Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-01-10

the fret time he was taking the old man,
his brother, from place TO place, that he
might admire and be pleased with him.
At last they cane to one apartment, before
which the younger brother paused, turned
as /: he would speak, but retaining himself,
cautiously opened the door, and watched the
old man as he entered 1t was fitted with
plain old fashioned furniture--there was no
| carpet on the foor-there were rude beams
overhead. Six straightback, antique chairs.
stood against the wall, together with table
| Of venerable oak. An od-fashioned beaufet
was set in one corner-a sampler, very much
! faded, and enclosed in a black frame, hung
between the windows, and ar armed chair,
whose age was over a hundred years, oc-
cupied nook by the fireplace. The old man
stood in silence, for moment, then rever-
emily took off his hat His thin lips were
quivering, large tears stood in his dim blue
eyes, which ever and anon he shut as
If nanifestDg some emotion. Then he
went forwards, and resting his clasped
hands upon the old chair-back, he MUIR
INJURED, my mother;' and there came up a
sob from the depths of his aged hearI; his
head fell upon his hands, and he wepi like a
child.
1t was very touching to see the few gray
hairs futter on his temples-and still more,
as the hale and vigorous brother folded his
arms about that bowed-down form, murmur-
ing, Il must take care of you now, This is
your room. Many miles have | travelled to
gather together the scattering furniture that
was So dear to us in the old homestead
Strangers have set here often, since she
died, but nevertheless it is mothers chair.
Welcome home--my brother
1t is long since the old man went to his
better rest. but his words still sound in our
ears, 'hold them loosely, brother'' and we
have been tempted, how often, to exclaim,
hen beholdng those to whom God has
given great gifts or lovely possessions, 'hold
them loosely, brother.
You who have wealth-who never knew
the canker that eats up the very heart
and when the body is overiasked, and yet
the hord wearing and labor brings not even
food enough for the hungry little children
hold that wealth loosely. Ii is not yours.
A breath may dissolve it; the swapping of
one slender cord, may send you TO the shad.
ows that lie over the graveyard. 1t Is
Gods weath-hold it with open fng rs
scatter it asyou go,& make many heurt to
sing for joy. Don't grasp it so eagerly; it
is trsacherous; it will neck you al the last;
it will not go one step beyond this world
with you; nay, it will even lavish blessings
and caresses on those who have made your
path thorny with curses; it will stand in its
real form at the day Of judgment, and sneer
at you for the love before it. Hold ii
loosely and you shall meet your Creator
W ith a smile--nake it yoLr God--and in
that day, the true, great and terrible Deity
will not know you.
Mother, with your blooming children
'hod them loose ey'--great man, with your
gift ard your lonors, 'hold them loosely
but o! cling to the religion of Jesus
Christ-fght for ii If needs must be, die
for it-but fame. riches, worldly goods and
high places-'hold them loosely, BROTHER
Olive Branch.