The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-07-14


and concluded by denouncing those engage
IN the new movement as meddlesome tana
lies, who wished to break up the time-honol
ed usages of good society, and injure tn
business of respectable men. At the con
clusion ofhis remarks, the tavern keeper an
his friends got up a cheer, and the curren
offeeling was evidently against the stranger
and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking the old ma
had fixed his dark eyes upon him. and leane
forward as if to catch every word
As the pastor took his seat, the old ma
rose, his tall form towering in its symme
try, and his chest swelling as he inhaled hi
breath through his thin dilated nostrils.-
10 me, at that time, there was somethin!
awe inspiring and grand in the appearance
OF the old man, as he stood with his full ey
upon the audience, his teeth shut hard, an
silence like that Of death throughout th
church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keeper
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindle
for half a moment.
The scar grew red upon his forehead, an,
beneath the heavy eyebrows his eyes gilt
tered and glowed like serpent's. Th,
tavern keeper quailed before that searching
glance, and | felt relief when the old maj
withdrew his gaze. For moment he seem
ed lost in thought, and then in low ant
tremulous tone commenced. There was
depth in that voice, a thrilling pathos ant
sweetness which riveted every heart in thu
house before the first period had been round
ed. My fathers attention had become
fixed on the eye of the speaker with ar
interest had never before seen him exhibit
can but briefly remember the substanc,
OF what the old man said, though the seem
is as vivid before me as any that have eve
witnessed:
My friends! | am a stranger in you
village, and trust may call you friends
A new star has arisen, and there is hope il
the dark night which hangs like pail o.
gloom over our country With thrilling
depth OF voice, the speaker locked his hands
together and continued-sOh! God. thou
who lookest with compassion upon the mos
errlng of earth's children, thank thee thai
brazen serpent has been lifted, upo<
which the drunkard can look and be healed
that beacon has burst out upon the dark
ness that surrounds him, which shall guide
back to honor and heaven, the bruised anc
weary wanderer.'
1t is strange what power there is in some
voices. The speakers voice was low and
measured, but tear trembIed in every tone
and before knew why, tear dropped upor
my hand, followed by others like rain drops
The old man brushed one from his own eye
and continued:
Men anu olllsr,ous. -
heard that am vagrant and fanatic
am not. AS God knows my own sad heart
| came here to do good. Hear me and b'
just.
4 am an old man, standing alone at thu
end OF litc's journey. There is deep sor
row in my heart and tears in my eyes.
have journeyed over dark beaconlesS ocean
and Iife's hopes have been wrecked. | an
without friends, home or kindred on earth
and look with longing to the rest OF the nigh
Off death. Without friends, kindrc d, or home
1t was not so once'
No one could withstand the touching pa
thos of the old man. noticed tear trem
bling on the lid of my fathers eye, and M
longer felt ashamed OF my own.
NO, my friends, it was not SO once
Away over the dark waves which nav
wrecked my hopes, there is the blesse
light of happiness and home. reach agar
convulsiveiy for the shrines OF the house
hold idols that once were mine, now min
no more
The old man seemed looking away throug
fancy upon some bright vision, his lips apar
and his fingers extended, | involuntarll
turned in that direction where it was polntee
dreading to see some shadow invoked by 1t
magic movement.
i once had a mother. With her oil
heart crushed with sorrows, she went dow
to her grave. ! once had a wife, fail
angel hearted creature as ever smiled IN al
earthly home. Her eye as mild as sum
mer sky, and her heart as faithful and tru
as ever guarded and cherished husband
love. Her blue eye grew dim as the flood
of sorrow washed away its brightness, an
the living heart | wrung until every tlbr
was broken.
Il once had noble and brave and beau
tiful boy, but he was driven out from tn
ruins OF his home, and my old heart yearn
to know if he yet lives. Ionce had babe
sweet, tender tlossom, but these hand
DESTROYED it, and it lveth with one who love
children
| sDO not De SLdTtEcu lIlGAuS-A uh hos
murderer in the common acceptation OF thu
term. Yet there is light in my evening
sky. A spirit mother rejolces over the re
turn of her prodigai son. The wife smiles
upon him who again turns back to virtue
and honor. The child-angel visits me
nightfall, and feel the hallowed touch o
tiny palm upon my feverish cheek. NJ.
brave boy, if he yet lives, would torgiv'
the sorrowing old man for the treatmen
which drove him into the world, and th
blow that manned him for life. God forgive
me for the ruin ! have brought upon mt
and mine
He again wiped tear from his eye
Nv father watched him with a strange lnten
sty, and countenance unusually pale an'
excited by some strong emotion.
Il was once fanatic, and madly follow
ed the malign light which led me to ruin
| was a fanatic when sacrificed my wife
children, happiness and home, to tht
accursed demon of the bowl. ! once
adored the gentle being whom | injured So
deeply. ,.
i was drunkard. From respectability
and aiiluence, plunged into degradation
and poverty dragged my family dowI
with me. For years saw her cheek pale
and her step grow weary. left her alone
amid the wreck of her home idols, ant
rioted a. the tavern. She nevercomplained
yet she and the children went hungry TO
bread.
| snpe New Year's nipht. | returned lat,