The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-07-29
From the Norfolk Btacon1
is FRIDiY AN UNLUCKY Day!

|
had general sway, yet there rcnany even in
this matter of fact age Of ours, who would
hesitate OIL a day 50 nauspcious, to begin an
| undertaking OF mOmcntous import And how
many brave mariners, whose hearts unquail-
ing could meet the widest fury Of their ocean
home. would blcnch to even bend their sails
on Friday But to show with how much rca-
son this feeling is INDUCED, let us examine the
following important facts in connection with
or new settlement and greatness as nation,
and we will sec, how little cause Americans
have to dread the fatal day.
On Friday, August 81, 1892 Christopher
Columbus sailed on his greet voyargc of dis
coycry.
On Friday, October 18th, 1902, he first dis
covered land.
On Friday, January 4th. 1913, he sailed on
his return to Spain, which if he had not reach
cd in safety, the happy result would never
have been known, which led to the settlement
Of this vast continent.
On Friday, March 18Th, 1902, he arrived
at Palas in safety.
On Friday, November 22d, 1888, he arriy-
cd at Ilispaniola in his second voyage to
america
On Friday, June 18th, 1871. he, though I'M
known to himself, discovered to continent of
America
On Friday, March 9Th, l49G, Henry VII. of
| England, gave to John Cabot his commission,
which led to the discovery Of North America.
This is the first American State paper in
England.
On Friday, September It'll, 1865, Mezcndez
founded st. Augustine, the oldest settlement
in the United States by more than forty
years.
On Friday. November 10Th, 1920, the May
flower, with the Pilgrims, made the l!arbor
of Provincctown. And on the same day they
signed that august compact, the forerumcr
Of our prescat glorious Constitution.
On Friday, December 22d, 1920, the Pill
grims made their final landing at Plymouth
Rock.
On Friday, February ODD, George Wash
ington the Father of American Freedom was
born.
On Friday, June lG, Bunker Hill was seiz-
cd and fortified.
On Friday, October 7th, III, the surcn-
der of Saratoga was made, which had such
power and influence in concluding France to
declare for our cause.
On Friday, September 22d, $780, the treas
on of Arnold was laid bare, which saved us
from destruction.
On Friday, October 10th, ISL, the surrcn-
der at York town, the browning glory of the
American arms occurred.
On Friday, July 4th, l716, the motion in
Congress was made by John Adams, second
cd by Henry Richard Lee, that the United
Colonies were, and of a right ought to be free,
and independent.
Thus, by numerous examples, we see that
however it may be with other nations, Amer
leans need never dread to begin on Friday any
undertaking, however moncntous it may be.
TIE LOST CHILDREN AND THEIR LOST
FATIIER.-A few Sabbaths since, at morning
service. one of the most degraded specimens
Of humanity that ever greeted my vision,
came staggering into the Chapel of the House
of Industry. His wild and frightful looks.
ragged and dirty beyond description, his face
bruised and swollen, rendered him an object
of disgust and terror. He seemed to look at
the children with wonderful interest, occa-
sionally muttering to himsclf-'' Beautiful
beautiful! Oh, that mine were here!" lie
sat an hour or more and then with long
earnest look at the children, he staggered out
of the chapel, and went up the dark 'valley
of the shadow of death, Cow Bay.
AS the bell rang for service in the afternoon
and while the children were clustering to-
gcthcr, the same wild looking man staggered
in once more. lie surveyed the faces of the
children with the closest scrutiny; and at
length his eyes rested upon two bright little
girls, who were singing one of their little
hymns. He sat immoveaLle as statue du-
ring the whole service, gazing intently on the
faces of these two children.
The service closed, the congregation diSper-
sod, yet lie fingered and tears came coursing
down his face thick and fast.
DR.. S-askcd him--''what was the mat
ter ?'
Il am drunkardl A wrctch-an out
cast, homeless, and without a penny. Once
[ had home and fricnds-fathcr, mother,
wife, children and hosts of friends who loved
and respected me. Time passed on and be-
came a drunkcrd. One friend after another
left me; still drank on and down, down
fell Father and mother both went down to
their graves with broken hearts. My poor
wife chung to me when all others deserted me.
still drank on, pawned one article after an
other, until all was gone, and when my wife
refused to give me her wedding ring, which
she had clung to with the tenacity Of a death
grasp, fclled her to the earth, seized her
finger, tore off the ring--and pawncd it for
rum. That fatal blow maddcned her, and in
despair she too drank, and together we wal
lowed in the gutter.
ppnnylcss we bcprcd DIR way from Vcr-