Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-01

WnoSc Douv is lnc DTealn Ol llIc, llVes up
on these mountains--their very wildncss
tcrrifes them. The eagle, the bird king,
whose flight is heavcnward far above the
clouds, shrinks from them dismayed by
their sombre aspect; much less then can
man live there, the frailcs! and most sen
sitive of Gods creation.
Andy yet even here nature has created
somewhat OF the bcaut(ul--some bright
and lsvely spots, down in the deep re.
cesses Of the mountain ranges--man has
there pitched his tent, and thriving little
villages have sprung up with their neat
whilcwashed cottages, and handsome
churches have been reared, where every
Sunday the villagers assemble to hear
iheir simple hearted and we'll beloved
pastors, expound to them the word of
truth, or TO catechize them in regard to-
the plan Of salvation and their hopes Of
an everlasting rest.
One of these secluded valleys was
owned by the Earl Of G. who had
erected large mansion house in its
very midst, and all around lay thousands
of acres Of rich rolling meadows, stud.
ded with peasant cottages, while in the
lovcliest part was situated the church
with its gothic windows and gray spires,
when a minister, not simple hearted
godly man. But
| .. "a blind leader of the blind,
"with threat of hell, direct to heaven would
"urge, and stay himself behind"
One of the tenant huts was perched in a
little nook high up amid the rocks Of a
lofty mountain. around whose head was
coronet Of clouds and mist, which the
sunshine besponglcd with thousand
varied hues, as rich and dazzling as dia.
monds and pearls. 1t was sorry look.
ing tenement, built Of logs laid a,hwart
each other with the chincks all open,
except where the snow had dri(tcd in and
closed them. The cold winds would
whistle through them, making the old
house creak-and the roof was all dc.
cayed and just ready TO fall in--,here
was no window in it, and before the door
was placed a board which but half con.
cealed the entrance--ah, it was a wretch.
ed place. Surely, you say no one lives
there; let US look within; few streaks ol
day find their way in through the hall.
open doorway, producing an uncertain
twilight, for there was no other light. No
fire, the chimney long since crumbled
away from age, had never been replaced;
in the house you discover stool and
broken table, on which is a cracked
tea cup and spoon, which bears the APP
pearance of recent usagc--wcll, you
comfort yourself that now at any rate
the house is deserted. All! low moan,
you startle, think you some fell spirit is
there? Aye, there is spirit created in
Gods own image imprisoned in a clay.
ey tenement, from which it will soon
escape to a resting place in "Abraham's
BOSOM" In corner of the hut upon
bundle Of straw, without a blanket to
protect from the chill winds Of winter,
lay female Of perhaps eighteen sum-
mers! Once she may have been beau.
tiful, but now she was pale and emaci.
ated from suffering and want. Her sunk.
cn and lustreless eyes wandered vacant.
ly around, and she passonately clutch
cd the straw upon which she lay, as ii
in great agony. Hark! she muttcrs-
little closer; now softly; you hear "molh'
er! mother! give me bread, oh give me
bread; oh am dying of hunger" No
mothers ear hears that sad cry, for the
mother is dead! In the morning she had
gone to the mansion house to beg for her
child; bnt the doors had been shut upon
her, and she had been refused the crumbs
which fell from his table. In returning
weak and dispiritel, she sunk down to
earth, even to rest upon its cold calm
breast. Convulsvely the dying one
starts, and then sinks down with plac.
id smile upon her face. Her sutferings
are all over now, for she has found a
com(orter-the only comforter of the
child of poverty; his faithful friend who
+ pours the soothing balm into his bleed.
ing wounds, when all others desert him.
Death approaches her, not as we are ac'
customed to picture him with skeleton
figure, and eycless sockets, and long
bony arms, holding in one hand an hour
glass, and in the other that ruthless
scythe. No, but with smiling ruddy
countenance more as we paint cupid,
only not so blind and he tells her to be
brave, that her suferings will soon end;
and then she sees glorious being cloth.
ed in shining robes Of light float before,
and rest over her-it is her mothers