Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-03


My employer is goingto put me on job work,
sir, and as soon as get my hand in, can easi-
Ily make from twelve TO fourteen dollars a
week.
| And how much will it take 10 support your
family
AS soon as get cleared up, | can easily get
along with FIVE or six dollars a week.
Then you might be able TO save about four
hundred dollars yearP'
i mean 10 do that, sir
A few moments Captain Walker gazed into
the face of his visitor, and then he asked;
Have you pledged yourself yet2'.
Before God and in my heart / have; but one
Of my errands here was TO get you 10 write me
Ia pledge, and have it made 10 my wife and chill
dren.'
Captain Walker sat down to his table and
wrote out the required pledge, and then in
trembling but bold hand, Thomas Wilkins
signed it.
wilkins said the old man, as he took his
visitor by the hand, 4 have watched well your
countenance and weighed your words. knoto
you speak truth. When | bGught that cottage
from your creditors six years ago, paid them
one thousand dollars for il. II has not been
harmed, and is as good as it was then. Most of
the time have received good rent Cor il. 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
II will ask you for no rent, nor for a cent of in
terest. You shall have a deed of the estate, and
in return / will take but simple note and mort
gage, upon which you can have your own
tiIhe.'
Thomas wilkins tried TO thank the old man
for his kindness, bu. he only sank back into his
chair and wept like child; and while he yet sat
with his face buried in his hands, tho old man
slipped from the room. And when he return
ed, he bore in his hands neatly covered bas-
ket.
Come, come the captain exclaimed, cheer
up my friend. Here are some bits for your
wife and children-take them home and be-
lieve me, wilkins, if you feel half as happy in
receiving my favor as do in bestowing il, you
are happy indeed
God will bless you for this, sir exclaimed
the kindness.stricken man; and when betray
your confidence, may die on the instant =
Stick TO your pledge, Wilkins said he, 'and
| will take care of the rest, said the old cap
tain, as his friend took the basket. If ycu have
time tomorrow, call on me and will arrange
the papers,
As Thomas Wilkins- once more entered the
street, his step wasrNeht and easy y bright
light of ioyousness shone in every feature; and
as he wended his way homeward, he felt in ey-
cry avenue Of his soul that he was MAN!
The gloomy shades that ushered in the night
of the thirty-iirst of December, had fallen over
the snow. clad earth. Within the miserable
dwelling Of Mrs. Wilkins there was more oh
comfort than we found when we first visited
her; but yet nothing had been added to the fur
niture of the place. For the last six days her
husband had come home every evening, and gone
away before daylight every morning, and du-
ring that time she knew he had drank no intoK-
icating beverages for already had his face begun
to assume the stamp Of its former manhood, and
every word he had spoken had been kind and
afTeclionate. To his children he brought new
shoes and warm clothing, and to herself he had
given such things as she stood in immediate
need of; but yet, with all this, he had been tac-
iturn and thoughtful, showing q dislike of all
questions, and only speaking such words as
were necessary. The poor, devoted, loving
wife began to hope. And why should she not?
For six years her husband had not been thus
before. One week ago she dreaded his ap-
proach, but now she found herself waiting for
him with III the anxiety of former years. Should
all This be brokenp Should this charm be swept
away? Eight O'Clock came, and so did nine and
ten, and yet her husband came not.
sAlothega' said little Charles, Just as the clock
struek lenS eening 10 hayl aiTS;ah: c;,ea e-cs.
dreamy slamber, lis net this the last night of the
yearff -
'FesSiny son.
And do you know what have been dream
ing, dear motherP ] dreamed that father had
brought us New Years presents, just the same
as he used TO. But he won't, will he? He's
too poor now
No, my dear boy, we shall have no other
present than food; and even for that we must
thank dear father. There, lay your head in my
lap again
The boy laid his curly head once more in his
mothers lap, and with fearful eyes she gazed
upon his innocent form.
The clock struck eleven! The poor wife
was yet on her tireless, sleepless watch But
hardly had the sound Of the last stroke died
away, ere the snow crust gave back the sound
lof football, and in moment more her husband
entered. With trembling fear she raised her
eyes TO his face, and a wild thrill of Joy went
Ito her heart as she saw that all was open and
bold-only those manly features looked more
Joyous, more proud than ever.
Lizzie, said he, in mild, kind accents, i am
late tonight, but business detained me, and now
II have favor to ask of thee
Name it, dear Thomas, and you shall not ask
liz second time cried the wife as she laid her
hand cOpGdipgly upon her loving husbands
arm,
And will you ask mp no questionsS' continued
wilkins.
No, | will not
Then, continued the husband, as he bent
over and imprinted kiss upon his wifes brow,
4 want you TO dress our children FOR walk,
and you shall accompany US. The night is calm
and tranquil, and the snow is well trodden. Ali