The Kanzas news., 1858-05-22

4
here ai
The next scene was in che drawing room
of the very John Watson, of whom Mrs
Edmonds had spoken. A lady was making
tea behind silver urn, and gentleman,
her husband, sat beside her.
"Poor Thornton" said Mrs. Watson
for it was she-'I trust he will succeed" !"
"He shall, if by Gods blessing can
compass it,
"He is very deserving Young man, I"
continued the lady; .'the manner in which
he bore the loss of his property would win
esteem, even if he had no other claim.''
| Mr.. Watson did not reply; his mind had
wandered to another branch of the subject.
"That Caleb Edmonds.'' he said at length,
81 an, surprised at the i'll feeling he dis
plays"
Towards Thornton?''
eyes, be is evidently annoyed at the open
ing of shop SO near his own; whereas, in
the principle street Of a town ike this, he
should have expected competition. Besides,
he has made small fortune, and has moth
ing to fear; yet he viii not treat George
Thornton with ordinary civility. sEs4
81 thought he was religious man." said
Mrs. Watson.
eHe pretends to be" replied her husband
but have no faith in q religion which
brings forth SO little fruit
Poor Caleb his wife's words-the Mas
ter's words still sounded in his ears as they
had never done before, meeting with re-
sponsive echo in his heart. rf
Again a change, and Mr.. Edmonds found
himself beside a sickly looking woman, who
leaning on her husband S arm walked slowly
to the house of prayer. It was impossible
to look upon her pale and anxious face-a
| face that had once been beautiful; and equal
| ly impossible to disregard the careful ten
derness with which her steps were guided
by the strong man at her side. Their con-
yersation too, was worthy of remark-they
were speaking of the consolation of the COS
pei.
'tWho knows" exclaimed the invalid,
s'perhaps there may be words just suited to
'tPoor as regards this world only, Mary"
Her eyes frightened as she looked up
cheerfully. Eyes, yes, rich in treasure, far
more costly than earth's gold. God help us
to look up, and to trust Him for the meat
that perisheth.
They walked on for a while, and then the
wife said mournfully, 81 sometimes fear
that it is pride that makes me shrink from
meeting Mr.. Edmonds; do shrink from
it. Oh, if we could but pay him!''
owe shall be able to do so soon, I hope, ="
said Westford, cit has been a hard strug-
gle, Mary-starvation almost: but l think
it is nearly over"
"Ah, it was all for me! l am sure Mr..
i Edmonds would be patient, if he knew how
much you had spent in medicines for me,
and how little work you have. -
''He is patient after fashion, and we
have reason to be thankful for that; still he
has said some crushing things to me-harsh
things which he may live to repent-things
which have made me doubt his christianity"
May" said Mrs. Westford, gently, 81
would not judge him; how many, many in
consistent things we do!''
.eYou are right. may not lift my vol ce;
alas, but little likeness to my Lord is found
in me-"
Again the echoing voice thrilled through
the soul of the listener-again he heard the
words, ''Judge not t''-and as he dwelt
upon them, the vision slowly faded, and he,
Bunyan-like, awoke, 'and behold it was
dreamv' But the lesson of the dream was
not quite lost upon him, for he awoke to a
deeper spirit of christian charity, a nobler
self denial. a holier humility, nearer like
ness to Jesus. He has been taught that be-
lief twilight musing, one of the lessons of
the Book of God.
The ireside morning worship was just
ended, and Charles Westford was about to
go forth to his daily toll, when a gentle
knock at the door spoke visitor. How
great was the surprise of all when Caleb
Edmonds entered.
"You are coming, sir
Il am come" said the grocer, interrupt
ing him, "to express my hope that you are
not under any concern about that little
amount you owe me. Take your time, my
good sir, take your time.' a3g
The poor mans eyes were filed with
tears. as grasping the outstretched hand, he
tried to speak his thanks.
my wife, said Mr. Edmonds, turning
towards Mrs. Westford, '.put something in
to my hand, just as left, for you ma am"
And from his pockets came tea, sugar,
and biscuits, from the good wife's ample
store, till Mary's eyes too. filed with CRATE
full tears.
''And now,'' said the visitor kindly,
''don't forsake the shop; get your little par
GELS there and pay just when it suits you.
By the way, if a sovereign would do any
service to you, 1 have one that will burn a
hole IN my pockets the saying goes-un
less l give it to somebody" And before
they could reply he had laid the coin upon
the table, and was gone. 5sz1E
"Mary," said Mr. Westford, sslet us thank
God for this" E
They knelt, and as he breathed forth his
hearts gratitude. his wife wept with tears
of Joy, and even the little ones murmured
the .Amen"
But Mr.. ,Edmonds did not stop at this.
It was to him Charles Westford owed Sit
uation which soon after placed him above
the reach of want; it was to him he owed
-. -.