Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-03-11
Stepping in Fathers Footsteps.

One bright winter morning, after n snow
storm. father took his hat for walk to tend
to some farm affairs requiring his attention
when started, his little hoy of five summers
also snatched his hat. and followed the father
| with mock dignity and an assumed business
| like air
When they reached the door, the gen,le-
! man noticed that no track or pathway had
heen made in the snow and he hesitated about
letting his boy follow him. But the soft.
tleccy snow looked so tempting. so pearlv
white. that he concluded to let the child walk
after him. He took long and rapid strides
through the nntrodden snow when, suddenly
| remembering his little boy, he paused: look ed
| back for him and exclaimed
WELL my boy, don't you find it hard work
! to walk in this deep snow 2"
"Oh!' said the boy, I'm coming, for
father, step in all yonr tracks,
True enough, the dear child was planting
his tiny feet just where the parent had ,rod.
den. The child's reply startled the father. a,
| he reflected that thus wonld his child keen
pace with him. and follow in his track through
lite. He was not friend to Jesus, not mau
OF prayer. and not Christian, and we'll might
he pause and tremblo as he thought of his
child ever striving "to step in all Of his tracks"
onward, onward through hfe's mvsterious
boys reply brought that strong. stuhbcrn-
hearted man to think. when even the preached
word of God hod no imrressiou uron him -
Finally he repented. and sought and found
peace in believing in Christ We believe
that he IS now making such tracks through
life that some day that son may be proud to
say, "F"ther step in all your tracks,"
Waiting for the Evening Train.
The following beautiful sketch was written
by the late Thurlow Weed Brown. in 1850:
"Wating for the Evening Train Tho
speaker was the oldest of the crowd of people
moving restlessy about the depot. His form
was bowed with years of hard toll: his hair
was white and his hand tremulons. There
was that in his coupt"nance and manner
which always wins confidence and respect,
and brings pleasan. dream of a substantial
| tarnI>house, worthy family, and a life teach
ing of the principles of industry, integrity and
| honor.
The old man will no. wal. long. for tho
train is sweeping in m the down grade. The
hours wear away. The sun is going and the
shadows are already thickeniue over the track
beyond. And there s bnt one change on tho
route-by the deep river which rolls between
this and the other shore.
More than eighty years ago he received n
through ticket over the straight and narrow
way. whose terminus is the eternal ctiy -
Death is a mighty engine, and for thousand.
OF years it has swept this down grade hourly
with loaded trains. 1t stops at every station.
We are "waitne for the train" There
are the morning aud noon trains those filed
with children; with pleasure seeking and sor.
row stricken. We know not the time when
dne, but with noiseless speed they are COM
ing. ''Al aboard :" has startling thrill.
and the gentle goodnight is spoken not
again, for no messenger re'urneth.
GRATING WAX This ia su article which
should be kept on hand ready for use when
ever needed, for it il valuable for various pnr-
poses besides that of Rrafiing. All wounds
made in pruning trees will heal over much
sooner if coated with this wax; and, If
/ piece of bark is accidentally stripped from
tree, the place should be covered over with il.
aud the wood will remsin sonnd underneath.
A good wax may be made as follows. Melt
in basin one pound of tallow, two pounds
of beeswax; and four pounds of rosin stir
well together and keep in cool place In the
dish in which it is melted. IF beeswax is n
very costly item. one-third less quantity can
be used.
PRESERVING EGGs.-A Partisan naner
recommends the follovi,o, ,na,Lol e.