The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-07-19

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has gone to meet his God, and he ha
suffered enough"
Pooh I" muttered the uufeelin
wretch. What do you mean by that
[ say your husband brought We down t
this by his own acts and dye s'pOse In
a goin' to support ye? No, no Now
out ye go Ye can go now as well a
ever. I tell We the house l must have
and I will have it, Ye owe me for two
months rent now, and of course II
never get it but ye won't owe me any
more. I've let ye stay here just long
enough---noW move !"
The widow bowed her head, and busted
into tears.
"Oho. ye're comm that, eh? Here
Crow, take her up and carry her out.
Put her on to yer sled, if she can't walk
| perhaps we'u get a sleigh when ne get
up to the house. Take her right out.
It's comm to pretty pass when a man
| can't have his own house.-and after two
whole months notice at that!"
Paul Lavere had been standing all this
| time by the door, where he had gone to
let the visitors in, and his frame had been
| shaken by emotions such as he had never
before experienced. More than once he
had been on the point of taking the tongs
and springiag at the monster, but sense
OF his own weakness withheld him. But
he could bear no more. When those last
words dropped from NOtwOrth's lips, he
moved quickly to the other door, and
snatched down the old mksket. He drew
back the hammer, and the sharp click
arrested the landlords attention.
Stand back !" the boy cried, bringing
the piece to his shoulder, and aiming it.
I ~,
shoot you as there is a God in heaven
Ny gun is loaded, sir. I loaded it in the
hopes to shoot a duck for my mother.
Don't touch her! In Heavens name,
don't. I would not have your blood on
my hands but [ do not lie"
The boy was as pale as ashes, but not
a nerve in his body trembled. His large
black eyes were burning with a fearful
intensity, and his lips were compressed
until the prints of the teeth within were
plainly to be seen.
Of course a man with such feelings as
NOtworth has displayed could be nothing
but coward. His man Crow fell back
in moment, for he saw too plainly the
meaning of the boys face.
Put down that gun !" grasped the
landlord.
"Not until you have left the house,
sir" replied Paul, in a hushed tone.
II" Leave us now. and I will make some
arrangements for new home but place
your hands on my mother, and you die"
Of course the wretch stormed, and
threatened, and swore; but he dared not
tempt the boy, who looked on him so
strangely.
We'll, Crow" said he, at length, after
he had found that his coarse threats had
no effect, "we will go now, and when we
come again We'll have them with us as
will have the law in their hands"
" Oh, mother, you do not blame me ?''
cried Paul, springing to his parents side
after the men had gone.
No, no, Paul, the widow returned,
gazing with pride on her noble boy, "
cannot blame you; but fear they will
do something dreadful now"
Fear not on that account, mother.
When l took down your fathers gun
had another resolution formed in my
soul. Wait, for I will try one more
thing for aid. I will try the assembled
Christianity of the town"
The Sabbath bells rang out clear upon
the frosty air, and people put on their
best garments to go up to the house of
God and pray. The sleigh-bells jingled
over the smooth road as the more favored
one flew by, and every and anon a more
humble ehurch-goer stepped out into the
deep snow to let the equipage pass. By
and-by thin, pale face appeared in the
entry of the church.
" Hain't you got no better clothes'n
them to wear to meetin', boy ?" the sex
ton asked.
" No, sir 1 have none Others"
Well, never mind. Here, Pll show
you a seat"
Shortly after this Mr.. David Notworth
entered the church. He was habited in
black, and the deacons all bowed to him
as he passed them. He did not see the
poor boy under the gallery.
1t seemed a strOnge coincidence that
morning that the minister should have
preached the sermon he did He took
the whole of the thirteen chapter of
" PauPs First Epistle to the Corinthians"
that chapter which is devoted to char
ity. 1t was a noble theme, and the
speaker was a warm hearted, Jealous
man. On the present occasion he al
lowed his zeal to mount into the upper
fields of pathOs and stirring appeal; and
he made it a plain case that all the
phases Of charity are necessary to Chris
tain life.
By-and-by the sermon was closed, and
the last hymn was sung. Paul started
to his feet, and had moved a step for
ward--but he came nigh fainting beneath
the task he had imposed upon himself
In moment more the benediction would
be pronounced, and then it would be too
late. He gave one deep thrOe--he thought
of his mether---and his heart was strong
once more. The clergyman was on his
feet when the boy sprang forward. On
he went, up the aisle until he reached
the pulpit steps.
One word, sir Oh, one word! In
the name of Him whom you serve, hear
me y"
The man of God dropped his hands
upon the cushion before him, and gazed
upon the boy In speechless astonishment;
regaining his composure, he said
What is it, my son ?''
With one mighty effort Paul stilled
his wildly beating heart, and then raised
his head. He knew that then was the
time, if ever, for the people were anxious
to hear him. He raised his hands. cIasped
firmly together, toward the pulpit, and
in wild, frantic tone he muttered.---
oh, sir, have heard you preach to-
| day such truths as l know are of cTed,
and l hope they are not mere idle say
lngs here. Oh, pardon me, and listen.
l mean no wrong--I only ask you, as you
| love your God, to hear me-" Here he
turned toward the astonished people, and
ms voice had now become more calm and
clear. " You, many of you, knew my
father; you know he is dead. But blame
him as you will, you can not blame my
mother or myself Wewere not to blame
that he became low and degraded; we
were not to blame that he became a vic
tim OF the fell destroyer Ny mother
prayed for him on her knees, and never,
never, in his most degraded moments,
/ was she cold or harsh He died, and he
left us pOOr---very poor. My mother has