Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
IFrom our Late Editions Of Yesterday
MIGHT AND MORNING.


when good fire and the society Of friends be-
come vitality essential to mans comfort and
happiness.
Margaret Edgarton arose from her scat by the
scanty fire, and opening the door looked out up.
ON the night. She stood moment then, with
shudder, closed the door, and returned to her
husbands side.
"Heaven pityl those who are exposed to the
storm this night, she said, fervently amen
responded her husband, in deep, solemn
voice. "Though we are very, very poor, Mar
garet, there are many even poorer than our
selves.
The man raised his dark, serious eyes devoted
ly upward, and the fair youthful head of his
pale wife leaned down to his shoulders.
"Yes William, / trembe to think of the fu-
ture. The rent due, our stay here only an act
OF mercy on our landlords part-oh, Willie
The feeble voice broke down in tears.
Take no thought for the morrow what ye
shall eat or what ye shall drink Margaret siIf
it hadn't been for misfortune" and he glanced
at the mutilated and bandaged arm which hung
powerless at his side, "we might have been en-
joying the fruits and comforts of my labor but
1t ID all for the best suppose"
VINO can be out on such night 7" and Mrs,
Edgarson started up hastily to admit the visitor.
lie was an old weather-beaten man of some
three-score years, shabbily dressed, and carry
ing in his hand lean, meagre bundle.
In reply to her kind invitation, he followed
Mrs. Edgarton into the house, and took seat
by the snoudering fire. After few common
place remarks, the stranger said
Its rough night, friends, and the travelling
il none the best-can you lot me stay all night
here A man has just told me that it is good
four miles to the village"
Mr. Edgarton looked at his wife, and in her
sympathizing face read her consent.
Yes my good man, he replied, Immediately,
you can stay il you will, but I'm afraid you will
find our accommodations none of the best. We
are very poor and destitute, but such al we have
we offer you freely"
Could you give me something to eat have
travelled far to-day, and have not tasted food
since yesterday night Food cannot be got
nowadays without money"
The eyes OF Mrs, Edgarton filled with tears ss
she thought OF the quarter loaf of bread their
earthly all-which she had reserved for break
fast.
" Heaven will take car, of u.s." she said
and, rising, she placed the scanty
store on the table.
The stranger ate the bread without comment
and when he had finished he seemed wonderful
ly inygorated, and conversed quite intelligently
with MIR. Edgarton.
You haye bad arm there, sir may ask
how 1t happened"
" Certainly an unlucky fall from a high
building has crippled me for life."
D." You were at work on building2 mo-
chanic, eh ~
"a brcklayer. The staging Oh tho new
warehouse where l was at work gave way and
was precipitated some twenty feet
=" The warehouse Of Mr. Morgan ?"
The same sir. 1t was a bad accident for
me, but have tried hard TO be reconciled."
"Well, this s hard life, for us all. But il
I'm to stay with you tonight, may as well ro-
tire. It's getting toward eleven"
The poor but clean bed appropriated to the
stranger guest was made more comfortable by
poor couple and the man in apparent thankful
ness, bid them good night and retired.
They too, leaning on the everlasting arm,
took no thought OF the morrow, though it was
to see item houseless and without food.
Verify, the faith which can thus sustain the
soul in tho most trying moments is no delusion.
Morning came, and to the ultimated sur
prise of Mr. and Mrs. Edgarton, their guest WAS
missing. Conc, and whom or how they could
not imagine, but gone he certainly was. They
trouble and anxiety Of their utter destitution,
the strange man was soon dismissed from their
thoughts, TO make room for their own imme-
date affairs.
Ten o'clock was the time given them by the
landlord for the removal, and with heavy hearts
they prepared to 80 forth. Through the kind
ness of a neighbor, they had been allowed the
use of the building for the storage of their lit
tie funltrre and room in his house until MIR.
health should be sufficiently re-es-
tablisbed to admit Of his performing some light
labor.
Nine O'Clock pealed from the bell in the
neghbOring church tower-but one short hour
of home light remained for them.
Fifteen minutes later there came quick i'm
perative knock at the door of Mr.. Edgartons
house.
Mrs. Edgarton sprang to open it, and we'll
dressed man put large packet into her hand
and turned hastily away.
The package was addressed, in bold mascu-
line hand
MIR. William Edgarton."
William tore it open, and there dropped out
two papers, one being an official, the other
private seal. He examined the former and
found it to be Il deed, conveying to him and his
heirs certain piece OF land with large and
handsome. house thereon, and all its appurte-
nances.
Transfxed with surprise, he broke the seal of
the letter, and Il hundred pound note met his
eyes, accompanied by these brief words
Last night you freely gave your all to poor
and destitute wayfarer, who now begs you to ac-
cept the accompanying deed and money, IN re-
ward for your noble kindness. A conveyance
will come immediately to take you to your new
residence. When you are fairly established
there, your friend, the writer of this, will do
himself the honor OF calling upon you.
Respectfully yours,
HOWARD MORGAN"
I William Edgarton looked at his wife as he fin
ished reading, and both bur into tears. Well
did they know the name Of Howard Morgan, he
was one of the wealthiest men in the city ; the
upright and high-minded but singularly eccen-
trio old bachelor. 1t was in his employ that
William Edgarton had received the serious in
jury that had disabled his left arm for life, yet,
strange to say, he had never seen the rich man,
his business being principally by an agent. He
had now no doubt that his visitor was none 9TH
or than Mr.. Morgan.
True the promise contained in the letter, con-
veyance came for the Edgartons and without hes
itation they entered and were driven to their
and pleasantly situated house. They
found it prepared for immediate occupancy
even to the burning OF the plentiful fires and
the smoking breakfast upon the table.
They had scarcely had time to admire the rich
taste which had furnished the spacious rooms
when ring at the door announced visitor 1t
was the old wayfarer of the night before.
He received all the grateful thanks the be-
wildered Edgartons tried to make him, and, TAX
ing seat upon the sofa, he drew them down on
each side of him.
He was well dressed now, and Mrs. Elgarton
wondered that she had not noticed the extreme
of his countenance on the preceding
evening.
MY good friends, he said, taking hand of
each, "Il begin to explain little mystery. l
had heard of the misfortune of one OF my work
men, through my agent, and that his family were
in destitute circumstances. Before could trust
myself to do anything for you wished to ascer
tsin the true state of Affairs and last nights