Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-10
CIEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL TO- 1861

Having rested and taken some refreshments,
he commenced the search of his uncle's dwell
ling, several hours passed by before he could
find 1t. At last he found it in very dirty
and obscure alley. The door was ajar and no.
body in the house. Truly it did not look like
rich mans house, but have intimated that
its owner was a mser and that explains all.
Every article of the homely broken furniture
was covered with thick dirt. l do not think
the floor had been swept for year. Loose
papers and old rags were scattered about eve
rywhere. But not sign of money could be
found save few cOpperS in an old vest. Ev-
| cry corner was searched and nothing was Wis.,
| IDLE that was worth taking away. Four days
dld Edward continue the search, and finally h e
| had to give up his task without success. The
last day he was there a neighbor called in and
told him that his uncle sold all his houses and
lands the previous year, and having put the
money for them in large chest, he set out
for Egypt; he only returned the other day
and the fever was on him of which he died !;
he brought nothing back with him except
| these old rags and papers you scattered
about. That was melancholy news for Ed
ward but it was vain for him to remain longer.
No one can tell how heavy his heart was when
he went home again and had to tell Gertrude
that all their hopes were blighted.
"And did you bring nothing from your un-
cle's house ~ she asked in a tone of sadness.
IN othing save this inkstand, though it is
hardly worth its weight in oak leaves.
thought l would bring it home as memento of
our rich relative. 1t is of very thick glass
and is hard ebony wood. Gertrude, isn't this
Widow Shutz's daughter ?''
"Ah, yes, Edward. Her poor mother died
OF broken heart while you were at Prague,
and no one would take her child, owing to
her fathers defraudlng the government. So
went and brought her here. l think we can
manage TO support her.
CA noble act, Gertrude; it repays me for
my disappointment. We have stern duties to
meet. The ten Thousand dollar bond l can
never pay the thirty dollars l borrowed can
not be returned Immediately. What we shall
do our Heavenly Father only knows. May
he help US TO bear whatever fate awaits u.s.
Edward and bis wife curtailed their expen-
ses to their real necessities They esolved
to drink no more tea or Coffee and only eat
meat twice week. They both worked night
and day to supply their wants. But the time
was at hand when the bond must be paid
Where will the money come from That was
question of hourly conversation and medi-
tation. They could think of but little else
and dreamed about it every night. Still they
believed God would deliver them and preserve
their little home to them. Finally the dread
ful day came and three officers presented them
selves at the poor mans cottage. Edward in
yited them in and told them all that happened.
He implored their mercy another month, n
other week; but all to no avail. They said it
was not in their power to show any leniency,
they were servants Of the law and had to obey
its commands. So they commenced to pack
up the various articles of furniture preparatory
to taking them 10 the auction room.
Gretchen, the little adopted girl, became
frightened at the officers, and in running by
the table knocked off the inkstand that Ed
ward had brought from Prague. The ink flew
all over her clothes and the inkstand was bro
ken by its fail. The sun was shining brightly
through the window, and amid the fragments
there shone the most beautiful object that any
one there had ever seen. 1t was a--magnif- |
cent diGm0adi 1t told its own story. The |
wealth that Edward Muilers rich uncle had |
taken away was exchanged by him for that |
and he had concealed it in the ink |
stand between the glass and the wood. It's |
possesSor was now the richest man in the |
kingdom. The chief officer interrupted the /
legal proceedings and beckoned to his COM |
panionS that it was time fer them to leave. /
The family were alone.
The first thing done in that household was I
the singing OF Martin Luther'S grand hymn, |
"A sure fortress in our Cod" They each /
kneeed in prayer, and little Gretchen-al-
ways lovelier because she was the instrument |
of fdeliverancc--folded her hands as directed !
and tried to speak her prayer. But she could |
not, and the falling tears catching in her
brown curls looked like dew drops on the fiow-
ers of Spring. She vas in reference to the /
hings of this life, what many little child I
ian be in regard to the more important mat
ners of eternity, The .4nget of Salvation.