Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-18

had the text written out "Ye believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Fathers
house are many mansions" But that was
as far rs he could 60; tho words that he
wanted would not come. He walked out,
to try and work himself into the mood,
when, instead of it, there fell upon him
such a sense of the worth Of man rs man,
such vision of his capacities, such Won
ders at his possibilities, there came upon
him such realization Of the soul, apart
from conditions, that he felt it must be
written. What waste of time, with the
work which must be done yet on his
hands But he putat the top of his paper,
"Yc are of more value than many spar
rows" and For we are also his Off
spring" Writing was no labor then, and
ere he thought oft, there was sermon. /
must pick out an old one for Sunday, he
thought; but on Saturday night he deter
mined TO preach that. ITS the word of
the Lord to me for this hour, and | will
say it."
Susan Powers heard that sermon; and
il was the word of deliverancc and peace
to her soul. She sat like one in n dream,
till the service ended then rose and went
out of the house, just casting one back
ward glance at the man who had spoken,
To see if he were not indeed an angel then
with fixed purpose in her heart, turned
toward her home. II will Try and keep
my sight" she said. Il will not become
blind again" For she was like one who
had just received his sight. How all her
life, to this hour, she herself had been the
center around which the universe re-
rolved, Her rights, her comforts. had
been the important matters, and people
were good or bad according TO their treat
ment of her, And yet life had seemed
only poor aad mean.
No word OF upbraiding, or OF warning
or threatening could have touched her as
this though, ofthc value man had done.
But how can let him know of this
new light that has come to me ''shc asked
herself "lfI were to begin talking
kindly, he would think there WAS some
purpose in it and despise me. If | tell
him that have been wrong, he will not
listen, or will say some cutting thing
What shall do ?" She thought Of the
children: since the baby's death he had
never spoken, not even to scold them
He went in and out just as though they
were not in the world. At the table, their
mother gave them food which his money
had purchased, knowing that he hated
them, and feeling as if each morsel they
ate was choking her. Then the thought
came OF the little grave, and how be would
90 there alone at sunset; would she dare
offer to 90 with him? No, her courage
was not equal to that. But there was
something she could do. She found that
her husband was busy writing in his own
room; and quickly gathering hor best.
loveliest autumn flowers, she went TO the
ecu ctery; tenderly. with tears that fell
not merely for her loss, she laid the offer
ing on the new grave. That little mound
was an altar, and this was an offering OF
love and peace. and of hope too.
That night. when Mr.. Powers came
home, his wife scarcely dared raise her
eyes to his face; though shc longed to
know if her repentance were accepted.
He said nothing, but she iancied that his
movements wero gentler than usual, and
he actually picked up one of the children
toys. and put it away he was not used t"
touch anything oftheirs. All llthrough the
week Susan watched to do kind things,
without being obtrusive; and when Sun
day night came, as he was leaving the
house. her bonnet and shawl were all
ready: she said tremblingly. IL should
like to go with you Philip" and. As he
did not forbid, she walked on by his side.
Neither spoke; and after little. Susan
timidly put her hand on her husbands
arm; this he permitted also. and she felt
that her offers OF peace were not despisod.
Day by day she sought and made little
opportunities to show good will; not re-
ceiving direct encouragement, but notIe-
PEELED, she perscvered, feeling constantly
that little ground was gained. The great
wonder was that her own sense Of wrong
hsd vanished; she found herself begin
ming 10 think first Of his comfort and
convenience: TO consider his interests,
and to feel real pain when the children
incommoded him in any way.
Early in the autumn Harry was taken
i'll, of what soon proved pneumonia. On
the second day, before Susan realized
that it was anything very serious. their
doctor came in, saying. "Your husband
came round; he thinks l had better see
the little lad" There was choking
sensation in The mothers throat ; it came TO
her like fash that she had not wanted
doctor for the baby at first she had not
thought her sick enough. Harry's symp.
toms grew more and more alarming, and
as his mother wondered to herself il she
could stay with him alone, her good Mrs.
Marshall walked in. Mr.. Powers had
found her out and sent her. Susan under.
stood why he held back from any palt in
the nursing, and felt that she should do
the same in his place. But thatve night
ha sa;d 70 Mrs Marshall AYou must go