Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-20

my pathway now
A low stifed moan of anguish broke from
the lips Of the poor woman, as she dropped
upon her knees beside the humble bed, and
drew his head close into her bosom, as if
death had no power to hurt him there. Oh
no, no, Walter do not say that. 1t cannot,
must not, shall not be-
ANNIE after the preparation we have
made for this parting hour, l did not expect
this from you. thought you would bear it
more like a christian
'Qh how can !, Walter? God forgive,me.
l thought so too but alone-the light Of
life gene out in midnight aforementioned
to live and struggle on aimless, hopeless
DO you know you are adding to my own
pangs by this ~fruitless and wicked repining,
dear Annie? If our Father watcheth the
sparrow's fall, he surely seeth our distress.
If he clothes and shelters the frail blossom
from the u1tinlely blast, will he not much
more preserve and protect you, oh ye of little
faith T.
She bent her head . moment to the pillow
wherein his own had lain, while her frame
trembled and shook convulsiyely beneath the
throes of ungtterable agony, but no sound is
sued from her compressed lips. Then she
raised an earnest, appealing glance to Heav-
en-, and she laid her face against his, MUIR
muring softly but distinctly-'Not my will,
but thine, oh God, be DONE
/ thank thee, oh! my Father, came slow
ky from the lipsof the dying man, and his
Hyelids dropped as It from excessive wears
ness. For a moment he lay thus then he
flung his arm over her shoulder and drew
himself still closer to her crouching form,
murmuring slowly and at intervals So hap
py-and easy-nOw-dear Annie-good-
night
Mrs. Layton, who occupied the room next
to theirs, came in a few moments later; but
Annie motioned her to silence, whispering
softly as she bent DER her-'See, he sleeps
so sweetly =
The sleep that knows no earthly waking
replied Mrs. Layton, after gazing down upon
him a moment-and she detached his arm
from the wife's neck and laid him gently back
upon the bed.
Garry p
Beautiful indeed
And it was only ten dollars would you
have believed it?'
1t is heavily worked, for that, and very
ine.'
Then this collar and undersleeves match
exactly. They were but fourteen dollars ]
never saw such q bargain. But who can tina
be at the door,
Missis is not in, mann
Nor Miss Emily?'
Yes 'em.'
'Then I'll see her'-and the poor, shrunk
en-, M.clad figure pressed by the staring ser
want and stood before the girls, exclaimini
without a moments hesitation- Miss Emily
will you be so good as to pay me the tw
dollars duo on tho Uork i Sant homo voS
terday?
i know nothing about it, madam
You must know / did the work for you
mother though; and l will see her about
myself that it may all be right but oh,
must have it tonight, and [ am in sue
haste too
Il should think you were : returned til
young lady scornfully, when the work ha
not yet been home twenty-four hours
But l have a sick child at home, Miss
For aught | know this night may be his last
J and | need it so much to procure such rem
dies as he requires
Il know nothing about my mothers bus
ness and as to the sick child she contil
ued in a lower but still audible tone-'it
an old, used-up story, at best
The woman's eye flashed and lip curlt
8 whilst her bowed figure dilated for a momen
= "a IA DhO OADUCAg u lBS u ~ GL
thick and fast to her lips, a stern necessit
held them back, for the tried heart on
grieved through her voice as she replied
> God knows it is truth a sore, heart-sicke
' ing truth, Miss, as you would see if you we
d to step back with me to my miserable nom
"A very likely step! But you can 60
q shall tell mother Of your call, and she W
send the money tomorrow, if your stateme
is right
1t may come too late p-broke like a ga
! from the poor and now again utterly nery
. less woman. In Heavens name, and f
T the sake of sweet humanity, give it to me
b night
Il have nothing more to say return
e the young lady, rising and moving away
q the piano. She seated herself and run h
jewsled fingers over its keys. An insta
the woman gazed upon that fair girlish for
L then left the house and hastily retraced b
steps to her own abode. A glance at a
y within that comfortless home could read
tale that drunkenness had written there.
Still, woman's heart beat warmly, thou
% neglect, and want, and frenzied blows h
spent their force upon her head and duri
Il that live long night, as the moon ever a
anon peered through the leafy branches tt
arched the window of that lowly room, {
" looked upon the wan, pitiful creature 500
ID ing the means and hushing with a mothe
gentlest care the cries of her stricken chi
re And still the prayer increasingly went uL
Heavens court God spare my child
II bright, my beautiful my darling boy
&c There are no words to tell the fullness
'e' my happy heart, now that you are in tt
es- nv own dear wife and Arnold Perry dl
his bride close to his heart and bent
in stately head until his raven locks were bl
he ded with the sunny curls that lay u
her girlish brow.
And l, so blessed in being loved
o0 murmured whilst her hand sought his
es, nestled there, even as a weary, trembl
w dove would drop into its nest, sure of find
sweet rest and quiet therein.
til A moment thus, the pure pale moonbe;
bathed their forms, and then with outstre
f ed hand and earnest face appraised to HeaV
his voice stole thrilling, sweet and low u
the evening air - God in Heaven we b
lie thee for this blissful love this sweet, un
holy life that stretches out before our vi
in Guide, guard and keep us ever, that it
ms bear transplanting from an earthly no
where it may live in new and fresher bea
~ through the wide realms of a fathomless
:" nity.' And the fair girl bowed her head
" murmured- AMEN! foTeUer and toT
'er more!
L X
nd
lea Il had no idea the moon saw so m
MamaP
'Ahl yes, my child ten thousand tt
Iaa ten thousand scenes of happiness and mis-
In of buoyant and hopeless life, does she