Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-07-20

the sound OF even pgTS< glasses 10y.
Deep feelings Asc s...ea - The oEsoS SIN
Die village maiden an unusual degree OF
eloouence. Her blue eyes beamed upon
her husband with such earnest and impior-
ing TENDERNESS that his sterner nature
could hardly resist the appeal But fslse
pride came TO his aid ne had vIthstooo
the arguments Of his friends, ano ne
! would not Weld TO the pleadipgs OF his
wife. That others hsd fallen, proved Rot
that he would do the same AS a man, he
would stand forth, and prove TO ali that
the moderate drinker and the drunkard
were no, to be clsssed together; that one
might stand OF the brink Of pTecipice
without danger Of plunging in the abyss
below.
And thus in his own vain strength he
stood Human strength! Alas il is but
weakness The power TO resist evil
nay, the very consciousness that evil exists,
and the desire 70 shun il, belongs not 10
/ man. In God also must We trust
Ny tale lies but in humble village life
\ William James WEE The blacksmith OF the
pleasant little village which had been his
| birth place, and which was endeared To
/ him by all the tender and endeariDg 1850
| cations Of infancy, boyhocd and youth.
His father had pursued the same occupa-
! ton, and it WAS with pride and pleasure
Z tina, he placed the hammer in the hands OF
/ his son, and directed his first attempt al
| the anvil
at is respectable and ssefll trade
/ Billy" he would often say, land one
which will always insure you an honest
| living. This 10 all you want; the lawyers
I and doctors could desire no more"
So William grew 10 manhood as
I thorough blacksmith as his father; and
/ in due time, as the old mans health de.
/ clined, the business came altogether into
/ his hands, and the old gentleman was con-
tent 10 smoke his pipe, and watch the
progress Of the work in which he had once
/ taken so active part.
What blessing it il" he would some
I times say 10 bis wife, "that our Bill Is
sober, industrious lad, and works az the
/ forge AZ well az could myself A good
trade is worth all the new tangled notions
/ that the boys have now-a-days.'
] II was a joyful day with the old folks
when sweet Lizzie was introduced 10
them as Williams wife. 1t was at first
proposed that they should be male
| one family; but there were Other Sons and
daughters now nearly men and women,
who could well fill the vacancy in the old
homestead, and that pretty little cottage,
| half hid in the clustering vines, was but a
stones throw, and the young people pre-
| ferred home of their own.
! SO all was made ready, and when the
wedding day came, 1t was as all wedding
| days should be, bright and happy one.
/ The modest pretty, little bride, and the
manly looking bridegroom, plighted their
faith in the village church, one lovely
CT - fhnr xxyat h I'D to
gether TO their new home, after the usual
! religious services were over, many were
| the cordial greetings, the kindly smiles,
and the heartfelt blessings bestowed upon
them. Then followed for the next few
days the usual amount Of village gossip,
concerning the appearance and behavior
Of groom and bride. This over, and the
affair WAS among the things that were.
Ali went on as usual the customary busy
sounds were heard in the old shop; the
Young blacksmith had taken new cares
upon himself, and must not be idle. The
father smoked his pipe as vigorously as
ever; the mother piled her knitting nee
dies and superintendedthe household con-
| Germs of both families for the distance was
short and Lizzie loved to come for advice
TO the kind old lady, and was quite sure
that Williams favorite dishes could not be
properly prepared unless under her special
directions And thus all went quietly
and happily for days and months, and even
years.
The little cottage was less lonely now,
and Lizzie deemed not the time so long
when William was absent at his daily
work. A smiling babe was in her arms,
and lovely little prattler ran by her side,
as she took her usual walk to grandpas.
A kind welcome always awaited her.
Lay by your things, Lizzie" said the
youngest sister, land give me the baby.
You arctic take tea with us, this evening
mother was just sending me with an invi.
tation. Your little maid has "a holiday,
you know, and it is not fitting for you to
attend to the household cares with babe
on each arm"
"Not quite 80 bad as that, Jennie, for
WSlie runs bravely by my side, aud little
Lizzie can creep around the floor. How
ever, would gladly accept your invita-
ton did not think Will would return
from work, and wonder at my absence"
"He will know very we'll where the birds
have flown, and can follow them If he likes
Come, no more excuses; know what you
would say. 1t Is the fourth anniversary OF
your wedding day, and you wish for q
coy, little time at home. No matter, that
Is selfish, and you must learn to deny your
self"
} flush, Jenny, do not run on So" said
the old lady, reprovingly. "Stay with US
Lizzie, my child, and you can step home
for William when he returns from work
Father Is at the shop to day, and they will
no doubt leave together.
The hours passed quickly by, and the
old gentleman was soon at the gate before
J they had thought of its being near the
hour for tea.
"Has William gone home, father p
asked Lizzie, as she returned his affection
J ate greeting.
"Not yet, dear. He was obliged to &c
] to Clyde on business, and will not return
till evening You can stay with us to tea
and have time to prepare for him after
you go home; promised to send Jennie
to tell you of his absence, but now have
} done the errand myself"
"And you will have that cozy little chat,
} after all, sister Lizzie" whispered the
} lively Jennie. "The babies will be asleep,
and nothing to disturb you"
J Lizzie smiled cheerfully, and acknowl-
edged that it would be very pleasant, and