Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-03-04
REAPING.

Thirty years had passed away since the two
friends last met Mr.. Newman, with his hap
py wife had gone to the far West, and there
with the small capital he had 70 start With
commenced life with the new country. And
as that country grew rapidly in enterprise,
commerce and civilization, beauty and -ele-
ganca, so did he grow with the country TO be
wealthy. Everything be took into his hands
seemed to prosper. Heaven seemed to smile
on him, and his Alice did not grow old SO fast
Though she was now fifty, she still looked
young. She had house full of beautiful
children, from the young girl of eighteen
down to the handsome lad of ten years. And
then old Grandma was with them too bowed
down with age, to be sure, but as happy as Of
yore Oh what a happy household is this.
Alice with her spectacles and little cap was
as happy and cheerful as the children them
selves. Her counsel was always sought, her
advice asked in everything her children did
She was never afraid to express her opinion,
never afraid of being met with some
coarse answer if she asked her children a
question she never felt too old to join in
their innocent little games, and they never .eit
too young to have her present when they were
enjoying those games. Indeed, the circle was
never complete unless mother and Grandma
were there. And then this was not confined
to home alone. Oh, no! Alice was reaping
all and more than she had sown. The whole
village in which she lived loved Mrs. New
man. Young and old and middle aged all
loved and respected her. The young girls
never had party, sleigh-ride or tafy pulling
without going to Mrs. Newman for some in
formation or advice. And you may be well
assured that her advice was always good.
But how different picture we see az we
look in upon the household of Mr.. Peterson.
There is wealth and elegance there, to be
we're, but oh where are the riches of love
Where are the tender words, the bright
smile, the winning voice Where. we say,
are they? We do not find them here.
Jennies mother had been sleeping under ths
sod for many, many years, and she was hold
ing the same position in the house her mother
held. Her husband, though he showed her
due respect, had no warm words of love, no
happy smile lighted his face as he entered her
presence her children never consulted her
slightest wish, never carresed her fondly as
children are wont to do. All! she was sure
y reaping. Her young friends, that she had
known in former years, like Alice, had many
of them moved away, and the place was chang
ed from strangers moving in. Jennie Saun- |
ders, who never meant to grow old, looked old |
er than she really was, for her life was perfect
burden. She sat alone night after night, some |
times letting her mind run back to the night |
she had so carelessly wounded her mothers |
feelings, in the same room, and at such times |
she felt very forcibly that she WAS now reaping.
She had had many heart-eaches in that same
room. She had heard words from her own
children that seemed to be echoes Of her own |
words spoken years ago, and at such times
she would think with tears Of repentance of |
the prayer her mother offered iu her behalf |
And now when years have passed by and that
voice was silent in the grave, those words |
came back as admonishng angels, and they
were whispered softly, soothiDgly 10 her heart.
" Oh, Father, forbid tina. she should ever have |
to bear from a child of hers what she in her
has caused me to bear this |
night Forbid that she should reap that, which !
she is now sowing" And being touched by
these tender words, she bowed down and dar-
ed to ask that her mothers prayer might be
/; and away down deep in her heart |
she heard the answer whispered * Peace l.
The prayers of the righteous ayaileth much
thy sins are forgiven thee" -s 81, .--