The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-09-21

Anu 1ct NC tofeu lHosc Two Win slrengtns
that weaker. more yielding natures could not
have fathomed. When his child was FIRST put
into his arms when her frail, helpless hands
CROPPED blindly At his own, he felt the strong
thrill Of father-love sweep over him. For the
moment il swelled his soul. irradiated his
face, flooded his heart, but it did not perma-
neptly change or soften his nature. As she
grew toward womanhood, and her bright head
glancing in his path was the fairest sight earth
held, her ringing voice the sweetest music,
he never gratifed her whims, nor always
yielded to her reasonable wishes.
At length love came to her. She gave her
heart to one whose father Judge Howard had
hated. James Huntly and he had been young
together. and a feud had arisen between them,
which Rufus HOward's stern nature allowed
him neither to forget nor forgive. He had
vet TO learn the lesson, holier than all the
teachings Of scers and sages, the lesson our
Saviour lived, wrought, ay, died to teach, Of
forgiveness even for our enemies--prayer for
those who have despitefully used US aud per.
secuted US. His former enemy was dead
now, but not so the Judges hate. II had
been transmitted, like real estate, to the dead
mans heir; and 50 he forbade his daughter
to marry him. aud sternly bade her choose
between parent and lover. She inherited her
fathers strong will. and she put her hand in
Richard Huntly's and went forth-she would
not have been her fathers child il she had
not. without tear.
From the time, for ten years, her name
had been a forbidden word. Letters she
had written at first during her banshment--
but they had been sent back unopened, aud
for years no voice or token had come TO tell
whether she were dead or living. There
fore, the mother looked shudderingly into
the shadow haunted corners, in the long twi-
| lights, and almost believed that she saw there
the face for which her mothers heart had
yearned, momently, all these years. a
Judge Howard loved his wife, too--O. if
she had but known it Every outline Of
that sad, waiting face, every thread Of that
silver hair, was dearer to him now than when
the bridal rose crowned the girl bride he had
chosen. but his lips never soothed away the
sadness Of that patient lace.
!" 1t is terrible night" he said, ut length.
rousing himself from his long silence. Ia
the pause after his words, you could hear
how the wind shook the house, groaning
among the trees, and signing along the &C.
de" Wall yysit; terrible n;oh, y Ri. wif. .n.w.,.
ed with shudder. God grant no poor
soul may be out in il shelterless."
Amen lwouid take in my worst ene-
INV on such night as this"
Ills worst enemy. But would he have
taken in his own child-the daughter with
his blood in her veins, led once at his hearth
If this question crossed the wife's mind, she
gave Il no utterance.
"shall light the candles, Rufusf" she
asked meekly. .-...5
YES, il is almost bedtime. had for.
gotten how long we we're sitting in the dark.
| will read now, aud then We shall be better
. in bed"
I lie drew toward him the Bible which Law
between the candles she had lighted. Ithad
been his habit, for years, TO read a chapter
! in il nightly. Somehow, tonight. the pages
opened at the beautiful, ever new story Of
the prodigal son. Judge Howard read it
through calmly, but his hand trembled as he
/ shut the book.
" Hannah" he begun, and then paused as
il his pride was It'll too strong TO permit
| him TO confess himself in the wrong. but
soon he proceeded: Hannah, do suppose
that was written for an example TO those
WIN should seek 10 be numbered with the
children Of God. lie is our Father, and His
arms are ever open TO the wanderer. NV
heart misgiyes me sUrely about Caroline.
She should not have disobeyed me, but--do
| never disobey God. and where should bo
IL He measured out to me such measures as
i | have measured to herr q. Hannah, new
er felt before how much needed TO be for
given"
1.-THE mothers tears were falling still
and fast--she could not answer. There was
silence for the moment. and again the Judge
said, restlessly, /" Hannah !" and she looked
up into his white moved face.
"Hannah, could we find herr DO you
think she lives still-our one child !"
God knows. my husband. Sometimes I
think that she is dead. | see her face on
dark nights, and il wears a look Of heavenly
peace. In the winds hear voice that
sounds like her-she seems trying 10 tell me
she has found rest. But no. no"--her face
kinlled-" she is not dead. feel il in nv
soul--God will let Us see her once more-I
am her moihcr-I shall not die till my kisses
have rested on her cheek, my hand touched
her hair. believe have a promise, Ru-
fus."
God grant il, Hannah"
/ And after those words they both SAT 81.
lently, again, MISUNDERSTANDING.
They had not heard the door open, but
now a step sounded in the hall, aud the door
of the room where they sat was softly un-
closed. They both started up--perhaps they
half expected 70 see Caroline. but II was on
Iy their next door neighbor. holding by the
hand child. She spake eagerly. 10 half.
confused way. which they did not notice.
/" This child came 10 my house, Judge, but
| hadn't room to keep her, so brought her
over here. Will you take her in !"
"surely, surely. Come here. poor child"
Who had ever heard Judge Howard's voice
so gentlea The little girl seemed some.
what reassuted by IL. She erept 10 his
knee, aud lifted up her face. The Judge