Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-02-16
MIscELLANEoUs.
NIGHT AND MORNING.

sat was wild, windy night, and the light
q snow filed the air with fine, cutting par
tio!ee night when good fire and the society
of friends become vitality essential to mans
comfort and happiness.
Margaret Edgarton arose from her seat by
the scanty FIRE, and, opening the door, looked
out upon the night. She stood moment,
then, with shudder, closed the door and
returned to her husbands side.
"Heaven pity those who are exposed to
the storm this night" she said. ferpently.
"Amen ]" responded her husbatd, in
deep, solemn voice.. "'Though We are very,
very poor, Margaret, there are many even
poorer than we"
The man raised his dark, serious eyes de-
voutly upward. and the fair, youthful head of
his pale wife leaned down to his.shoulder.
"Yes, William, | tremble to think of the
future. The rent due, our stay here only an
act of mercy on our landlords part-ob,
Willie ]"
The fesble voice broke down in tears.
Z" Take no thought for the morrow, what
ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, Margaret
If it hadn't been for misfortune" and be
glanced at the mutilated and bandaged arm
which hung pnwerlcss at his side, 1--WE might
have been, enjoying the fruits and comforts
of my labor but it is all fer the best, I sup.
pose"
There was short silence in the room,
which was interrupted by rap at the door.
who can be out on such night Z" and
Mrs. EdgarsOn started up hastily TO admit the.
visitor.
He was an old, weather.beaten man, of
some three score years, shabbily dressed, and
carrying in his hand lean, meagre bundle
In reply to her kind Invitation. he followed
Mrs. EdgaTtop into the house, and took seat
by the smouldering ere. After a few COM
monplace remarks, the stranger said:
'It's a rough night, friends. and the travel
ing is none the best-cau you let me stay all
night A man has just told me that it is a
ton looked at his wife, and in her sympathiz.
ing face read her concent.
"Yes, my good mar" be replied immedi>
ately, "you can stay if you will, but I'm afraid
you will find our accommodations none of the
best. We are very poor and destitute, bat
such as We have We offer you freely"
''COuld you give me something to cat /
have travelled far to-day, and have not tasted
food since yester night Food cannot be got
nova days without money"
The eyes of Mrs. Edgarton filed with
tears as she thought of the.quarter loaf of
bread-their earthly all-Whieh she had re-
served for breakfast.
''Heayen will take care of us, j" she said,
thoughtfully, and rising, she placed the
scanty store upon the table.
The stranger ate the bread without COM
ment. and when he had finished he seemed
wonderfully invigorated, and conversed quite
iptelligently with Dir. Edgarton.
''You have bad arm there, sir; may
ask how it happenedl"
Certainly, an uulucky fall from high
building has crippled me foI life"
''You were at work ON the building A
mechanic. eh 2"
"a bricklayer. The staging ON new
warehouse where wasat work gave way, and
1 was precipitated some twenty feet" Z.
THE warehouse of Mr.. Morgan ?"
The same, sir. 1t was sad accident for
me, but I have tried hard to be reconciled" !"
..welI, well, this is hard life; hard for
us all but I'm TO stay with you tonight, I
may as well retire. Its getting towards
eleven"
The poor butciean bed appropriated to the
] stranger guest was made more comfortable BY