Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-06-28
hold, and It is that alone which maketh
rich. and he ad6eth no sorrow with il.

Years sped apace. when one ruddy Octo-
ber, acircular autograph letter went round
the circle Of ofbrothers. bidding them all come
to the golden wedding. And the call gath
cred them in from their distant homes.
here was ra ,ket OF merry youthful
voices, as the grandchildren romped through
the old halls; but grandfather's face was
brimful of smiles and grandma's pet and
namesake. gentle and dignifed Grace. took
the reins Of government into her hands, so
mother of all care. and leaving them to
chat to their hearts content.
Carrie was the daughter in law who liv-
ed nearest home. SO the care Of the feast
fell upon her. Grandma must not stir
from her rocking chair until all was upon
the table. indeed, it would be hard for
her to accomplish much with SO many little
run Always under her feet all the time.
whose manifold perfections must continual
| ly he observed and commented on.
The evening lamp was lighted. and lit
| tie fire was burning in the open fire. place.
as all were seated in the old home room.
William. the eldest born. stepped forth
from the little group. and advancing to his
ay-haired father, said:--
ut is twenty-five years since the first of
us went forth from this roof to make his
way in the world. As each, in turn, took
his departure. you presented to him bright
new hoe. with the Injunction. Hoe out
your row. How well we have followed
your directions and the lessons of industry,
perseverance. Christian integrity, and self
denial. you have always taught. bv your
words and by your life, it remains for you
to judge. Asa token that we have not for
gotten your teachings. in the name of my
brothers and myself, present this hoe to
vou,' and with bow he laid it down upon
the little round stand before him.
The old man dropped his head. and the
thin hair fell about his temples as he SIM
ply said. with choking voice.
God bless the boys!'
Mother said Rralph, advancing to her.
we all know that you wonld not desire
any gifts Of jewels and golden ornaments
such as are common on these occasions.-
But we thought the contents Of this little
box might add some comforts to your lives,
which we should delight to hcstow, if we
Were not so widely separated He placed
her hands beautiful gilt casket, con
lining four of the broadest pieces the mint
tarns out. with a liberal sprinkling of small
er tuyellow drops from the. little grandchil-
dren.
Now. father said Dominic Ned, as he
walked up to the stand, 4 must give you
my wedding present and he laid before
him his beautiful copy of the Testament
and Psalms, printed in very large, clear
type, so grateful to the failing sight of age.
In bright. gilt letters ON the side, were
stamped these words:
i love thy commandments above gold Z;
yea. ahove fine gold
Now. perhaps We had hetter sing our
little ones tramp off to bed
The patriarch knelt among his flock. and
the prayer, from his full heart, for God 8
blessing upon them. was as if he had enter
ed within the veil. There were tears on
many checks when they rose, and a sub
dued tone ran even in the good J-nights' Of
the merry children.
Then all drew up about the fire, and told
over tales of other days. William told how
he had hoed out pretty hard row in the
new place, where he had sought to estab
islr himself as IL physician. But after due
waiting. the first patient came at last. and
the second, and so on. until now he was
the old physician of the place. with two
young men in the Office with him.
Dominic Ned, otherwise Rev. Edward
Kcnt.) detailed some Of the shady side ex-
periences ofhis first charge; but they We're
pleasantly relieved by the many sunny
side incidents his wife took care to suggest
AS he went along.
George and Ralph compared farm notes,
and altogether. the evening passed as only
such gatherings, by such hearth stones, ey-
er can. 1t is only such training that can
produce such results.
If you wish your boys and girls to grow
up useful, honorable and happy. teach
them faithfully to hoe out their row.