The Van Buren press., 1867-03-01


FIGHTING TUE DEyIL.-One night at a
late hour. DR. Bcntly was disturbed at his
stpdies by a rat.ling sound among some
wood. which sawed and split, had been
lett by the teamster the afternoon previous,
too late to be properly housed. lie arose.
went cautiously to the window, and saw a
woman filing her apron with wood which
she hastily carried away lie resumed his
seat and commenced his studay. Shortly
after the same noise occurred, and on look.
ing out a second time he saw similar
operation. the woman filling her great
apron to the utmost limits Of its capacity.
When she had gone, he returned to his
book with tender pity in his heart for the
destituton which sought relief in this lone
iy. dreary. no, to say sinful manner
BY aud by he was startled by heavy
crash OF falling wood, and hurrying to the
window, beheld the poor woman casting the
very dust OF the wood from her apron. lie
remained motonlcss. his gentle heart filled
withcommiseration. She swiftly departed
aud soon returned heavily laden with the
wood, which she threw on the pile as if it
were the accursed thing.
The Doctors compassion and curiosity
were now fully excited. He followed her
retrating figure till he discovered her resi-,
dence and thus ascertained who she was.
What she was. was no mystery to him
he last hour had shown her virtues lofty
height. He call led early the next morning
on Mr.. B., the wood dealer, and direct.
Ell him to send half cord of wood, sawed
and split, TO Mrs but by no means to
let her know from whom it came, which
lsss readily promised. Mr.. BIS team
lsr, who happened 10 DO within ear shot,
Snough out Of sight, was not so bound, and
when he tipped the wood into the poor wild.
ow's yard. replied to her eager inquiry, who
Aad sent it. BY relating the conversation he
had overheard.
The conscience stricken mother, feeling
that her sin and repentance in the lonely
, darkness ofthat midnight hour, were known
aud understood by another heart beside her
own, FASTENED to the house of the benevo.
lent man, to express her gratitude and her
sorrow. and, with deep humility and bitter.
/ ness. told him the temptation to which her
, extreme poverty had reduced her, of break.
ing the eigaih commandment
Though my house was dark and cold,
though my heart were wrung with anguish
at the sight Of my suffering little ones.
could not keep it; my conscience would not
let me-" -9t ue Il. laug 80
Say no more my dear madam, said the
good man +" | saw you conquer the devil
in two fair lights"
"A lady anxious 10 purchase cam.
ELS hair shawl, could not find but one
which suited hen After asking the price,
which was $500, she tried to persuade the
clerk to let her have it for $1,000. Madam
replied he, "your husband, few hours
since, made me the same offer for this very
article, and was refused. AT this stage,
pleasure took the place of disappointment,
for, of course, Mr.. S. wanted it for his wife
In order to assist him in his kind design
she paid SUB rosa $500 toward the purchase,
after which the clerk was to write note to
Mr.. S. saying he might have the shawl for
the $1,000. Mrs. S. went home. delighted
with the prospect Of 80 valuable an addition
to her wardrobe. Evening came, but the
package didn't; so, highly indignant the
lady went to the store to demand an expa.
nation of the neglect. Thereupon, the clerk
assured her Mr.. S. had carried the bundle
away himself. Mrs. S. went home much
mystifed, but, in few days, the riddle was
solved While walking on Fourth street,
she met fair but frail one, sporting the
identical shawl. Now, ladies, be warned
never aid your husbands in public charities.
- Cincinnati Enquirer.
a-A gentleman in Michigan asked a
sauaw il her papoose. which was quite white,
was not half.breed, whereupon she replied /:
"No; not a drop Of white blood about it,
half Indian and hall Missionary"
Two French peasants were discuss.
ing the continental war, when one attempt.
cd to explain to the other the nature of the
telegraph. After repeatedly failing, he was
struck with brilliant notion, and exclaim.
ed; !" Imagine that the telegraph is an i'm +.
mcnsely long dog--so long that its head is at
Vienna and its tail at Paris. Well, tread
on its tail, which is at Paris, and It will
bark at Vienna. Do you understand now,
stupid what the telegraph is likc9" "oh,
-yes!" replied the other. II have an idea
now what telegraph must be-"
a down east editor says he's seen
the conuivance lawyers use when they
warn up on the subject" He says its
. glass -conssrn, and holds about half
pint, WI
IF you would have . thing kept Sc.
crss. never tell il to any onc aud II you
woula not have thing known OF Won. never