South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-03-10
NiGHT AND MoRnINo.

= - o
It vas Wild. windy might. and the
light snow fiiied-the AZ with sine. cds-
ting parcelsAa night when a good Are
and the society OF frien.ls become sstsi.
ity. essential 70 mans cotnfors and
happiness.- = 81: N,.,a yfiiire fa-
Margaret Edge~ton arose from her seat
by the scanty fire. and opening thesioor
looked ont upon che night. She stood
a moment then, with sl,uidcr. closed
the door, and returned to her husband $
side. = = - Is 8e-.I .l I..r..r.l
"Heavcn pity those who are exposed
to the storm this night,''lsh said fer.
vently. "Amenr' responded her hus.
band. in deep. solemn voice. Though
we arc very poor, Margaret, there are
many even poorer than ourselves 81
The man raised his dark serious ewes
deyoted!y upward, and the fair youthful
head Of his pale wife leaned down to his
shoulders -..v 1870.
Yes, William, tremble TO think of
the future. The rent due, our stay here
only as an act Of mercy on our landlord 8
part--oh, Willie" ..,.r-
The feeble voice broke down in tears.
"Take no thought for the morrow,
what We shall eat or what we shall drink,
Margaret. IL it hadn't been for misfor-
tune" and lie glanced at tue mutilated
and bandaged arm which hung power.
less at his side. "we might have been
enjoying the fruits and comforts of my
labor; but tits all for the best suppose"
- A knock was heard NJ the door Just
closed but moment before by Marga.
ret Edgarton. p. 4r
."Who can be out on such night?''
and Mrs, Edgnrton started up hastily
to admit the visitor. gr nj .,...-
He was an Old, weather beaten man of
some three score years. -shabbily dress
ed, and carrying in his hand lean, mea-
gre bundle. 49,, LA
In reply to. her kind, invitation. he
followed Mrs. Edgarton into the house,
and took q seatsbv the smouider;ug fire.
After few commonplace remarks the
Its rou9li night, friends, and the
travelling is none the best-can you Jet
me stay all night here2 a man has Just
told me that tits good four miles TO q
village" ts.. -.
Mr.. Edgarton looked at his wife, and
in her sympathizing face read her con-
sent. :, ~
Yes, my good man." Inc replied, i'm.
mediately, you can stay ifyou will, but
I'm afraid you will find accommodations
none of tire best. We ars very poor
and destitute but such as we have We
offer you freely" :. as.
III
have travelled far 90 day. and have not
tasted food since yesterday night, Food
cannot be got nowadays without money.
The eyes of Mrs. Edgarton filed with
tears as she thought of the quarter loaf
OF brcad-their earthly all-which she
had reserved for break fast.
Heaven will take care Of us" she
said, thoughtfully, and. rising, she plac.
ed the scanty store on the table.
The stranger ate the bread without
comment, and when he had finished he
seemed wonderfully invigorated, and
conversed quite iutelligently with Mr..
Edgarton.
"fou have bad arm there sir may
ask how il happened?"
Certainly; al unlGclly fall from a
high building has crippled me for life"
You were at work on building?
A mechanic, eh?
. "a brick-layer. The staging on the
new warehouse whore / was at work
gave way aud | was precipitated some
twenty feet"
The warehouse. of Mr.. Morgan"
"Ihe same sir. 1t was q bad accident
for me, but have tried hard to be re.
Well. this is hard life for us all.
But if Pm to stay with you tonight.
may as well retire. It's getting towards
eleven"
The poor but clean bed appropriated
TO the stranger guest was made more
comfortable byadditional clothing taken
from the couch OF the poor couple and
The man in apparent thoughtrulncss, bid
them good night and retired.
They, too, leaning on the everlasting
arm, took no thought Of the morrow.
thought it was to see them homeless and
without food.
Verify the faith that can sustain the
soul in the most trying moments is no
lelusion.
'''i'% > '~"ii4Nf ttil't w ttlt great sur
prise Of Mr.. and Mrs Edgartou. 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 and
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
~ the landlord for the removal. and
With heavy hearts they prepared to 90
orth. Through thc Kindness ola nciqh.
DOT they had been allowed the use OF q,
building for The storage Of their little
anil room in the house until
'lr. Edgarton's health should be suIl.
'icnlly re established 70 admit Of lis
performing some light labor.
Nine o'clock peaicd from The bell IN
no neighboring town church-but one
short hour OF home light remained for
hem.
Fifteen minutes later there came
'nock at The door oC Mr Edgarton's
Iousc.