The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-05

"How is it with you, joint" said he;
sand how is your child?"
! 81 am WE'LL" said John, respectfully,
sand Tom is doing better now, sir"
"l'm glad of it: that's WE'LL"
He spoke feebly. end paused for breath;
then turning to the blacksmith, he said:
"John, am too feeble to waste words,
and will come to the point at once. Ihave
sent for you to speak about a matter which
weighs heavily upon my mind"
He paused, but John remained silent.
"How many years is it since we first
metz" inquired he.
six years, sir" replied John; "two
years here, and four before come here.'
| "And do you recolleet how we first met,
John,' asked Mr.. Lindsey.
Il shall never forget it while God gives
me memory" replied John. You could
not save her who is gone. but you gave
comfort aud happiness TO her last hours" "
"Can it be but six years." said Mr.
Lindsey. "It seems as if | had known
you always. Come nearer, john"
The blacksmith approached, and Mr..
Lindsey took his hard hand between his
OWL dtbehuak6u ntSSTS.
"The time that have known you, is in
deed Short" said he. "bu. in that time
have found you true in ell tha, you did;
and although our spheres in life have been
different speak it with the full conscious
ness which the near approach Of eternity
always brings of the utter hollowness of all
earthly distinctions between man and man
yet have learned to regard you as q
valued friend"
"lt was great honor that you did me, .
said John, in q cho&ked voice: "a very
great honor. always endeavored to de
serve the good opinion you had Of me-"
sit was no honor TO respect truth and
fair-dealing, no matter in what rank Of life
they are found, the poor should respec,
them in the rich. and the rich should not
overlook them in the poor, for their temp
tation to swerve is great. But, John. did
not send for you to talk ofthings like these.
have q monitor here," said he. placing
his hand upon his heart. "whose dull, slug.
gish movements tell me tha, what have 10
do with earth must be done soon"
John looked snxiously in the face Of the
old man, but he made no reply.
"You know my boy Harry!" said Mr.
Lindsey.
"a noble lad, sir" replied John, Sand
very kind to poor little Tom"
Il have sent for you." said Mr.. Lindsey
still struggling with his labored breathing
"to put Harry under your charge when
shall be dead.'
He spoke earnestly, and the last words
were uttered in q clear, calm tone.
"My charged echoed John Biggs. "My
charge! I'm but poor blacksmith, SIR
"Yet," repeated Mr.. Lindsey. in the
same calm, clear tone. under your charge
henceforth, until you or he goes to youl
grave"
John eyed him with bewildered look
and he went on:
IL do not mean to make you his guar
| dian. but want you to be his friend; to
shield him from harm; to warn him against
folly; and TO keep him from those tempta-
tions and crimes which will beset his path
in life. With me earth is passed. To you
and to you only do commit my son.
| expect you to protect him, even as would
have protected your child. had you been
taken and had been left.''
A sudden spasmodic sensation in the
thro at prevented John from speaking, and
Mr.. Lindsey continued:
"He will have guardians and protectors
who will look after his education, and will
take charge Of his property, until he will
be able to do so himself. Butto you give
the charge TO keep him pure from sin and
stain. You know the world and its hol.
lowness. You know that my boy will have
wealth, and how many will gather abou,
him 10 lure him on to crime, while it lasts
and to abandon him when it is gone. You
have felt how few Of those on whose faith
man has been led to trust are TO be found
true in the hour Of trial and need.''
John shook his head. and was silent.
| "Teach him 10 distrust all these: to look
at man beyond his words; to Judge him by
his deeds alone; aud, above all, 10 dis
trust words of kindness
"Is that right, sir?" asked John. firmly
but respectfully. "Would it be right to
fill his mind with suspicion of all abou,
him! I'm but an unlearned man, but il
strikes me that it's wrong"
"Better that. John, than that he should
reap the bitter fruit Of deception from those
whom he loved and trusted" said Mr..
Lindsey, warmly.
"Beter that he should suffer wrong than
do it. sir" replied John, earnestly, extend
ing his hand toward the old man, and his
harsh features lighted up as he spoke
.'He may yet find one trure heart who will
be with him in the hour Of trial. Do no,
let him wound that one. or turn away from
it, although others may be,ray him. Oh!
let him 60 on trusting TO the end, no mat
ter how often he may be deceived. Do
not ask me to teach him to suspect. His
heart will harden fast enough without any
lesson from me-"
John spoke warmly, and there was q
supplicatlng earnestness in his tone which
seemed to make deep impression on Mr.
Lindsey, for he kept silent for some time;
at last he said:
"John. you are right! Heaven. moi
earth. is the goal. would have spared
him the bitterness Of heart which have
suffered; but you are right; no man should
turn from the path before him. Let him
accept the lot in life awarded him. If
be hard one let him bear bravely; if 9
| nleasant one. let him thank God for it,"