Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-03-15
Guo0 Grletteo Gturn.
THE hARs SToRY.--A THRILLING SKETCH.
(Continued

ated Is. To me, at that time there was some
thing Inspiring and grand in the appearance Of the
old M he stood, with his full eye upon the audi.
ence, beth shut hard, and a silence like that OF
death ghout the church.
I'D bis gaze upon the tavern keeper. and that
pecu e fingered and kindled for half = moment.
The Jew red upon his forehead, and beneath the
neav es his eyes gitteTed and glowed like SER
penp be tavern keeper quailed before that search
ing 81 and felt areief when the old man with
drew aze. For moment more he seemed lost In
thou ld then, in low and tremulous tones, com.
meme There was depth in that voice, thrilling
swee and pathos, which Tiveted every heart in the
ehur ore the first period had been rounded Ny
fathe ention had become Fixed upon the eye Of the
speea 18th an interest / had never before seen him
exhl can but briefly remember the substance Of
VIVA Did man said, though the scene Is a. vivid
beio as any that ever witnessed.
lends am stranger in Your village, and
uus y call you friends. A new star has arisen
and . hope in the dark night which hangs, like
pa loom, over our eountTy.o
W thrilling depth OF voice, the speaker con-
tnu y o God, thou who looksst with compassion
npo7 most erring Of earth'S fral children, thank
lheea brazen serpent has been lifted up on which
the = lard can look and be healed. That beacon
has out upon the darkness that surrounds him,
Whi0 oil guide backto honor and heaven the bruised
and ~ wanderero
II range what power there Is IN some voices.
The kers voice was low and measured, but q tear
rem in every tone, and, before knew why, .
lear ped upon my hand, followed by others like
-an $. The old man brushed one from his own
sYe, continued:
&c" and Christians, you have Just heard that am
van and fanatic. / am not. Az God knows
ny sad heart, came here to do good. Hear me
md list.
~ an old man, standing alone at the end Of
ile'iohrney.
"icle is deep sorrow in my heart and Tears In my
yes have joumeyed over dark, beaconless ocean,
md fe's bright hopes have been wrecked. l am
vluuI friends, home or kindred, on earth, and look
yitloPgng TO the rest Of the night Of DEATH With
nut DDS, kindred or homei It was not once so"
Noe could Withstand the touching pathos Of the
Id Noticed tear trembling on the lid Of my
ath' eye, and no more felt ashamed Of my own.
my friends, il was not so once. Away over
he waves which have wrecked my hopes, there
) u lessed light Of happiness and home. reach
ga fonvulsively for the shrnes Of the household
tolf Vat once were mine now mine no more"
1e|Old man seemed looking away through vacancy
poepme bright vision, his lips apart and his finger
xtNed. l involuntarily turned in the direction
'ha It was pointed, dreading to see some shadow
lvqh by its magic moving.
I" bnce had mother. With her old heart crushed
~ pIogs she went down WI to her grave IOnse had
a I hly homo. Her eye was as mild as a summer
bid her heart as faithful and true as ever guarded
I'D erished husbands love. Her blue eye grew
MP the floods Of sorrow washed away itS bright
8 bad the living heart wrung till every fibre was
'cah. once had a noble, a brave and beautiful
but he was driven out from the ruins Of his home
my old heart yearns TO know If he yet lives.
q had babe, sweet, tender blossom but thes|
de destroyed It, and it lives with one who loyet
Idfen.
Do not be startled, friends-I am not amur
n, in the common ncceptation Of the term
{ there is light in my evening sky. A sPir
der reioices over the return of her prOdgd
u The wife smiles upon him who gai'
q back to virtue and honor. The child -ari
visits me at night-fall, and / feel the hal
ding touch Of tiny palm upon my fevbriS
*. My brave boy if he yet lives, you'll
Eve the sorrowing old man for the trea Ime9
ph drove him into the world, and the lbloHl
I manned him for life. God forgive ne fd
ruin which l have brought upon M and
b."
te again wiped tear from his eye. NY
er watched him with strange intensity, and
Suntenance unusually pale and excitId bJ
g strong emotion.
1 was once lthhlicI anu ihauly loHONeu VI
ign light which led me TO ruin. l was
attic when sacrificed my wife, childrA, hap
ess and home, to the Accusing demon Of III
vi. ! once adOred the gentle being whom
lred so deeply.
Il was drunkard. From respectfully an
affluence, I plunged into degrad4ion an
verify. dragged my family dOwHlwith me
p yeors I aoIu her obaaL .,ala onJIher ataN
wv weary. l left her alone amid The wrec
her home idols, and riOted at tl9 tavern
e never complained, yet she and tie childrS
mt hungry for bread.
"One New Years night, I returned late
} hut where charity had given us roof. S
IS yet up, and shivering over lhe Goals.
manded food, but she burst into fears and z
. lhnr. Ir.nn mona Enrnnl.r ntdarnd harA l