The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1865-02-08


morrow?
"Malcolm, o, do not wholly forget your
fond, loving Alice while you are gone!'
But Malcolm did not answer. lie kissed
his wife, however-kissed her not as he
used to do, but kissed her merely because
she had asked him to--and then he left
the cottage. After be had gone Alice sal
down and wept. She could not help it.
Her darling boy crcpt to her side.and placed
his arms about her bended neck; he asked
no questions, but he asked her not to cry.
His little mind seemed to have some idea
of the coming Of calamity. 1t must have
been vague, but it was clear enough to pre-
vent him from forcing the dread thoughts
upon his mother. Once more he asked her
not to cry, and then his own little heart
burst, aud the mother and her child wept
together. This was another drop in the
poor wife's cup of afiliction. 0, how palpa,
bic now must be her husbands course, when
even the prattling child saw and knew the
danger! Butshe could only clasp her boy
more tightly to her pain stricken bosom,
and pray more fervently. And the little
boy, when bis mother had done praying,
said, "Amen."
1t was a clear, COO evening, and as NAL
colin Warren stepped out into the street, be
seemed to shake himself as though he
would shake off the influence of the dear
place he was leaving. But he could not
wholly do it. He could not drive from his
mind the fearful copnteuance Of his fond
and faithful wife, nor could he forget the
look Of earnest simple anguish that he had
noticed upon the face of his child Yet he
tried to crush the thoughts that were thus
springng into life. "Pooh" !" he said, as
the image Of bis entresting wife forced
itself upon him. dts only little fun and
frolic. Whose business is It'll Get out with
your nonsense"
And thus speaking, the young husband
and fatherssclosed his hands as though he
would hold on upon the feeling he had
tried to express, and then he hastened on.
At length he reached the tavern, and here
he fourd his companions. The laugh and
the joke commenced, and ere long Malcolm
forgot all about his home. He sat in the
bar.room, and bis sharp wit made food for
much merrment.
"Who says there is danger in the bowl 2"
cried a young man, as he raised the glass
to his lips,
"lts the ravens croak," said another Of
his companions. "Herea confusion to the
idea"
"Goodr' exclaimed Malcolm, posing his
GLASS. "Poison in the bowl? Nonsense!
Look at old Uncle Adam. now. He's
used it all his ife.tme, and here he is The
Oldest man in town. Come, here's to Uncle
Adam" ,.a,s...-... ..-a...e
The person to whom Malcolm had thus
alluded was an old, white haired man, who |
stood at the bar with glass Of rum in his
lanG. His name was Adam Stamford, and
almost ninety years had rolled over his!
rosty head his form was bent, and bis lips
but still he lived, and his mind
vas yet clear. He heard the remark which |
be young carpenter had made, and having
ct down his untouched liquor, he turned
md gazed upon the youthful speaker; he
,neS Malcolm Warren well.
"MaIcolm" he said, "come with me.
Come alone, for alone | would speak with
ou. Come"
There was something deep and meaning
n tbeSold mans tone, and as he turned
owards the door, Malcolm arose to follow.
"Detain him not" said Adam, as some
{ bis companions sought to hinder him. II
"Wby should | 90 with you?" he asked
"To please an old man. | mean you no
arm, Malcolm. Come"
Passing out the door they moved across p
le street. Near by was the village church
ard, and lhither Adam bent his steps. !
lrrisiug at the gate lie passed in; as Nal
om hesitated to enter, the old man said, 6
Come, follow me- y 80 --.- 74h
Malcolm went, and soon stood within the S
ilIage churchyard; and bis white-haired $
uide was the sexton, who, for more than 9
xty years, had made those cod beds for s
M : 4