The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-03

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He spoke in changed voice, and with I
manner that arrested the attention Of Deacon
Browning, who looked at him with u glance
Of inquiry.
She is lovely and gentle, as he is hare
and unyieldinG.'
Tie Deacon still looked curious.
when the twin sister Of duty is away
from his side, he loses more than half his in
Auence; but in her beautiful presence, he
gains dignity and power that makes hi
precepts laws of life to all that hear them
The stubborn heart mclts, the iron will il
subducd the spirit Of evil shrinks away
from the human SOUL
There was pause.
The name Of that twin sister is kindness
The eyes of Deacon Browning fell away
from the minister's countenance, and dropped
until they rested upon the floor. Conviction
flushed upon ishcart. He had always been
stern in executing the law-but never kind
Has that beautiful twin sister stood ever
by the side of duty y?-has love been in that
law, Deacon Browning?
Side by side with the minister stood Duty
and Kindness-the firm unshrinking brother
and the mild, loving sister-and 70 his word
had power to reach the dcacon's heart, with.
out giving offence to pride.
kindness is weak, yielding and indulgent
and forgives when punishment is the only
hope of salyation,' said Deacon Browning
little recovering himself from the emotions
of sclfcoDdcmnation.
only when he strays from the side of du-
ty.' replied the minister. duty and kind
ness must always act together
Much more, and to the same purpose, was
urged by the minister, who made but q brici
visit, and then withdrew, that his admoni-
tions might work the desired effect.
When Deacon Browning came in from the
front door of the house, after parting with
the minister, ho drew up a chair to the table
in the family sitting room, and, almost in.
voluntarily, opened the large family bible
His feelings were much soltened toward his
boy, who, with his head upon his breast. sat
a little apart from his mother. The attitude
was not so much indicative of stubborn self.
will as assd4eri6g. Deacon Browning thought
he would read chapter aloud, andso drew
the holy book closer, and bent his face down
over it. Mrs. Browning observing the move.
ment, waited for him to begin. The Deacon
cleared his throat twice. But his voice did
not take mp the words that were in his eyes
and in his heart. How could it?
"A father p,tieth his children
Had there been divine pity in tho heart
of Deacon Browning for his rebellious and
unhappy boy? Nay-had not there been
wrath instead?
From hundred places in the mind Of
Deacon Browning there seemed to come the
echo of those words, and they had meaning
in them never perceived before. He closed
the book and remained in deep thought for
many minutes; and not only in deep thought,
but in stern conflict with himself. Kind.
ness was striving to gain her place by the
side of duty, and cold, hard, impcrious duty,
who had so long ruled without rival in the
mind of Deacon Browning, kept oil the
while averring his countenance from that Of
his twin sister, who had been so long an exile
wanderer. At last she was successful. The
stern brother Welded, and clasped to his bo-
som the sister he had lost.
From that instant new thoughts. new
views, new purposes reigncd in the mind Of
Deacon Browning. The discipline Of a whaler
is too hard and cruel for his boy; young in
years, and by no means as hardened in his
iniquity as he had permitted himself to i'm
agino. A cold shiver ran along his nerves
at the bare thought of doing what few
hours before, he had resolutely intended.
Kindness began whispering in tho cara Of
duty, and crowding them with world Of
new suggestions. The heart of tho stern man
was softencd, and there flowed into II somc-
thing of mothers ycarninS tenderness.
Rising up, at length, Deacon Browning said,
in low voice, SO new in tones, to the car
of Philip, that it made his heart leap:
MY son. l wish to see you alone.
The Deacon went into the next room, and
Philip followed him. The Deacon sat down
and Philip stood bsforc him.
Philip, my son'-Deacon Browning took
the boys hand in one Of his and looked him
full in the face. The look was returned
not defiant look, but of yielding wonder.
Philip, am not going to send you to
sea with Captain Ellis. intended to do so;
but on reflection, think the life will bc too
hard for you.'
Very firmly, but kindly, the Deacon tried
to speak, but the sister of duty was playing
with his hcartstrings, and their tone Of pity
was echoed from his voice, that faltered
when no strove to give 1t uttcrancc.
The eyes of Philip remained fixed upon the
countcnance Of his father.
My son, Deacon Browning thought ho
had gained sufficient. seif.control to utter
certain mild forms Of admonition but he
was in error his mild voice was still less
nnher his cnntrnl. and 40 fully hetrnvnd the