The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-01-19

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Hardamer and his wife understood 200 well the |
thought that was in the mind Of their child, and
they 1anished their meal u silence, deeply pained
ct heart.
About ten o'clock on the same morning, as Mr..
Hardanier was bus " engaged behind bis counter
in cnt,ing out work, 90 elderly man entered, and
with an expression of countenance. which he rouId
not bat observe TO be peculiar, asked if hJ rame
was not Hardamer.
That is my nams,' he replied, looking into the
strangers face inquiringly.
And my name is anderson leplied the stran-
ger.
Anderson = ejucu'ated Hardamer, With sud-
den atari, while shade Of painful feeling settled
upon his countenance.
You have true cause, sir, TO be panied at the
mention of that name; for, if am rightly inform
I'D, ons who bore it, has tr;fed with the hopes and
happiness of your child, and through ber deePly
wounded you' said the stranger in voice eviden'-
" agitated By emotions against the Influence OF
which he was vainly strug cling.
.And ,vhy do you thus open wounds but half
healed over = asked Hsrlamer, with voice and
expression Of sternness.
II would open but to heal more surely said the
stranger, affecting TO smile. i am the father OF
the unhappy young man who married your daugh-
ter =
His father y exclaimed Hardamer, in surprise.
Then, my dear sir. what news do you bring from
one towards whom cannot be expected to enter
tain very kind feelings?'
Good news, l hope, SIR replied old Mr.. Andcr-
son. He Is a changed man, and have good rea-
sons for believing the change to be radical This
change bus been in progress for many months,
and, from observing it closely, and with all of
parents scrutiniEing and doubling anxiety, fee!
sure that it is genuine
The events Of year had broken down the feel
ings Of Hardamsr, and robbed him Of much of the
control over himself that he had possessed.
The suddenness of this news, we'll as its charac
ter, and the manner, appearance. and evident
aanoton Of the stranger who stood before him in
new and unexpected reaiios, all combined TO affect
him powerfully. He covered his face with his
hands, and leaned down upon The counter, evident
ly struggling to keep fast hold Of bis self possession
In fsw moments he lifted his head, and exhibited
a countenance paler than before, and touched with
a tsndsrer expression. He passed round the
counter, and coming in front of Anderson, took
his hand in both of bis, and while his lip quivered
slightly, and his voice treinbled, said
.Wesarc, it seems, companions 10 single sor-
row-and it has been deep and painful to both of
our hearts. Let us be friends
This was answered by a hard pressure Of the
hand from Mr.. Anderson, for he could not reply.
And now. sir, be seated, and tell me of your
son., continued Hardamer.
After they had retired into small room, or re-
cess, hack -of4he shop, Mr.. Anderson said
Ny hoy, after he had so cruelty, and unrighte-
ousIy deserted your daughter, of whose marriage
with him knew nothing, ito the south, where
a dangerous illness put a sudden check upon his
career of folly. Recovering, partially, from this.
he returned home, broken in spirits, and we'll nigh
broken in constitution. Gradually. and from the
affect of the operation of right thoughts. he began
to show concern for those around him. For
years, had been grieYed at witnessing his entire
eviction to SELF This, at once perceived to be
the beginning of new life, if the feeble spark
could be made to spread and at last kIndle into
flame. And it did spread slowly, very slowly, but
steadily. He spoke not of this change himself
and seemed by no means encouraged by if; indeed,
1t had the effect TO render him very unhappy at
presence of any one. Sometimes, l could see that
he was weighed down with more than ordinary
concern; and at last began to fear, that he had'
in his days of folly, committed some crime that
caused him to tremble. This concern SEEM
cd to increase, as he grew more and more thought
ful about the happiness of a around him. aAt
length it reached point in his mind which rem
dered it impossible to conceal it longer, and he
lated to ME the fact of his marriage With yoar
daughter, and his intention to return to Baltimore
for her. and do all in his power to make her future
days happier than he had rendered some of those
which are past He is here With me for that pur-
pose
: For some time Mr.. Hardamer was silent.
There was powerful Struggle within, of the sell
fish principle He was not glad, at this unexpect-
ed news for at once, the idea of losing the child
who, of al. his children. eginced a degree of con-
cern and tenderness for him TINT had become, in
his present condition, necessary TO his happiness,
presented itself, and he could not endure it. But
he saw this to be wrong, and struggling against it
fer few moments, said
What you tell rue, ought to fill NE with pecu-
liar pleasure. l wish I could say that it did
MisEortunes have narrowed down my sources oi
happiness, and almost the oaly one now have
is this same child, you have come to take away
from me-. The old mans voice again trembled
She is greatly changed, sir, since her marriage
-Aflciion of mind has purified as we'll as chastenet
her; aud she is now every thing fathers hear
could desire. God bless her, and your son too i
he is changed as much as she isl
And cd Mr.. Hardaner could restrain his feel
ings NO longer, but bent down his head, and sobbed
like child. tIr. Anderson. too, was moved and
after the pause of few moments, said
Sweet are the uses Of adversty.'
sJast the words my wife repeated last night.
calculated Hardamer, raising his head suddenly
his countenance instantly undergoing a change
.-.a,.I. A nd ao,xr