Des Arc citizen., 1859-03-18

| V man had fixed his dark eye upon hitn, and leaned forward as if to catch every word
 As the pastor took his seat the old man arose, his tall form towering in its syinme- try. and his chest swelling as he inhaled his breath through his thin, dllaled nostrls. To me, tlhat time, there was something we-lnspiring and grand in the, appear lance of the man. as he stood with hls u eye uponthe audience, his teeth shut hard and silence like that of death throughout the church He bent his gaze upon the tavern keeper, and that peculiar eye lln- gered and kindled for half moment.
 The scar grew red upon his forehead, and beneath the heavy e-hrows hls eyes glittered and glowed like those of ser pent. The tavern keeper quailed before the searching glance, and felt a relief lwhen the old man withdrew his gaze. For moment he seemed lost in thought, and then in low and tremuous tone commenced There was depth in that voice, thrilling palhos and sweetness which riveted every heart in the house be- Iforethe first period had been rounded. My fathers attention had become fixed on lthe speaker, with an interest which l bad meyer before seen hun exhibit. 1 can but briefly remember the substance oI what the old man said, though the scene is as vivid before me as any that 1 ever wit messed.
 "My friends!-I am strangerln your village and I trust may call yoo friends. A new star has arisen, and there IS hope in the dark night which hangs like a pail of gloom over our country" With thrill Hing depth of voice the speaker continued: 70 God. thou who lookest with compass sion upon the most errng of eafth's chil- dren 1 thank thee thai a bfazen serpent has been lifted. upon which the drunkard can look and be helped; that beacon has burst out upon the darkness that surrounds him, which shall guide back to honor and heaventh the bruised and weary wanderer. y
 Ii IS strange what power there IS in some voices, The speaker was slow and unmoved, but tear trembled in every eye, and before knew why, tear drop ped upon my hand, followed by others, like rain-drops The old man brushed one from his own eyes, and continued:
 "Men and Christians! you have just heard that am vagrant and a fanatic. l am not As God knows my own sad heart, came hereto do good. Hear me and be just.
 | Il am an old man, standing alone at the end of life's journey; there is deep sorrow in my heart, and tears in ny. eyes. 1 have iourneyed over dark and beacon less ocean, and all IHe's hopes have been wrecked. am without friends, home or kindred upon earth, and look with longing to the rest ofthe night of death. WiIiout friend, kindred or home! It was not so once" as5 aie No one could withstand the touching palhos of the old man. l noticed a tear trembling on the lid of my fathers eye, and was no more ashamed of my own
 No. my friends. il was not so once! Away over the dark waves which have wrecked my hopes there IS a blessed light of happiness and home; l reach again con. vulsveIy for the shrines of the household idols that once were, now mine no more"
 The old man seemed looking through fancy upon some bright vision, his lips apart and finger extended. involuntar- ly turned in the direction where it was pointed, dreadno to see some shadow in voked by it's movements. ts8 hv
 ''l once had a mother With her heart crushed with sorrow, she went down to the grave. once had a wife --as fair an angel-creature as ever smiled in an earth ly home; her eyes assmild as summer sky, and her heitrt as faithful and true as ever guarded and cherished a husbands love- Her blue eyes grew dim as the floods ol sorrow washed away their brlght- ness, and the living heart was broken. l once had noble, a brave and beautiful boy; but he was driven out from the ruins ol his home. and my heart ycarns to know if he yet lives. once had babe--a sweet, lendyr blossom, but my hand des- troyed 1t, and 1t liveth with One who loves
 "Do not be startled my friends 1; l am not murderer m lhe common aceepta- tiong of the term. Yei thefe is light in my evening sky A spirit mother re- ioees over the return of her prodigal son. The wife smiles upon hlm who agHin turns back to virtue and honor. The child angel visits me at night-iall, and 1 feel the hallowed touch of tiny palm upon my feyerish cheek. My boy, if he yet lives, would forgive the sorrowing old man for the treatment which drove him into the world, and the blow that maimed hjm for life. God forgive me for the rum have brought upon ne and mine.'
 He again wiped tear froln his eye. My father watched him with strange in- terest, and q counlenance unusually pale, and excited by some strange emotion. [ Il was ouce a fanatic, and madly fol- lowed the maign lighl which led me to ruin. was a fanatic when 1 sacrificed my wife. children. happiness and home. to the aecursed demon of the bowl l once adored the gentle being whom l in- jured so deeply.
 Il was a drunkard. From respecta- bilily and affipence plunged into degra- dation and poverty. l dragged my fami- 1 ly down with me. For years 1 saw her cheek pale, and her step grow weary. l ! iaf, Lor a lop.a amid th.s ,rr.ck of her home