Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-05-17
LOVE AND RELIGION;
Vow Tom 2. "Tsl His Rshgit.
k.''.' go -


f.'s'.i o.
written for the srArH JOURNAL.
A purer, honester man, or a humber
and more devoted Christian than Tom g..
as knew him. nearly thirty years ago
never lived. Then about any years Of
age, he was the head Of a happy family
public spirited, valuable citizen, and an
active and useful member OF the Church
Always bright and Joyous and fond Of Q
good Joke, there had been a period lr
Toms history when he did not object TO;
what an-Irlshmnn would call, ga bit uf
a sphree." Tom was then Sowing hu
Wild oats," oil OF which were buried, be
Yond the possibility OF resurrection, long
before / had the pleasure Of clsiminf
him as hp acquaintance and friend.
Although little frOlicfome IN early life
he had never exhibited the slightest deere,
OF viciotaness. He was as sportive as
kid-boillng over with fun---but he had
never left sore spot IN anybody's heart
and his Jokes were oftener at his expense
than his friends. His recollection OF
"the good old tlmes, !" was, therefore, NOT
only perfect, but pleasant and. be FIRE
quently amused bis companions bv re
lating ludicrous incidents In srene
through which he had passed. To him
self am | indebted for the following anec
dote, which the writer fears will lose al
of lis life and sparkle BY the absence o
Toms graphic and inimltable humor.
" I had fallen desperately In love, saF
he. "with Mrs. -, charming youni
widow, and really persuaded mysel'
that could not be happy without her, 30
! set myself 10 work 10 WOO and win her.
|, therefore, paid to her marked aud de.
voted attention, and was hattered, bv thf
gracious manner In which was received
on all occasions. into the hope and belief
that had but TO offer myself to be &C.
cepted with JOY. Accordingly, on the
first opporture occasion said, Il Offer
thee this hand Of mine. &c. LOOKING
modesily at me, she softly, sweetly said
MIR. g., | would be inRincere and
uncaudid n did not confess that Ike
You, and that your attention and society
have been verv agreeable to me '-(Just
at this rause / felt, as Won may imagine
az happy as a clam at high waHT )-'bnt,
she continued, there Is one tnsuperahll
objection '-(now a change comes o'e
the shirt Of my dreams ')-disappointet
aud chngrined, I, stammerlng, asked Il
be Informed OF the nature Of the obstacl
she referred to Il have long sine
DETERMINED said she, chat / woul,
! never marry any but professor Of re
! liglon.' This, said Tom, was a stunne
). sure enorgh, but not entirely wiihou
, hope of overcoming even such an objec
tion. said, Madam, your reply to m
, offer Of myself is, Of course. a terrible
. shocking blow to my hope Of happiness
. Indeed II tllls me With disappointment
and sorrow and casts shadow over IN
q pathway through life. Nevertheless, m
r respect for you Is Increased thereby.
n Is true, ! am not pro-, ssor Of religion
\ but was raised by christian parent
and have the greatest respect for chrii
y tians and for the church and It's ord
. nances. True, I cannot say have r,
llgion, butt docking her steadfastly
- the ewes and patting my hand over m
r. heait), Il think can say, madam, thu
!. feel Il a coming"
r. Tom finished by seying, "But 'twi
q no use, she could not see it,"
= SCUM.
a NEW CASTLE, Nav 9th, 1878.