The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-28

further gone than myself
"Well, old fellow, why don't you answ,s
me? | asked you if you were thrown on
Don't be afraid to tell me, for you see I'm
great deal better; besides, seeing you ther-
alive and we'll, l shall not be much shocked Y
hear of what might have happened, you know
Come! where were you pitched, and how muC ;,
were you hurt, and who picked you up? TIE
me, for | can't get the least satisfaction out ("
anybody here"
was not thrown out sprang out"
"When the horses were rearing? A bad pie ?
that, VAL. that is, if you really did it as y {
think you did. For my part, doubt if "
know anything more about it than do mysei :
and if my soul were to have to answer for 7
memory, could not tell whether Jumped /
or was thrown out. Bad course we've be- :
pursuing, old boy; like to have cost us DO
our lives; really has cost me that beautii ;.
buggy, that is ruined, they tell me. b
course; bad course, Val. Not safe for mast :.
and man both to be glorious at the same tim
Another evening, old fellow, do you try to ke
sober, when you think it likely that shall be-
OTHERWISE"
~ never mean to touch another drop of !
toxicating drink as long as | live, sir, so he !
me Heaven p" said Valentine, fervently.
oh, pooh, pooh! old fellow. Resolution J.
=
frolic, are as worthless as the oaths sworn y
wine the night previous, both being the effeo
of an abnormal state of the soul and-stomac&
Now, wine is a good thing, in moderation
is only bad thing. in excess. Don't look
dreadfully downcast, old fellow, nor make gu, !,
dismally lugubrious resolutions. The serva II
is not greater than his MASTER says the got {.
Book; and, if was overtaken, how could Wp
expect to escape? Give me your honest fist, 90
fellow; those who have had such id lucky
escape together might shake hands upon it, J
should think" said Oswald Waring, off'erit' 9
his hand. :.
Valentine took it and squeezed it, and the /.
in the warmth Of his affectionate nature, pre-. :
ed it to his heart, while tears welled to s
eyes-tears, that came at the thought his
nearly he had occasioned the death of tN
man-this man who, with all his faults, ha |,
from their boyhood, been ever kind, generor 4
forbearing-more like brother than a maste :.
All that was unjust and CALLING in their mutu q
relations was forgotten by Valentine at tb ST
moment; he only remembered that they his6
been playmates in childhood, companions II
youth, and friends always, up to the presefI:
and that he had narrowly escaped causing ca
walds death; and, in the ardor and vekemen q
of emotion, he pressed the hand that had be
Y, u
broken voice
at was my fault, Master Oswald, all )
fault but will never-never touch any r
of Intoxicating liquor again-never, as E
Lord hears me-" b.,
ooh, tut, tut you best fellow that ever AZ
in the world Who asks you for any such pro n.
Uses? Only promise that when there is wi Ie
supper or card party in the wind, or any otf ei
signs of the times in the sky to warn you, t)u
will take care to keep sober, knowing that
shall be likely to be something else. Wine e
good servant but bad master"
"Not good for me, ever, Master Oswald
certainly not good for me; probably not so iol
you, either"
Come, come; you exceed your license, Val
entine. You're pretty fellow to preach to me
after nearly breaking my neck. Howevee
that's ungenerous, after once forgiving you; &c
we'll say no more about it forever But don I
preach to me, whatever you do. Phedra nese
ly wears my patience out"
"Can do anything to make you more corr
Portable, or to help the time along?"
"Noo, l think not. DR.. Carter says I must
keep quiet, and my head begins TO ache now
so you had better darken the room, and leave
me to rest
Valentine closed all the shutters, and lei
uOWH all the CuTIdillS, anu C0en asked
"Shan't l sit here, Master Oswald, to be at
hand in case you should want anything?"
"No! Lord, no! it must be ID of bore
to sit in a dark room, with no better amuse,
ment than to watch somebody going off to
sleep. No; 60 and take care of yourself, old
fellow. l can ring, if / should want anything, 7
said Oswald, cheerfully.
always so very considerate when he is in
his right mind" thought Valentine, as he took
the tasselled end of the bell rope and put it i'd
reach of his masters hand, before leaving the
room.
That was the last time that Valentine sag
his master in his right mind for many weeks
The effects of his fall, acting upon a systeIu
weakened and vitiated by dissipation, was
much more serious than any one had foreseer
Before night, brain fever, with delirium, has
set in, and, for days after, the life of OSWALD
Waring hung upon the feeblest chance. For
many weeks of his illness, Phadra and Vale,i
tine nursed him with the most devoted affec
ton. Poor Phedra prayed constantly for his
recovery, and also for his reform, and solicite
every Sabbath the prayers of the congregation
of her church in his hehalf. And Valentine
in deep despair, daily accused himself Of his
masters death, as if he had purposely tricke i
fatal blow, and Oswald were already deat
side of the sick bed, that might at any hout
become death-hed, were very fruitful in gool
to Valentine. There he learned to hate aad
dread the demon anger, that had caused him
so much misery; there he came to listen wit
patience and reverence to his poor mother
fearful pleadings and counses there he began
to pray. 1t was six weeks before Mr.. Waring
left his room, and one more before he was full.
restored to health. And this brought mid
summer, season that camp-meetings wery
frequent in the neighborhood
This summer there was much greater excite
ment than ever before among the religious re-
vivalists. The Rev. Mr.. M and severs3
others, equally eloquent and successful iel
preachers, were making circuit of the coup-
try. Their fame always preceded them as al
acant courier, and crowds congregated to hes
them.
There was a camp-meeting held by permits.
sion OF the owner in a magnolia grove wher2
there was fine spring, upon the grounds o.
Mr.. Hewitt, Mr.. Warnings nearest neighbof,
And it was given out that on Sunday morning
the eloquent field preacher M would ads
dress the assembled multitudes. There YVES Z
great deal of excitement and anticipation.
among all classes in that quiet rural district.
and when the sabbath came, congregations for.
sock their own churches, and assembled to heas
M. Crowds after crowds gathered; soma
went with the avowed purpose of getting con-
verted; some to get revived; many to get exs
cited; and most from motives of idle CURIOSITY
Poor Phadra went for the candidly expressed.
purpose of being warmed and comforted. Val,
entine went to drive his MASTER who went only
to kill dull day.
Now, not only was Phedra praying with ali
her souls strength for her sons conversion, but
naturally that desired contamination was one
of the most likely things in the world to eveet