The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-07-11

wife and the children had to go to be-
hungry, and many a MONDAY came whel
there was nothing to eat but a bit of dr.!
bread, or a couple Of potatoes sprinklet
! with salt; as for drink, they never hat
! nything but the clear, fresh water tina
! flow ed into a fountain near the house. s
ii With all their poverty and all thei
need, however, Walther's family wer,
always cheerful, and they never los
even in the worst times their faith, II
God, and their hope for better future
The six children bloomed like red pop
pies, and their simple mode of living
kept them well, so that not one of them
was ever sick Father Walther sat all
the day hard at work, making jackets and
coats for the peasantry and never com
planned that the time seemed long to
him. And he did not dcspise his trade.
by any means, although he could play
on the organ SO we'll, s'for," said he, 'art
brings me in but little, and trade stands
on no golden but only silver founda-
ton, but without it we should long ago
have gone to ruin.' a
But be loved his art above all things.
Often when he had been sitting at work
till far into the night, busy with needle
and shears, he would slip softly into the
church, lock himself in, and play what
ever his mood inspired. In such still
hours he played most beautifully; and
if belated traveller was passing he
would often stand by the church and
listen to the heavenly sounds that, full
Of strength and sweetness, pealed forth
from the house of God. The pastor had
often said, ''The organist in the capital
who plays every Sunday to our gracious
prince and noblemen, cannot possibly
play so we'll as our Walther; and it is a
sin, and shame, that such man should
be SO miserably off in our village" He
had often tried to persude Walther to go
to the capital, and ask leave to play in
the court church but the modest man
had always refused, and could not be
persuaded to leave the village.
elf God only lets me keep what /
have, I shall be content he would an
swer.s
sc Here my music gives pleasure, but l
should be laughed at at court. No. no,
Herr Pastor Do not try to tempt me to
such bold undertaking l9
And the good tailor. sexton, and or
ganist staid at his, post, and troubled
himself very little with what was going
on in the world.
At last one wintry night, a great noise
was heard in the village The night
watchman blew powerfully upon his
horn, and the cry of ''fire fire." sound
ed fearfnllv through the streets. Every
body sprang out of bed full of terror;
the men rushed into the streets, and
asked hastily, Where? where p s'Wal-
theirs house - was the answer, and eve
rybody crowded together, and rolled
like stream toward the abode of the
poor man. All were ready to help and
to save but, alas help came too late:
for already the roof of the house was in
d blaze, and the people had as much as
they could do to keep the next building
from being devoured by the greedy
danes. ~ ss ses3-.
Wa,ther stood not far from his burn
ing house, and looked sadly and with
folded hands at tine destruction the fire
was making of his property. His wife
and children stood about him, crying as
# their hearts would break, and in their
distress hardly able to control them
selves The father, though sorely troub
ed, spoke to them some words of com
.ort. .Do not be afraid, children, and
10 not despair. Our dear Lord still |
ives,* and whatever lie sends upon us
We must consider as a providence. inten- !
led for our good. The loss is great, it |
S true; but God will still help us, as he
las done hitherto"
"Bravely spoken, my mani" said the
Herr Pastor, who stood near, and heard
" Nalther's words. "He who puts conf
lence in God is not lost, and has a staff
IN which he can lean in every trouble"
The nei ghbors and the rich farmers of
he village came now and offered the af-
licted family refuge in their houses;
.ach wanted the privilege of asking Wal /
her, Will, wife and children, to his home.
This touched him deeply, and he said
With tears in his eyes, 'See, children,
low God Iims self makes the blossom of
oy spring out Of misfortune. Love lays
Is balsam on our wounded hearts, and
lelp comes before our trial is over. Yes,
.es, all things are for the best to them
q at love God"
The family took refuge in the large
ouse of the village magistrate, and fell
sleep amid tears and prayers. Their
earts were full of trouble, but their
aith in God sustained them, and kept
hem from sinking under their sorrow.
nC ASAU IhOf ko w 90 SCOh Nuoe oA
Valther's property not the smallest thing
ad been saved, except what little pa
ents and children had upon their backs.
md that was little enough. The sym
athizing villagers provided for their
nost pressing wants, and furnished them
nth warm clothing and with food; but
heir prospects for the future looked
!oomy and Walther did not know how
e should rebuild or refurnish his house.
And as he sat brooding over his misfor-
une, thinking and thinking what would
ecome of him, he remembered what the
Ierr Pastor had urged him to do.
"Yes," said he, 81 will go to the cap
,al to our gracious prince, offer my poor
ervices, and, if he will listen to me,
ill play upon the organ as well as 1
an. Perhaps our dear Lord will touch
ia hoart nerhaps ho will have compas