Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1858-01-28

Pss.ot arose 10 tbe gallery, and attacked the
position OF the speaker, using the Arguments
which | have often heard sises, and sonela.
dsd by dspouseing those engaged in ,hs nsv
movement as peddlesons fanatics Who
wished 60 break up the time touored usages
OF good society, and ipjurs the business Of
rssPeetAbls men. At the conclusion Of his
remarks, the tavern keeper aud bis friends
got up cheer, and the current Of feeling
vas evidently against the Strangers and their
plan.
While the pastor was speaking the old
man bad fxed bis dark eye upon him, and
leaned forward, as il to catch every word.
AS the pastor took his seat, the old msa
arose, his tall form towering in its symme.
uy, and bis chest swelling % be inhaled his
breath through bis thin, dilated nostrils -
10 me, at that time, there uss something
ave-inspiring aud grand in the appearances
Of the old man ss hs stood with his foil eye
upoa the audience, his teeth shut bard, aud
asilenes like that Of death prevailed through.
out the church.
lie bent his g,Ie upon the tavern keeper,
aud that peculiar eye fingered and kindled
for a moment
The scar grew red upon bis forehead, and
beneath his heavy eye brows his eyes glitter.
ed and glowsd like . serpent's. The tavern
keeper quailed before that searching glance,
and felt relief when the cid man with.
drew his gaze For . moment be seemed
lost in thought and then in low and trem.
ulous tone commenced. There was depth
in that voice, thrilling pathos and sweet.
ness which sisited every heart in the house
before tho frat period bad been rounded -
Ny fathers attention had become fxed on
the eye Of the speaker with % interes, had
never before seen him exhibit can but
briefly remember the substance Of what the
old man said, though the scene Is q, vivid
before me as any that ever uitnessed.
My frieDds am stranger in your vii.
lage and trust may call you friends. A
nev star has arisen, and there is hope in the
dark night which hangs like pail Of gloom
over our country With thrilling depth
Of voice the speaker locked his hands toge,h.
or aud continued God, thou who
lookest With compassion upon the mos, sr.
ring OF eArth's children, / thank thee that a
brsIen serpent has been lifted, upon which
the drunksrd can look and be healed that
q beacon has burst out upon the darkpess
that surrounds him, which saall guide back
to honor and heaven, the bruised and weary
Wanderer.'
IL is strange What power there is In some
voices. The speakers voice was low and
measured, but tear trsmbled in eyety az.
and before I knew uhy, tear dropped upou
my hand, followed BY others like rain drops
The old man brushed one from his eyes and
continued:
Men and ChristisDsi You have iust
heard that am vAgrsat and . fanatic 1
am not. As God knows my own sad heart
I came here 10 do good. Hear me and be
just
l am an old man standing alone At the
end Of life's journey. There is dees sorrow
Ia my heart aud tears in my eyes. have
journeyed over dark aud beaeonIess ocean.
and all lifs's hopes have been wrecked. /
am without friends, home or kindred upon
earth, and look with longing 20 the resI Of
abe nisht Of death. Withoat friends, kin.
dred or home IL was nos 80 once
No one could Withstand the touships D..
thos Of the old man. noticed q tear trem.
bling OF The lid Of my fathers eve, and l
was no more ashamed Of my own.
No, my friends, il was not 90 once
Away over the dark waves which have wreck.
ed my hops, there is the blessed light Of bap.
piness aud home. / Fenehsd saaiu eouyal.
AQOla
that onee we're mine, nov mine no more
The old man seemed looking away thro'
fancy Spon some bright vision, bis lips apart
and bis hbgsrs extended, / involuntsrily
turned 10 the direction il Was directed
dTsading TO see some shadow invoked BY its
magical movements.
Il once bad 9 mother. With hsr old
heart crushed With soFroWs, she vent down
10 heT grave. I once bad . wife, fair, an.
gel-heHTtsd creature - ever smiled on an
earthly home. HsF eys rs mild ss s1a,-
neT sky, and beT heart a. faithful and true
hs ever guarded aud cherished . husbands
love. Her blue eye grsw dim Aa the foods
Of sorrow washed away its bfightssss, and
the living heart WTung until svsiy Gbre
vas broken. | once bad noble, brave and
beautiful boy, but he val driven out from
the ruins Of bis home, add my old heart
yeArns to know il be yet lives once bad
babe, sweet, tender blossom, but these
hands destroyed it, and il livst6 With one
Wbo loystb children.
Do not be startled, friends-I am not a
murderer In ths common aoseptation Of the
term. Yet there is . light IN my evening
sky. A spirit mother Esjoiess over the re-.
taFn Of hsr pFodiytl son The sifs smiles
upon him who agsin returns 10 virtue Aud
honor The child angsl visits me at night.
fell, and feel the hsilousd isush Of tiny
palm upoa my fsvsrish cheek. Ny brave
boy, II be yst lives, would forgive The sor.
FoWing old man for ths trsaimeEt that drove
bin Qua iBio The world, hn2 the blow lha,
naimed bin for life God forgive ne foy
ths Tuia havs bfought upon me and nine
He asnfn wiD~d a tesr fror,, kfs 80 A.
fathsF Eaiohsi bin sith . sifsuEs Intensity,
hnd q e0uutenaues unusualiy palo and sH.
cited b. some stTOng emotion.
II whs ores fsuatio SD madly followed
the malign light watch led 70 fuia uas 4
fanatio Hhsu ssofiaosd ny vifo. obildrsa
happiness And hone, 70 the scoufstd dsmon
Of tbs bowl I once sdoTsd she sgeutls beipg
Whom ! ibjarod % dssply
4 uas dfunkafd. Ffom fespsctability
shd afluenes, planEsd into dsgradatisu