Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-04
VOL. S.---N0. 40.
"THE EVIL. HOUR


cradle, she regards him in his present lowell
ness and is happ. aud satisfied AS be grows
older, aud the latent human passions begin 20
be developed, she becomes anxious for the
/ future; but still hope predominates over fear
She believes that her son will be good and
noble man. Ii she is faithful Thristsn
mother, she has good ground for her faith and
hope. There may be instances when such
parents have been disappointed, but we think
such cases are very rare. The conscience
must Ue cultivated, and the fear of God con
stantly enjoined, or the youth will go astray
ct every turn. An amiable, loving spirit alone
will not keep him from falling into sin.
Joseph Dean was what every body called 8
good boy He did all he could for his wild
owed mother, aud being only child, he
could do much. Mrs. Dean was poor. She
owned a small house and few acres of land,
and that was all. Her son was her great
| treasure, aud in him she felt rich.
As Joseph was approaching manhood, he
had desire TO see more OF the world than he
could do in the place of his birth, and to do
something more remunerative than tiiing his
mothers little farm. He went to the city,
and was so fortunate as 30 get into business
which satisfied his desires. His mother heard
from him often, ana whenever he could leave,
he went to see her, carrying some little COM
fort or luxury. She missed him sadly but
yet she was recoDciled TO his absence, because
she believed il was best Tor him, and would
IN the end be the best for her; he might be-
come rich man, ana come home and repair
the house, and put the farm in good order,
and take care of her in her old age.
Joseph renamed in the business no had
chosen for some years, and was prosperous,
laying up money until he counted by thou
sands. Then the spirit of change revived a.
gain, and he resolved to go to a distant part
OF the country to improve his worldly condi-
tlon. The proposition almost broke bis moth
er's heart. How could she part with her son
so handsome, SO Kind and noble, what could
she do without him Her pleadngs were all
in vain. Hehad made up his mind, and must
go. tie went; and we fear he went in his
own strength and not with the fear and love
OF God. Didhis mother pray in faith for him
She did not profess faith in Christ, and per-
haps did not pray at all.
The months wore away wearily, and no It'd
ings cams OF Joseph. 1t was very strange he
did not write. year went by, and his moth
er heard not a word from him. Had he died
among strangers : or had he sailed for some
foreign land, and his letters failed to reach
her The days grew very long TO her, and
the nights wearisome. The winds reminded
her OF the perils of the sea, aud the scOrching
sun OF sickly climates. Where, oh where
was her son
The little keepsakes iio had given her were
looked over and over, and the history CT each
recalled with a new heartache. The farm was
neglected and the house needed repairs; but
widow Dean seemed to care for nothing but
tidings from her darling son. Her hair be-
came bleeched by sorrow, and her eyes dim
with weeping. Her neighbors tried to COM
fort her but what did they know OF the deep
sorrow of her heart /?
After years had gone by, one day the door
OF the cottage opened, and stranger present
ed himself before Mrs. Dean. He was shabby
and haggard, and had a wild and an anxious
YHA hfah ha h..r ,
care you Joseph Dean ?'' said the mother.
"No, that is not my name my name is John
son. The voice was Joseph's; but the per-
son, Oh, it was but the wreck of her noble
All that he could ever say of himself
was, that in distant city he was taken to
place where something given him to
drink, and after that he did not know anything
for long time. When'ife awoke his money
was all gone. Poor Joseph in an evil hour
he had fallen into sin, and that one act proved
his destruction or his subsequent life he
could give no account but that his mind had
been disordered there was every reason to
suppose. He remained with his mother but
could never be induced TO mingIe at all with
men, and would not answer If addressed by
any other name than that of Johnson. The
farm and the cottage were never improved,
but fell from year to year into state of great
er decay. Mrs. Dean died. and Joseph was
left alone. There he lived a hermit life till
his locks were white. One day il was obsery-
ed by neighbor that his door had not been
opened for SOME time, and on going in Joseph
was found lyingson his bed dead. He had ev-
identity died suddenly, probably from disease
of the heart.
How many, like poor Joseph, fail tc fhlsi
the promise of childhood and youth They
fail because they are not armed for life con-
fict. Nothing bnt divine grace give them
the victory and not seeking this aid, when
the evil hour comes they fail.