Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-10-21
NIGHT AND MORNING.

1t was wild, windy night and tho light snow
filed tho air with fine, cutting psrtices-s night
when good fro and tho society Of friends be-
come vitally essential to mans comfort aud
happiness.
Margaret Edgarton arose from her seat by tho
scanty fire. and opening the door looked out up.
on the night She stood moment, then, with
a shudder, closed the door, and returned to her
husbands side.
Heaven pity those who are exposed to the
storm this night, she said, fervently. Amen" "
responded her husband, in deep, solemn
voice. "Thoush we arc very, very poor, Mar.
garet, there arc many even poorer than our
solves.
The man raised his dark, serious eyes devoted
ly upward and the fair youthful head OF his
ale wife leaned down to his shoulders.
"Yes William, l trenble to think OF tho fu.
tire. Tho rent due, our stay here only All act
Of mercy on our landlords psrt-oh, Wllie.'
Tho feeble voice broke down In tears.
Take no thought for the morrow what ye
shall eat or what ye shall drink Margaret "If
ithadn't been for MISFORTUNE" and he glanced
at the mutilated and bandaged arm which hung
joying the fruits and comforts Of my labor but
1t Is all for the best suppose"
"Who can be out on such night y and Mrs.
Edgarson started up hastily to admit tho visitor.
He WAS sn old weather-beaten man of some
three-score years, rhabbily dressed, and carry
ing in his hand lean, meagre bundle.
In reply to her kind invitation, he followed
Mrs. Edgsrton into tho house, and took u seat
by the smoulderiDg fire. After a few common
place remarks, tile stranger said
" It's rough night, friends, and the travelling
is none tho best-can you lot mo stay all night
here A man has Just told me that it s 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 II you will, but I'm afraid you will
find our accommodations none OF the best We
arc very poor and destitute. but such rs 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 bo got
nova days without money!"
The eyes OF Mrs. Edgarton filled with tears M
nhe thought Of tho quarter loaf Of bread their
earthly all-whicli she had reserved for break
fast.
" Heaven will take care of u.s." she said
thoughtfully, and, rising, she placed the scanty
store on the table.
The stranger ate the bread without comment
and when he had finished no seemed wonderful
ly invigorated, and conyersed quite lntelligently
"You haye bad arm there, sir ; may l ask
how 1t bappenedI'
Certainly all unlucky fall from high
building has crippled me for life
You we're at work OIL building A me-
"a brickiayer. The staging on tho new
warehouse where wss at work gave way and 1
was precpitated sonie twenty feet"
- The warehouse of Mr.. Morgan ?"
" The s.me sir. Il was bad accident for
me, but have tried hard to DO reconcilel."
"Well, this III hard life. for US all. But il
I'm to stay with you tonight, may as vol rc-
tire. It's getting toward eleven"
Tho poor but clean bed appropriated to tho
stranger guest was made more comfortable by
additional clothing takon from the couch OF the
poor couple and Tho man in apparent thankful
hoes, bid tliem good night and retired.
They too, leaning Oh tho everlasting arm,
took no thought OF the morrow, though it was
10 sec them houseless and without food.
Verify, the faith which can thus sustain the
soul in tho mort trying moments is no delusion.
Morning came, and to the ultimated sur
prise of Mr. and Mrs. Edgsrton, their guest was
missing Gone, and when or how they could
not imagine, but gone he certainly was They
wondered over the circumstances but in the
u {..s.7 ..ecoI ufsticutuii,
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 tie
landlord for the removal, and with heavy hearts
they prepared to go forth. Through the kind
moss OF neighbor, they had been allowed tho
use Of the building for the storage OF their lit
tic funture, and room in his house until Mr..
Edgsrtons health should be sufficiently re-es-
tablished to admit OF his performing some light
labor.
Nine O'Clock peal.d from the bell in the
neighboring church tower-but one short hour
Of home light remained for them.
Fifteen minutes later there came quick i'm
peratiye knock at the door OF Mr.. Edsarton's
house.
Mrs. Edgarton sprsng to open it, and well.
dressed man put large packet into her hand
,,.,nlt til,.o
The package was addressed, in bold msacu-
line hand
"Mr. William Edgarton."
William tore it open, and there dropped out
two papers, ono being an official, the other q
private seal. lie examined the former and
found it to be deed, conveying to him and his
heirs a certain piece OF land with large and
handsome house thereon, aud all its appurte-
nances
Transtixed with surprise, he broke tho seal OF
tie letter, and hundred pound note met liz
eyes, accompanied by these brief words:
'Iast night you freely gave your all to poor
aud destitute wayfarer, who now begs you to nc
eept the accompanying deed and money, IN re.
ward for your noble Kindness. conveyance
will come immediately to take you to your new
residence. When you fairly established
there, your friend, the writer OF this, will dc
himself the honor OF calling upon you.
Respectfully yours,
HOWARD MORGAN"
William Edga,ton looked at his wife as he fin
iahed reading, aud both bur into tears. Wei
did they know the name OF Howard Morgan, III
WAS ono of tho wealthest mon in the city th'
upright and high minded but -ingulary eccen
tric old bachelor. 1t was in his employ tina
William Edgarton had received tho serious in
jury that had disabled his left arm for life, yet
strange TO say, he had never seen the rich man
lis business being principally by an agent IL
had now no doubt that lis visitor was none 9th
sr than Mr.. Morgan.
True the promise contained in tho letter, con-
r.NV tfFay nf,1 ftnn ,a.
itation they entered and were driven to thei
handsome and pleasantly situated house. The.
Found it prepared for immediate occupancy
oven to the burning of tho plentiful fires an
the smoking breakfast upon the table,
They had scarcely had time to admire the ric
caste which had furnished the spacious room
when q ring at the door announced VISITOR
sss tho old wayfarer of the night before.
He received all the grateful thanks the be
wildered Edsartons tried to make him, and, tai
ing a seat upon the sofa, he drew them down o
each side OF him.
He WAS well dressed now, and Mrs. E igarto
wondered that she had not noticed the extren
kindliness Of his couutenance on tho precediIl
evening.
.NIy good friends he said, taking hand
each, ''lil begin to explain littio mystery.
had heard of the misfortune Of one OF my worl
men, through my agent, and that his family wei
III destitute circumstances. Before could tru
myself to do anything for you wished to asce
tain the true state OF affairs, and last nights @
peilehce sallsIeu nc. Nuen L unu claTlty HI
true goodness any where, am determined til
they shall be rewarded even in this world, al
now Mr.. Edgarton, am in want of a depu
manager, and l propose the situation to yo
when you shall be able to endure the fatig,
The salary is two hundred pounds
year, aud perhaps your pretty wife eau muna
affairs comfortably on that eh, Mrs Ed CARTON
and the old man cast goodhuniorei look in
her tear-wet face.
That WAS happy day for Mr.. and Mrs. L
gSrtop. 1t WAS also happy day for tho char
able Mr.. Morgan, and no doubt the Angel WI
records the good deeds Of man, wrote many
shining line against his name that day. Willie
Edgarton assumed the post offered him in
parents establishment, and faithfully were
duties discharged, and more than satisfied "
his employer
Mrs. Edgarton grew to be themerrest, blith,
little woman to be found anywhere.
Mr.. Morgan spends many delightful event
at their house, holding their brghteyed lit
Howard on his knee, and telling him pleas,
stories of the great and good.
Blessed be charity.
This is the toughest conjugal experience