Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-05
FOR TIE EVENING STAR
A STORY OF ARLIEGT TON.
BIT l.. A. GcBRIGHT.

BrL. A. GoBRIGHT.
From the city Of Washington. across the
Potomac, cmbVsomed in trees, may be seen
upon an eminence, the stately mansion of one
who was tine inmate Of the family of the
| Rather Of his Country" and who to it bears
| relationship, and was christened with the
name Of the illustrious deceased There are
mauy "reminiscences clustering around the es-
tate; and one now propose to repeat detailed
| to me by the venerable and honOred rroprie-
tor, while we together sat, about FIVE years
| ago, on fallen tree, at Arlington, ,.near the
| gates never closed to the stranger and the dis
| tressed
About thirty years ago there came to Ar
| iipgten, IN quest cf employment, stout we'll
| formod man, whom we shall call Edward
| Byrne. Jie had left his wife and children in
Georgetown, about three n,ilcs distant Mr.
Custns, In moment, perceived that the stran-
| ger was addicted to intemperance, but thought
that, by proper course Of treatment, he
| could avail himself of his services as a me-
| chanic. lie was by trade carpenter, and the
proprietor employed him in building dwell
| lngs and barns the estate. For months
Byrne pursued his occupation, consenting
every week, To "A cuEtaiiment of the allowance
| of ardent spirits. in those times deemed to be
necessary to facilitate and give an additional
| spring to labor. No money was placed into
his hands. The tailor and the shoemaker
pie provision was made for all his comforts
The surplus of his wages. at the close of eyery
week, was conveyed to his family
Mrs. Byrne and her children had been re-
duced to want by the Incorporate habits of
| the husband and father, and it NAV we'll be
conceived that remittance on Saturday was
well calculated to cheer the dropping hearts of
the necessitous family. Soon, the means for sat
isfying hunger, and decent apparel, and few
household comforts, were in their possession:
and smiles were once more seen upon the face
OF the wife, and the merry laughter OF the
children was again heard and the church
and the Sabbath School were by them not neg
lected, IS in the twolvemonth past How
many similar changes have taken place, =
changes which should make the heart rejoice
But let Us return to Arlington. The work
| Of building was finished, and the EMPLOYER
| ard the mechanic were about to separate
The latter thanked the former for the interest
he had evinccd in his welfare and Mr. Custis
| volunteered seasonabIe advice Ned received
II with tears; and with choked utterance and
| cienched hand, extending it, as expressive
of a determination to reform, said "vou shall
nerer see me again II do not entirely, and
foTerer, gre up strong drink
| The proprietor and the mechanic bade
| adieu
Byrne returned to bis family, from the bosom
| of which he had long been absent He was
tudu WcicOue now, De was " ltmself
| again" The kind husband-the fond and
| donting father.
They removed TO Baltimore, In one of the
ship-yards OF which city it was ascertained
Byrne obtained employment
len or fifteen years passed Rway. In the
meantime the head Of Mr. Gusts was siIyered.
ana he no more, or very seldom, thought Of
the carpenter.
1t was summer. He had, In the heat Of the
day, taken shelter under a wide-spreading
tree, to enjoy the breeze that came with cool
ing and refreshing power. Looking toward
the gate, he saw approaching gentleman.
who, when he reached the proprietor. extended
his hand, while placid smile illuminated his
! oountenanco, and made many INQUIRIES "a IN
how Mr.. Custis had prospered, and many
things pertaining to the estate, including the
faithful slaves, some Of whom had descended
to the tomb.
Some minutes elapsed before Mr.. Custis
| asked the stranger his name
" Is it possible, said he, "that you do not
know Inc? -
81 do not"
"Have you forgotten Ned Byrne-poor
drunken Ned-who built these houses, and
made the very bench on which you are now
sitting 9"-
81 recollect him WE'LL" said Mr.. Gusts.
Z" And have L changed so much that you did
not recognize me?''
MI. OUbtls, WltnouG saying another word,
seized Ned with both hands, and welcomed
him heartily to Arlington.
Ned had "entrcly, and forever, given up
strong drink" lie rapidly recounted por-
ton of his history, from which it appeared that
his eldest daughter was respectfully married
to thriving merchant; his son was lawyer
and the other children were rapidly advancing
to maturity, with bright prospects for the
future.
4" How is business now }" said Mr.. Custis.
4" Mine is an extensive one laborious but
pleasant. Bodily fatigue I have learned to
bear from youth, and the consciousness of good |
Intentions brings to my mind peace and joy |
which the world cannot give, nor take away.
Time, as you perceive, has added a few wrin- |
kles to my brow, but have learned to believe |
that there is beyond the grave home where
exists perennial youth. In few years. months, |
days, or hours, the places that now know me |
shall know me no more forever. Sorrow, anx-
iety, and tears, will have passed, and the |
crown Of life, which is promised, 1 hope to |
obtain"
As he spoke, tears of joy glistened in his |
eyes; and, after pause, Mr. Gusts ventured |
to ask what was his present occupation.
"a minister Of the Gospel" replied the |
Rev. Edward Byrne.
We made no further inquiries in relation to |
the interview; but looked around us, and con- |
templated the scene, imagining the first an |
pearance of Ned, and thinking on what took |
place respecting him; and in fancy saw the |
man Of God, so changed, " from darkness to 1
light" after years of absence, returning to |
thank his benefactor, and to him avowing his |
hopes of eternal joy. o.. =
Brief, simple as is this truthful narrative, IL |
may afford a text for volume Of profitable /
reflection, especially to those who are addicted |
to intemperance; and with this hope the wri.
ter consigns it to the press.
- WASHINGTON, July, 1855. |