The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-01-22
Origiunl Drpnrtmrnt.
writton for the Southern Enterprise.
VISITS BY THE WAYSID


Learning Of the illness of Lula L., call.
ed to see her. Neglect surrounded the hab-
itation---rank weeds were growing near the
door, and here and there a shingle and plank
were loosely tapping in the wind, showing
no ready hand was there to repair the wear
of Time on their dwelling. After speaking
to the family, approached the bed where
poor Lula lay with feyered lips, yet with
calm, serene countenancc, that spoke Of
peace within. Oh what reflections were
aroused, when beholding this child of po-
verify, who so calmly lay there amid the
close struggles Of the household TO supply
themselves with bread. No, not all, for the
father, who should have been the support
of these motherless children, lay on the floor
in beastly intoxication My pride sank sew
eral degrees, i'll beho!ding being having
an immortal soul sinking into such degra-
dation. 'Tis the mind which gives us su-
preinacy over all of earth's creatures, and
can one with fevered brain have an idea
tempered by reason2 No! it excitcs the
imagination, and not those other powers of
the mind which arc often called into action
to counterbaance those of the overwrought
fancy. Now, this victim, when drunk, rails
of his freedom, because his children and
friends, in his lucid moments, beseech him
to abstain from the Intoxicating cup. So it
is his theme, when under the influence of
hat bo I.
find more loyal subject, than drunkard
is to his bottle No! for finally both mind
and body are victims of this insatiate de-
stroyer. Yes, this father, while his poor
child was enduring such bodily agony, al
tended one of the ballot boxes of the Dis
trict, where men, with false liberality, so
freely lavish the fire.water around and just
such men as this poor, frail one, cannot with.
stand such temptation. He came reeiing
home to add to the overfowing cup of his
children's misery. When looked on Lu
las serene countenance, amid such scenes
and suffering, my conscience smote me fol
sorrowing over many trivial things l had
faith, Lula, caused me to mediate, and to
9humbly thank the Redeemar for such pror
amid earth's affection. May your influence
Lula, finally reach yonr fathers heart, "anJ
teach him the better way"
seos after leaving this horne I called in
at another close by, where evidences of a
careful affection and constant attention were
manifest in the house and its surroundings.
The father was suffering with paralysis, but
all that constant and vigilant affection could
suggest was ministercd to his relief. A loy-
ing wife and children watched every move
ment. and evincel such pleasure in endea.
yoring to alleviate his pain, that it made
the tedium of his illness much more plea.
sant But lle was also blessed with Faith
that puts 10 naught the stole and philoso.
phical themes of healthful and rosy hours.
This gentleman, when in good health, had
observed, was impatient when compelled to
refnaia in doors yet, with bodily suffering,
now lets no murmuring escape his lips, but
rests on an anchor free from human muta.
bilisy. Yes, Faith uphoIds, Affection cheers
him, and Thor only knowess Father, whe-
ther i BE- unto death or not. M