The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-30

his life before, he went 10 nlssp that night In
pretty little bed room, with snowy curtains
and such soft, white pillows on which to
rest his weary little head, that no wonder
he thought himself In heaven.
One or two years passed by and neither
the deacon nor his wife regretted the step.
Jerry's warm, gushing love healed the sch-
ing spots in each heart, and though their
own lost boys place was still vacant, and
ever would be, they gave the orphan all the
parental care and affection that had once
been his.
Mrs. Gray proposed to name their adopt
ed son William, but her husband objected.
"our boy is not dead, but sleepeth," he an
swered. "We do not want two Williams in
the family" And his wife said no more.
One night as Jerry was bringing in wood
through the back door, stranger opened the
gate, and walked up the locust-bordered path
Jerry had grown to be . fine boy. Kind
ness and care had worked wonders for him
ais Deacon Gray at homer" inquired the
stranger.
Jerry answered in the affirmative, and
ushered him into the great kitchen, where
the deacon was busted with his inevitable
companion, the newspaper, while his wife
was busily engaged In preparing the evening
meal.
Both turned. A deadly pAleness over
spread Mrs. Gray's cheeks, and she would
have fallen to the ground If it had not been
for the supporting arms Of the stranger clasp
ed tenderly around her.
"Father, mother"
Words and voice were enough. Il was
indeed their lost William.
"MY son. Hath the sea given up its
dead [" asked the old lsacon in husky,
tremulous voice.
And William told his story. In fearful
storm which had burst over their vessel in
the South Seas, he had fallen overheard, and
ell the crew supposed him drowned but he
was picked up by native in . boat, while
clinging to broken spar, and carried to q
neig hboring island. The natives were kind,
but as vessels very rarely approach the
shore, it was two or three years before he
succeeded in signaling 4 ship.
Who shall paint the scene ? They gsth-
cred around the tea-table, the reunited, too
happy to do anything but look into each
others faces. J.rry's eyes filed with rap
turous delight at the return Of the new
found brother, whose affectionate greeting
dispelled all fears that he would regard him
as an intruder, and Mrs. Gray looked from
one to the other of her children, feeling that
surely God had rewarded her for the hour
when, with hot tears binding her eyes, she
bad altered Williams garments for her
adpoted son, only thinking OF him as lying
dead at the bottom Of the ocean. Was she
not doubly best, and was rot her cup Of Joy
pressed down, shaken together, and run
ming over ?" With What emotions al | she
gaze mon her son, 50 miraculously res
tored
And the deacon said, reverently bowling
his gray head, sob give thanks unto the
Lord, for be is good, for bis mercy en1ureth
forever"
And so, "it came to pass" that the declin-
ing years Of Deacon Gray ami his wife were
guided with a double glory and blessing, till,
like shocks Of corn fully ripe for the har-
vest leaning upon the double prop in the
weakness and in6rmities Of age, they "enter-
ed into the Joy Of their Lord Congrsga.
tiOadliSt.