American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-22

or other; and to-day she had been harder
at work than usual, getting ready for the
o.s.day tomorrow. She had just finished
all her pre- variations, and her thoughts were
silently thanking Ged for her happy home,
and for all the blessings of life. when Tom
ran in. His face was as white as ashes.
and he could hardly get his words out:
Mother! mother He Gamma get down.
who, lad? Thy father?'
They've forgotten to leave him the
rope answered Tom, still scarcely able to
speak.
His mother started up, horror-struck,
and stood for moment as if paralyzed;
then pressing her hands over her face, as
if to shut out the horrible picture, and
breathing prayer to God for helf, she
rushed out of the house.
When she reached the place where her
husband was at work, crowd had col
lected round the foot of the chimney, and
stood there quite helpless, gazing up with
faces full of sorrow.
He says he'll throw himself down. ex-
claimed they as Mrs. Howard came up.
Thee munna do that, lad cried Mrs.
Howard, with clear, hopeful voice; thee
munna do that Wait bit. TAX off thy
stocking, lad, and unrayel it, and let down
the thread with bit of mortar. Dost
hear me, Jem? Let down one end of the
thread with bit of stone, and keep hold
of the other cried she to her husband
The little thread came waving down the
side of the chimney, blown hither and
thither by the wind; but at last it reached
the outStretched hands that were waiting
for it.
Now pull it up slowly cried she to her
husband, and she gradually unwound the
string as the worsted drew it gently up
1t stopped-the string had reached her
husband. Now hold the string fast, and
pull itup,' cried she, and the string grew
heavy and hard TO pull, for Tom and his
mother had fastened the thick rope to it,
They watched it gradually and slowly un-
coiling from the ground, as the string was
drawn higher. There was but one col
left. 1t had reached the top.
Thank God! Thank GodP exclaimed
tie wife.
She hid her hands in silent prayer, ant
trembling, rejoice. The rope was up. Th'
iron to whichit should be fastened wa
there, all right; but would her husband b.
able to make use of them? would not th,
terrors of the past hour have so unnervet
him, as to prevent him from taking tn
necessary measures for his safety? Sh
did not know the magic influence whicl
her few words had exercised over him.
She did not know the strength that tn
sound of her voice, so calm and steadfast
had filled him with-as if the little threa
that carried him the hope oflfe once NOR
had conveyed to him some portion of ths
faith in God, which nothing ever destroy
cd or shook her true heart. She did NJ
know that, as he waited there, the word
came over him, why art thou cast dowr
f o, my soul? and why art thou disquiete
, within me? Hope thou in God She lif
ed her heart to God for hope and strength
! She could do nothing more for her hnsbanc
l and her heart turned to God, and reste
$ on him as rock. There was grei
5 shout.
He's safe,' cried little Tom.
S Thou hast saved me, Mary said he
husband, folding her in his arms. 'Bl
t what ails thee? Thou seem'st more sori
than gl ad about it,
Q But Mary would not speak, and if IL
: strong arm other husband had not he
her up, she would have fallen to the grour
/ sudden joy, after such great fear, ha
b overcome her.
It Tom, said his father, let thy moth
i lean on thy shoulder. and we will take h
It home
r And in their happy home they pourc
S forth their thanks to God, for His gre
g goodness, and their life together felt dea
IS er and holier for the peril it bad been i
n and for the danger that had brought the
g unto God. And the holiday next day,w
: it not, indeed, a thanksgiving day.
4