The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-11
"Father I'll Beat me if He's Cross.n

dust and dry leaves in Ellen Grcy's face rs
she passed rapidly through the gathering
gloom. almost hone," she murmured,
"and right glad am |, for It's bitter cold to-
night"
a sob smotc on her ear, and turning to
! see from whom it proceeded, her eve fell on
| Il little girl who sat on the curbstone weep
ing bitterly. "l'oor child" she said softly,
"what is the mattcrl Why do YOU cry SO a.
The child locked wondcringlv up into
tho swce, face. 40 full of pity, and with tears,
answered, Observation-Disclosures | tired and
cold and hungry, for havn't had anything
to eat all day; and | don't want to 90
home. for iaihcr'll beat me il hes cross, and
he's always cross nowadays, and mother
can't get any sewing to do;' and the sad
story ended as it had begun, in tears.
E'len's resolve was quickly taken she
forgot how cold she was, her heart was SO
warm with pity. Amid the gathering dark
ness she went with tic child to her miscra-
bic home; and suci Il scene of suffering !
Two pale thin children lay fast asleep on a
heap OF straw, near which sat, or rather
cr"uched, a most wrclccd-lookng man.
Even 10y the scan'y light from the street
lamp opposite. she could plainly see t,a, he
WIS Il druntarh but he was not drunk
then or cross either, for his look was one of
utter despair A woman SO gricf-striken
Il'a: !. seemed as though ono feahcr's
weight more of suffering would crush her
entirely. rose as Ellen Grey entered, a pain
tnl flash crimsolling her wan face: for
though neat, her clothes were much worn
an'. size had neither shoes nor stockings.
Ellen quickly explained her reasons for
coming, and gathered! from the woman a
iitc"us account OF their sufrrinos. Their
family name was Howard. They had been
poor; but rs long us the mother could OBJ
tain work, they had not suffered from hun
ger or cold. Now she could get nothing to
DO, their money was gone, and they had
not tasted food that day. "Shc did not
care for h"rSc!t,' she said, "but what would
become OF her poor children %
\ deep groan burst from the lips of the
wrctched father, and arising, he tottcrcd to.
wards the door. Ellen Grey saw tho wiic's
appealing look, and sprngins towards him,
size laid her hand on his arm. "Oh, SIR
she exclaimed, don't go cut want to
help you. Only promise ME two things
that next sabbath you will attend meeting
at the--street church. just promise
me this, and will help you. will get
some food for your family, and ask some Of
my friends to give you work"
The poor man looked bcwillered, and it
was only when the sweet girl had once and
again urged her request, that the required
promise was given.
"Oh, sir" and Ellen Grcy's tones were
full of gladness, Pm SO glad you've prom
ised; but you mustn't try to keep it alone,
ycn must asl; Cod To help you" Tears were
raining down the mans haggard face, and
his wife was on her knees beside him.
I'm afraid he wont hear me-" was his bro
kcn reply, "Ive been so wicked. Nv moth
er used to tell he he wouldn't receive pray
"'> from unclcan lips, and mine must be
uiI"l""n for have taken Uod's name in
VAN may times to-day. Oh, lady, you
pray. Knee! right down here, and pray now
ami III promise that wont swear any more,
and I'll learn to pray too"
80 Ellen Grey bent the knee in the drunk
ards wretched home, craving help from God
for them and theirs.
Ellen Grey was factory girl in the busy
city 0: l. and had little for charity,
but that little was freely given. In this case
more WIS needed than she had in her pow
cr 10 bestow, SO she applied to several Of
hcr ir!er1a whose means were ample. Judge
o! her surprise when from one and another
came the chilling answer, II can't waste NV
money SO. He'll spend all you give him
<rI,,
away" One man, however said "he would
give him employment, if he'd sign the
pledge and keep sober" Ellen did not get
much aid, but she denied herself, and did
what she could for them.
A few days SAW Mr.. Howard steadily at
work, and his family more comfortably sit
uated. The Sabbath came, and true to his
promise, he appeared in the house of God.
Weeks passed !; it seemed time of gen
eral revival, and among the hearers of the
word III the -- street church who felt
the JOY Of sins forgiven were both Mr.. and
Mrs. Howard.
How Ellen Grcy's heart glowed within
her when Mr.. Howard, his voice trcmulous
with emotion, related what God done for
liiIn and his, and asked to be taken into
communion with the Church of Christ be-
low.
Tears stood in eyes'all unused to weep
as he told how, like an angel sent from
God, Ellen Grey came to bis miserable
homc-how she pleaded with him to turn
from the error Of his ways--how above
all, she had pointed them to the Lamb of
God who taketh away the sins of the
world" and how lie and his family would
ever love her, and pray God to bless her
here and hereafter. @s
HumbIy and consistently do Mr. How.
ard and his family walk in the path way
IT. that leadeth to the upper country" the
"home beyond the tides" and Ellen Grey
blesses God that he gave her this work to
do for him. "
Who would not he an Ellen Grew, .serv-
ingihim who has said Of kind keeds +ren.
dered here, "'VerilyI say unto, yov, mas
1, much as ye have done it unto the least Of
.tl'e these my brethren, ye. have done it unto
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