The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-09-13

SIX hundred dollar camel-nalr shawl.
Six hundred dollars the death blow
Of poor, honest Thomas
The broker had driven at least half OF
the nails that held his coffin together
"What! | was awake then How
much of the dream had been reality p
Certainly part Of it, for Thomas had
lost his six hundred dollars, and now lay
prone on his bed, fed upon by hot fever.
Had | foreseen his death, aud the break.
ing up of that happy household? My
. heart sunk within mo as | sprang from
my seat, and hastily attiring myself, hur-
rietf to the humble place. Yes, the cur.
.tains in that room were still d.wn-the
bell was mufiled. Softly tie door was
opened.
No better"
The tears fell as the sorrowful words
were spoken, and l turned away, - phi"
in my heart. The next day and the next
my visits terminated in the same way ;
but on the third morning a smiling face
greeted me with the words-''the doctor
says he is better; he will recover With
proper care
" Recover 81 dared to wonder if it
were best-rccover to feel his helpless
ness, his poverty-recover to know that
richer and less worthy men were feeding
on his hardly earned gains.
1t was not long before they admitted
me to his bed side. Their. seemed yet
to lie upon him the Wilderness and the
sharpness of death-his face was worn to
the bcnc-his eyes were hollow and
CLASSY.
"He don't get along very FAST" said
his wife, "the doctor says he mustn't wor.
ry-but l cant keep him from it,
The lip of the sick man quivcred 81
think of the doctors bill, sometimes"
he said in a feeble voice. "and of my
lo>scs-how can I help it.'
"Look up to God--I am sure he will
provide for you Although my tones
were firm, l fear my heart was almost
faithlcss,
"Yes, yes-l try try very hard to
feel that" he said with emphasis 81
believe God never deserts any of his
creatures, but, He don't work miracles"
Sometimes he does," was my reply,
"or something worry like, it seems to US.
At any rate, don't fret if you can help it.
The more submissive we are, the more
helps are put in our way"
My faith grew as spoke. For a mo-
ment it seemed to me possible to lift
the sick man from his bed-to provide
for all his needs-to make provision for
his dreary future think he took cour-
age from my face, for he smiled fcebly,
put forth both his wasted hands, and ex-
claimed, "you are good friend Sone-
how you have inspired me with hope--it
don't look as gloomy as it did but now.
Thank you. thank YOU
Softly spoken, soothing, cheering
words oh . they are music by the poor
mans hearth, by the sick mans bedside.
| went away happier for his grateful
manner-praying that his burden might
be lightened.
The day following l called again.
Mother and daughter came to the door,
the latter with the babe in he arms. More
joyful, beaming faces | had never seen.
Even the baby crowed with a new and
exultant note.
90. please walk into the room," said
the good wife, in trembling whisper,
"Tve got something to tell you
followed her The lame boy on his
little bed seemed as radiant as the rest
An open letter lay on the table.
"Read it-oh it seems SO wonderful.
and how shall we tell him? didn't
dare.'
The tears were running now, tears Of
gladness, not grief took the letter
mechanically. Thus it ran:
"To Mr. Thomas DAVIES,
"Dear Sir
"Your uncle, the late John Davies, Of
Marks, Marks county, has left you, by
will, his homestead-the farm embracing
forty acres, and the sum of fourteen
hundred dollars IN cash. You are re-
quested to be at Marks on Monday next,
that steps may be taken to put you in
immediate possession.
"Yours very truly,
Etc, etc"
If ever a heart beat with emotion al,
most uncontrollable mine did at that
moment: if ever tears of gratitude were
shed, | shed then, then and there My
pleasure amounted almost to ecstacy.
"Why, you're all as rich as kings l
cried, looking round upon the happy
faces; "if ever family had reason to
bless God, surely you have. The good
man spared, and this little fortune
yours
81 thought of your words yesterday"
said the wife, half sobbing, "and when |
read the letter it took the breath from
me, for it seemed as if l felt God stand
ING c'ose beside me, and heard him say,
haven't | made it all up to you?' But
how shall we tell Thomas ?"
took it upon myself to tell Thomas.
I went into his little room and held his
wasted hand, while calmly and quietly l
told him the story of my dream, subs,i-
tuting other names, ard then the stran
ger things that followed. He looked and
listened, seeming to gather from what l
said that hope and happiness were given
to him again; and when l added, 'that
letter, my friend Thomas, came this
morning; God has answered your trust
in him never doubt again - he covered
his poor, pale face with his hand, and
cried like child His wife came in and
kissed him-so did all his children, 81
lently, joyfully, all but the poor boy,
whose weak voice was heard piping, "Oh,
father I'm so glad" then We stood,