The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser. (Woodville, Miss.) 1853-18??, 1853-06-07


aloud. His lips were compressed, and crim-
son flush went and came over his pale cheek.
One arm was of above the elbow, and their
was awide scar over his right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the
Object OF the meeting, and asked if there was
clergyman to open it with prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat and the speaker
himself made a short prayer, and then made
a short address, at the conclusion calling upon
any one present to make remarks. The pas
tor rose under the gallery, and attacked the
positions of the speaker, using the arguments
which have often heard since, and concluded
by denouneing those engaged in thenew move
ment as meddlesome fanatics, who wished to
breaku the time honored usages of good So
ciety, and injure the business of respectable
men. At the conclusion Of his remarks, the
tayem-keeper and his friends got up cheer,
aud the current Of feeling was evidently against
the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking the old man
had fixed bis dark eyes upon him, and leaned
forward as if to catch every word.
As the pastor took his seat the old man
arose, his tall form towering its symmetry and
his chest swelling as he inhaled his breath
through his thin, 1ilated nostrils To me at
the time, there was sometiug awe-inspiring and
grand in the old man as he stood with his full
eye upon the audience, his teeth shut hard,
and silence like that Of death throughout the
church.
He bent his gaze upon the ia 'ern-keeper,
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindled for
half moment
The scar grew red upon his forehead and
beneath the heavy eyebrows his eyes glittered
and glowed like serpents, The keep
er quailed before that searching glance and I
felt a relief when the old man withdrew his
gaze.
For moment he seemed lost in thought,
and then in low and tremuous tone com.
menced There was a depth in that voice, a
thrilling pathos and sweetness which rivetel
every heart in the house before the first period
had been rounded. My fathers attention had
become fixed on the eye Of the speaker with
an interest which had never before seen him
exhibit. can but briefly remember the sub
stance Of what the old man said, though the
scene is as vivid before me- as any that ever
witnessed.
my friends lam stranger in your village
and trust / may call you friends, A new
star has arisen, and there is hope in the dark
night which hangs like pail of gloom over
our country" With athrilling depth ofvoice
the speaker locked his hands together and con-
tinued; ''Oh God, thon who lookest with
compassion upon the most ening Of earth's
children, thank tLee that brazen serpent
has been lifted, upon which the drunkard can
look and be healed that a beacon has burst
out upon the darkness that surrounds him,
which shall guide back to Heaven the bruised
and weary wanderer."
1t is strange what power there is in some
voices. The speakers voice was low and mea-
sured but tear trembled in every tone and
before knew why, a tear dropped upon my
hand, followed by Others like rain drops The
old man brushed one from his own eyes and
continued
"Men and Christians! You have just heard
that am a vagrant and fanatic. ! am not.
: As God knows my own sad heart, ! came here
: to do good Hear me and be just"
Z II am an old man. standing alone at the end
t of LIES journey There is deep sorrow in
, my heart and tears in my eyes. | have jour
, neyed over daIk and beaeonless ocean, and
all life's hopes have been wrecked. am with
! out friends, home or kindred on earth, and look
t with longingto the rest Of the night Of death.
Without friend, kindred or home! Itwas not
r so once"
' No one could withstand the touching pathos
I of the old man. noticed a tear trembling on
i the lid of my fathers eye and ] no more felt
e ashamed of my own.
/ "No my friends, it was not so once. Away
over the dark waves which have wrecked my
l hopes, there is the blessed light Of happiness
and home. | reach again convalsiFely for the
: shrines Of the household idols that once were
I mine now mine no more"
o The old man seemed looking away through
: fancy upon some bright vision, his lios apart
and his fingers extended, | voluntarily turned
in the direction where il was pointed, dread
! ing to see some shadow invoked by its magic
| movements.
Il once had mother With her old heart
crushed with sorrows, she went down to her
grave. once had wife, a fair, angethearted
creature as ever smiled in an earthly home,
r Her eyes as mild as a summer sky, and her
! heart as faithful and true as ever guarded and
3 cherished husbands love. Her blue eyes
, grew dim "a the floods ofsorow washed away
, | its brightness. and the living heart wrung
, until every fibre was broken. | once had a
, noble. brave, and beautiful boy but be was
driven out from the ruins Of his home, and my
old heart yearns 70 know If he yet lives
once had a babe; sweet tender blossom, but
these hands destroyed il and il liseth with one
who loveth children
ado not be startled friends--I am not
/ murderer in the common acceptation OF the
! term. Yet there is light IN my evening sky.