Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-05

parted. Two others had joined the weeping
group.
MY own loved frst-bornI"
err ''o''e ''0'u-
me mother and sister fell upon the bowed
neck of the Worthy Patri arch oe-Diyis-
ION, and never did the emblem of the Red.
"hi'e and Blue receive boiler baptism of
Joyous tears. Never was there a scene on
earth more touching and sublime.
CEAPTER IL.
AS We passed from the Division Room his
mother laid her hand upon my arm, and in
yited us to spend the night with her. We
were glad to accept the invitation. for we
wanted to learn more of what we had wit
.s>~-s-a-T har ANN, x.0 ,xall Cd ;la,,,I,
houeward, for each heart was too fun foT Ut
torrance.
The widow was quiet, but happy, and for
long time sat by the fire dreamily now
and then sipinga away the tears that would
find their way over the withered check We
conmuned with our own thoughts, aud loved
our cause better for working such changes
in the desoate places. While the tea-kettle
was singing over the blaze which seemed to
cracke and fash with the new found ioy,
the table was spread, and plates set for three
In little time the sister came in, and steal
ing up to the mother, kissed her tenderly on
the check. The silent act spoke volumes
there was happiness in their hearts which
such acts alone could express Words could
not have TOLD it as lmpressively.
While We were seated at the table, the
mother spoke of the Sons of Temperance as
great society. We remarked that the or
ganization was not so,Feally.
But it has secret" she repeated.
"A mere matter of self-protection,' We re-
piled.
You have an oath which binds You to
keep that secret and she looked inquiringly
into our eye. -...
No oath but that of our promise as men
of honor"
If tell yon what the secret of your soci-
ETY. is, will you admit the truth ?
We hesitatingly nodded assent, and she
begun. -..... ...- :
You saw that man who presided at The
meeting this afternoon, and in the Dirision
this cs ening? he is my only sen. He mar
ried one of the noblest of women and COM
menced life ten years ago, with means char
acter AID friends. His fall is a long ter.
rible history fearful nightmare which
| hope has passed away. lie forgot me, for
got his wife, forgot his sister, though we all
clung to him in the darkest times Of his own
degradation. None but God will ever know
how suffered. For years | wrestled in
prayer, even when it seemed that God had
forgotten the widow and her sorrows. Many
are the long, dreary nights-so dreasy, Mr.,
that have kneeled by the side of the slum-
berng drunkard and prayed Ssl fhttss.s-fo5 100
tiou 1org1ye al1 fne .@wnen WA elapsed hands
l have invoked terrible: judgments upon
those who were wringirg my old heart in
the ruin of my boy.
One night six moaths ago, he was b' ought
home struggling VI :th delirium tremens, and
| for three weeks vibrated between life and
death. All this time, certain number o.
gentlemauly appearing young men alternate
| ly took their places at the bedside. They
were kind, and did not want to think them
of those who bad helped to lead him astray
'Wnen my son was able to sit up, and oc
casionsly walk..out, | began to tremble, for
feared the worst.
EARLY one evening, they asked me to per
nit them to take him to the village for fev
hours No! said /, you shall not. Leav
him and 90 your ways, for fear you. Bu
they so earnestly and kindly urged me
promising that no harm should befall him
that I re'uct9ntly consented, and the
passed out.
"The hours never seemed longer tina
while they were gone, and most of tn
time spent in prayer. Every football i
the street startled me, and my poor acf
ing heart was full of fearful forebodings
coming evil
About 10 o'clock, / heard voices dow
the street, and soon after footsteps. listene
keenly and my heart leaped with joy
knew one step, and that he was sober.
dared to hope that something better was
store for me. 1t was but amoment and til
door was thrown open and halfdozen diff
erent gentlemen were in company with m
son He slowly advanced to where / ws
trying to stand by leaning upon the chai
and for moment looked me in the eye. q
was soberl
sMother!' at last be cried out; my ow
but deeply injured mother saved at las
and you will be happy again. and he p,
his arms around my neck as when | use
to lift him from the cradle, and sobbed alou'
Saved mother! Do you hear that ?
man again. You will love me once NOR
will you not mother? And Amy shall n.
= weep over her DToCn5r again. hHo Cno
iured Marv-will she not come back agair
For am Son of Temperance
%. what an hour was that. We have be'
so happy, and have thanked God so often.-
It seems that if our poor hearts not hold
this JOY. The wife-peor girl-has cor
back as you saw tonight, and sure enoul
there is Joy on Earth and in Heaven. But
cannot talk-I can only weep my JOY.
hare told your secret-it IS to sare the dr,t'
ard ard make the soaste places glad sosth ht
and happiness dgaSn."
!, The mother had guessed 1.-THE secret
out Georgia Crusader.