The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-04-26

better feelings her innocent presence
had awakened. were yet warm; and be
fore he knew it, the young man said,
quickly and earnestly Does you love
God?'
What do you mean?' exclaimed the
young girl with a start Of surprise.
4 was thinking, as you came in, Of q
lovely child l saw yesterday he replied.
AS was in the act of leaving the coach,
she suddenly looked up and asked me
that question
And what. pray, put it in the child g
head? What did You answer
i am ashamed 10 say was not pre-
pared with an answer replied the young
man, casting down his eyes.
That night pleasure had no gratifca-
ton for him. His feet trod languidly
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 CAV. thought
less self Of former years. There was a
still pool lying in his bosom, the water
of which had never before been disturb
ed. Now little child had dropped a
pebble in and the vibration vas to go on
through eternity.
Dust solIed and travel weary, mel
ancholy man walked through the princi-
pal streets of large western city. As
he walked on, apparently absorbed in
his own meditations, his eye accidentally
encountered face looking Gown from
the window of handsome house. His
whole countenance suddenly altered. He
paused an instant. looked eagerly At the
window, and in another momen. his
hand was on the bell handle. He was
ushered into the very room where sat the
lady of the house.
You will pardon my intrusion, he
said; but could not pass by, after see
ing you accidentally at the window /
have not forgotten You nor your little
girl who, five years ago, in stage
coach, pu. TO me that artless question.
Does you love God?' Do you remem-
-ber? Il think l do said the lady smil
ingly, from the circum stance that you
seemed so much startled and confused;
but my dear child asked almost every
person with whom we met, that or simi-
lar questions
Her innocent face is engraved on my
heart, said the young man, with emo
ton. 'Never since that day have I been
tempted 10 do that which my consnience
would not sanction, but the earnest, Sc
rious gaze with which she regarded me
before she asked me that question, has
come to my mind. Would she remem-
ber me do you think? Absurd thought
of course she would not But l would
her anywhere, under any circumstances.
Can l not see her madam? Is she at
home with you? long to take her once
more in my arms, and hear once more
the voice that God used to draw my
heart to him.
Strange that, in his eagerness, he did
not notice that paiing cheek, the quiver
OF the mothers lips the sudden placing
OF her hand against her heart. Strange
also that he aid not mark the absence of
pattering feet, OF little gentle indications
that child's fingers had been busy in
the room about him.
Suddenly, as he ceased speaking, there
came over him startling consciousness.
lie saw the tear stained cheek turned
toward the window, he noticed the gar
ments OF sombre hue; he heard the si-
lence reiening within.
'Madam-is-the child-?'
She is in heaven came low and bro-
kenly from the trembling lips.
Ihe young man sank back on his seat
agitated, dumb-sorrowtu that he had
20 rudely torn open the bleeding wound
IN that womanly breast
This is sad tdings,. he said. after a
ong pause. and his voice was troubled.
Dear little angel she is speaking to
me from the grave
The mother arose and beckoned him
10 follow her. Into a little haIlowed |
chamber she went, where, in case, |
we're the books the child loved. her hi
bic, her beautiful rewards, her childish |
,oys.
There, said the mother, now quite |
broken down, and sobbing as she spoke. |
there is all that is lett on earth of pre- |
.iona Nettie.'
No, madam; that is mot all that is |
eft; l am monument of God g mercy /
made through her holy influence. Be |
cause she asked me that question on that |
eventual day. my mind was chaos OF |
ioubt. of bewildering and conflicting
errors. l had dared to question the ex-
stence Of an Almighty Creator. l had
tehantiy thrown my tannts at Hin who |
n the great iorbearance. has forgiven
ne My influence for evil was unlimited
because men looked up 70 me, and chose
ne tor their leader. was going tie
downward p til, cropping blindly in a
abyrlutn OF error, and dragging others
With me. Madam. by This time might
lave been deosuchee, God defying
wretch, but for her unlocked tor ones.
ion, Does yon love Col? ? Oh that
voice that look! that almost undefiniGe
orrow that divine pity that through
Ter glanced into my soul Madam,
here bear witness that your child left
nore than precious dust and perishing
oys.'
Utterly broken down, the strong man
Vept like a child. All he said was true,
or he held the hearts of men IN his
lands In gen "a he was one of the
trong ones of the earth; all that power
ul mind was engaged in spreading the
ldings of mans salvation thro' Jesus
>hrist.
Oh ! 1itf1o ohiI.1ron do -z.I. |