Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-08-16
As the pastor took bis seat, tic old mar


ing and grand il the appearance Of the old
man as he stood with bis fall e5e upon the
audience, bis teeth shut bard, ana silence.
Ike that Of death throughout the church.
lie bent bis gaze upon the tavern keeper,
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindled for
a half moment.
The scar crew red upon lis forehead, and
beneath the heavy eye brows his eyes gilt
tered and glowed ike those Of serpent
The tavernkeeper qrailed before that search
ing glance. and felt relief when the cid
man withdrew bis gaze For moment be
seemed lost in thought, and then 10 low and
tremulous tone commenced TLere was q
depth in that voice, thrilling pathos and
Sweetness. which riyeted every heart in the
house. before the FIRST period had been round
ed. Ny father's attention had become fixed
on the speaker with an interest which ] had
never before seen him exhibit. | can but
briefly remember the substance Of what the
old man said, though he scene is as vivid
before me as any that ever Witnessed
"My friends IL an stranger in your
village, and trust may call yen friends.
. new star has arisen, aud there is hope IN
The dark night which hangs like pail
of gloom over our country" With atbrilling
depth of voice the speaker continued: 20
God, thou who lookest with compassion upon
the most erring Of earth's children, thank
thee that brazen serpent has been lifted
upon which the drunkard can look and be
helped; that \ beacon has burst cut upon
the darkness that surrounds him, which shall
guide back to honor ard heaven, tue bruised
and weary wanderers"
1t is strange what power there is in some
voices. The speaker was slow and measur-
ed. but tear troubled in every tone, aud
before knew why, a tear dropped upon nay
hand, followed by others like rain drops
The old man brushed one from his own eyes,
aud continued:
Men and Christians! You lave just
heard that am yagraut aud fanatic. am
not. As God knows my own sad heart,
came here to do good, Hear NE, and be
just.
81 am an old man, standing alone, at tho
end of life's journey, there is a deep sorrow il
my heart, and tears ifmy eses. akage jour.
ncycd owe. a darE and heaconless ocean nnt
all life's hopes have been wrecked an
without friends, home or kindred upon eaith
and look with longing to the rest Of the nigh
of earth. Without friends, kindred or home
1t was not so once
No one could Withstand the touching pa
thos of the old man. l noticed tear tremb
ling on the lid of my fathers eye, and n,
more felt ASHAMED of my own.
No, nay friends it was not 50 once :
Away over the dark waves which bavc wreck
ed my hopes, there is tle blessed light 0
happiness and home. ] reach again convul
siyely for the shrines of the household idol
that once were, now mine no more"
The old man seemed looking away througl
fancy upon some bright vision, his lips apar
aud bis fingers extended, invclautpril,
turned to see in some shadow invtie4 By it,
magic movements
Il once had mother. With her old hear
crushed with SORROWS, she went down 70 he
grave. once had WHOA .aif aagol
hearted creature as ever smiled in Ga earthly
home. Her eyes as mild as summer sky
and her heart as faithful and true as eve
guarded and cherished husbands love-
Her blue eyes grew dim as the Goods Of sor-
row washed away its brightness, ard the liv
ing hearth wFuog until every fibre was bro.
ken / once had noble, a brave and beau
tilul boy, but he was driven out from the III
ms of bis home, and my Old heart yearns t,
know if he yet lives once had babe
sweet, tender blossom but my hands destroy
ed it, and it liyeth with one Who loves chill
dren.
"Do not be startled friends; am not
murderer, in the common accepiation Of Thu
term. Yet there is light in my evening
sky. A spirit mother rejoices over the re-
turn of her prodigal son. The wife smiles
upon him who again turns back to virtue apt
honor. The ehild-angel visits nae at night.
fall, and feel the halowiDg touch Of a tiny
palm upon my fevcrish check. Ny brave
boy, if he yet lives. would forgive the sor-
rowing old man Cor the treatment which drove
him into the world, and the blow that manned
him for life God forgive me aud mine
He again wiped tear from his eye. Ny
father watched him With strange interest,
and countenancc unusually pale aud excl
ted by some strange emotion.
II was once a fanatic, and madly followed
tho nalign lqht which led mo To min. I