Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-22

eyes to wipe away the tears, and while he
did SO, Malcolm bowed his head and groan-
ed mournfully.
Malcolm WARREN he said, there was
once full regiment of stout soldiers fol-
lowed Napoleon Bonaparte into Russia.
There were many other regiments went
also, but of this one in particular have
read. Ofthat whole company of men, only
one solitary individual lived to return to
the home of his birth. All the rest died
on the way. They were starved and fro
zen, and they dropped by the wayside.-
Now, suppose some though youth should
point to that single living sollier, and say
that amid the eternal SHOWS of Russia
there is no danger, because that man had
passed them and still lived! Like that
sing lie fragment of the regiment, do I stand
here living man.
The youth gazed upon the face of the
aged speaker, and new emotions were work
ing upon his features
Come, Malcolm, l would show you one
more spot before we 60
The old man leaned upon his staff, and
moved slowly on among the graves, and
involuntarily did the youth follow At
length they stopped by spot where two
graves laid side by side. The slabs were
of marble, and they glistened brightly in
the moonlight.
Malcolm spoke the sexton, in deep
whisper, remember well when made
those two graves. There was no sorro Y
to fill the graves which here | made, for
they who sleep here died amid the sweet
breathings of peace and honor. They were
good, virtuous people, and when they were
gone our townsmen mourned, for our vii
lage had lost two of its most noble spirits
o, | love to come and stand over those
graves, for [ know that God smiles upon
them. There is no taint nor dishonor here
Malcolm, do you know who rests in those
two graves Z?
The youth did not answer, nor did he
raise his head, but with one deep wild cry
he sank down, and there be lay across boil
the graves, weeping and sobbing like
child. His FATHER and MOTHER slep
there
For while the old man gazed tearfull,
upon the scene, and then he took the youti
by the arm and aroused him up.
The youth followed his guide out from
the churchyard, and after the gate was
closed they passed on to the street. Here
Adam Stanford stopped.
Now, Malcolm, he said, you can return
to your companions at the tavern, but le
me pray you, never use my name again AZ
you did thjS-oAsArs';..9,rs
t6Ytt What he has told you in the churchyard
think of what he has seen and Of what he ha
suffered and of that you may in welcom
speak
The old man turned partly away, whe
Malcolm sprang forward and caught him b
the arm.
Uncle ADAM be uttered, in choke
and broken accents, 90, forgive me fl
what have now said and what have donC
IL cannot tell you all now. [ cannt
speak, but | shall 90 to the tavern no mor
o, God bless you God bless youp
The clock struck nine, and Alice Ware
folded the hands of her little bov togeth(
and babe him say his prayers. Her youn
est girl was asleep in the cradle. The fl
words of the prayer we're uttered y
, Father, who art in Heaven when the
came the sound of footsteps upon the pla
: walk in the little front garden.
! It's papa said the boy, letting
hands drop upon his mothers knees, a
:. bending his ear to listen. But the mott
dared not speak.
:" At last the door opened, and the h
band entered. Alice cast her eyes tren
- - lng'y up, and saw the big tears that We
&c rolling down the cheeks of her beloved
- Instinctively she sprang forward and clasl
- her arms about her husbands neck.
80 ~ Malcolm! Malcolm ? she cried, w
- :, has happened 3? Tell me-O, tell me !!
~ oe Malcolm Warren sank into a chair, ;
u y as he did so he drew his wife into
ps lap.
-, Alice-O, Alice = he uttered, sobb
ha and weeping as he spoke can you fors
~ me for what is passed z
~ The gentle wife was bewildered at frs
nay, almost frightened for the speech of
= husband was so wild and incoherent,
-'' feard his brain was turned. But ere
he spoke again, and as he spoke he XII
-. her. He was more calm, and his voice
1aO 'uO mere low. He told where he had been,
1;o I;o he spoke of the resolution he had mad
.na l,e He did not tell Of any trial he was goin
"a "a make, but he told her of the iron will
~ had entered his soul. The night of his tt
~, ~. tation had passed, and the day of his 81
~ ~ ton had dawned
- A few moments more, and the hus
of and wife were upon their knees.
~ emotions were too deep for utterance-
tha wild and thrilling for speech. A mo
ono they struggled there, and then weE
o o silence.
,;ds, ,sp The little boy crept TO the spot,
lto 80 threw his tiny hands about the neck O
,;oL parents, for even his young soul had C:
nna the spark of new life that had been bre
,nbt into existence within his happy home.
s. On the next morning, Malcolm w
;S arose better and happier man. Il
Gta W. calm now, ,and he told Alice all that had
arv NV spired the night before, and when it v
1b1t told, they prayed as redeemed souls can
of Days, weeks, months passed away,
IT, colin Warren became once more the
"a some youth that had been loved and ct
dIu "A - boroo1 n:.,1 :: .:.o- o.o,o bx,
the 81 noe'e aan.:n nacao Li ~ 'i'n9 oho
tbor hearthstone, and the angel of pea'
yond poonlo @ nudo.as nue ueL.n 81 tla .ho1 oot;oo
.naon .n Adam Stanford went no more to the tt
Wv but the story of that nights lesson in
:. he lage churchyard became generally kno'
= Ni0 other men took it to their hearts and +