Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-20
CHAPTER TT.

CHAPTER II.
Mis-. Lucy, as Edward had stated, was
indeed a widow. Few indeed had passed
through the fiery ordeal of afliction, and
emerged from the trial so triumphant us
she. One by one were her children struck
down by the remerselcss hand of the tyrant
death, and none but Edward remained to
bind her to this earth by the strong bonds
OF maternal feelings but the heaviest
stroke of all, was the sudden death of her
husband, who one morning was brought
home a mangled corpse. Though many
would have sunk under the accumulated
weight of these trials yet she in her trust
fulness would say, "The Lord gave, and the
Lord hath taken away, and blessed be his
name"
With the small sum which was hers af-
ter defraying the funeral expenses, she
opened little shop in the village of B.
Though the widows wants were few, yet
the ; p barely yielded sufficient to.supply
, them; and partly upon this account and
partly to learn her son the value of indus
try, she sent Edward, for want Of better
employment to sell fruit, from which a
trifle was occasionally realized.
Twilight had deepened into night, and
) one by one the silvery lamps were hung
, upon the walls Of heaven, as the widow.
: after having closed her shop, sat by the
hearth, engaged in knitting, Edwards sup
per-, consisting of bowl Of mush and milk,
was awaiting his arrival. Everything wore
: a cheerful aspect. 1t was, indeed, content
ment triumphant over poverty.
. Presently well ll-knomn step was heard,
and with eyes sparkling with pleasure, Ed
D ward rushed in, exclaiming-
E "Good news, mother | am going to be a
i lawyer: but listen, and | will tell You ALL"
). So sitting down. he narrated his morn
o ing's adventure, and in closing, the kind
/ old gentleman receyeda "a full share of praise
,f The mothers heart was full, and for few
If moments she was buried in thought. Then
v calling Edward to her side, she said
! "My son, the hand Of God, is in this il
n will grieye me to part with you, but He !
o know will give me strength to bear with
a. it. Come, let us knecl in prayer, and crave
" the blessing of onr Heavenly Father"
ltwas indeed a holy sight, happy scene
ne and one that angels might envy She
prayed as only mother can pray She
" thanked her God for His kindness NANTES
he ted towards her child, and asked that Hi
almighty arm might be shield and de
y. fence during scparation-that the light {
to His countenance might shine upon him
ed and lead him safe through danger an
it. temptation. Her prayer was ended, an
IN kissing her son, they retired to rest.
he The burning orb Of day" was far &C
no vanced ere he awoke, but not so that am
of ious mother. She was busily engaged
,ot preparing for his departure and afte
ter packing up such articles as she thought b
tv might require, she dressed him up in h
III Sunday BEST and giving him a small Bibl
mo- spoke words Of encouragement to him.
ho, few broken sobs farewell kiss, and the
nv parted. The world was now before hin
the but all seemed void. As he took la
his lingering look at the spot where was Gel
,ov tered his hearts affections every scene
i'm passed but added to his suferngs. III
bv cluster of old trees, whose lofty branch,
mo threw shade across the road the mou
tain stream, which silently flowed throug
the meadow ), the old gate, upon which
and had so often rode, all, all, recalled son
teh former scene of happiness. For nome
his emotions overcame him, but hasti
a brushing the tears from his eyes, he brace
for up his spirits, and gaily humming a son
he strobe manfully along. On the secol
,th- day after his departure, he arrived in Il
INV city of Louisville, where, after making I
lose peated inquiries, he proceeded as indicat
On b,s oarJ op1 n
the Rogers in his office, who received him kin
ized ly, and after pointing out to him the. beI
lies fit of honesty, virtue, and perseveranC
me placed him at once in his new situation.
He was duly installed in his new off
i've perched upon high stool at high de
to copy deeds and other instruments
ap- writing appertaining to lawyers duty.
ntcr His home was now at his employers hou
;, and thus month after month rolled by
10Y him months of happiness.
lent
rers seven years had now sped upon
noiseless wings Of time, and the ragg
mon bashful boy, was now a handsome man
bet The prayers of his mother, like guard
am. angels, hovered around him yet, and be |
by his conduct won the love his empl
,ork, er. ms, manner had become polished, :
how tn ouSh temptations DeseS MN on ev
- side, vet the instructions which his youtl
: 10 mind received from his mother, were
sone riers againstwhich they dashed their mig
told waves in vain,
I ord Mary, the only daughter Of Charles
ers, who, on Edwards first arrival was
mod child, and who was often with him,
[ haon became reserved, for reasons best kn,
w to herself, Often would he wonder '