Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-06-03

story, it might be of Joseph or David, o
some good child, who afterwards became
great man and then she would part Willie
brown curls from his forehead, and in
voice can never forget, say, Promise me
Willie, when you 60 into the world and it
temptations, and your mother is laid dowI
to sleep in the churchyard yonder, promise
me. child, that her prayers and her memory
shall keep you from all evil ways AND
Willie would lift hislaughing blue eyes to he,
face and say, I'll be a tirst-rate man DOM
be afraid. mother
"And then, after we had said our pray
ers, we would 60 to our bed as happy as the
birds that went to their nests in the old
apple. branches by the window. and just as
we were sinking to sleep, we would hear a
soft foot on the stairs, and loving face
would bend over to see if we were nicely
|. tucked mp. It is long time-father would
say after pause-since theard from Willie,
but am sure that he has never fallen into
any evil ways The memory of his mother
would keep him from that :"
Rap, rap. rap went the words of the
lady at the door of that old mans heart,
crack. crack, crack went the door on its
rusty hinges, while far above them both
the angels of God held their breath and
listened But the lady could only see the
subdued man bury his face in his hands,
and while his own frame shook like an aspen
leaf, she heard him murmur amid child like
sobs:
"My mother Oh, my mother'
AcI 81 10 on hot IL
those wrinkled cheeks washed out also many
dark pages in the record of Old Bills past
life; so, with silent prayer Of thankfulness,
che resumed:
''But there was one scene my father loved
to talk of better than all the rest. 1t was
in the morning you were married, Mr.
Strong. It was enough to do ones eye
good-he used to sayz-to look at them as
they walked up the old church aisle, he with
his proud, manly tread, and she delicate
and fragile creature, fair as the orange
blossom that trembled in her hair. I re-
member how clear and firm his voice sounded
through the old church, as he promised to
love, protect and cherish the fair girl at his
side; and I know, as he looked upon her,
that the very winds Of heaven should not
visit her face too roughly.
"And then my father would tell us about
a housemade very bright by watchful affec-
tons, and of dark-eyed boy and fair haired
girl, who came after while to gladden. tt;
and then you know he removed to the West
and lost sight of you, Mr.. Strong"
Once again the lady paused, for the man
before her was fearful to behold and when
she spoke again it was in lower and mourn
full tone
II promised my father, previously to his
death, that if ever visited his native State,
I would seek his cid friends I kept my
promise But when inquired for you,
they unfolded terrible story to me, Mr..
Strong they told me of broken. lesolate
household, of the gentle, accomplishing wife
who went down with prayer on her lips
for the erring husband, broken hearted. to
the grave, and of the fair-haired girl they
placed in little while by her side. Oh, it
is sad, sad story have Of my fathers old
friend.
"It was 1t was I that did it all /! [
killed them !" said old Bill, in voice hoarse
with emotion, as he lifted his head from his
clasped hands and looked upon the lady,
every feature wearing such a look Of agony
and remorse that she shuddered to behold
it. Wide, wide open stood the door then,
and the lady fastened to pass in. A small
hand was laid gently upon old Bills arm,
and a sweet voice murmured.
''Even for all, there is redemption. In
the name of the dear mother that loved you,
in the name Of your dying wife, and Of the
dear child that sleeps beside her. | ask you,
to sign the pledge? ?"
II will" said old Bill, and he brought
down his hand with such force on the pine
table that his rheumatic limbs hardly regain
ed their equilibrium. and he eagerly seized
the pen and pledge the lady had placed be-
I fore him. and when he returned them to
her the name Of William Strong lay in broad
legible characters upon the paper.
There was an expression, ludicrous from
its extreme curiosity, on the bar-keeper's
face, as the lady passed quietly through the
shop after the long interview with old Bill,
and the expression was in no degree lessen
ed when in few moments after, old Bill
! followed her without stopping as usual, to
take his first glass And he never passed
over that Threshold again.
And now, reader, you whose heart throbs
with tenderness and reverence for humanity,
fallen, despised, miserable though it may be
remember that somewhere in the heart of
your fellow man is a door, which, though
closed for many years, will surely open to
the hand that knocks in kindness and the
voice hat'cals in love-
LITTLE GEMs--Keep a list of your
friends, and let God be first in the list, how
ever long it may be.
z nen n LIST Of the nifts VOL rnt and Lei