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

II
oTn cottage, apparently IN state of moody
abstraction, and then ulournfully shaking
his head, would say, SIS he aroused him
self, All is silent, now; the blacksmith s
hammer Is 10 more heard in the old shop.
ON. nv boy, my boy. Would that could
have stood beside thy grave, ere had seen
thee thus,n
Suddenly he seemed to have formed
some new resolution. Rising one morning
earlier than had been his won't for years,
he took the well known cross path to the
shop. Ii was closed, and the entrance
well secured. For q moment he paused,
irresolute, and then walked with quick
steps 10 small house in the Leighbor-
hood
as Mr. Birch i'm" he inquired of the
little boy who answered his knock at the
door
The man in question, who had long
been in james employ, Immediately
stepped forward
THE shop is locked, sir" said the old
gentleman Have you the key"
II have" was the reply; but Mr.. Will
liam is so seldom at his work, now, that |
never open without his orders. Lam about
seeking situation in Clyde. Working
one day in seven will not support a
family"
at will not, indeed, Mr.. Birch; but if
you will rely upon me, will see that you
are paid as usual. Open the shop at once,
aud be ready for whatever may Offer"
but do not feel myself quite compe.
tent to take the whole charge, Mr.. James,
am willing to work under orders"
Il will be there myself" was the reply,
land we will see whether Time has
robbed my arm Of its strength"
In half an hour all was hustle and activ.
ity at the old blacksmith shop The Won
dering neighbors-who had for many
months past been obliged to go ten miles
to the next village when anything in that
line was required, heard with surprise the
busy strokes of the hammer.
Sam Jones almost rejoiced when his
horse lost shoe, because it gave him an
opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. He
was a rough man, but his heart was
touched when he saw the old gentleman
hard at work, and it was with almost an
air ofdeference that he asked if his horse
could be shod Immediately, as he was in
haste to 60 to Clyde on important bust
ness.
Without delay, Sam Here, Mr.. Birch,
will you attend to this or, stay, | will do
it myself. 1t is ten years or more since l
have shod horse but | know the right
way yet. if / mistake not"
The Job was about half completed, and
the old blacksmith, with all the interest
and activity of former years, was bend
ing over the uplifted foot of the ami
NAL, when another person entered
the shop. For moment he stood
unnoticed, but an attentive observer of
what was passing. The hand Of the old
gentleman trembled, as he performed the
unusual labor, and he paused, as if fatigued
Father" said wellknown voice at
his elbow, "what means this? This work
becomes not your gray hairs; give me the
hammer"
81 have vow, William" was the re-
ply, "that your wife and children shall
never want while can raise a hammer ;
nor your good name be disgraced with
debts, If can earn the means to pay them.
God will give me strength"
More affected than he cared to own,
William walked to the farther part of the
shop, and busted himself with some work
that stood ready. For many days he bad
been absent from home, and had returned
at late hour on the previous evening
His feelings had been good deal softened
by the appearance OF absolute poverty his
cottage had assumed. Something must be
done; and after an anxious and restless
night, he fell asleep just before the day
dawned, with the full resolution to work
steadily for three months, at least, and
then see how things would go.
The bright morning sun streaming in al
the window awakened him. He sprapgup
and the first sound that fell upon his ears
was the busy stroke of the blacksmith
hammer. He listened in surprise; Birch
was not wont to 60 to work without orders
Hastily dressing himself, he left the cot
tage and sought his shop. Pride, shame
and self-reproach, struggled in his mind,
as he watched his aged father steadily
| pursuing his unwonted task The latter
| feelings at length gained the mastery
Rest yourself, now, father" he said, as
the old gentleman paused from very ex-
haustion. Fear neither for my family
nor my good name; for, with Gods help
both shall be cared for"
J the agitated reply. "Your words give me
new life. Be yourself again, Billy. The
dark cloud is passing away"
! At the little cottage nothing was known
5 Of what had taken place. With hel
mind filled with her own sad thoughts
! Lizzie noticed not the sounds that showed
, all were actively engaged at the shop
, Her husband did not return at noon-and
/ indeed, she scarcely expected him, for he
was seldom with them at meals. She had
lingering hope that he might come
in the evening; but even this was very
9 doubtful. Her heart beat quickly when
just after the sun had sank behind the
western hills, his step was heard at the
, door. The little ones chung to her dress
| as he entered, for they had learned to feal
| mis- approach.
"Are you not coming to see father p
! he said kindly. "You are not afraid OF
me, Willie, my little man"
Mot tonight, father" replied Willie
: boldly. Come, sister, come to father
, he will not hurt u.s."
Lizzie trembled lest the reply should
, irritate him; but he only sighed deeply,
and took the children in his arms without
| speaking. With more cheerfulness than
she had felt for months, Lizzie busted her
; self with preparations for the evening
meal
Father tells me there is to be famous
lecturer in the village this evening"" said