The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-10-13

i Before God and in my heart, have
but one of my errands here was to get
you to write me pledge, and have il
made to my wife and children
Captain Walker sat down to his table
and wrote out the required pledge, and
have then with a trembling but bold
hand Thomas Wilkins signed it.
Wilkins said the old man, as he
took his visitor by the hand, Il have
watched well your countenance, ant
weighed your words. | know you speak
the truth. When bought the cottage
from your creditors six years ago, | paiC
them one thousand dollars for it, 1t
has not been harmed, and it is as good
rs it was then. Most of the time | have
received good rent for it, and each month
you shall pay me such sum as you can
comfortably spare, till it is all paid. ]
shall ask you for no rent nor for . cent
If interest. You shall have deed OF
the estate, and in return | will take but
, single note and mortgage upon which
you Can have your own time
Thomas Wilkins tried to thank the
old man for his kindness, but he only
sank into his chair and wept like a child
lud while he sat with his face buried in
li> hands, the old man slipped from the
room. And when at length he returned
he bore in his hand neatly covered
basket
Come, come, the captain exclaimed,
cheer up, my friend Here are son c
ttbits for your wife and children take
them home, and believe me wilkins
you feel half as happy in receiving my
;avor as do in bestowing it, you are
'appy indeed
90, God -God bless you for this
'irn exclaimed the kindness-strickeu
man, and if | betray your confidence,
may die On the instantn
Stick to the pledge, Wilkins, and |
will take care of the rest,' said the old
C plain, as his friend took the basket
: 1t you have time tomorrow, call on me
and | will ARRANGE the papers
As Thomas Wilkins once more en-
tered the streets, his tread was light and
'asy. A bright light Of fjoyousn"ss shone
in every feature, and as he wend"d his
way homeward, he felt every avenue OF
his soul, that he was once more man
The gloomy shades that ushercd in
the night of the thirty-first day Of De
cember, had fallen over the snow clad
earth. Within that miserable dwelling
Of Mrs. Wilkins, there was more of com
fort than we found when we first visit d
her, but, yet, nothing had been added
to the furniture Of the place. For the
last six days her husband had come
home in the evening, and gone away be-
fore daylight every morning, and during
that time, she knew that he had not
drank any intoxicating beverage, for
already had his face begun to assume
the stamp of its former manhood, and
every word that he had spoken was kind
and affcctionate. To his children he
had brought new shoes and warm cloth
ing, and to his wife he had given such
things as she stood in immediate need
Of /; but yet, with all this he had been
taciturn and thoughtful, showing dis
like to all questions, and only speaking
such words as was necessary. The poor
devoted, loving wife began to hope
And why should she not For six
years her husband had not been thus
before. One week ago she dreaded bis
approach but now she found herself
Waiting for him with all anxiety of for
ner years. Should all this be broken, ,
hould this new charm be swept away {
Eight o'clock came, and so did nine and
en-, and yet her husband came not.
Mother said Charles, just as the $
lock struck ten, seeming TO have awak-
ned from dreary slumber, Isn't this q
he last night of the old year,
Yes, my son =
And do you know what | have been {
dear mother dreamed j
hat father had b ought US New Years q
resents Just as be used to. But be- /
1on't, will he' He's too poor now y .
No, my dear boy, We shall have no o
'ther presents than food, and even for b