South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-06-10

and Offering il himself. Well, I'll never
say Deacon Gray amt q Christian again,
neverp
Meantime the Deacon's wife was lifting
the attenuated frame of her husband into
the carriage again, her vigorous shoulders
his main support. There were tears in her
eyes, but she hustled about looking this
way and that, tueking the big shawl over
the Dcacon's knees, and pressing him snug
ly back, as if she feared gust of the strong
spring wind would blow him away Oh
but In her heart il seemed as if she had
never felt such wealth of tenderness The
one thing that this good but severe man
had lacked, had now almost by miracle it
seemed, been wrought into being, aud Ia
ken its Judgment in his heart ln bis face
q new, n holier bcnignity shone, even on
the strongly scanned forehead, and 10 the
deep lines that toll and thought had worn
in his cheeks. The eyes, the gray eyes,
that only on extra occasions had lighted up
with human beauty, seemed now to have
gained an almost uncarthly softness.
'Marthy, Christ knew, didn't hep he
asked In tender voice.
'Knew what, dear p The good woman
| started at her own tenderness-at the un-
usual term OIL affection.
Through suffering he turned to
his wife.
How to pity US. Oh, yes and Ho
took it all ON HIMSELF
lit was put on nc, thank God /
wouldn't havo it; no, no. Humanity shrinks
from the suffering, from the cross. Forty
years of health, Marthy, is a fearful test.
L don't know, looking at the past as do
now, feeling what | have lost, and what
have gained-I don't know as | had grace
enough to save me, marthy. 1t didn't
seem to me once as if any body need to be
sick. Many 4 time l thought folks give
up because they were weak and lazy. !
don't know, but it seemed sin to mo to
DC sckly and ailing. But you SEQ God
knew what needed Stop Dobbin, Mar.
thy there's poor Stephens little lame bow.
L wonder If something can't be done for
him.
So Dobbin was stopped and the poor
child, gladdened with kind word and
handful of coppors, that set his face shin
ing. What with delight and surprise, tears
came again to the good wife's eyes, for
children had rather avoided the Deacon,
sterling man though he was.
I'll see if that boy can't be helped
the Deacon went on, T'vc heard that if
his father could only afford it, there's
place where he might be cured. He's
line little fellow, and it is shame to Let
him 60 stumpiug through life
'Shan't we turn round now, Deacon?
asked his wife.
q think | would like to 90 to Tom
Blake's-he's another cripple, and more
likely to be worse than better
But, Deacon, you hadn't heard, I sup
pose. The truth is, he was taken to the
poor-h house
'Marthy, is that SOP cried the Deacon,
the old sLeraness coming back to lis face.
1T is SO. He grew so bad that they
couldn't find any one willing to be burden
ed with him, so they just put him there
I've heard him say, many's the time,
he'd rather die than go there. Poor Tom 2
yes, it was very hard
'Wc'll drive there, Marthy.'
There was another refolding of the shawl.
after the good woman had turned Dobbin's
dull head in the direction of the poor. house.
The Deacon went in, leaning on the arm
OF his wife, and led directly to the room
Of the old man, Tom Blake
Tom looked askance at the Deacon.
from whom he had taken many long ser.
mon--for Tom was as near an infidel as
that other goddess man, Joe-thcn at the
sight of his pale, mild countenance, the old
man faltored, be put up his thin hand,
turned aside bis face and burst into tears.
tom, I'm sorry TO sec you here said
the Deacon, placing his withercd hand on
the old mans shoulder.
I'D rather you'd seen me in the grave.
Deacon Gray sobbcd the old man. but
| wont die here, "a look Of defiance cross-
cd his featurcs---ft shan't be said that
Tom Blake died pauper No, sir. I'll
crawl on my hands and knees at tho last
gasp, and III fnd strength to do it too, out
of this Paupcr place
TON, you shan't stay here said tho
Deacon, rosolutely
The old man looked up. His face was
Pitiful to sec, all dabblcd with tears
No, Tom, know how you feel. When
/ was choking with that awful sickness. I
thought I'd give worlds for one easy breath
Yes, aud I'm choking 10 here; every
mouthfu eat ehokos me-
You shall come out, Tom be patient.
and bear il as well as you can, YOU shall
como out If nobody clscIl take you, III
take you myself
90, God bless you, Deacon Gray2 God
bless you for a true Christian, cried the
grateful man, tears Of Joy falling from his
dim eyes. q used to say hard things a.
bout you, Deacon Gray, because you tried
to make me better man. But the seed