The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-01-05
WOODSFIELl OHIO WEDNESDAY JANUARY S. 1853
who raised himself upon his elbow, "has
father gone?"

"Yes, Charles"
| so. tell me, mother, did he not come
and kiss me and little Abby this morning2
"Yes, yes, he did, he did!" cried the
mother, as she flew to the side of her boy
and wound her arms about him.
That mother could not speak, she could
only press her children more fondly to hel
bosom, and weep mothers tears upon
them.
| Was Lizzie Wilkins happy as she sal
her children down to that mornings meall
At least ray of sunshine was struggling
to gain entrance to her bosom.
Towards the middle of the afternoon.
Mr.. Abel Walker, retired sea. captain ol
some wealth, sat in his comfortable parlor
engaged in reading, when one Of his SER
wants informed him that some one was at
the door, and wished to see him.
y, "T'll .,L' hiqt0 come in' them" returned
"But its that miserable Wilkins, SIR"
"Never mind" said the captain, after
a moments hesitation, "show him in.
Poor fellow" he continued, after the SER
want had gone; 81 wonder what he wants.
In truth pity him."
With trembling step and downcast
look Thomas Wilkins entered Captain
Walkers parlor.
"Ah, Wilkins" said the old Captain,
"what has brought you here?"
The man twice attempted to speak, but
his heart failed him.
"Do you come for charity!"
mo, sir" quietly returned Wilkins,
while his eyes cleaned with proud light.
"Thsn sit down and out with it," said
Walker in blunt but kind tone.
"Capt. Walker" commenced the poor
man, as he took the proffered seat, 81 have
come to ask you if you still own that little
cottage beyond the hill!"
81 do"
sis it occupied!"
"No."
"Is it engagsd?"
"No," returned the Captain, regarding
his visitor with uncommon interest. "But
why do you ask?"
captain Walker" said Wilkins in
firm and manly tone, even though his eyes
glistened and his lips quivered. 81 have
been poor and degraded, deeply stepped
in the dregs Of poverty and Disgrace
Everything that made life valuable have
almost lost. My wife and children have
sutherland D! COP only knows how
keenly! have long wandered in the path
of sin. One after another the tender cords
of friendship that used to bind me to the
world have snapped assunder; nv name
has become byword rand upon the earth
| have been foul blot. But, sir, from
henceforth | am MAN! Up from the
depths of its long grave, | have dragged
forth my heart, and love still has its home
therein. have sworn to touch the fatal
cup no more; and while in my heart, there
is life, my wife and children shall suffer
no more for the sins they never committed.
| have seen my old employer in the ma
chine shop, and he has given mo a situa-
ton, and is anxious that | should come
back; and, sir, he has been kind enough to
give me an order in advance for necessary
articles Of clothing. food, and furniture.
Tomorrow morning commence work."
sand you come to see if you could OBJ
tain your cottage back again to live in?"
said Capt. Walker, as Wilkins hesitated.
eyes. sir, to see if could hire it of you,"
returned the poor man.
"Wkins, how much cap you make at
your business" bluntly asked the old cap
tain, without seeming to heed the request.
"My employer is going to put me on
job work, sir, and as soon as get my
hand in, can easily make from twelve to
fourteen dollars week"
, Sand how much will it take to support
your family!"
"As soon as | get cleared up. can east
ly get along with five or six dollars
wsek." .afl
..Then you might be able to save about
four hundred dollars year?"
"I mean to do that, SIR"
A few moments Captain Walker gazed
into the face Of his visitor, and then he
asked:
Shave you pledged yourself YETI"
DCtOiO oOu ohu ih Wy Hoeit hoVoS
but one OF my errands here was to get you
to write me pledge, and have it made to
my wife and children"
Captain Walker sat down to his table
and wrote out the required pledge, and
then in atrembling but bold hand, Thomas
Wilkins signed it. eg.s
wilkins" said the old man, as he
took his visitor by the hand. al have
watched we'll your oountenance, and
weighed your words. know you speak
truth. When bought that cottage from
your creditors six years ago, | paid them
one thousand dollars for it. It has not
been harmed, and is as good as it was
then. Most of the time have received
good rent for it. Now. sir. you shall have
it for just what paid for it. and each
month you shall pay me such sum as
you can comfortably spare until il is all
paid. j will ask you for no rent, nor for a