Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-27
aPhil Demming I"

"Phil Demmingr'
My tones were low, but my soul
throbbed in every tone, and | sought
to gaze into his. He hesitated.
Putting nay hand gently in his, | whis-
pered, I am your friend, Phil, and
risk my life for yours. Come Nth
me. 1t is Christmas eve and Christ
and the angels are waiting. Carrie
is waiting, and must have a Christ
mas present.
The drunken fellow turned un-
steadily, and yielding to my strong
will, meekly came out with me into
the street. In the ante-room, alone
with him, | labored a long hour, and
conquered. There are many such
victories awaiting us, if we will but
put forth a hand to achieve them.
While the bells were ringing out
the hour of midnight, and the birth
night of Christ was finging its dreams
over the slumbering world, Phil Dem
ming stood with us in our circle.
And was there ever a warmer greet
ing given to prodigal returned :?
Angels might have wept with us in
the fullness of joy, for the lost was
found and the dead was alive again.
"Now," said I, "give me another
hour, and God helping me- we will
make this nights work complete, and
add another link to our Brotherhood. :"
"Well wait-all wait
In thirty minutes, | had seen Mrs.
Demming, and by my earnest solicita-
tion, induced her to accompany me,
though ignorant of my purpose. l
had told her that she was invited to
little Christmas party.
"Irust me" | whispered, as the
trembling wife entered the Lodge
room leaning upon my arm. Another
scene which might make angels glad.
| cannot describe it.
In the mean time, we had kept Phil
out of sight. We opened under the
head of good of the Order, and | of
fered:
"This Lodge, under the blessing of
God, here present to Sister Carrie
Demming and children, husband and
father, redeemed, sober, clothed and
in his right mind. May the fullest,
richest blessing of our Heavenly Faith
er go with the gift, to the end of life. p"
AS | led Demming out from the
corner where he had looked upon the
scene, and within the circle where the
wife stood pale and wondering; it
was a scene never to be forgotten.
There they stood for a moment, her
eye kindling as she began to compre-
hend it.
"Philipr'
"Carrie y
As the names were spoken, they
clasped each other in close embrace,
and the wife, with lips parted and a
smile of ineffable sweetness on her
features, swooned in the fullness of
her JOY over her Christmas gift.
On that Christmas anniversary.
we journeyed long way towards
heaven.
There was an early gathering at
Demming's, and from that day to this,
noble man has stood fast, loved at
home, aud respected by ALL
Are there no more such gifts to
make glad weary and waiting hearts ?
A "POOR WHITE" VOTER.-As an
offset to the story of the ignorant col
ored voter who did not know his age
or comprehend an oath, the Griffin
{ Ga Union tells how one of the poor
whites passed his examination by the
registering board:
"Some days ago it was our pre-
rogative to register, and while in the
Office of registry, party of white
men from the country came in and
exercised the privilege. One of them,
rather green looking fellow, in an
swer to the question What is your
name p answered, Dick Some time
was spent by the officer before a cor
rect understanding was arrived at.
Where were you born p In the
house, | reckon Here another in
vestigation followed. How old are
you?
"A year older'n Peg
But how many years old are you ?
When were you born e?
DO no, sir; Is ole enough to
vote, do, cause | voted fur jeff
Davis
Can you read or write 2
What do | want a read an write
fur? Da ole man ad a walloped me
eff he ever cotch me readin'.'
Where do you live?
Il lives wild da ole man.
Where does he live?'
He lives way out yender, furder
EN- We ever seed
One of his companions answered
the question, when he was directed
to hold up his right hand, and in re-
sponse to the oath, said: whats all
that ere about, mister?' The officer
explained the matter, and the un-
blemished citizen made his mark and
departed"
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