arthur" q.
Give it to me. 1t is no longer of any
value to you or him, said her husband.
Indeed, Henry, it is of inestimable val
tie to me, and | canaot think of parting
with it."
The miserable man uttered an excla-
nation of impatence.
Have you any money then ," he con-
tinued. Something | must have"
81 have no money, Henry. But come
and take the nice tea which | have provi-
ded for you. And look, here is your ia
vorite dish," removing a cover as she
spoke.
Il want nothing to eat. If you have
no money, give ME the lockct at once"
| cannot Henry"
lrrtated by her refusal, he again paced
the room restlessly, while little Arthur
crept close to his mother and whispered
Il have the gold piece my grandfather
gave me, mamma. Shall l give that tn
poor fatherl Perhaps it will make him
WELL"
"No, dearest, money will make him
worse. Do not say that you have any,"
But the whisper had been partially
overheard, and Henry turned to his boy
Have you any money, Arthur Give
it to me. will bring it to you again.
The child hesitated. He looked at his
mother for direction, but she was unable
to help him. At length he said
i cannot give you the money, father,
because mamma says it would make you
worse. She knows the best One day
ate some raisens when she told me not t.,
and they made me sick. When you are
quite well, will give you all my money"
Unaffected by the sweetness and sim
plicity of the answer, the father replied,
angriIy:
What nonsense you have put into the
child's head, Helen. Give Inc the money
at once, Arthur! command you to do
So"
The child still fingered, and exasperated
by his delay, the infuriated man raised
his hand to strike, but Helen sprang for.
ward, and throwing herself upon her
knees before him, flung her arms around
the boy, exclaiming-
"No, Henry,-not that for the love OF
Heaven strike not our innocent boy Se--
er not the only tie which now binds us to-
gether."
But her appeal was lost upon one whose
better feelings slumbered too deep for an
earthly voice to awaken them.
His wrath turned upon her, and the
blow intended for the child would have
fallen upon the devoted wife and mother,
had not the voice of God Himself, arrested
the uplifted arm.
A flash of lightning so vivid that the
eyes involuntarily closed before it, followed
or rather accompanied by a deafening
peal Of thunder, and the crash ola part Of
the house in which they stood, was follow
ed by that death like silence which often
succeeds this conclusion of the elements.
In the middle of the room stood the
husband with his arm still raised over the
lovely beings who knelt awe struck and
motionless at his Icct, all unhurt in the
midst of the destruction that surrounded
them. Fragments of glass, piles Of NOR
tar, and large spinters Of wood, gave fear
ful evidence Of the mighty power around
them.
The arm of the guilty one was still
raised, but no longer in insane wrath
The whole expression Of his coun:enance
had cbanged-his soul bowed before his
Creator and Father, and the first sound
which aroused Helen from the temporary
suspension Of her faculties which had fol-
lowed that fearful crash, was the deep full
tones Of her husbands voice, which thrilled
TO her heart as in days Of old, uttering fer.
vent prayers and thanksgiving for their
miraculous preservation from a sudden and
dreadful death.
Instantly her arms were twined around