The Van Buren press., 1876-02-22

Va St0ukSs NO0AA NV SOuVGiN0 Wuy S9V
churches wearied themselves about the
use and method OF christian baptism. as be
could not see the importance ~ to whether
much, or little or no watsr at oil be ap-
piled, We should think him unworthy Of
our study; We lose the advantages Of
the contemplation Of the character Of
one OF the greatest and best statesmen
that ever adorned = throne; became
John Stewart Mill held doctrines - 70
our future state. painful to think upon.
which were no comfort to himself, and
promised no happiness or bens6t to the
mind that might adopt them, We should
think him subject Of reprobetion, and
not worthy to be considered; We are IN
juring ourselves by not having the In
structions Of one who has advanced the
science OF reason farther than any other
man living; bscA0ss Herbert Spencss
advocates tho palpable error OF bsstow-
ing the elective franchise upon women.
should we deprive ourselves Of the riches
We might reap BY the consulting of his
almost encyclopedia knowlcdgs, ws
lose the benefit OF the teaching Of one
who may be ranked In that very small
class Of great men to which Sir Isaac
Newton belonged. 5
BY such narrow minded course, ~ to
reject the good because In near relation
to evil, is to stultify ourselves 80 % not
to be capable OF the we'll. performing Of
our various duties; and by our example
and influence furnishing the mind Of youth
by preventing its healthy growth. I sss
the coach ready At the gate; let 10 get
OF on our excursion"
Swannena bad heard OF 4 family,
some eight miles away. In . dsplorable
state Ut helplessness, from sickness and
she WAS then ready 10 60 to
them on visit OF mercy and wished me
to accompany her. A lady servant with
a well-ireighted basket, took the seat In
front with the driver, while we occupied
the back seat in the vehicle. The arst
mile Of our road lay along \ high ridge
The ground was covered with whitish
6ints, which gave out their cracking
complaints, ~ the wheels passed over
them: then We came to long slant that
led down iuto deep gorge. We could
see, in the distance, the precipitous wallis
Of rock, far above the tops Of the trees
below. When We reached the depths OF
the gorge, there WAS small branch ma
king music in the shady groves, % il
ratified, and splaslied along
It's meandering wny, among the rugged
stones that impeded its progress Along
its borders, here and there, were thriving
bunches OF grass that had assumed an cir
Of freshness by slipping from the spark.
ling waters. Bunches Of flowers stood
leaning over Ito stream. curving down
their stems to kiss the moving tide, by
to and fro. Passing along down the
cl,asm, occasionally the chipnunk dart
ed along the crevices in the cliffs OF rock,
seldom stopping long enough for exarni-
nation. The little birds were dying from
rock to rock. chirping and whistling, -
II to say. this is my home, despise me
not. When we reached the mouth Of the
gorge, where it opened out into broad.
er view, we came to clear, rapid little
river, which made !ond. roaring noise,
No it rolled over its rocky bed. Not
crossing the stream, but turning up It q
a short distance, we came to the small
cabin where the distressed family lived.
When we arrived at the door, and looked
in, sickening sight met our view. On
the bed lay the husband, and tho floor
WAS the couch for their three sick child
ren; the wife stood In attendance. The
poor mans bed WAS the leaves OF the
iorest. covered with filthy rags. Rags
were placed close about his head
to keep the fresh air from Whispering too
near his sunken temples. The little chill.
dren lay among their rags, - almost
ready to expire; with languid looks they
turned their eyes upwards. The won
der was that the wife was not sick, also,
as her clothes and skin did not show that
she ever appreciated the use Of sosp and
water. II WAS nauseating to look ~ her
teeth which exhalcd the odor Of decay.
ing carcass.
There appeared to be no signs Of pro
visions about the place, except some loose
corn meal in a wooden tray. When
Swannena dispensed her basket Of pro
visions, the sick man reached forth his
emaciated hand, and helped himself to
the savory food, and ate like starving
man. The children took nourishment
but moved their jaws slowly, as ifalmos,
without power. Swannena left them
many refreshments; and we drove away
from this squalid home Of misery.
Having heard Of the mammoth spring
from winch this little river flowed, Ne
continued our course up the stream for .
short distance; when We arrived at q
wide-mouthed cavern, 10 the side of .
mountain, from which the stream flowed
with great impetus. We entered ths
mouth OF the cavern, walking along ths
borders of the stream as far as we coulo
find space enough, and seated ourselves
On some stones, where we could watct
the dark tide, ~ it welled up from til,
caverns Of the earth. Here, in these sc
questered mountains, this potent fnun
tain forever plays! As sat listening K
Swannena, soft echoes OF her voice
came ain and again, from the depth
OF the caverns, over the surface Of tn,
deep, dark waters, and brought will
them melancholy thoughts, which reach
ed the depths OF my soul. ard stirred VI
there feeling, as if l was admonishe,
OF some sorrow that awaited me. Rea
son would assure me that there was moth
ing in it, still l could not dispel tn
gloom. looked at her in hopes tn
sadness would be sent away By her cheer