Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-07-06
BREAD UPON THE WATERS,
OR, KINDNESS REwARDE


The night cold, and dark, and gusty !;
storm clouds were gathering thickly overhead,
and the ground beneath was icy, affording in
secure footing for the weary traveller, trudg-
ing patiently and slowly, as he had done since
early dawn. He was not young, and appeared
feeble, and stopped occasionally, pressing his
hand to his side as if in pain but maugre pain,
weakness, and cold, he still toiled On as one
desirous of reaching home. Homel Had he
home? Two hours had certainly elapsed
since night had thrown her vail upon the earth,
when overcome by the bitter, biting wind, he
sunk at last into a huge snow-drift by the way
side, and in feeble accents prayed aloud 10 God
an his anguish for her whose whole earthly stay
he was. Aud ssiIe who heareth the poor when
they cry unto Him" answered this prayer of
the desolate. A farnaer'S boy came whistling
merrify along, and like the Good Samaritan,
stopped at the sight of suffering humanity.
'sWhy do you lie here, sir The night is
so cold that one must move to keep from freez-
ing. Come, will help you up.''
ssIt is useless am too tred-too faint to
go further.''
ssA few rods further is my home. 1 can
help you walk so far, and there you can get
rested and warmed.''
ssHaverhill-.if could have reached there !;
but I-have-no more strength and again
his anguish burst forth ssMy wife! D God !
my poor, poor wifei''
The boy threw strong arm around the man,
and raised him to his feet, but his limbs obey
ed no longer his will, and he sank again upon
the ground. For moment stood our Good
Samaritan, as in thought; then, stripping off
his overcoat, and wrapping it around the fall
len one, with hopeful, s.I'll be back soon !;
don't move," he hurried away swiftly toward
home, and as he paused upon the threshold to
shake off the snow from his feet, he thanked
God that he was not wanderer.
The New England Kitchen, with its pewter
NAL blaze Of the g-heaped fireplace, its high
backed, rush- bottomed chairs grating as they
we're moved over the neatly -sanded floor its
massive beam running midway of the ceiling,
across the room, and its many doors, leading
to all sorts of rooms and stairways, is picture
familiar to many. The farmer, too, stout and
tall, with cheeks blushed by the sun, and huge
hands, Drowned and hardened 10y honest toll,
with heart as stout and huge, but not hard ex-
ccpt in outward seeming. Such a kitchen
stepped our youth into, and such man sat in
the warmest corner of just such a fireplace
| and, looking at the comer's glowing
cheeks, said, pleasantly,
''The wind gives you good color, boy.''
eyes, father," rubbing his cheek, sthey do
burn some-father ?''
-s.Well.''
'sI heard you tell Jones, to-day, that you
could trust me with all you had (; will You
trust me with old Moll tonight a''
$50 you have ears, sir. Well, what want
you with Moll?'
s.To go to Haverhill.''
ssIt's freezing night, boy.''
81 know that, sir,-but will you not trust
me?'
After a long pause, eyes, Moses; you shall
| have old Moll to go to Haverhill,'' said the
| father; s'but, remember, to-morrow's work
must be done.''
elf you've any fault to find to- morrow night,
truct md fba hou frrp IN
the cupboard beneath the dressers, buttered a
| generous slice of bread, then left the room
| with a small pitcher, and returned with it
brimming full of cider, his father closely no.
| ting all as he smoked away at his pipe, the
New England farmers inseperable companion.
Moses next went out, and harnessed. then re-
| turned to the kitchen for the bread and cider.
| ssWhy not eat it here, Moses ?'' queried his
| father.
| ooh! Pm not hungry / have had some
supper, you know; good night, father,' and
| he hurried away.
sGood night, my boy-W here's your coat p
! he called out; but Moses was too far off for
any other reply to reach the querst's ears
| than, Gall right ~
| Moses found the wearied where he had left
him, and, springing from the sleigh, he said,
| ssHullo, sir you said you were faint-here's
some of our cider, and if you can sit up and
| drink 1t, and eat this bread, you'll feel better
| and here's old Moll, ready to take you to Hav-
| crhll. There, don't talk, but eat. It's aw-
full cold, and it's a long way to Haverhill, and
stand still, Moll!''
So he went on, bobbing now here and now
| there, and talking as fast he could, so not
| to hear the poor mans outpourings of graft
| tude, as he ate, and drank, and was refreshed
| With some difficulty the stranger was seated
| in the sleigh, and supported by his compan-
| ions strong arm. The pair rode in almost to-
| tai silence, through the increasing darkness, to
| their journeys end, and then brief were the
| spoken thanks, as if the heart were too full fol
| utterance. The hour of midnight was past
| when Moses reached his home, and laid him
down to rest; but his sleep was sweet and
| sound-too sound for dreams.
| Years flew by, and Moses had followed his
fathers corpse to the burial ground, and lef'
his country home to toll for fortune. And
! slowly, but surely, did he win favors of the
| tickle goddess. To him, as to all, came dark
days, and creditors clamored; but light came
| at the darkest hour; his creditors were silenc-
ed, he knew not why. He fell i'll, and when
| fever-wasted and Strengthless, he rose from his
| bed, there came to him, from, he knew not
| where a hamper of the choicest liquors. He
married, and on his wedding day, Mrs. Moses
| received an envelope, containing only nifty
| dollar bunk note from, he knew not whom
| He, who had befriended the unknown friend
| less, had, in his need, raised up to him un
| known friends.
One little helpless Innocent God gave him
| and after its birth the world grew fairer, the
sun shone brighter, and life became sweeter te
our Moses. And cheerily, one bright, frosty
morning, he kissed his two loved ones fare
| we'll for the day, as business called hlm some
| miles distant In these days of iron and
i staam short hour will whlri us long miles
| from. home. without the tedium of watching
| miIe-nosts and guide boards. So Moses (ough
we not say Mr. Moses, now that he has not on
Iv reached mans estate, but possesses wife
| and owns baby / think SOY Mr.. Nose: