The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-29
The Old Pastor.

low musical murmer through the tall elms, and
all nature seemed rejoicing that the glad sum
mer had come again.
An old man sat in wicker chair on the stoop, |
with large bible open before him, and as he
read, casting now and then glances at the OBJ
jects around him, and then at the clear blue
sky. Everything was familiar to him, for, for
many years had his eyes rested on the same
scene; yes, he loved it, and with heart over
flowing with gratitude for his many blessings,
he exclaimed-"Verily the Lord is mindful of
his servant" 1....
Good old parson Wentworth had seen many
and bitter trials, yet with calm unfaltering
trust, he had ever kept his gaze fixed on holy
things, and through all the battle of life had
kept pure and uncontaminated by rude contact
with the world and its sel6shness. AS he sat
there thinking in his single heartedness of the
works Of nature, and wondering why men wish
ed to leave such spot, and minge with those
who dwell in the dusty, heated city, a carriage
drove to the gate, and a tall, business like look
ing individual sprang out, and coming hastily
up the walk, paused as he saw the minister,
and said
"Mr. Wentworth, I presume? would like
to see you few moments on business, if you
please, SIR
The old gentleman led the way into the house,
and taking him up into his little study sig
nifed that he was ready. The stranger gave
preparatory hem, and then said
'sReally, sir, am commissioned to commu
nicate to you unpleasant news. You have a
son, believe, employed as clerk in the firm of
Dayton & CO.."
sYou are correct sir" said the father, while
he smiled proud smile at the thought Of him,
and little thinking that the unpleasant news
! referred to anything wrong he had done, he ad-
| ded-"I suppose the news is that Mr.. Dayton
has concluded to keep him another year, and
thought miss the dear boy, yet as his mind
seems to have mercantile bent, | shall not op-
pose him if he wishes to stay
The stranger gave another and louder hem
and twisted uneasily on his seat, as if he wished
he were anywhere else, and then with an effort,
said
'You are laboring under mistake, sir, for
Mr.. Dayton has no desire to keep him; but on
the contrary, requested me to inform you that
he has been exceedingly panied by the conduct
of your son, and that though the proofs OF his
guilt are clear, yet expresses the utmost sym
pathy in your atfllction."
The old man leaned over the table, and clasp
ed his withered hands, while he gazed lmplor-
inglv in the others face, but said not word.
Touched by the mute agony of his expression,
he hurredly added, as if be thought it better
to relieve his suspense at once:
"lhe money drawer was found broken open,
and large amount of money extracted, and
another lad who sleeps in the store, and they
tI,oi, tr;o 1.'3-
unable to bear that fixed gaze any longer, he
wished him hurried good morning, and NUT
tering some common place phrase of coincidence
departed.
He might as we'll have said nothing, for they
fell on an unheeding ear. The last words tina
Mr. Wentworth heard were that his boy, th
last of numerous flock, had dishonored hi
name and brought sorrow on the head of hi
poor old father. The sun shone as brightly
the birds sang as joyously, the ems whispered
as musicallv, yet to him all nature had chang
ed.
The soft summer breeze stole through tn
open window, and lifted the thin, white hal
from his aged temples, and the little house do
came and put up his silky paws on his knee
: for his accustomed kind word and caress, an
turned away whining piteously, as if he kne'
that something had gone wrong.
The GLAD sunbeams came dancing in an
nestled lovingly among his dear old books an
0 manuscripts, yet he needed them not. He ha
known trials-had with his own hands close
the eyes of three sons, one darling daughter
the LIGHT of his household-and last of all ha
o crossed the hands on the dead bosom, and fold
ed back the grey lock on the brow of his cher
ished wife, the partner of his joys and sorrow:
and laid them away to rest in the quiet church
IT yard. He could look from that very windo
and see the humble graves, as the cold marb]
cleaned in the sunlight and in the still at
tumn nights he could hear the murmur of tn
willow boughs, as they waved, and sighed
gentle music tones above the green mounds.
He would think that the plain white slat
r were but placed there to tell him that thos
s. dear ones but rested from earth and its care
H. H. and he knew that they all died pure and goot
N and that when the frost of death gathered Q
,r his brow, and dmmed the lustre of his eye, b
$, too would sleep with them, and join them
their ceaseless anthems before the throne OF tt
ir ;r invisible, mighty, Eternal One.
IS But this last stroke Vas harder than all Ii
l. rest, for he had much rather have placed hi
with the dead band, than have heard that /
= had proved unfaithfnl to his trust; and his brav
old heart, that had never given way beneat
all his Affections, was bowed, and the firm, el
during spirit that had never bent through tt
N N long battle of life, gave way-and crushed an
st broken in spirit, the aged pilgrim cried alou
il for help and support.
l. For several hours he sat there-then risin
re he went to his old seat in the porch, and opel
'e ing the bible, read as in the morning. No or
y y would have known that aught had happened
' save that there was look Of deep helple
sadness, around the usually placid mouth, an
f. the lines on the venerable brow had deepene'
n, and the meek countenance was shade pale
g, than it was wont to be.
IS, The news had spread through the vilag
IS, IS, and one by one the neighbors came droppin
ir in-some of them bearing basket of stray
< berries, or some little gift their tones wei
se9 lower and more tender, and though they spoil
e, ID no word of sympathy, yet the good man felt
IS. all. and blessed them for it..
The next day was Sunday, and as as the cle
n church bell broke the Sabbath Stiffness; tt
q minister came forth; but his step was slow ar
feeble, and he leaned more heavily on his sto
- o.lyo, stoH and as he tottered up the AISLE Il