Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-30
D. G., SATURDAY, JANUARY 80, 1853.

had no shoes--were all fresh from the washing
basin, and their hair was sleekly combed across
their foreheads. There was evident poverty,
but an equally evident wish to conceal it. Not
a vestige Of furniture or ornament was in the
room beyond the few articles of earthenware
mentioned; all the rest, to the three legged
stool for the baby had either been sold or
burned for fuel. There were three or four
hassocks ofhay forseats, but these, too, had been
Preyed on for fuel and ran out at the sides;
and there were some layers Of Clipped dried
up straw, as a bed in the corner On this was
stretched the dying man. The eldest boy ran
to borrow chair as Mr.. Godfrey entered, and
the thrifty housewife had Just drawn the old
rags from the three lower panes Of the glassless
and only window in the hovel, to let the sun
and air in. This was the abode of an English
man in the heart of England
The patient had been propped up somewhat
on his straw, and neighbor had shaved him
and lent him a shirt, which though old, was
clean. So, what with well-washed skin and
combed hair, and cup of refreshing tea, he
was prepared to receive the curates visit in
something Of decent and christia manner
One Of the boys was in or rather on, the bed
for there was no covering-from sheer naked
ness. He partly nestled in the straw and was
partly concealed by the rags taken from the
window he was contented and happy, for he
had the blessing of full " meal" rarity in the
hut ofthe dying potter.
The curate took the chair borrowed for him,
placed it by the bedside, and leaned towards
the sick man.
"Well James, how do you feel nowa"
"Better, sir, thank you, but still weakly
God will bless you for what you ha' done. 'Tis
many long day sin could prove my gratif-
cation to anybody"
"Never mind that The searcher of all
hearts knows your intentions, James"
"Yes--truel But dye think God heeds a
poor critter like me?
Undoubtedly. Our father"
"Ahl Good-good. But never found a
true friend but Him and yourself, sir--they all
forsook and misbelied me. never was as bad
as people made me; He knows that, and the
children. Ones hearth, is fair assize."
"True a fond husband and kind father
cannot be very bad man. / never believed
you ill-disposed, Fielding"
"No, bless thee for it, and He will bless
thee Ye ha' made me christian; the ways
O. the world made me an infidel long ago.-A
man kindly treated, feels like christian sir. "
"But we must give up resentments, now.
see by your countenance you will soon meet
your God Prepare, Fielding, for that great
Judgment"
"Yes, know it will come soon, an that ha'
changed me. But indeed, sir, | am aweary Of
the world fit war not for her and the child.
rem, had gone years back"
"The christian religion always supposes
poverty and suffering, James. Were all the
world sinless and happy, the atoncment had
been useless"
81 can well believe thisn O. thee sir. If yer
were dumb an blind, yer han would preach |;
tbs the ony sarmit as goes home to a hungry
man. Fine words be O. small account But
when rich parson, or a bishop or such, as
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