Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-10-21

der some sort Of conviction, if he knew
his duty!'
Mr.. Gildersleeve groaned in spirit
! Wasn't that the very result toward which
he had bent his best energies? And how mis-
erably had he failed! 1t seemed as if his
mere presence in Eaglethorpe hindered
her spiritual advancement; that under the
hand of another pastor she might grow in
grace and blossom into all Christian yir-
tues. 1t began to appear plain to him
that he had not been called to help her on
the way, to make her election sure; that
not into MS hands had been committed
the precious task of opening heaven to
her-he was not worthy of such blessed
ness! However painful it was to him he
would seek another field: it should never
be said of him that he had willtully him
dered a soul from heaven-and her soull
| He sent in his resignation. A parish
meeting was called, and they quarreled
and expostulated, and finally notified Mr..
Gildersleeve that they should not fill the
pulpit for three months, at the end of
either to resume his duties or not as the
spirit moved. He thanked them, and
took the noon train for the city. Within
ten miles OF EaglethOrpe two trains col
lided, and when Miss Sally Sunderland
dashed up to the railway track on her
horse, Scamper, in mad gallop through
the woOds-she could not have told
whither-she came full and suddenly upon
the CHASTITY melee. She threw up her arms
at the sight, and grew hot and cold by
turns; two men were bringing a mangled
human being toward rude ambulance
which they had constructed; the face,
amidst all its bruises, was ribly familiar
to Miss Sunderland. She never knew
when or how she alighted from Scamper.
She did not hear him galloping home
bare backed, to brighten Mr.. Tom out of
his wits; she heard only the stihed groans
that came from the livid lips of the man.
gled man before her, with whom she had
dared to trif1e but while ago, as she tore
up portions Of her clothing, and helped
strangers to bandage his wounds, and
dropped hot tears over him and repentant
sobs, and cried out in her agony that she
had driven him away, that she had killed
him, and begged him to hear her sing to
him once again, and to open his eyes and
live for her sake, forgetful and careless of
the presence Of by-standers. And when at
length, Mr.. Gildersleeve did open his
eyes, ii was to meet the tear bedimmed
face of Miss Sally bent over him, all its
dimples at rest, all its brilliant color
faded, all its cruel disdain swallowed up
in bitter anguish.
you have forgiven me, he whispered,
feebly, "you have forgiven me! Thank
God, shall not hinder you any longer. [
was going away because [ seemed to be
keeping you from Him-and because-I
believe l loved you'll"
GLOW could you love me, Such
dreadful grill | thought you detested
me, and I-I-you know I loved you all
the while!''
"Then sing to me, DEAR" he asked;
and Miss Sallys heart consented, her
countenance beamed, her lips parted and
palpitated, but no melody flowed forth,
alas! Just as some grow gray from ter
ror in single night, so in single day
she had lost the power to sing. The
neighbOrs called it visitation of Provi-
dence: the doctors gave it another name.
The pulpit of Eaglethorpe was vacant for
twelve months and better, and when Mr..
Gildersleeve at last returned to it he
walked with two crutches and Mrs. Gil
dersleeve again sat silent through the con-
gregational singing!-Harper's Bazar.