South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-06-17
The Door in the Heart.

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hair, and the hands locked together on the
low pine table did not tremble SO with the
weakness of old age; yet very old and We
ry miserable looked the solitary occupant
of that narrow room or entry, with its fad
ed red curtains, and its atmosphere render
ed almost intolerable by the bar-room into
which it opened. A hat bearing unmis-
taxable evidence of long intimacy with
'brck-bats aud CUTTERS maintained safe
position on one side of the owners head.
and pair Of elbows thrust themselves
through his coat sleeves in rejoicing con-
seriousness that they could afford to be
out Add to this, reader, pair of pants
whose original color it would have been a
matter of time aud study to determine,
and you have the tout-enSemJle of the
wretched being who occupied the old grog
shop which he was allowed to frequent in
all the village of Greenfield
And yet that miserable, solitary, friend
less creature, sitting there half stupeGed
with the effects of last nights revel, and
utterly unconscious that outside, the Nav
morning of God, with its glorious birth
right of sunshine and dcws and bird songs,
has heart, and 'far away up great ma
ny pair of stairs in his heart, is door,
covered with cobwebs and dust, and on that
door is word written, which Time and
! Sin have never been able to efface-and
that word is Man.
But nobody ever dreamed of this, and
people shook their heads, and said Billy
! Strong's case was a hopeless one. Had
not many kind hearted persons reasoned
with him earnestly on the evils of his ways
Had not the temperance men gone to him
with pledge and promised him employ
ment if he would sign it? And this had
been utterly in vain.
All, none of them had CROPPED their way
up the winding stairs, and read the name
on the hidden door there.
But while the unhappy man sat by the
pine table that morning, the bar keeper
suddenly entered, followed by a lady with
soft, hazel eyes, and a face that child
would 60 to In any trouble.
The old man looked up with vacant
gaze of wonder, as the bar keeper offered
lady chair and pointed to the occupant
of the other saying, That's Billy Strong,
madam; and with a lingering stare, sur.
prise and curiosity, left the gentle woman
alone with the astoDished and now thorough
ly sobored man.
The soft eye of the lady wandered, with
a sad, plying expression over Bills fca-
lures, and then, in low, sweet voice, she
asked, 'Am 1 rightly informed? Do l ad-
dress Mr. William StroDgY
All . with these words the lady had got
ten further up the winding stairs, and nearer
the door, than all that had gone before her.
Yes, that is my name ma am said Old
Bill, and he glanced down at his shabby
attire, and tried to hide the elbow, which
was pecpiDg out the farthest for it was q
long time since he had been addressed by
that name, and somehow it sounded very
pleasant to him.
q am very glad to meet you, Mr. Strong
said the lady, Il have heard my father
speak of you 80 often, and of the days
when you and he were boys together aud
almost feel as if we were old acquaintance.
You surely cannot have forgotten Charles
Morrison {?
NO, no. Charles and used to be old
crouios, said Bill, with sudden anima-
ton, and n light in his eye, such as had
not been there for many days, except when
rum lent it a fitful brlliancy.
All ! the lady did not know, as perhaps
the angels did, that she had mounted the
stairs and was softly feeling for that un-
seen door. So she went on, 81 almost feel
as though could see the old spot upon
which your homestead stood, Mr.. s. I
have heard my father describe il so often.
The hill, with its crown Of old oaks, at the
back Of yonr house, aud ihdfcld of golden
harvest grain that waved in front. Then
there was green gross plot before the
front door, and the huge old apple tree
that thre% It's shadows across it, and the
Z great old-fashioned porlico, and the grape
vine that crcpt around the pillars, and the
roscbush looked in at the bedroom window
and The spring that went flashing and sing.
ing through the bed Of mint at the side Of
the house.
Old Bill moved uneasily in bis chair
and the muscles around bis mouth witch
ed occasionally; but, unmiudful Of this, in
the same low, sweet tone, the lady kept on !:
Many and many we're the hours-so "a
thor would say-Willie and used TO pass
under the shadow Of that old apple tree.
playing at hide and seek, or rolling and
tumbliDg about on the grass telling each
other the things We would certainly do
when VIC become men the sun sets its cap
. of gold on tho tops Of the oaks, can sec
Wil.io's mother standing 10 the front door.
with her white cap and cheap apron, and
the pleasant smile that always lowered A.
round her lips, and hear her cheerful voice
calling, come boys, come to supper
One after another the big, warm, bless.
. cd tears came rolling down Old BHPs cheeks.
| Ab tho lady bad found the door then.
Il was always at home at Willies-fath-