Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-06-30
Ailer fsr years q ro1asisn aud Toll, /

After few years Of ro1a.isn and toll, Be
wandered far away frem home and friends,
and familiar associations; aud wonder il
was that be was not hurried away b. the
awful whirlpool Of vice, aud dashed ppoa
the rocks efdestrucfien He had, however,
been favored With the instructions df i
christian mother, and had seen examples Ill
his own family Of high purposes and noble
efierts. He had, therefore, preserved al
unsullied reputation, had acquired listIs
1 property. bad married an intelligent cheer
full, healthy girl Of twenty summers. and
had removed to slcity Of shoemakers. n
where his occupation was honorable, and
where bis aspirations after respectfully and
Pendsnce might BE- realized But on
ftsrnQen precedjss;s,ssaiis. conversation
ohRRn nnHsuall5 -. "a He had
inc embarrsssnients In getting
\. Led u BIS humble teaement-hsd. susl
taibed some losses, and heard . bitter sar.
castle remark from an aristocrat Of that place,
which criInsened his pale cheek ard sent
him home through cold rain storm weal
'ried in body, depressed, vexed 10 spirit,
/ End alnsst determined never to make anoth-
or effort
He was, and supposed be ever must be al
poor shoemaker Of H.
Twenty years bad elapsed, and family
group we're arranged around a marble cen
ire table ia the parlor Of a magnificent
house in the city Of Il A gentle
man Of some fifty years had just Invested
himself Of his outer garments, and 1.essed
in q rich velvet gown and embroidered slip.
pers, sat reading the journal of the day. A
lady, some years youHger, sat by bis side,
her face beamipg with intelligence and graf
fled pride, assshe gazed at her digni6ed
and honered husband, and then at the love
~ group of children around the table.
One was noble youth, just returned ts
spend his college vacation at home-anoth
.er was a tall graceful girl Of sixteen, who
had just finished a long recitation to her
brother, and was preparing to cheer the cir
clefwith her ever-welcome music On the pia
no. Al bright boz of twelve was performing
a problem in mathematics, aud little
resy-cheeked girl was drawing pictures on
her slate and teazing everybody to teach
her
Presently the deer bell announced visi
tor, A person entered and presented a
subscription for religious charity Put
me down hundred dollars said the good
man, and the collector departed blessing
the giyer, When he was gone, the gentle
man said, my dear, did you think to send
the coal and -four TO the poor woman on the
eorner2 Yes, and Frederick and Maryshdye
besn round to see that sickly family and
carried the clothes and medicines Yes,
,Sat 4 L. r. Al
house she yrs drawing, they carried away
my new steckings'
Shall I send and get them back again
said the father
'Oh, no indeed said the child, q sent
them. Poor little Chariey's feet wero So
cold
The father, now remarked that, it was
time for family worship In moment all
was ssilent.beoks, slate, paper and work
were all laid aside. a neat gilt bible,
bearing the marks Of constant use, was
breught. The son read an interesting por-
ton, the whole family joined in familiar
hymn, and the father led in prayer, and
worshippel the Father of Mercies in spirit
and truth frem the .fullness Of grateful
heart
After an interval Of silence, the son look.
ed up as from a revsrie and said Father,
think l have heard you say that your
youth was neglected that you were. once
poor. illiteFate, almost an infdel aud entire
~ discouraged. 1t would be extremely in
teresting 10 us to learn by what means the
Mayor If this good city, the honored Trus.,
tee Of our College, the Superintendent Of
orr Sabbath School, and the Deacon Of eur
Church, has risen from so unpromising be.
ginnings to his present station
The eyes Of the good man filed with tears,
his lips quivered. he covered his face with
his handkerchief and for some time no
whisper was heard from the audience around
bin
He was thinking Of the poverty and ig-
norance Of bis early days--of the religious
errors which hRd we'll nigh caused bis des-
truction-of the way in which a kind,
watehful Providence haa led bis thoughtful
steps, amid all dangers around him-of the
blessings be had received in his lovely. admi
rabls wife -of the days of Toll and nights of
hard study, IL which she bad shared. and
cheerel bin on IKE % angel oflight and love
and lastly Of the countless blessings and
hon3rs which now surrounded him. At
length be uncovered his face, and with stifed
sobs, said to his wife. tell the children, dear,
the conversation we had together, Just twcn-
~ years ago tonight, around our little pine
table,
He was the shoemaker Of l..