Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-05-16

looked up and asked me that question
"And what, pray, put titin thechild's head !"
And what did you answer?'
"I am ashamed to say was not prepared
with an answer" replied the young man, cast
ing down his eyes.
That night pleasure had no qualification for
him. His feet trod langudly the mazes Of the
dance; his smiles were forced and more than
once it was said of him, " He does not seem
himself"
No. he was not like the gay, thoughtless
self of former years. There was a still pool
living in his bosom, the waters of which had
never before been disturbed Now little
child had dropped pebble in it, and the vi
bration was to 90 on through eternity.
! Dust-soiled and travel-wcary, thoughtful
man walked through the principal street Of a
large Western city As he walked on, appa-
rently absorbed in his own meditations, his eye
suddenly encountered a face looking down
from the window of handsome house His
whole countenance suddenly altered. He
paused an instant, looking eagerly at the win
/ dow; and in another moment his hand was on
/ the bell-handlc lie was usherednto the very
room where 81. the lady Of the house.
"You will pardon my intrusion" he said,
but could not pass by, after seeing you ac
/ cidentally at the window. | have never for
gotten You nor your little girl, who, five years
ago, in stage coach, put to me the artless
question, Does you love God Z? Do you re-
member q
al think | do said the lady, smilngly,
from the circumstance that you seemed so
much startled and confused; but my dear child
asked almost every person with whom we met,
that or similar questions
Her innocent face IS engraved on my
heart said the young man, with much emo
tion. Never, since that day, have been
tempted to do that which my conscience would
not sanction. but the earnest. serious gaze with
which she regarded me before she asked me
that question, have come to my mind Would
she remember me, do you think? Absurd
thought ofcoursc she would not tlshoud
remember her anywhere, under any circnm-
stances. Can not see her, madam? Is she
at home with Won? long to take her in my
arms, and hear once more the voice that God
has used to draw my heart to Him
Strange that, in his eagerness, he did not
notice that pans cheek, the quiver of the
mothers lips the sudden placing Of her hand
against her heart Strange also that he did
not mari, the absence of pattering feet, Of lit
lie gentle Indications that a childs iiagers had
been busy in the room about him.
Suddenly, as he ceased speaking, there came
over him a startling consciousness. lie saw
the tcar-staiued cheek turned toward the win
dow; he noticed the garments Of sombre hue;
/ he heard the silence rcigning within.
/ Madam-is-thec child --?'
"She is in Heaven" came low and broken
ly from the trembling lips.
The young man sank back on his seat asi-
tated. dumb-sorrowful that he had so rudely
torn open the still bleeding wound in that
womanly breast.
"This is sad tidings, he said, after long
pause, and his voice was troubled. "Dear
little angel she is, then, speaking to me from
the grave"
The mother arose, and bcckonel him to
follow her. Into a little ballowed chamber
she went, where, in a case, were the books the
child loved. her Bible, her beautiful rewards,
her childish toys.
"Thcre," said the mother, now quite broken
down, aud sobbns as she spoke " there is all
that is left on earth of precious Nettie.'
No, madam; that is not all that is left,
am monument Of Gods mercy, made so
through her holy influence. Before she asked
me that question on that cysatful day, my
mind was a chaos Of doubts, Of bewildcriug
and conflicting errors. had dared to ques-
ton the existence Of an Almighty Creator. !
had defyingly thrown my taunts at Him who
/ in great forbearance, has forgiven me. Ny
7 influence for evil was unlimited because men
looked up to me, and chose me for their leader.
was going the downward path, grasping
wildly in a labyrinth Of error, and dragging
others with ne. Mailman, by this time
might have been debanchee, a libertinc,
God-derying wretch but for her unlOOked-for
question.
oh. that voice that look that almost
f infinite sorrow that divine pity, that through
her. glanced into my soul Madam, these tears
bear witness that your child left more than
precious dust and perishing toys" Utterly
broken down, tie strong man wept like a
child. All he said was true, for he held the
hearts Of men in his hands In genius he was
one Of the strong ones Of the earth, and all
that powerful mind was engaged in spreading
mans salvation through Jesus Christ.
Oh! little children DO a mighty work.
Reader, in the sweet accents Of that babe, we
ask. docs YOU love God ~ Christian o.
sarer.
4 SocDoLoGER.-Reyels, the negro Senator,
occupies the seat once occupied by jefferson
Davis This affords the Radical theme for
frequent comment. But the Detroit Free Press
asks. Docs not Zachariah Chandler FIJI the
49,. .,, o.,.,,,.;oJ L., o,rir C,g.o z not