Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-07-05

was off above the elbow, and there was wide
scar over the right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the OBJ
ject Of the meeting, and asked if there was {
clergyman present to open with prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat, and tie speaker
himself made short prayer, and then made q
short address, at the conclusion calling upon
| any one present to make remarks.
The pastor rose under the gallery, and at
| tackled the positions of the speaker, using the
| argument which have often heard since, and
concluded by denouncing those engaged in
the new movement as meddlesome fanatics,
who wish to break up the time -honored usages
of good society, and injure the business of re-
| Specialize men. At the conclusion of his re-
| marks, the tavern keeper and his friends got
up cheer, and the current of feeling was ev-
identity against the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old man
had fixed his dark. eye 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 in its symmetry,
and his chest swelling as he inhaled his breath
through his thin diiated nostrils. To me- that
time, there was something awe inspiring and
grand in the appearance of the old man as he
stood with his full eye upon the audience, his
teeth shut hard, and q silence like that of
death throughout the church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern 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 those of serpent. The tav-
ere keeper quailed before that searching glance,
and felt relief when the old man withdrew
his gaze. For a moment he seemed lost in
thought, and then with 4 low aud tremulous
tone commenced. There was depth in that
voice, a thrilling pathos and sweetness, which
rivited every heart in the house, before the
first period had been rounded. Ny fathers
attention had become fixed upon the speaker
with interest which had never before seen
h.fn sXhtPiotr or what the old man said, though
the scene is as vivid before me as any that
ever witnessed.
NV friends,-I am a stranger in your vii
lage, 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 thrilling depth of voice,
the speaker continued: 20 God, thou who
lookest with compassion upon the most erring
of earth's children, thank thee that bTazen
serpent has been lifted, upon which the drunk
ard can look and be helped; that beacon has
burst out upon the darkness that that surrounds
him which shall guide back to honor and heav-
en- the bruised and weary wanderer.'
hat 10 in
voices. The speaker was slow and measured,
but a tear trembled in every tone; and before
l knew why, a tear dropped upon my hand,
followed by others like raindrops. The old
man brushed one from his own eyes, and con-
tinued:
| sMen and Christians! You have just heard
| that am vagrant and fanatic. L am not
| AS God knows my own sad heart, came here
to do good. Hear me, and be just.
Il am an old man, standing alone, at the end
of life's journey, there is a deep sorrow in my
heart, and tears in my eyes. have journeyed
over a dark and beaconless ocean, and all life's
hopes have been wrecked. I am without friends.
home or kindred upon earth, and look with
longing to the rest of the night Of earth
Without friends, kindred or home! was not
so once
No one conld withstand the touching patho:
of the old man. noticed tear trembling or
the lid of my fathers eye, and l no more fell
ashamed of my own.
sNo, my friends, it was not SO once! Away
over the dark waves which have wrecked my
hopes, there is the blessed light of happiness
and home. Ireach again convulsively for the
49,
now mine no MORE
The old man seemed looking away through
fancy upon some bright vision, his lips apart
and his fingers extended. involuntary turn
ed in the direction where it was pointed
dreadine to see some shadow invoked by II
magic movements.
Il once had mother. With her old hear
crushed with sorrows, she went down to he
: grave. once had wife-a fair, angel-hear'
l ed creature as ever smiled i'll an earthly home
Her ewes as mild as q summer sky, and he
heart as faithful and true as ever guarded an
:, cherished a husbands love- her blue eye
= grew dim as the floods of sorrow washed ava
its brightness, and the living heart wrung III
:, til every fibre was broken. Ionce had nobi
a. brave and beautiful boy, but he was drive
ont from the ruins Of his home, and my o
;, heart yearns to know if yet he lives. L on
had a babe-a sweet, tender blossom, but n
= hands destroyed it, and it liveth with one wi
a loves children.
i DO not be startled, friends; Lam lot a ml
10 derer. in the common acceptation OF the ter
Yet there Is a Iiph. in my evening SKY.
il spirit mother rejoicss over the return OF