The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-04-07


Now Tommy's mother, though not a
religious woman, was sensible as we'll as
reasonable, and did not severely reprove
her little son, though she could not re.
frain from expressing her disapprobs,on
and tears, and when Tommy explained
his motives and good Christian feelings,
she not only did not condemn him, but
seemed deeply moved at the sufferngs Of
the sailor, and the truly Christian conduct
Of her little son.
Yet although matters proceeded thus
Tar so smoothly with our little hero. there
was yet severe trial awaiting him. His
father came home from his workshop that
night out OF bumor, and being stern Ms
we'll AS An impuisive man, without the
grace Of Christianity t. control his actions.
would not listen TO his little sons account
OF himself, but yielded to his angry feel.
ings, and gave the boy a severe chastisiny.
Tommy endured his punishment meeklv,
nor dad he allow any feeling of resent.
ment to take is place i'll his dutifnl heart,
but was willing to suffer for we'll doing
rather than to disregard the injuuctous
OF his Saviour, who had gwen his life for
hIs salvation. These heavenly seeds had
been sown IN his iniautile heart hy the
Spirit Of TRACE, through the tiligent in-
st.uctIons Of his good Sunday school tes
cher.
All the neighbors, including the Care
less and the ueartless families, for some
time stunned the company Of Tommy
Fearless, but in due time he WAS looked
upon as all such good boys should be, as
Christian hero. Harry and Sammy it
is true did not confess it, but it was new
ertheless very plain to be seon that they
we're both ashamed Of their cowardice and
unkindness. There is doubtless great al.
lowance to be made for the alarm under
which they acted, and that without the
possession Of Christian knowledge such
AS had guided their little companion Of
the late occasion; yet the utter absence
Of feeling they displayed, and selfshness,
with the ridicue which they poured upon
Tommy, eyinccd heartlessnn.s aud care.
iessness Of disposition at variance with
the feelings Of common humanity. MAY
the Good Spri, guide some faithful sun
day-school teacher TO the desGlate homes
Of these boys, and draw them into the
Fold Of Peace and Of Heavenly knowl-
edge, which will make them wise unto
salvation.
Years passed on, and Tommy Fearless
grew up to mans estate. His father died
and left his mother with large family
and small means. Consequently it be.
came the duty Of Tommy, as the eldest
son, to devote his earnings to her support.
This he did cheerfully, like an atfectionste G
and dutiful son. This, my little readers
are prepared to learn, since obedience and
devotion to the great Heavenly Parent
will naturally lead the same pious course
towards the earthly parent, to whose nur-
turing care God has confined His chill
dren. 'Honor thy father and mother is
the commandment to which our Maker
has vouchsafed a promise.
Still, Tommy Fearless was not without
trial to strengthen his faith in the blessing
Of Divine Providence. There was an
attachment existing between himself and
a certain pretty girl in the town, by the
name OF Mary Gray-ys,, from his obi.
cations TO his mother and her young
family, there was little prospect Of a spec.
dy arrival at the contamination Of his
earthly happiness "a union with Mary.
This was a grievous trial which the young
man bore like the same youthful hero we
have seen him before, upheld by faith
and love.
On certain bright morning, the first
OF May, when our beautiful woods are
thronged with admirers Of natures love.
illness, being holiday, was seized by all
the laboring classes AS one Of the few al
lowable to them throughout the year.
Tommy fearless with his pretty Mary were
among the votaries Of the Queen of
Flowers.
Our hero had ssuntered on by the side
Of Mary, wrsathing her nair with flowers,
and plucking and plucking another and
another for her hand, Of every hue which
she continually pointed out and admired
till suddenly he found they were before
the cabin 10 which he had some ten years
before relieved the thirst Of the suffering
sailor.
OOseTth
ton Of his companion to the totteriug
ruin-and seating her on log, and him
self beside her, he recounted the adven.
ture. Wholly absorbed with their own
affairs, the lovers did not perceive a third
person near them, I'LL. on hearing crack
Of the leaves under foot, they looked up
and espied an old man approaching them.
Young man. said the stranger, while
resting after my long walk on yonder log
| accidently heard your little story Of the
sick sailor and yonder hut. Can you tell
me what become Of that sailor =
Indeed do not know, sir,' answered
the young man, i was quite little boy
at the time, and do not remember wha,
became of him beyond the fact that he
recovered, and left in the same vessel tha,
! brought him here