Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-01-01
From the Presbyterian.
" II A X d II 1 NJ f. s."
By MRS. SARAH II. HAYES.

VIC WISH ~ tdhc you, Young Icuu-
er, TO little brown house that stands
in the outskirts Of a populous village.
1t is cold, grey November day, but
there is little smoke coming out Of
the chimney of the house and while
we are looking at it, a man walks
slowly upthe pathway leading through
the garden, and opens the door. We
will only stop to tell you that he had
been employed in some manufactory.
Whether it was foundry, sawmill,
an engine shop, or in what particular
branch of business, we can not tell.
We only know that his employers had
dismissed their wOrkmcn, and he had
already been nine weeks idle. lie
was able and willing to exchange the
hard. honest labor of his hands, for
bread for himself and his family and
every day he walked the streets, and
sought for something to do, but uni
form!y returned to the shelter of his
home, at noon and night, with the
same hopeless words: NO man
hath hired me-" Now we will follow
him into the house. The room into
which the door opened was very
scantily furnished a wcll-worn rag
carpet covered the floor and, in ad-
dition to this, it contained but a ta-
bic, few chairs, some cooking uten-
sils, and 4 stove. His wife, pale and
slivering with the cold, was seated in
q low chair, with one little curly
head lying an hor bosom, whilo tbroo
other children were standing around
her the youngest were crying bitter
ly. Did you get work ?'' were the
first eager words she spoke, as her
husband entered. He shook his head,
mournfully he could not trust his
voice 10 speak, just then. After q few
minutes, he laid his hat aside, and
calling the boy who was next in age
TO the baby, took him on his lap, and
said, What ails fathers little son ?'
Il want my supper" sobbed Jim
my, "and mother has no 'taters nor
/ bread, too"
/ Have you nothing in the house,
my dear, that you can give him ?"
asked the father, while his voice
trcmbled with agitation.
Nothing" said the mother Il
boiled the last particle Of cabbage
this morning. have parted with ev
erything we can spare l have bOr-
rowed until no one will lend, as there
is no hope of our being able to repay.
can not get work, as people tell me
the times are so hard they are obliged
to do for themselves. We belong to
that class who can not steal, and who
are ashamed to beg and there is no
help for US, John, we must starve."
Here the mother buried her face in
the bosom of her child, as if to shut
out the horrid picture.
No" cried her husband, springing
up, there are Christian people in
this land Of plenty, who will not let
US suffer. Our blessed Savior taught
US to pray. Our Father who art in
heaven He is the God Of the poor
est of his children" And knceling
down in the midst of his starving
family, he poured forth a prayer, in
which all the pent-up agony Of his soul
found vent; then, arising from his knees.
with fixed determination in his look,
Il will 90" said he ''from door to door,
asking for work. until | obtain it."
The first person John met after
leaving home was Mr.. A.. a. was
workman still employed at half wa
gcs. He was their nearest eighbor.
do you know of any one that
needs hand to do a job of almost
any kind ?" asked John, as soon as
they came within speaking distance.
"My family are in need, and | must
find something to do
Il have been asked that question,
pretty often, within the last few
weeks, by hungry men," said A., sad
ly. Il do not know where you will
get anything to do, unless Squire G..
will allow yon to saw the cord of
wood l saw a man throwing of at his
door as | came along"
Here Mr.. A. s eldest child a thought
full little girl of eleven years, came
out to call her father to supper ; and
after little further conversation, he
and Martin separated-Martin to go
into his house, and John TO learn whc-
ther he could get the wood to saw.
Father" said little Jane A., when
they were seated at their supper,
which consisted of potatoes and rye
bread, "did you notice how sorrow
and pale our ncighbor looked while
lie was talking TO you p
Yes, these are the times to make /
a man feel sorry" said Martin, with
a sigh.
Il am afraid John and his family
are suffering" said Mrs. A. Il have .
noticed the children crying about,
and should not be surprised if they
have nothing in the house to eat. |
have a great mind to send them a
loaf of the bread | baked to day
NO" said her husband, I'VE do not
know how Soon Ve NAV no in wnnt