The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21

If happy I, and wre,ched he,
Perhaps tile King would change with me !
The Dream of Caleb Edmonds.
"Christianity, indeed 2" said Mr.. Ed
lnonds, as he looked over his books, in the
little back parlor behind the shop. 81 am
disgusted with such hypocrisy 2"
There was dark frown upon the brow
OF the fsfatr OF, business as he spoke these
words, and an irritability in his manner of
turning over the leaves before him, which
spoke Of some bad debt troubling his mind,
and robbing him Of bis. good temper.
"What is the matter Z" asked q cheer
. full little woman by the fire, at whose side
basket of stockings told Of large family,
and consequent demand for siitchery.
Matter J" echoed the husband, "do you
not. Know that Wesford owes me four
pounds, ten and sixpence ~
"Wsllf he will pay, suppose"
"Not ac: The goods were purchased
nofe than asyear ago, and have not had
penny yet!
So "What does he say when you see him 3"
asked Mr., Edmonds, who evidently loved
to look at the bright side.
"Say-! He does not say much to me, I
can tell you. told him not to worry
me wifi liisexcuses, but to bring his mon
ay AID that he need not cross nv door
step again till he could do that"
9 = am sorry for his wife" said the little
stocking rnender, presently "she appears
TO he truly pious woman"
"Pioas J" retorted her husband. ayes,
and SO is he; It's that disgusts me. Re-
ligiop, indeed ; and he owes me four
pounds, Ten and sixpence. I thought the
Bible said, cove no man anything. Chris
tianily, forsooth "
Mr: Caleb Edmonds was highly re-
spectacle grocer in the town Of MarlLy-
in fact, man of substance for business
Lad prospered with him. lie was indus
trious and obliging rising early, working
hard and thus from the small beginnings
heshadrisen to the possession of consider
able wealth. But, although an excellent
man Of business, Mr. Edmonds was a very
ordinary Christian. True, lie had Jequ1,
the race, but he did not press toward the
mark. Alas for tie cares of this world and
the, ,deceitfulness Of riches! And, as it is
characteristic Of low standard Of piety to
bsharsh and censorious in our judgement
OF our fellow christian, so Mr.. Edmonds.
when he heard Of any defect in the charac-
ter ofpr1ofesscrs around linn, was always
tAe .hrst to exclain, christianity, indeed p
is not this TOO common with US all /?
DO We not, even five give no expression to
our thoughts doubt and hesitate much
more than we should doubt and hesitate.
regarding the reality Of the religion of our
EReady to haits" and. ''Fecble minds N
Do we qstset up standard of perfection
fQrsonr fellows, which were too lofty, in our
siewshs a standard for ourselves I And
me we not te6sready to exclaim against the
. wandesngs OF others, even while ,oe turn
. asideioto forbidden. paths
'FerI,apssnchs thoughts as these lad pass
ed through the mind of Mrs. Edmonds as
siesat over her work for when site rose
TO leave her basketfor some more active
household duty she bent over her husband
aet.slks to hear you say christianity, in
!aeed. y; .sas yeu did just pow. Suppose
Yonr fellows thristians were to Judge of you
:sshagsLly AS you ofthem,! You often saw
~, she continued hastily ayou doubted
'Jobn. Ssyatsons religion yester.layx be-
Ga cause heaent money 70 your rival and
fhoHSs s.becslt1e.he opposes YOU ia bust
HHsssEand you stS0f your head about Miss
MH3oDds piety because she argued with
you azamst total 'abstiuence
SdaGe not that ye be hot iudced.r
hdssGs after bis wife left him these words
ssngiH Cal.Rs ears-agudge not y
n. las, as he sat 10 the tp;light, between
s'eenteg and waking~-for Asusiness was
very dgli, nnR he couid snare hole on h.,.