Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-01

nome. one was always DuS1ly employed
for her husband and children, in some
way or other; and today she had been
harder at work than usual, getting ready
for the holiday tomorrow. She had just
finished all her preparations, and her
thoughts were silently thanking God for
her happy home. and for all the blessings
of life, when Tom ran in. His face was
as white as ashes, aud he could hardly get
his words out { Mother! mother He
Gamma get down.
Who, lad? Thy father?' asked his
mother.
They've forgotten to leave him the
rope answered Tom, scarcely able to speak.
His mother started up, horror struck, and
stood for a moment as if paralyzed then
pressed her hands over her face as if to
shut out the terrible picture, and breathing
a prayer to God for help, she rushed out
of the house.
When she reached the place where her
husband was at work, a crowd had collect
ed round the foot of the chimney, and
stood there quite helpless, gazing up with
faces full Of sorrow. He says he'llthrow
himself down. exclaimed they, as Mrs.
Howard CAM up. He is going to throw
himself down.
Thee mum do that, lad !! cried the
wife, with a clear, hopeful voice; thee
,munna do that. Wait a. bit. TAX off thy
n stocking fNf, and uhravel it, and let down
the thread with a bit Of mortar. Dost
hear me, jenny?
The man made a sign of assent, for it
seemed as if he could not speak and ia
king off his stocking, unraveled the worst
ed thread, row after row. The people
stood round in breathless silence and sus
pense. wondering what Toms mother could
be thinking of, and why she sent him in
such haste for the carpenters ball of twine
LET down one end of the thread with
bit of stone, and keep fast hold of tht
other cried she to her husband. The lit
tie thread came waving down the tail chin
ney, blown hither and thither by the wind
but at last it reached the outstretche,
hands that were waiting for it. Tom he'll
the bail of string, while his mother ties
one end Of it to the worsted thread. 'No'
pull up slowly cried she to her HUSBAND
and she gradually unwound the string a
the worsted drew it gently up. It stopped
the string had reached her husband
Now hold the string fast, and pull it up
cried she, and the string grew heavy an
hard to pull, for Tom and his mother ha
fastened the thick rope t cit. They watche
it gradually and slowly uncoiling from tt
ground, as the string was drawn higher.
There was but one coil left. 1t h;
reached the top. FThank God Thar
God y exclaimed his. wife. She hid h
face in her hands in silent prayer, an
trembling, rejoiced, The rope was up
The iron to which it should be fasten
was there all right; but would her husbal
Is BE- able to make use of them would L
the terror of the past hour have SO unnerv
him, as to prevent him from taking t
necessary measures for his safety S
did not know the magic influence whi
l. her few words had exercised over him. S
did not know the strength that the sou
i'm of her voice, SO calm and steadfast, /
tile filled him withtasjf the little threadt
I'm, IN GaREdie conveyed Is him some portion of t
faith in God, which nothing ever destro.
ing or shook in her true heart. She did
his know that, as he waited there, the wo
II came over him. WhyAart thou cast do
i'm o my soul ? and why art thou Dispute
the within me? Hope thou in God
lifted up her heart to God for hope
and strength. She could do nothing more
mes her husband, and her heart turned to G
and rested on Him as on a rock.
eff There was a great shout. He's S
,olic mother, he's safe,' cried little Tom J'T
and hast saved me, Mary said her husbe
pgst folding her in his arms. But what
thee? Thou seem'st more sorry than
f to about it. But Mary could not speak
n of if the strong arm of her husband had
the held her up, she would have fallen to
ground-the sudden JOY, after such 9
hist. fear, had overcome her. Tom said
ueht father, 'let thy mother lean on thy 81
and der, and we will take her home An
d in, their happy home they poured forth
rupe. thanks to God for His goodness; and
bless happy life together felt dearer and h
for the peril it had been in, and fol-
his nearness that the danger had brought
|, his unto God. And the holiday next d.
Ihich was it not, indeed, a thanksgiving day