Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-05-08

worse tnan death. But, bless our Father i
Heaven, the wine cup has been dashet
down, and the exile returns and knocks a
the Eden from which he was banished b.
the flaming sword of appetite. Let thost
whose love through the long dark night 0
the last five years, has clung with change
less strength around the early VOW, stanC
forth and once more join hands at our fra
ternal altar, before these brothers and neigh
bors here, and God and His good angels il
Heaven
Pale, and reeling with terrible emotion,
the Worthy Chief stepped down and stood a
l-moment as if crushed with fear, that he
would not be met by one whom now under
stood as DIVORCED WIFE The intensity OF
feeling manifested by these persons, can
never be pictured on paper; it was painful.
! The suspense, however, was but for a mo-
ment. With sharp cry of Joy, the lady
in black tossed her veil back from her face,
sprang forward and grasped the extended
! hand IN her own hand and kissed it over
and ever again.
''Mine Mine again O God, how can l
thank Thee for this? Mine at last and you
VIII love me again rs Of yGTe, Herbert, and
we shall be so happy"
Her ice, the picture of innocence and
trust, and 1T exceeding beauty, glistened
with tear drops, wearing smile of inde
scribable sweetness and joy was upturned to
his. With a Simultaneous cry the long sew
cred hearts sprurig together, and locked in
each others embrace, they were one again.
While thus united the chaplain repeated the
marriage ceremony I'D what God and
our reform has this hour united, let no man
or rum put asunder. Brothers, salute your
brother and sister.
Before the rough hand. however, had
dared e.. disturb the ciiuging clutch Of thosa
long partel two others had joined the weep
My own loved first born p
Brother! brother my OWE, my noble
brother -
The mother and sister fell upon the neck
Of the Worthy Chief Of - Lodge. and
never did the emblem OF the Red, White
and Blue, receive holier baptism of joyous
tears. Never was there scene on earth
more touching and sublime.
As we passed from the Lodge room, the |
mother laid her hand upon my arm and m |
vited us to spend the night with her, We |
were glad TO accept the invitation, for we |
wanted to learn more of what we had then |
witnessed Taking her arm We silently |
walked horncward for each heart was too |
full for utterance
The widow was quiet. but happy, and for |
a long time sat by the fire dreamingly, and |
then wiping away the tears that would lind |
their wag ever the withered cheek. We |
communed with our own thoughts, and 10y |
ed our cause better for wol king such changes |
in the desolate places.
While the tea kettle was singing over the |
blaze, which seemed to crackle and flash |
with the new found JOY, the table was spread /
aud plates set for three. In little time /
II = q 7,
mother, kissed her teuderly on the check. |
The Silent act spoke volumes-there was +
happiness IN their hearts which such act5 /
alone could express. Words could not have +
told il so impresslyely.
While we were seated at the table, the |
mother spoke Of the Order OF Good PEN |
plars as "A secret society. We remarked that |
the organization was not 80 really.
\ Ii ere matter Of self protection, we
.Yon have an oath which binds you to
keep that secret, and shelooked lnqulrlng- |
ly into our eyes.
NO oath but that of our promises as
men of honor" we answered.
''If | tell you what the secret of your So |
ciety is, will you admit the truth?
We hesitatingly nodded assent and she |
began:
L pu SIM lildI IMAM nhO pI~9iS.CNs
meeting this afternoon, and in the Lodge |!
this evening? lie is my only son. de
married one of the noblest of women and
commenced life ten years ago with means, |
character aud friends. His fall Is a long, !
terrible history-a fearful nightmare which |
| hope has passed away. He forgot me,
forgot wife, forgot sister. though we ali
clang TO him in the darkest times OF his
d desradation None but God can know how
I've suffered For years | wrestled in
prayer, even when 1t seemed that God had
forsaken the widow and her sorrows. Many
are tie long, dreary nights-so dreary, Mr..
-, that have knelt by the siuinbering
drunkard and prayed that the cup might
pass by. My eyes have been fountains Of
tears, and there have been times when
Ionned to die Times, too-God forgive
me-when with clasped hands | have lln-
voked terrible judgments upon those who
were wripging my old heart IN the ruin OF
my boy.
One night, six months ago, he was
brought home struggling with delrlum tre-
mems, and for three weeks varlated between
lite and death All this time certain mum
ber of gantlemanly appearing young men
alternately took their place at the bedside
They were kind, and did not want to think
them of those who had helped to lead HIM
astray.
when my son was able to sit up, and
! occasionally walk out, | began to tremble,
/ for feared the worst.
/ early one evening they asked me to
hermit them t. take him to the village for
/ a few hours No; said L, you shall not.
/ Leave him and go on your ways, tor | fear
Won But they SO earnestly and kindly
I ,rgad me. promising that no harm should
befalI him, that l reluctantly consented, and