Eastern times., 1855-09-20


smoothed the brow of her son, and her warm
tears fell on his cheeks. 'Oh, do not cry,
MOTHER said he; tomorrow | will go and
beg some food for you and father. You shall
not slarve.'
Mrs. Webb was on the point of replying to
her son, when light football upon the stairs
arrested her attention; and as James raised
his head from her lap the door was opened,
and young female entered.
Is this the residence of Mr. Thomas
Webb 2 she asked, in soft, sweet tone, while
shadow fitted over her features, as she
glanced at the scene before her. 1T is, mad
am returned Mrs. Webb, rising from her
seat. Alas!' said the visitor, fear you are
suffering greatly. Oh, that the demon strong
drink, should make such havoc as this!
You mistake, lady, quickly returned the
poor wife for twelve months, at least, not a
single drop of that fatal drink has entered our
dwelling. Thank God, that misery is not
ours. The cause OF our present misery is my
husbands sickness
Oh, thou mercful God thank thee for
this, the stranger murmured, as she fell upon
her knees, and raised her clasped hands to-
wards heaven.
Mary, what voice is that = ieeby asked
the sick man, as the fervent ejaculation struck
upon his ear.
The wife returned no answer to her hus-
bands inquiry, but with her hand half extend
ed, she tottered forward, and placed her open
palm upon the brow of the still kneeling Wis
itor, while she gazed earnestly into those up
turned eyes. The young woman rose from
her knees, and murmured;
Eight long years have passed since that
morning when, pursued by maddened, mani
ac father, | fed, from the home of my child
hood, determined never to return till the dem
on of intemperance was banished from its
walls. Mother, dear mother, the sunlight has
at length broken in through the night clouds
of our home. The angel of Temperance has
spread its wings above you, and from my
husbands purse | can now supply your wants.
Oh, this is indeed a sweet and happy moment.
AS the young female spoke, she pillowed
her head upon her mothers bosom, and wept
such tears of fllaI JOY as washed away all
thoughts of PAIN from the invalid's soul. He
started up in his bed and gazed upon the
strange scene.
Mary, Mary-my child, my child = he ex-
claimed, and then, overcome by the power of
his feelings, he sank back once more upon his
pillow. Soon, however, his daughter was
clasped to his bosom.
Little James comprehended the scene-he
remembered the bue-eyed sister of years ago :;
and he, too, crept to his fathers bedside; and
when~the sick man was able 10 open his eyes,
his daughter, wife, and son were about him.
Slowly, yet firmly, he clasped his thin hands
together, and prayer of praise and thanksgiv-
ing went up from his lips.
It took but a short time for Mary 10 explain
how, after she had fled from her home, she
had gone as servant into wealthy family, and
how she had won the affection of a clerk in
her masters employ, and married him. She
had enough and to spare, and soon in that
humble chamber there was food and raiment
in plenty.
Oh murmured Mr.. Webb, as he began to
feel invigorated by the nourishlng food, and
looked gratefully on his daughter Thank
God that we have been thus preserved. How
nigh the tempter led us to ruin: but the AL
mighty has stretched forth his hand and saved
US. In our misery and want we were kept
from stealing! Surely an angel must have
directed US
Yes uttered the wife and mother, as she
drew her daughter once more 10 her bosom,
'and an angel has saUed us'