Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-01-26
q z E
THE
RETURNED CALIFORNIAN.
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

A SKETCH FROM LIFE.
| AT five o'clock on Thanksgiving morning,
Ds2dgn. Wilson arose as he was wont, no
holiday making any change in his hours. Yet
now he no longer sprang from his bed with
the elacrity9 hch changed duty into pleasure;
he rose secause imperious necessity comand-
ed it. There were the cattle to be fed and
watere9, asdaaeepouItry to receive the same
attention. and There was moreover fire to be
made in istlie huge old kitchen ire-plabe, for
the Deacon had now no servant or helper, and
in the grey winter of his life, the whole burA
then of managing his place had fallen on his
shoulders Fortunately they were broad and
lstrong-fortuuately, his constitution was good,
histpirits elastic, and his piety sincere, for his
bttaens and trials were indeed weighty. He
haa been comparatively rch-he was now in
embarrassed circumstances. He had looked
forward to the time when a son should relieve
him of the most laborious of his tolls, while
daughter performed the same kind Office for
his wife. Both had been disappointed
| now the old couple were the solitary tenants
of that lone farm house.
The Deacon went mechanically about his
morning labors; he drove the cattle TO the wa~
ter tank; he supplied them with fresh fodder,
and after seeing that they were comfFtable,
returned to the old kitchep: By this time the
good wife had prepared a breakfast, and ge-
NAL FIRE awas difhsing its heat through the
apartment. 4~
The old couple sat down to breakfast, after
a blessing by the~Iold farmer, but the meal
passed by in silence. 1t was followed by
fervent prayer and the reading Of q portion of
the Scripture After this they adjourned to
the sitting room, where good fire was burns
ing, and where the old dame assumes her knit
ting, one of those incomprehensibe peces of
female industry, which seem to have neither
beginning nor era.
nor end. =.
"WslI," said she with sigh, "This is
4 Thanksgiving Day. 1t doesn't seem like old
times at all. We used to have house full of
company, frolicksome young folks, and cheer
full old people; and now we are all alone, a.
| lone"
"Last Thanksgiving day" said the old
man, there was one with us who seemed to
my old eyes like an angel of light, with her
fairly golden hair floating like glory on her
shoulders, and her little foot making music as
she moved about the old house. But even
/ then there was q hectic flush upon her cheek,
like the red upon the maple leaf in autumn.
Nhen the January SHOWS lay deep on the hills
asd"in the holows, we carried her to her last
laame-but Gods will be done.'
slsSSu forget that we have another child
kaliy@
] sNa 10 not forget il" said the old man
bitterly. ! "There is one living somewhere, who
has brought disgrace upon our name, who has
forgotten his parents and his God; who has
drunk deep of the cup of iniquity, and who
has brought ruin and woe upon his name and
family.
''Do not speak harshly of poor William
pleaded the mother.
.tWhy should not! Was he not insensible
to kindness-steeIed against affections Did he
not scatter my hard earning to the wind! Is
it not TO him that owe the prospect of beg
gary and desttution2 Remember the FIRST of
February. That is the last day of grace. II
the money comes not then, and God knows
whence it is to come, we are honseess beg
cars. Who will care for as then!"
"God will care for U.S. said the aged woman
raising her eyes reverently to heaven.
The old man made no reply, for his utter
ance was choked. At that moment the old
clock that stood ticking in the corner, struck
the honr of nine. The deacon rose.
1T is time to harness old Dobbin," said he,
for we have long way to ride to meeting, and
the roads are in bad condition"
Their preparations were soon made, and the
old couple. poorly but decently attired, sailed
forth to their public deyotons. The services
ended, the deacon and his wife, as they issued
from the porch, were kindly greeted by many
old friends and neghbors, more than one oi
whom pressed them 10 come and partake d
their thanksgiving cheer, But the deacon
shook his head.
"Many thanks, my friends" said he, 'bu
ever since have been a householder, hav'
kept my thanksgiving at home. and shall con
tinue to do 50, 50 long as have house re
naming over my head.
So they rode home togethers While th
deacon drove up tbs Darn to pat up his horse
the old lady opened the back door, which wa
always on the latch, and entered the kitchen
AS she did so, she started back. A strange