Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-19


how the wind shook the house groaning
among the trees, and signing along the
garden walk.
Yes, terrible night his wife answered
with shudder God grant no poor soul
may be out in it shelterless.'
'Amen! | would take in nv worst enc
my on such night as this
His worst enemy! But would he have
taken in his own child-the daughter with
his blood in her veins, fed once at his
hearth? If this question crossed the wife's
mind, she gave it no utterauce.
s 81, III .->A4-~, o. L .
asked meekly.
Yes, it is almost bedtime. I had for
gotten how long we were sitting in the
dark. will read now, and then we shall
be better in bed.
He drew toward him the Bible which
lay between the candles she had lighted.
1t had been his habit, for years. to read
chapter in it 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 if his pride was still too strong to per-
NIT him to confess himself in the wrong.
But soon he proceeded Hannah, do
suppose that was written for an example
to those who should seek to be numbered
with the children of God. He is our
Father, and His arms are ever open to the
wanderer. My heart misgiyes me sorely
about Caroline. She should not have dis
obeyed me, but-do never disobey God,
and where should be if He measured out
to me such measure as have measured to
her? 0, Hannah, never felt before how
much needed to be forgiven
'Ihemother's 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 her 2 Do you
think she lives still--our one child?
God knows, my husband. Sometimes ]
think that she is dead. | see her face en-
dark nights, and it wears look of heaven
ly peace. In the winds [ hear a voice that
sounds like hers-she seems trying to tel
me she has found rest But no, nop-hel
face kindled-' she is not dead. | feel il
in my soul-God will let US see her once
more-I am her mother-I shall not die
till lmy kisses have rested on hel cheek, my
= hand to,lched 4h,sr isair- = ssas> :
Dromisd, Rufus.
God grant it, Hannah
Ard ssfter those words they both sa'
silently, again, listening
They had not heard the door open, but
now step sounded in the hall, and the
door of the room where they sat was soft
ly unclosed. They both started upper
haps they half expected to see Caroline
but it was only their next door neighbor
holding by the hand child. She spakt
eagerly, in half-confused way, which they
did not notice.
This child came to my house, Judge
but hadn't room to keep her, so brough
her over here. 'Will you take her in 2
Surely, surely. Come here poor child
Who had ever heard Judge Howard
voice so gentle? The little girl seemed
somewhat rcassured by it. She crept t.
his knee, and lifted up her face. Th
Judge bent over her. Whose were thos
blue, deep eyes? Where had he seen tha
peculiar shade of hair, like the shell of
ripe chestnut? Did he not know thos
small sweet features, that wistful moutl
the delicate chin His hands shook
Whose-whose child are you? Whs
is your name?
'Grace, and the girl trembled visibl
sGrace Huntly,' said the neighbor
voice, growing somewhat quivering nov
sGrace Huntly. You cannot help know
ing that face, Judge. 1t is a copy of OF
which belonged once to the brightest an
prettiest girl in Ashdale.'
The old mamie looked very old no,
shaken by the tempest in his strong hear
as the. wind shook the trees outside-dre
the child into his bosom, with an cage
hungry look. His arms closed around h.
as if they would hold her there forever.
! My child, my child burst like Sc
from his lips, and then he bent ov
| silently. At first his wife had stood by
mute amazement, her face almost as whi
as the cap border which trembled rouI
it, now thought pierced her, quick al
deep as sword. She drew near, and loo
ed piteously into the neighbor's eye.
rs she an orphan? Where is b
mothers'
The Judge heard her and lifted up |
head.
!, YES he cried, swhere is Carolin,
Have pity, and tell me where is Carolin
Before the woman could answer, an {
ger voice called
Here, father, mother, here
And from the hall where she had be
lingering, half in fear, Judge Howard's o.
child came in. 1t was the mothers bre
to which she clung irst-the mothers ar
which clasped her with such. passions
clinging-and then she tottered forwa
9 and threw herself down at, her fathers fe
/ sForgiye me, father she tried to 5
, but the Judge would not hear her. /
angel had troubled at length, the deep J
q ter of his soul, and the wave of feeling
d oyerhowed his heart. lie saw now in
r trne light, the self-will and unforgiy
E spirit which had been the sin OF his
y He sank upon his knees, his arms entold
" bis daughter and her child, and his
= wife crept to his side, and knelt beside b
II while from his lips Mrs. Marsh heard
ol she closed the door, and left the now UNI
AZ family to themselves, this prayer:
- Father, forgive us our trespasses, as
is forgive those who trespass against us:
81 Judge Howard had not uttered it be
for ten years. 80, .,...