Southern shield., 1855-05-26
s.ATy friends, as my wife is not acquainted with you, will now make few presenta-

Jl0nS.
 Then leading her towards an emaciated creature, whose distorted limbs were unable to support his body, he said: "This gentle man, Mary, is the Rev. MT. Brown, who in his youth travelled much and endured much, in the cause of our common Master. A vio- lent rheumatism, induced by colds contracted among the new settlements of the West, where he was engaged in preaching the gos- pei to the poor, has reduced him to his present condition. This lady, his wife, piously sus- tained him, and by her own labor procured maintainence for herself and him. But she is old and feeble, as you see now. "
 Then turning to a group of silver locks, and threadbare coats. he continued: s'These ase son.ieIs u tIe 4evolstp~ frln@ aE all sons of rich men. They went out in their young strength to defend their oppressed country
 ''They endured lardships, tolls, and suf ferings; and such as we hardly deem it possi- befor men to endure and live. They return led home at the end of the war, maimed in 1her limbs, and with broken constitutions, to find their patrimouies destroyed by fire or the chances of war, or their property otherwise wrested from them. And these men live in poyerty,and neglect in the land for the pros perty ofvhieh they sacrifice their all These venerable ladies are wives of those patriots, and widows of others who have gone to their reward. They could tell tales that would thrill your heart, and make it better. Then turning to another, he said "This is the learned and celebrated Dr. M.- who saved hundreds of lives during the spot ted epidemic; but his great success aroused the animosity Of his medical brethren, who succeeded in ruining his practice; and when blindness came upok him, he was forgotten by those whom he had delivered from death. This lovely creature is hisNonly child, and she is motherless. She leads him daily by the hand, md earns the food she sets before him. Yet her learning and accomplishments are wonder full She is the author of those exquisite po- ems which appear occasionally in the - Magazine.
 'EThese children said he, turning to the group of juveniles who gathered at the other end of the room, "were orphaned in infancy by the Asiatic cholera; and their hearts have seldomed been cheered by smile, or their palates regaled by delicious food Now, dry your eyes, love, and lead on to the dining room.
 She obeyed; and, notwithstanding her emo- tion, the humping of coarse shoes, and the rattling of canes, crutches, and wooden legs, behind her, well nigh threw her into anoth- CT lndicorous laugh.
 To divert her attention, she glanced over the table. There stood the dishes for which her husband had stipulated, in the shape of two monstrous, homely looking meat pies, and vegetables, looking like mighty mountains, among the delicate qiands which she has 2 pared for the company which she expected
 She took her place, and prepared to-sSo the ta- ble honors; but her husband, after a short thanksgiving to bount1ifiul God, addressed the company with Now, brethren, help your selves and <one another, to such as you deen4 preferable. I will wait upon the children." | 4 hearty and jovial meal was made, the minister setting the example; and as the hearts of the old soldiers were warmed with ! wine, they became garrulous, and each en- | countered some wonderful or thrilling adven- ture of the revolutionary war; andthe old la dies told their tales of privations and suffer ing, interwoven with the histories of fathers, brothers or lovers, who died for liberty.
 Mrs. W was sobbing convulsively when her husband came round. He observed it, and touching; her lightly on the shoulder whis- pered,
 My love, shall we have dancing?''
 That word, with it's ludicrous association, fairly threw her into mysteries, and she laugh ed and wept at once.
 Il When she became quiescent, Mir. - thus addressed the company:
 q fear my friends, that you will think my wife a frivolous and inconsistent creature, and I must therefore apologize for her. We were married only last fall, and have attended sev- eral gay parties, which our rich neighbors gave in honor of our nuptials and my wife thought it would be genteel for us to give dinner in return. I consented, on conditions; one of which was, that I should be allowed to invite the guests. So, being a professed minister of Him who was made so lowlv in I heart, 1 followed the words of commando But when thou makest a feast, call in the | poor, the lame, the maimed and the blind. /" I you all recollect the passage. Mrs. W not knowing who her guests were, was highly delighted with the r1se l had provided; and do not believe that there has been so noble and honorable company assembled this winter. My wife desired new furniture, lest we should be deemed parsimonious. pledg- | ed myself to spend one thousand dollars in a manner more pleasing to our guests, and which should obviate any such imputation. | 1Ahd uOH. " .you3 PtliOt ldtlSiS3 dHu l these nursing mothers of our country; I pre- sent the one thousand dollars. It is just one ] hundred dollars to each soldier and soldiers ;, widow. It is a mere tlihe. No thanks, my | friends.
 Then addressing the children he said:
 "You will each be removed to morrow to excellent places; and if you continue to be industrious and perfectly honest in word and in need, you will become respectable members of society,"
 To Dr. M he said.
 ''To you, under God, lowe my life. did not know your locality, neither had heard of your misfortunes, until few days since. I can never repay the debt I owe you; but if l you and your daughter will accept the neat l furnished house adjoining mine, I will see that you never want again.
 l s'You, Mr. Brown, are my father in the Il Lord. Under your preaching l first became convinced of sin, and itwas your voice that I brought me the words of salvation. You | will remain in my house. I have pious ser want to attend you. Itis time that you were at peace, and your excellent lady relieved of ,| her heavy burden. '
 The cripled preacher fell prostrate on the sl floor, and poured out such thanksgiving and prayer as found way to the heart of Mrs. w. ! l.s