The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-08-08

He opened his eyes, and stretched
himself drowsily /: but the next instant
he was wide-awske, and his outstretch-
ed arms remained outstretched In utter
establishment. The rising sun shone
upon the window and it's Venetian
blinds, and . luxurious green light
filled the room. His rough and grim
hands lay upon . counterpane of ex.
traordinary whiteness, and his shaggy
head rested upon the softest Of pillows.
He raised himself on his elbow to look
round, and sank back again In blank
amazement. Where could he be !?
Who was he? Was 1t really himself,
Tom Marshall, whose home was Q
miserable bare room, in one of the
lowest Of the back slums Or was he
somebody else, who had . right to be
there? How did he come into this
place at all? He was so bewildered
that he lay still for awhile, trying his
best to think. But it would not do.
He raised himself again to take . sur
vey, and his eyes fastened upon the IL
Illuminated text over the fireplace. He
had been brought up ~ an ornamental
and the fanciful letters
did not puzzle him. The words did
not remove his bewilderment, but they
turned his thoughts into another d.
recti0n. "Thou God seest mel" he
read, half aloud. "Thou God seest
mel" he repeated. What, did God
see him at that moment? He could
see himself in the large looking-glass,
and he could not turn away his gaze
from It. There was he, in the midst
Of the sweetness, and cleanliness, and
purity, wretched, begrimed, vile
object, not fit for bis own eyes to look
upon. Wherever his hand fell there
was stain upon the whiteness. The
pillow upon which his head had rest
ed--how different it was from the
other pillow which he had not touched!
He was disgusting even to himself.
He wished he could not see his own
face and f,rm Ia that dainty room.
And was 1t true that God saw him
just as he was, degraded below the
beasts? Did God see that wretched
hole Of his, where his poor wife and
children lay on straw and rags, while
he had been sleeping In such luxury ?
Had Gods eye been upon him last
night, when he had made wager how
much beer he could drinkp ? He could
not endure the thought Of it.
Just then h., lifted his eyes to the
wall above the glass. There hung the
second text. "God is love!" he read
aloud. WHAT" he cried; "love
Is God love: Does he love me? Oh
no; that would be impossible. hate
myself; the children hate me; Jenny
hates me. And they may we'll hate
me- IfGod sees me, he cannot love
me. Oh, II he would but love me, OF
turn away his eyes from me, that be
may not see me! I cannot bear Il
think that he sees me. Thou God
seast mel God is love-" The pool
fellow was half distracted wIrn tne
multitude Of his thoughts, and the
idea of getting up and making his es-
cape did not once cross his mind. He
could not have done it, for the key oi
the door lay at the bottom of Mrs
Burton's pocket. She was dressing by
this time, anxious to see how heI
painting of the last day was drying
and as soon rs she was ready, having
scrupulously read q psalm and engag-
ed in prayer, she hastened to her best
bedroom, opened the door solemnly
and entered with careful step.
It would he impossible TO describe
Mrs. Burton's first emotions. Marsh
all, who had lain down again, lifted
himself up upon hearing the dool
opened, and met her horrified gazt
with one equally aghast. Neither oI
them could speak for minute or two
and then she saw him slowly drag
himself out OF the white bed-linen
and stand trembling before her, the
most abject, wretched creature she
ever remembered to have seen.
II don't know how ever came t.
be here" he said; II know no NOR,
than this bed-post; but I'm an honest
man. missis, l am, for certain. Idon'
mean no harm!"
Harm gasped Mrs. Burton, VIII.
had not yet recovered her speech.
II wish l wasn't here, I do,' b,
continued. II didn't mean to do 1t
I'm sure. Please to forgive me, missis
and I'll never do 1t again as long as
live.n
"Why!" cried Mrs. Burton, "wher
did you get in here?"
II was very drunk last night" ht
stammered, land must have turned
in unknownst to myself"
"Drunk!" she exclaimed; -,
drunken vagabond in my best bed
What shall I do? shall never fame,
1t again. But you shall 60 to Jail 70
this, 1 promise you. Martha, Marths
Run for the police"
"Oh no, now!, cried Marshall
+" forgive me this once. I've q poo
wife aud family at home. Ifyou sent
me to Jail they must go into the poo
house, and we shall all be ruined"
81 can't forgive you," said Mrs
Burton, with tears In her eyes
"you'vs ruined my best room.
shall never have any more pleasure il
It. You must 60 to Jail for 1t, or
sha'n't have a moments peace. Nc
no. Don't speak, you drunken brute
you! What can I do? what can
do?"
WE'LL" he answered, despairingly y
"if 60 to Jail for it suppose God
see me there too"
The heart Of Mrs. Burton alway
echoed to that name, and her cor
science s,notO her. She looked steadi
ly 1t her strange guest, and followe
the direction Of his eyes. which wer
turned upon the text on the wal
"Thou God seest me-" she said, ha
aloud, and invoiuntariiy.
"Ts that true ?n asked the man.