The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-11
NIGHT AND MORNING.

NIGHT AND MORNING.
1t was wild, windy night and the
light snow filled the air with fine cutting
particles-a night when good fire and
the society of friends became vitality es-
sential tc mans comfort and happiness,
Margaret Edgarton arose from her seat
by the scanty fire, and opening the door
! looked out opon the night. She stood n
moment, then, with a shudder, closed the
doo", and returned to her husbands side.
"Heaven pity those who are exposed TO
the storm this night" she said fervently.
| "AmenH responded her husband, in Il
| deep solemn voice. Though we are very
peor, Margaret, there are many even
poorer than ourselves The man raised
his dark serious eyes devOtedly upward
and the fair youthful head of his pale
wife leaned down to his shoulders.
"Yes, William, l tremble to think of
| the future. The rent due, our stay here
only as an act OF mercy on our landlords
part-oh, Willie"
The feeble voice broke down in tears.
Take no thought for the morrow,
what We shall eat or what we shall drink,
Margaret. If hadn't been for misior-
| tune" and he glanced at the mutilated
and bandaged arm which hung powerless
ut his side, ave might have been enjoying
the fruits and comforts of my labor; but
it is all for the best | suppose
n knock was heard at the door Just
closed but moment be'ore by Margaret
Edgarton."
"Who can be out on such night"
and Mrs. Edgarton started up hastily to
admit the visitor.
He was an old, weather beaten man of
some three score of years, shalbily dress
ed. and carrying in his hand lean mea-
gre bundle.
In reply to her kind invitation, he fol-
lowed Mrs. Edgarton into the house, and
took a seat by the smoulderlng fire. AZ
ter few common place remarks the
stranger said:
Its rough.night, friends, and the
travelling is none the best-can you let
me stay all night here? \ man has just
told me that it is a good four miles TO II
village
Mr.. Edgarton looked at his wife, and
in her sympathizing face read her con-
sent.
Yes my good. man." he replied, i'm
mcdiately, "you can stay if you will, but
I'm afraid you will find accommodations
none of the best. We are very poor and
destitute but such as we have we offer you
freely"
"Could YOU give me something to eat;
| have travelled far to-day, and have not
tasted food since yesternight! Food can
not be got now-s-day without money.
The eyes of Mrs. Edgarton filled with
tears as she thought of the quarter loaf
of bread-thelr earthly all which she
had reserved for breakfast
"lIeaven will take care of us, she said,
thoughtlully, and rising, she placed the
Scanty store on the table.
The stranger ate the bread without
comment, and when he had finished he
seemed wonderfully invigorated, and con-
versed quite intelligently with MIR. Ed
carton.
oYou have bad arm there sir; may L
ask how it happened?
"Certainly; an unlucky fall from
high building has crippled me for life"
"You were at work on Il building? A
mechanic, eh?'
a. bricklayer. The staging on the
new warehouse where l was at work
gave way and l WAS precipitated some
twenty feet"
The warehouse of Mr.. Morgan
The same sir 1t was bad accident
for me, but have tried hard to be re-
conCiled"
swell, this is hard life for US all.
But ii I'm TO stay with You to. might, l
may as well retire, 1t is getting toward
eleven
The poor but clean bed appropriated 10
the stranger guest was made more COM
Portable BY additional clothing taken
from the couch of the poor couple; end
the man in apparent thankiulness bid
them good night and retired.
They, too leaning on the everlasting
arm took no thought of the morrow,
though it was to see them homeless and
without food.
Verify the faith that can sustain the
soul in the most trying moments Is no
delusIon.
Morning came, and to the great sur
prise of Mr.. and Mrs. Edgarton, 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 trouble ana
ANXIETY of their utter restitution, the
strange man was dismissed from their
thoughts, to make room for their own
immediate affairs.
Ten o'clock was the time given them
1v the landlord for the removal, and
with heavy hearts they prepared to go
forth Through the kindness OF neigh
Dor they had been allowed the use of
building for the storage of their little
furniture, and a room in the house unit!
Mr.. EdgarLon's health should be sutii-