The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-10-17

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in the churehyard. This white haired guide
was the sexton, who for more. than sixty years
had made those beds for the children of NOR
tality. ..
MALCOLM Warren spoke the old man, in
voice so deep that it seemed almostite come
form of the neighboring graves, mot long since
you pointed to me as an example of how long
ainan might live who smiled upon the wine
cup, q
Malcoln gazed upon the old mans face, and
as he saw how solemn was the expression that
rested there, he forgot the bad company he
had left behind at the tavern, and his thoughts
Malcolm. resumed the sexton. 4 can look
back now, into thei past and See . score of
young men who commenced the race of life
with me. We went tqfschsiol together. We
learned to love the excitement of .the iptoxi-
eating cup, yand we thought not then Of the
danger we were conrtipg. Years passed ON,
and saw those twenty men sink into the arms
colin, they all sleep in drunkard's gravesl1S77
One after another saw them fall, and Al
length was left alone of the party who were
wont to assemble around the bar-room fire..
A deep groan escaped from the old man.
sAll gomez asked Malcolm.
Yes-alll the old man uttered. But this
is not half, Malcolm. Their wives and chill,
dten have died, and they too, lie here! Oh,
how Wel1 do remember the bright eyed
laughing, loving girR, who used to play with
us when we were boys! And how well can
remember when I saw them standing at the
altar-and when they turned away from the
place thew were blushing brides. But few
short years, and began to gather them into
the folds Of death. They sank down with
broken hearts and crushed hopes!s-Some of
them lived to be gray-headed., See the grave
tkereST-the one with a dark stone. He who
sleeps beneath that mound was once the hap
piest youth in the village. He built the house
in which you were born. He used to laugh
and sing over the wine cup, and he Thought
not then of harm. ! one heard his wife beg
him to remain at home with her, but he re-
fused her the boon. She told him she was
cold and hungry, and that her children needed
clothieg, but he needed her not. A few short
years afterwards, that wife's heart broke, snd
She died, and her. Children, The husband and
father found one cold night, lying by the
roadside and he was deadl These are their
graves, for I buried them all together. You
can see the wife's grave stone of the husbands
and those little graves are where lie the tro-
zen boy and girl r. r.
to wipe away the tears. t
sMalcolm Warren he said, there was once
a regiment of stout soldiers followed. Napoleon
Bonaparte into Russia. Ofthe whole company
Of Of .Men only one solitary man lived to fetur2.
hons. - =. 81, er1.v 2
All the rest died on their. way. They were
starved and frozen, and dropped by the way
side Now suppose that some thoughtless
youth should point to that single Living soldier,
and say that amid the eternal SHOWS of Russia
there wan. 10 danger, because that man had
passed them all and still lived. Like that
single fragment of the re giment, stand here,
living man Come, Malcolm, I would show
you one more spet before we co. !,
The old man leaned upon his staff and moved
slowly on among the graves. AT length they
stopped by SPOT where two graves lay side by
side. The slabs were of marble, and they
glistened brightly in the moonlight.
sMaicolm.' spoke the. sexton in deep whis-
per, Il remember well when made those two
graves There was no sorrow to fill the beds
which here made, for they who sleep here
died amid the sweet breathings of peace and
honor. They were good, yirtuous, and when
they were gone, our toWnsmen mourned, TOR
they had lost .tT6 IF its noble spirits. / love
TO Come aid stand over those graves, for know
God smiles upon them! There is not taint or
dishonor there, Malcolm; do you know who
rests in those graves? He did not answer,
nor did he raise his head, but sank down, weep
ing ana soDplng lkS cniio. hss seSa1SA ouu
mother slept there. M
The old man gazed tearfully upon the scene,
and then took the youth by the arm. So. q
sNow Malcolm he said, you can return to
your companions at the tavern, but let me pray
you, never use my name again as you did this
evening. When you think of Adam Stanford
think only of what he has tolds got. in the
church-yard, think only of what he has seen,
and of what he has suffered, and of that you
may in welcome speak
The old man turned partly away, when NAL
colin sprang forward and caught him by the
sUncle ADAM he uttered, IN cAoRen. and
broken accents, %, forgive me for what ! have
said I'll cannot ten 5op All now. L cannot
speak, but shall go to the tavern no more. O.,
God bless your 80
The clock struck nine and Alice folded the
hands of her little boy together, and ba6e him
say his prayers. Her youngest girl was asleep
in the cradle The first words of the prayer
were uttered-eOur father who art in Heaven,
| when there came the sound Of footsteps up
on the walk in the little front garden. d
It's papa, said the boy, letting his hands
| dfdn upoii his mothers knees, and bending his
ear to listen But the mother dared not speak.
| At last the door opened, and the husband
entered. Alice cast her eyes trembling up
and, saw the large tears rclling down the cheeks
| Of her beloved: Instinetively she sprang for
ward and clasped her husbands peck !.
MALCOLM, Malcolmp. she cried, what has
happened2 Tell me--tel mep s.s.tssa S,
| Malcolm sank into 1 chair and lice
can gon forgive me for all that has passedr
The essntie wife was ,bewildered at first nay
almost frightened, foE she feared his brain was
turned. But he told her, where he had been,
! and spoke of the resolution he had made.7
Hs dia not tell her Of any trial he was going
| to make, but he told her Of the iron hsin that
| had entered his SOUL The night of his temp
| had dawned. ~
The hekt &STning Malcolm Warren arose &
better aud happier man. He was calm now
and Itoid Alice all that had transpired sth<
Iniieht before, and when it was all told they
:. prayed as redeemed souls can pray !.
!. ,:Days, months and weeks passed; away, and