The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-07-09

deavoring to restore to life three
young men who had been skating
and fallen under the ice.
The bystanders had, however,
only succeeded, after hours of exer.
tion, in bringing to lite only one of
the three, and the agony which the
gentleman had gone through during
this scene, and the distress he had
witnessed of the relatives of the
drowned boys, had entirely spoiled
the day as festive occasion, and
through sympathy with him, that of
the rest of the family. Impatiently
Markham chose lanother dwelling,
and there found terrible scene go
ing on in the anguish of heart with
which two gray-headed parents were
listening to the sad disclosure that
one OF their sons had committed
dishonorable action, which would
blast his reputation for life. The
sweet sound of singing a hymn then
attracted the attention of Markham
to the opposite side of the street,
and entering he saw pale invalid
with placid, resigned features extend
ed on a couch from which it was evi-
dent she would never rise again,
and beside her sister, as yet strong.
er, but also bearing the death seal Of
consumption in her coIntenanoe,
was singing the more suffering one
to sleep, while their father, wild
over, seemed praying for strength
to bear these heavy impending
trials.
The scene was peaceful, but very
sad and the next mansion seemed
more promising, for it was now eve
ming, and the sounds of gayety
showed that no pressing cause of
grief prevented the seasonable festiv-
tiles but at the side-table, lonely
and neglected, set young fair gov
erness, far away from all whom she
loved and whose magnificent sala-
ry, and the enjoyment of every luxu-
ry, could not make up for the con.
tempt with which she was treated
while the rest of the family were
empty.headed people, caring only
for eating and dressing, cave the son
OF the house, who had behaved i'll
and wasted his youth, and whose
heart was now filled with corroding
remorse. Five or six more exam
Piles only served still further to i'm
press upon Markham the existence of
the cross in every ones lot, which
is the doom of rich and poor alike
and on entering superbly furnished
drawing room he beheld a spectacle
from which he shrank, but which
his inexorable guide compelled him
look upon. On the brocaded sofa
lay lovely child some five years
old-the darling of every one who
knew him-his little features convul.
sed by terrible pains, and five doc
tors VaiDly striving to arrest the tor
turing sufferer, or stay his fast fleet
ing life. The parents proffered gold,
land and houses to the medical men
If they would only save their child,
but all in vain and soon a piercing
shrek told the spectators that all
was over, and the wretched parents
childless amid their splendor.
Markham could hear no more, He
fled bewildered, and seemed TO out
strip his guide and his hand was
on the latch of his own door, when
kiss restored him to consciousness,
and Jane Markham exclaimed
"Why, father, what long sleep
you've had while we've been out
See, dinners quite ready, and moth
er has dished up the plum pudding"
Markham kissed his child in mute
thankfulness, and with full heart
sat down to his clean, simple meal,
surrounded by healthy children and
his dear little crippled boy, to en-
JOY the luxury of pudding and beef
provided by his employer, and feel
ing that he should never dare again
to think his rich neighbors were free
from trouble, because they happened
to be wealthy.