Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-02-28
JOURNAL.
riQIlml MornI G0Ir.
Tc0p Ont SECURED
CHAPTER XIV.


s.Guess do--always did; and what's more
pressing . kiss on her cheek.
e:And you'll never be offended at me, nor
angry with me '''
ssUnless you turn Christian said VaIdinus,
as they seated themselves in the arbor.
s.Well, dear brother, must tell you the
truth, am Christian, said Vertitia, at the
same time throwing her arms around his neck.
Valdinus, tore himself from her arms, and
sprung to his feet, and looking angrily in her
face, said;
ssYou 4 Christian! You :. Christian, too!''
s.Yes, brother, by the grace Of God, I an, =
said Vertitia, mildly, and looking UP with graf
itude beaming in her eyes.
sYou a Christian ~ he again exclaimed, as
If amazed beyond measure.
s.Yes; and hope TO see my poor dear broth
er ene too!' said Vertitia, the tears streaming
from her eyes.
.SGuess you'H hope while for that,-not
such fool as you think;-curse them al"
said he in rage, and turning round, hastily
walked of, leaving Yertitia alone in the arbor.
Poor Vertitia! she sat for some time, and
wept sore. After while, however, she dried
up her tears, and FASTENED to her little cham
Der, and throwing herself upon hel knees st
the side of her couch, poured forth her over
flowing heart in earnest. importunate prayer
for her brother-for the one she loved above
=. theirs on earth.
.GC,iat night, without farewell or intimating
= any enc his intention, YaldinUs left-left
! y
fo- the tolls and privations of the camp, and
the hard, pcrlous life of q common soldier.
TIE family was ROW reduced to three men,
bers-exccpting little Ware. Fiducia had gone
= heaven, TO walk in white, and sing angels
sa-c;; Faldinus,-tO some distant nd,-they
knew not where; and E-alens, with his wife and
dsua hter, were left to SORROW and suffer alone.
Bat in the midst of all their trials they were
happy-happy as any human beings could pos
sijIy be in their circumstances. The father
and mother were oYcrjoyed at the conversion
Of their daughter. Though one star had sunk
away from their view, yet another, even more
lnstrous if possible, had been sent to shine in
its stead, and throw around them IFS brilliant
light. Ani as for their only son, they had ex-
pcrienced already enough of the efficacy Of
the prayer Q! faith, e encourage and strength
eu their hearts. And as to Vcrtitia, her hours
gided away happily. in administering to the
comfort Of her parents. and in contemplation
of the coming glory.
1t must be confessed, however, that Valens
himself did not feel entirely at ease. How
could he :? He had good reason for believing
himself and family were suspected, if not, in
fact, betrayed. For this reason, they now sell
dom ventured abroad-the doors were kept
continually closed, and, to all appearances, the
house looked as if deserted. Even the faith
full old dog, which had stood guard for years
at the main door or entrance, was unclaimed,
and provided for elsewhere.
Another thing which added totheir distress,
and began to stare them frightfully in the face,
was-,rant. Their little stock of provisions
was getting low. and in fact could hardly be
replenished at any price, or from any source.
They economized, however, what little they
had, and cast themselves on that providence
which feedeth the young ravens.
sCOme, my daughter said Valens, one
evening, just as the stars were hurriedly ta-
king their nght-watch station,-sScome. ,et ,es us
take stroll in the grounds,-it's so delight
full, Out-doors,'
Faiens said this, just as they had finished
hymn IN the hail, and while Valencia, in her
oeo-ehamlssr, had been singing little Ware to !
sless,,,.
In few moments, they were out in the |
grounds, arm in arm, pacing along the flowery
walks, and engaged in low. earnest conyer- |
sation.
1t was dark enough to conceal their forms |
iron any eyes on the adjacent streets, and then |
the rank vines that grew in clusters all around |
the rude stone-walls seemed to afford a srffi |
cient shelter, and they felt and talked quite at |
ease.
"And do you really think, father, the soul |
SO soon passes into glory, at death;'' said Yer
iltia, in reply to q remark which her father |
had just made.
81 do,-pehaps IN the twinkling of an eye, |
it is there"
'how strange with what speed IL must
=! can't think of - said Fertitia, sudden /