The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-01-03

I
Of praise and the desire to crafty the
appetite Of those who sat at her table
had drowed the "still small voice." anc,
despite conscience or religion, she had
continued to "bait the devils trap" by
putting wine and brandy into her pies and
puddings. Although she called heIself
a temperance woman, she had in all past
time insisted that brandy in food had no
power to do harm-that it never created
an appetite for strong drink. Had she
lied to her own soul2
Should she meet her boy with tempts-
tion at the threshold Of his home? He
had gone forth at her command because
the wine-cup had debascd him; he had
conquered the foe, but could she be pos
tive that the sleeping demon would not
awake at the call of the spirits" she was
about to loosen.
Yet what would people say if she fail
ed TO offer theaccustomed dainty On New
/. Years day. Now came the trial! All,
many housekeepers yield right here, and,
sitting their honest convictions, set forth
their brandy-pcaches, homemade wine,
and spirit-Aavorcd pies and puddings,
more fearful Of the voice of Mrs. Grundy
than the voice of God.
After long and thoughtful pause, she
emphatically exclaimed: IL have baitel
the devils trap for the last time," aud
aunt Lois said, AMEN.
The New Years morning brought both
her sons, and in her rejoicing she prepar-
ed a feast, literally killing the fatte'l calf
feeling all the time that God had been
more merciful to her than she had been
to Others, while the vision of blind girl
weeping, homeless and lonely, 4tood IKE
a shadow beneath the hearth and rul,ed
ghost-like hands between her and her new
found joy.
The dinner was ready the table l)ok-
ed as though spread by fairy fingers from
frost-land, so rich was it in white roes.
in iced-irnt and delicate creams.
The conservatory had yielded of its
rich treasures until the fragrant air al
most cheated one into the belief that a
day from the tropics had been drapped
down amid the northern SHOWS TO wei
come the returning prcdigals.
Mr.. Todd had grown strangely silent,
and seemed trying to Danish a look of
anxious pain that kept creeping to eve
ani brow. At last the guests noted a
low, whispered conference. and presently
the eldest son uysteriously disappeared.
J What had been the mothers behest that
should thus keep her boy from his place
among the guests.
Silence crept into the room. the dinner
waited and the anxious look decpencd
upon the face Of the hostess. At last the
frosty path gave back the sound of slow
coming steps; voices we're at the door; q
moments pause. and Edward entered
with Flora Denmore and led her at once
% his mothers side. What a strong,
earnest pressure Mrs. Todd took the blind
girls hands, and with look of selfcon-
secration kissed her brow.
Then turning to her guests, she said /:
81 have taken this dear, wrouged dar-
; ling from the hospital. to be. from hence
forth, my daughter, and to Tighten, it
may be, the path hitherto so dark, shall
be my constant aim"
There were fearful eyes around the
board while Edward lifted his voice ask
ing Gods loving favor.
If any guest noticed the absence of
brandy-havored viands, it was with no
feeling of regret.
Doyou expect me to tell you that Flo
ra's eye sight was restored, and that she
married Edward, in true novel style.
This | cannot do. Such things do hap
pen; but there was no more earthly light
for Florastear blindcyes; ani her love for
Edward was but sisters, pure aud last-
ing, but no fit offering upon marriage
altar.
At the first. Mrs. Told found her
charge helpless, fretful, murmuring AMI
ungrateful-accusing God Of injustice,
and mankind of heartless neglect, but
she surrounded her with such loving care
and tenderness, ever remembering how
great had been the loss that wrecked her
life, that at last the time came when the
sightless eyes were lifted ia devotion,
when God was no longer an avenger but
an allwise Father chistening those thst
he loved, and saving those that loved
him.
In every reform movement, the mother
and sous join earnestly anil work faith
fully; aud if selfish pride had not been
utterly rooted ou: of Mrs, Todds heart,
she would nave cause for rejoicing in the
applause of those who speak OF her AS
almost angelic in unostentious pieiy and
good works; but from the praise of the
world she shrinks as from m unholy
thing.
Few who sec her cheerful face or listen
to her loving counsel, dream of the re-
morse that will not be banished. for il is
only to Aunt Lois that she talks of the
bitter past or reveals tho sting with
which her conscience often reminls her
that she carelessly. as she sees many Of
her sex still DOING. placed tanpLation In