Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-07-19

warmer, as time few BY while we were
wanderers.
In place of the old school house stands
stately edifice. which is pointed out TO
the passing stranger as the Teachers
Academy. To us it looked not half so
dear as the red school house under the
maple.
l, was cruel lesson that the old Dea-
coz taught Nelly when her poor mother
lay sinking under the ravages consump.
;ion was making in her feeble frsme.-
We wandered hand in hand. at early twi.
/ light hour to the grave ward. where three
mounds side by side marked a sacred spot
to the solitary mourneT. We sat down
upon the long dark grass and there in the
Silly night hour she rela ted the one
scene of her eventful life. which still in
its influence was like spell TO bind her
heart. Nelly's father had once been
wealthy, but. in an adverse h0ur-it mat
ters not bow-his family were reduced to
want. The father had gone some distance
from home. where better opportunities
were afforded for securing comfortable
support for his little ia mily. and was no.
able to return. as expected at the weeks
close. Their scanty store Of provisions
failed them, and the invalid mother cal
ling Nelly TO her bedside. babe her 60 10
Deacon B. and request the loan of lit
lie meal-her weak frame needed little
sustenance, and porridge was all she could
take. So Nelly tied on her faded bonnet
pinned the little shawl around her deli
cate frame. and then with her little broth
er for company started 20 the house Of the
good Deacon. Nelly's mother was de-
votedly pious me Der in the same church
loving, charitable and kinG-a true
christian, whose actions Selied not her
profession. 1t was full half a mile TO the
farmers house, but finally Nelly reached
it, and then. family. half hopeful. half
afraid. presented her petition for little
meal-"father would be home certainly
in another week and would pay him for
it," The old man frowned. and rising
from hi. sec, before a bsishs h.ssins fire.
hastily exclaimed. "pay. let your father
support his own family" but after mo-
ment's pause continued. III suppose you
will have TO have some." and taking the
little sack from Nelly he half filled il.
and said as he returned it to her-"Teil
yoar mother there are six pounds, if you
are careful it will last you until your
father returns" The pious Deacon for
got that no blame coul6 attach TO Nelly's
father for the loss he had sustained thai
he was working. that, too. at the sscri
flee Of leaving his dying wife and young
children the better 10 provide for their
necessities. He thought not Of the long
prayers he had made Cor the sick and des
:itute-that he would say "be ye warm
ed and filled" without. lending helping
hand To the needy poor.
Nelly's little heart was full. and gent
" thanking the sordid man. she left the
house quickly 20 prevent the tears that
already glislencd in her eyes from being
observed For Nelly was proud aud
would fain have refused what was so
grudgingly given had not thoughts OF her
poor mother been stronger than all. 1t
was nearly dark when the little travellers
reached their home. with their bare feet
very cold aud almost blistered from wal
king upon the rough bare ground. But
the Angel of mercy had been strewing
comforts around the little log house du-
ring the childrens' absence. and they
wondered. as they entered and saw the
room so we'll lighted and made so pleas
ant by the great fire. tia; cracked so
cheerlully upon the hearth, they wonder
ed who had prepared them such a well
come. pet not long. for soon man en-
tered with large armiiul of wood which
he threw down by the fire to dry-enougt.
Nelly thought. to last them whole day.
1t was The good Captain Lindsey whom
everybody loved because he made every
body happy around him. was SO full OF
fun and hearty laugh. and above all was
so loving and truly charitable-doing
good when there was need, and in such
quiet. unsssuming manner. as neser TO
offend, even the most delicate heart
He had the children sit down before the
fire. and he stayed to talk with them md
get their spirits up" while they were
warming themselves. Then he rose, to
leave. telling Nelly first. shat she must
gel herself and little brother some wsrm
supper right away. 1t was so strange
how the good old man could crowd so
many comforts and luxuries in SO small
space; but that was just lifs Captain
Lindsey and like nobody else. Nelly |
thought. In little while supper was