The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-12-25

While unconscious OF the sufferlng around
them. The fire in the stove was dying
away, and the room was growing colder
every moment Gideon Grindem gazed
with horror at the scene, and turned to
fly from it, but the figure held its hand
heavily upon him, and drew him close
beside the sorrowful woman, as she sat
sewing her life away and as he gazed,
the merchant saw that, ip spite of the
marks of care and Gnffsring which it
bore, the woman's face was wonderfully
like that of his dead wife. No wonder,
for the woman was his daughter. A cold
sweat stood OF his brow, and his heart
seemed to stop still. 1t was fearful to
stand thus and gaze on such a dreadful
scene. vi
A slight movement of the man in the
bed caused the woman to look up.
"Are you awake, George 7" she asked.
~ have not been asleep, darling" re.
piled the man, sadly. ~ cannot rest fog
thinking, and the knowledge that I am
so helpless makes me wretched. Our
fuel is out, and we can get no more until
the day after tomorrow, and we shall
freeze in this weather, aud on Christmas
day, too. I could bear it for myself,
Nellie but when think of you and our
children"
His voice failed him, and he sobbed
with bitter anguish. The woman drop
ped her work and bent over him, trying
to soothe him 49,
"We trust in God, George" she whiS.
pered, HE will not desert u.s."
off your father were human, il he
were not fend-" exclaimed her hus-
band fiercely; but she interrupted him.
"He is my father, George" said the
wife, softly. ~ forgive him all the
wrong he has done us, and 1 pray God
to bless him and soften his heart"
Gideon Grindem groaned, and turning
to the figure, cried imploringly: ~
"Let us go away | cannot bear this |"
The figure silently led him from the
room, and down the long stairs, out into
the street again. 1t was no longer night
there, for the sun was shining brightly,
ard the thoroughfares were throngod
with busy crowds hurrying to their ac-
customed avocations. The air was keen
and frosty, and the extra wrappings and
comforters which the people were assured
the merchant that it was very cold. .
The figure led him to large store on
one of the business streets, and only stop.
ped when they reached the counting
room, where several merchants were COL
lccted around the stove. Gideon Grin
dem and his companion paused beside
them, but the gentlemen did not seem
conscious of their presence.
"What was that you saiG about Cid
con Grindem p asked one.
81 said he is heartless brute !" re-
piled another.
"What new thing has he done 2"
"He he's killed his daughter, and her
husband and children. They froze to
death yesterday, in a miserable hovel
near East River. Think of it--on Christ
mas day, tOo--and old Gideon rolling in
wealth in his sumptuous house.
"He has tough conscience" said the
first speaker "but would not like to be
10 his place when he comes to die"
at is true" said the figure, solemnly
"In the sight of God you have murdered
your children !" ..
The merchants brain seemed on fire
and he shricked aloud with anguish. fol
The terrible words burnt into his soul like
red.hot irons The figure at his side wa
so stern, SO terrible, that he could mo-
bear to look at it.
"Have mercy on me p he groaued,- -
"My heart is breakingW ob
"Your heart, miserable man !" exclaim
ed the figure, sternly. "Would you SCI
your heart? ?" And without waiting fol
for reply, the figure placed its hant
heavily on the merchants head, aud bow
ed it so that it seemed to turn his eyes in
ward. He could but look, and, to hi
horror, he saw 10 tho place where hi
last should have been, hideous mas
Of corruption, SO foul, so horrible, that b.
shuddered to look at it.. -
"It has vliunged greatly since you gavt
it to your dead wife, Gideon Grindcm,
said the figure sadly. ..a.....
"Have mercy on me" the merchan
pleaded. ...... .l... d.
"Were you merciful to your child p
asked Conscience, sternly "Have yol
kept the vow you made your dead wife
to love and protect her child always?'
The merchant was silent. He knew h,
had been pitiless and cruel.
."Come with me-" continued the figure
"aud I will show you what shall be tn,
end Of all this"
Again the merchant felt himself born,
swiftly along, ard when he opened hi
eyes again, he found himself in his owr
home. :" ..'.
He stood in his chamber, and involun
tarily marked the contrast between it
luxurious comforts and the miserable
garret in which his daughter had frozer
to death. He saw, to his surprise, hi'
desk, where he kept his private papers
and q considerable sum Of money, open
and one Of his servants searching eagerly
among the contents He tried to spring
forward to stop the man, but hs coult
not move, and when he endeavored t
speak, his voice failed him. The 6gur,
pointed silently to the bed, and Gideon
Grindem looked helplessly in that direc
ton. 800 Off rTrl1s 1-i
A man lay on the bed silent and mo
tionless. His hand were clasped mately
on his breast, and his eyes were open ant