South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-11-22

III Il L T. X ".
'By the gathering round the winter hearth
VI hen twilight called unto household mirth,
ny the pleasant tale, or the legend old
u that ring OF happy faces told
By the quic; hour when hearts unite
Ina the parting prayer and the kind goodnight
Iy the smiling eye and the loving tone
Ohr mg iJe has tie spcU JccR MroSra -
Bless thou that gift it hath gentle might
\ guardian power, and guiding light"
WELL said Mr.. Miner to them, show
have you spent the day, boys? Rather dull,
| suppose"
con, no, very pleasant Mother told us
some of her stories, and we had some nuts
to pick, and somehow the day has flown very
quickly and happily"
"Why don't you ask me to tell you n
story, sometimes % inquired he.
At this both boys laughed, and said !:
" ~ did not think you knew any"
"Well, do; | know one at least" look
ing significantly at his wife, and coloring
little. 81 know one which your mother
and myself have often talked oftellinr YOU
is story of folly-guilt, and its punish
ment; and when | tell you it is of nayselrI
must speak, you will see it is not very pleas
ant. Your mother has wished to save me
the pain, but | knew she could not enter
into my feelings Of guilt aud repentance,
and l wish It to be lesson to you"
Although Mr.. Miner was much respect
ed IN the town, and had many friends, vet
he was aware there were those in town who
knew his unfortunate early history, and he
feared his sons would hear it qarblcd and
incorrect, so he chose to tell them himself
though, as be told his wife, it was n sore
punishment for his errors to tell them to
his own sons. With deep feeling on all
sides, be told them Of his childhood and
youth; Of his disobediencc to, and his dis
respect of his mother Of AIS FIRST Step 10
error then the .frst untru.h, then his Er-t
deCt at the refrcshment saloon, which end
cd IN involving him in deep crime, though
he had no intention it should Then he
portrayed the misery he endured in the sep
aration from all he loved, as an outcast from
home aad US comforts, the hardships Of the
voyage; when sick, no mother tonurse him,
no word Of kindness to sootbe him: and
when he saw The hearts Of his sons were
touched, and sobs and tears told their sym
pathy, be said "Rcmcmbcr, my sons, to
avoid thc bcgiHiag Of fin-the fyst stepin
dangerous course. You sometimes think
your mother aud are very strict with YOU.
Would that my parents had been more
strict with me j should never have had
the humi.iltinZ disclosure % make you have
just heard Parents cannot be TOO strict on
Che score of priao'ples; and those parents
do not realize tho duties involved IN the pa
ranta. relation who DO not mark ererv devil
alton from rcciitudo with some token If
ul-rIaa.ure'
After praying with them. Mr.. Miner dis
missed them O. bed, feeling clad lis tasE
was performed. for Ga saw Il would have a
sanitary I11ncnce in tae years Of tcmpta-
Ton noW before them
Is they le0tle room. Mrs. Miners heart
thrilled with joy 70 tAink they were such
good boys, sd d'ciIe, s1 0beiieut, Sd truth
Gal anil, az one orihsm bah, of late, shown
decided r..is. inei.ulti0ns, she lelt very
hopeful anI lppy. - soon Il. ihe door
closed, liF. Iu-r exclaimed. "Wh,t can
! say . convey % you, my dear wife. my
i-e"l in relr. O. lhs manner ia which
you nave Drought up these boysf Ny
he~it D. la.l when | go them. and tLiuk is
~ a.l your mans cement bv tla rnolu.ss of
uod, that has made them what they are
an 50 iit.e at h9mc, I'D l'iul. kn0w I'D l.t-
t.c d." g ia'k O. children, o. s. wOslI sev-
81 have been shat they ars without ~
but God wall repay y0a Do raising ur g..
children o Surround you in your - i &c. III
'call you blessed Precious 49,
these words o. Nrs Miner. Tor NJ tra1 -, -.
mans heart but loves i'.s brai.e - 80 a..
band, and she thought this wa. tbs -,
e't day Of her lfe, and bad been =,
ant, profitable MAY-DAY 10 - riose
LIES duties, well ~
viii render rvs -'eu ~"
rfornlcl