The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13
B1pDEFoRD MAINE, FRIDAY, JUNE IS, 1856. .1

the brink Of q prccipice without danger Q
plunging in the abyss below.
And thus in his own vain strength b
stood.
| Human strength! Alas! II is but weak
nes! The power to resist evil-nay, tn
very consciousness that evil exists, and tn
desire to shun II belongs not to man. Il
God also must We trust.
Our tale lies but In humble life.
John Wilder was the blacksmith Of tn
little village which was endearcd to him b.
all the tender and endearing associations o
infancy, boyhood and youth. His fathel
had pursued the same ayocation, and 1t wa
with pride and pleasure that he placed
hammer In the hands Of his boy and direct
cd his fnt awkward attempts at the anvil.
"It is respectable and useful trade
Johnny" he would often say; "and on'
which viii always ensure you an honest liv
ing. This is all you want; the lawyers ant
doctors could desire no more"
So John grew up to manhood as thorough
blacksmith as his father; and in due tint
as the old mans health declined, the busi
ness came altogether into Johns hands, and
old Mr.. Wilder was content to smoke hi
pipe and watch the progress of the work he
had once taken On active part in.
"what blessing it is" he would some.
times say to his wife, "that John is sober,
industrious lad, and works at the forge as
we'll as could do myself. A good trade is
worth all the new tangled notions that the
boys have nowadays"
It was joyful day with the old folks,
when sweet Catharine Gray was introduced
to them Us Johns future wife.
1t was at first proposed that they should
mako but one family; but there werc other
sons and daughters now nearly men and wo-
men, who could well fill the vacancy in the
homestead, and that little cottage, half hid
in the clustering vines, was as but stones
throw, and the young people preferred q
home Of their own. ......
So all was made ready, and when the we'd.
ding day came 1t was. as oil wedding days
should be, bright and happy one. The
modest, pretty little bride, and the manly
looking bridegroom, plighted their faith in
tho village church one lovely Sabbath morn
ing, and as they walked together to their
new homes after the usual religious services
were over, many were the cordial greetings,
the kindly wishes, and the heartfelt bless
ings bestowed upon them. Then followed
for the next fcw days, the usual gossip con-
cerning the appearance and behavior Of
groom and bride. This over, and the affair
was among the things gone by.
And all went on quietly and happily for
days and months and even years.
The little cottage was less lonely now, and
Catharino deemed not the time 50 long when
John was absent ut his daily work. A
smiling babe was in her arms, and lovely
little prattler ran by her side, as she took
her usual walk to grandpapas. A kind
welcome always awaited her.
"Lay by your bonnet, Kate said the
youngest sister, "and give me tho baby
You are to take tea with us this evening =
mother was just sending mo with an invita-
ton. Your little maid has holiday, you
know, and it is not fitting for you to attend
to household cares with o child on each
arm"
"Not quite 30 bad as that, Mary, for
Johnny runs bravely by my side, and little
Kate can creep around the floor. However,
I would accept your invitation did not
think that John would return from work
and wonder at my absence"
"He will know very well where his birds
have flown, and can follow them If he likes.
Come, no more excuses, know what you
think. It is the fourth anniversary Of your
wedding day, and you wish for coy little
time ut home. No matter, that is selfish,
and you must learn to deny yourself"
"Hush, Mary, do not run on so," said
the old lady rcprovingly. "Stay with us,
Catharinc, my child, and you can step home
for John when he returns from work. Your
father is at tho shop this afternoon, and
they will no doubt leave together"
The hours passed quickly by, and old Mr..
Wilder was seen at the gate, before they had
thought of Its being near tho hour for tea.
"IIas John gone home, fatherf" asked
Catharine, as she returned his aaectionate
greeting.
"Not yet, dear. He was Obliged to 20 to
o neighboring town on business, and will
not return until in the evening. You can
stay with us to tea, and have time to pre-
pare for him after you 80 home. ! prom
iscd to send Mary to tell you Of his absence,
but now have done the errand myself"
"And you will have that cory chat after
all, sister Kate" whispered the lively Mary.
The babies will be asleep and nothing to
disturb YOU" s.
Catharine smiled cheerfully, and acknowl-
edged that 1t would bc very pleasant, and
then turned her attention to the little ones,
who were already climbing upon gmndpas
knee. srs
Tho abundant country tea was prepared,
and soon after II was over, o kind goodnight
was said, and the mother and children, 70
turned to their pleasant home. e. 10.
Fatigued with the pleasures Of the after-
noon, the babies soon slept, and as Mary
had prophcsied, everything bid fair for The
quiet. evening chat. The husbands supper
was ready, the household cares for the day
were ended, and seated at her little work
t,. r.kh.-;r. h,,.;Iv v,lied hey media