Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-02-14
Brilliant Gketel),
THE RIGHT AR NJ. .

. Wnen Tie SlOTlll WAS dt ilS NiSSueSl, dh hoS\
minister, living near the darkest suburbs o
the city, was aroused by an earnest cry 70
help. Looking from his window, he behel'
rude man clad n'the coarse attire of th'
sweeper of the public streets. In a few MO
menls, while the rain came down in torrents
and the storm growled above, that preache
Leaning on the arm of the scavenger treadee
his way to the dark suburb.
That very day, a stranger old man hat
fallen speeches, in front of the scavenger's
rude home. The good hearted street sweep
er had taken him in-laid him on his bed
he had not once spoken-an now he wa:
dying.
This was the story of the rough man.
Aud now through dark alleys, among
miserable tenements, that seems 10 topple
down upon their heads, into the loneliesl
aud dreariesl suburbs Of the city they pass
that white haired minister aud his guide
At last into narrow court and up stairs
that cracked beneath their tread, and then
into the death.room.
1t was in truth q. miserable place.
A gIimmering light stood on broken
chair. There were the roug walls, there
the solitary garret window with the rain
beating through the rags and straw, which
stuffed the broken panes-and there, amid a
heap of cold ashes the small valise, which it
seems the stranger had with him.
In one corner, on the coarse straw OF the
ragged bed lay the dying man. He was but
halI:dressed his legs were concealed in
military boots.
The aged preacher drew near and looked
upon him. And he locked -throb-throb--
throb--you might hear the death watch tick
ing in the shattered wall.
1t was the form Of 4 strong man grown
cid with care more than age.
There was face that you might look
upon once, and yet wear it in your memory
forever.
Let US bend over the bed and look on
that face. A bold forehead, scanned by one
deep wrinkle between the brows-long
locks Of dark hair, splinkled with grey
lips firmly set, yet qulvrring as though they
had life separate from the life Of the man
and then two large eyes, vivid, burning,
unnatural in their steady glare.
All, there was something so terrible in
that face-something so full of unuterable
loneliness, unspeakabIe despair--that the
aged minister started back in horror.
But look Those strong arms are clutch
in drops upon the cold brow-the man is
dying.
Observation-Disclosures the death
watch in the shattered wall.
"Would YOU die in the faith Of the
Christain.!'' falered the preacher, as he knelt
there on the dark floor.
The white lips of the death stricken man
trenbled but made no sound.
Then With the agony Of death upon him,
he rose into sitting posture. For the first
time, he spoke:
"Chrislian" !" he echoed in that deep tone,
which thrilled the preacher to the hear,
"will that faith give me back my honor
Come with me- come with me far over tine
water. Hah we are there This is my
native town. Yonder is the churchin in which
| knelt in childhood-yonder the green on
which sported when a boy. Blu, another
flag that waved when was child. And
listen, old man, were to pass along til,
street, as passed when but child, the
very babes in their cradles would raise their
tiny hands and curse me. The graves in
Wonder churchyard would shrink from my
footsteps, aud yonder flag would sain bap-
tsm of blood upon my heart!"
That was an awful death bed. The min
lister has watched the last night" with a
hundred convicts in their cells and yet never
beheld scene so terrible as this.
Suddenly the dying man arose. He tot.
tered along the foor. With those white
fingers, whose nails are blue with the death
chill, he threw open the valse. He showed
his military coat, trimmed with silver, All
old parchment, piece of cloth that looked
like the wreck Of battle-fag.
Look We, priest, this faded coat is spot.
ted with my blood!" he cried, as old mem.
ories seemed stirring at his heart. "This is
the coat wore when first heard the news
of Lexington this coat | wore, when
planted the banner Of the stars on Ticonde'
roga THAT bullet hole was pierced in the
fight at Quebeck; now am a-let ME
whisper it in your ear -
He hssed that single burning word into
the minister's ear.
Now help me, priest" he said in voice
grown suddenly tremulous; hel p me put on
this coat of blue and silver. For you see,
and a ghastly smile come over his face
"there is none to wipe the cold drops from
nv brow; no wife no child must meet
death alone; but will meet him, as mel
him in battle, without fear"
And while he stood arraying his limbs in
that worm eaten coat of blue and silver,
the good preacher spoke to him Of faith in
Jesus. Yes of that great faith which pierced
the clouds of human guilt, and rolls them
back from the face of God.
"Faithw echoed the strange man who
stood there, erect, with the deathligh, in his
eye. "Faith can it give me back my honor
Look, ye priest, there over the waves, sits
George Washington, telling 10 his comrades
,he pleasant story of the eight years war
there in his royal halls sit George of Eng
land hewailiug in his idio'ic voice the loss o.
his Co.oaies. Aud here am L-l-who was
the first to raise the flag Of freedom, the firs
to strike blow against that King-here am
dying like dog!' Q
The awe stricken preacher started back
Fl ON the look of the dying man while throt
Standardization the death watch in
the shattered wall.