Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-22

y f0ad OF Vne same DESCRIPTION. Inen ne
bent down over the fireplace, and soona
blazing fire snapped and sparkled on the
hearth. AS soon as this was accomplished,
Thomas. Wilkins bent over his children
and kissed them; he went to the bedside
Of his wife, and while some powerful emo
tion stirred up his soul and made his chest
heaye, he murmured
Kiss me, Lizzy
Tightly that wife wound her arms around
the neck of her husband, and as though
the love of years was centered IN that one
kiss, pressed it upon his lips
sFhcre-no more he uttered. IS he gent
~ laid the are 81 Vi % fona ~ "
these things / have brought are for you
and the children ); and he left the house.
Mrs. Wilkins arose from her bed and
tremblingly she examined the articles upon
the table. She found the loaf, and in the
pail she found milk IN one of the papers
she found two small bundles, one of tea
and one Of sugar, while in the remaining
one she found nice lump Of butter
TO- murmured the poor wife and moth
er, as she gazed upon the food set before
her, whence came these Can it be Thom-
as has stolen them? No, he never. did
that ?-and that look that kiss those
kind, sweet words ! 0, my poor, poor
heart, raise not hope that may fall and
crush thee
Mother, at this moment spoke her son,
who raised himself on his elbows, has faith
er gone ?
Yes, Charles
90, tell me, mother, did he not come
and kiss me and little Abby this morning?'
'Yes, yes he did I cried the mother,
as she few to the side of her boy and wound
her arms about him.
And mother, said the child, in low,
trembling accent, while he turned fearful
look at his mothers face, will not father
be good to us once more p .....
The mother could not speak; she could
only press her children more fondly to her
bosom, and weep mothers tears upon
them
Was Lizzy Wilkins happy as she sat
her children down to that morning meal?
At least, ray of sunshine was struggling
! to gain entrance to her bosom.
Towards the middle of the afternoon,
Mr.. Abel Walker, a retired sea captain of
some wealth, sat in his comfortable parlor
engaged in reading, when one of his ser
wants informed him that some one at the
door wished to see him.
Tell him to come in, then, returned
the captain
But it's that miserable Wilkins, sir
Never mind said the captain, after
moments hesitation, show him in. Poor
fellow he continued, after the servant had
gone, Il wonder what he wants In truth,
l pity him.
} With trembling step and downcast
look, Thomas Wilkins entered Captain Wal
! ker's parlor.
/ 'Ah, Wilkins, said the captain, what
b brought you hereP
r The poor man twice attempted to speak,
! but his heart failed him.
r Do you come for charityY
No, SIR quickly returned Wilkins, while
n his eyes cleaned with proud light.
8 Their sit down and out with it, said the
e captain, in blunt, kind tone.
/ Captain Walker commenced the poor
e man, as he took the profered seat, have
|, come to ask you if you still own the little
n cottage beyond the hill3
h Il do
d And is it occupied?
Il NO.
h, Is it engaged?
X NO. returned the captain, regarding hi:
Q visitor with uncommon interest. But why
r. do you ask 2
J. Captain Walker said Wilkins in firm
and manly tone, even though his eyes glis
ed tened and his lips quivered. have beer
to poor and degraded, deeply stepped in thu
" dregs of poverty and disgrace. Everything
1d that made life valuable, have almost lost
ed Ny wife aud children have suffered and o
God only knows how keenly! | have lon!
ns wandered in the path of sin. One afte
af. another the tender cords of friendship tha
mo- used to bind me to the world, have bee
,c. snapped asunder; my name has become
k by-word, and upon earth have been but
at foul blot. But, sir, from this, henceforth,
lv am MAN! Up from the depths ofits lon
ad grave, have dragged forth my heart, an
q love still ha, its home therein. have swor
ed to touch the fatal cup no more and in IN
,r heart there is DO lie! My wife and chidre
shall suffer no more for sins which they ne'
of er committed. have seen my old employ
r. er at the machine shop, and he has given m
4 a situation, and is even anxious that shoul
3 come back, and sir, he has even been kin
he enough to give me an order in advance, f
,os necessary articles of clothing, food and fu
al niture. Tomorrow | commence work.
,on Aud YOU come to see if you could obta
NO your cottage back again to livein? 7? said Ca
he tain Walker, as Wilkins hesitated.
Yes, sir, to seeifI could hire it from yor
mas replied the poor man.
,oIf Wilkins, how much can you make
nke your business 2 bluntIy asked the old Ca
uld tain, without seeming to heed the request.
She Ny employer is going to put me on J
uel work, sir; and as soon as l get my hand
arm I can easily make from twelve to tourte
one, dollars week.
and Then you might be able to save four hr
died dollars a year.
9Th, mean to do that sir.
her A few moments Captain Walker gazed
from TO the face of his visitor, and then asked
steps Have you pledge yourself YETI
oise, Before God, and in my heart | ha'
gged but one of my errands here was to get J
and to write me pledge, and have it made
/ the my wife and Children
pail, Captain Walker sat down to his table a
'cket wrote out the required pledge, and then,