The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13

! "No, mother, he II rather sarly than
! violent. At such times hs dislikes to be
spoken to and is angry II The children mako
q noise. Tho poor babies used to spring
with delight when they heard bis step. Now,
they shrink from him with fear. Last even.
ing when I babe Johnny say his prayer for
Door father becauso he was sick, the little
fellow wept and raid, "Johnny will say tho
prayer for poor papa, but father does not
love Johnny any more"
Tears fell fast from Catharines eyes asshc
spoke, and the mother wept also. .ohn
was her eldest born, and had ever been her
pride and delight. II was, indeed, hard to
know that he had thus gone astsy. 3D.
"And Is there no hope for the futurer
she said bitterly. "will he thus wilfdlly
pursue the road to ruin, until Il is too late
to rctnce his stepsi"
1--WE know not the end, !" replied the wife,
"but fear that things will become worse.
May God help us7"
Catharine's fears were bot too well ground.
ed. The dark cloud about them becomes
more dense. Dissipation led to idleness =
work was neglected; and poverty stared
them in the face.
Deeper grew the shadow on the old black
smith, as he watched the gradual decline
from virtue of his son. For hours he would
sit at the door Of his own cottage, apparent
ly In state Of moody abstraction, and then
mournfully shaking his head, would say as
he reused himself" AL Is silent now tho
blacksmith Is no moro heard In the old
shop. o, my boy, my boy! would that
could have stood beside thy grnrc ere had
seen thee thus!"
Suddenly he seemed to have formed somc
new resolution. Rising one morning earlier
than had been his wont for several years, he
took the well-known path to the shop. For
moment he paused, irrcsolute, and then
walked with quick steps to small house In
the neighborhood.
"Is Mr.. Griffith INF" he inquired of the
little boy who answered his knock at the
door.
The man in question, who had long been
in wilder's employment, Immediately step
ed forward.
"Tho shop Is locked, SIR" faid the old
man.
"Haye you the kcy7"
"I have" was the reply, :" but Mr.. John
is 80 seldom at his work, now, that l never
open without his orders. I am about seek.
ing employment in neishboring town, my
self. Working one day in seven will not
support family"
"It will not, indeed, Mr.. Griffith, but If
you rely upon me, I will see that you are
paid as usual. Open the shop at once, and
be ready for whatever may Offer"
"But I do not feel myself quite compe-
tent to take the whole charge. Mr.. Wilder.
I am willing to work under orders"
AZ will be there myself" was the reply,
"and we will SEQ whether time has robbed
my arm oft strength"
In half an hour oil was hustle and activ-
ity at the blacksmith's shop. The wonder.
ing neighbon n-who had for month past
been obliged to 60 to the next village when
anything in that line was required heard
with surprise the busy strokes Of the ham.
mer.
Bob Jones almost rejoiced when his horse
lost his shoe, because It gave him an oppor-
tunity to satisfy his curiosity. Hc was q
rough lad, but his heart was touched when
he saw the old man hard at work, and, al
most with an DIR of Indifference, hc asked If
his horse could be shod Immediately, as he
was In haste to 20 to town.
"without delay, Bob. Here, Mr.. Grit.
filth, will you attend to thiss- or stay, !
will do It myself. I'll twelve years, or
more, since have shod horse /; but ! know
the right way yet, If mistake not"
The job was but half completed, and the
old blacksmith, with all the interest OF for.
mer years, was bending over the uplifted
foot of the animal, when another person
entered the shop.
For moment he stood unnoticcd, but an
attentive observer Of what was passing
The hand Of the old blacksmith trcmbled as
ho performed the unusual labor, and ho
paused as II fatigued.
Father" said well.known voice at his
elbow, "what means this' This work be-
comes not your grey hairs; give mo the
hammer"
81 have made vow, John, was the re-
ply, /" that your wife and children shallnever
want while can nise hammer nor your
good name disgnced with debts, II can
earn the means to pay them. God will givo
me strength"
Moro affected than he cared to own, the
Young man walked to the further part OF
the shop, and busted himself with some
work that stood ready. For many days no
had been absent from home, and had return
cd at late hour on the previous evening
His feelings had been o good deal softencd
by the appoanncc Of the absolute poverty
his little cottage had assumed. Something
must bc done and after an anxious and
restless night, he fell asleep just before tho
day dawned, with the full resolution TO
work steadily for three moths, at least, and
then sce how things would 80.
The bright morning sun streaming In ut
the Window awakened him. Hespang up,
and the 6st sound which fell upon his car
was the busy stroke Of the blacksmiths
hammer. He listended in surprise Grihsh
-. not ,~ort N m IN ,rork without oriers.