Litchfield enquirer., 1878-02-21

has been taken; there has been a terrible acci- dent to the train by which they left Reading station, and news has come that both are gone" e5 z A
 Like forest tree into which the woodman sets his last stroke the squire tottered, paused for one instant of time, and fell forward pros trate.
 Roxy was behind Parson Peters as the old man fell, and pushing that eminent divine out of her way like spider, she was at once on her knees by his side, promptly administering the proper remedies. It was only fainting fit, but, when the squire recovered he twas weak, humble, and gentle as little child. He lay on the sofa in the parlor all day the unused windows were opened, and the sweet summer air flowed in and out with scents of late roses and new hay on it's delicate wings, but Squire Paine did not notice it. He took the broth Roxy brought him without con- plaint, and actually thanked her for it. She herself guarded the outside door like dragon, and even refused admittance to Parson Pe- ters.
 "No," said she ''it's good to let him be to- day. I tell ye the Lords a-dealin' with the poor old creter an we hadn't ought to meddle. Human mater is everlastin' queer, an there is some folks nobody can tune 30 well as Him that made 'em. He'll take up his bed an walk as soon as the merracle works, an we can't hurry it up any but I've faith to believe it's a workin'."
 And it was according to Roxy's faith. As soon as the sun went down the squire rose up, ate what was set before him, put his disorder cd dress to rights, and walked feebly over to the weekly prayer-meeting-fort these things happened of Thursday. .lV -i9gf rry
 The lights in the little school-house were .dim and few, for the nights warm atmosphere made even the heat of the two necessary lamps oppressive but Squire Paine took no advan- tage of this darkness, though the room waa unusually full. He walked to the very front bench, and seated himself before the deacon who conducted the meeting, and as soon as the opening hymn was sung, he waved the good man who was about to follow with prayer aside with certain rugged dignity, and rose, facing the assembly, and beginning with brok- en voice to speak.
 ''Brethring," he said, q come here tonight to make confession. I've lived amongst you for sixty odd year, man an boy, an the last forty on 'em I've ben a Twin lie. Brethring, hey been a professor in this here church all that time, an want never converted. l was real stiddy -goin' hypocrite, an hain't but jest found it out The marciful Lord has kinder spared me for day of repentance, an l y one that dealt with me nightly, an shook me some one, may say, that drilled the hole, an put in the powder of the Word, an tamp- ed it down with pretty tifffacts but it didn't do no good. I was jest like a rock bored an charged, but booty rugged an hard yet ; but brethring, THE LORD HAS FIRED THE BLAST HIM SELF, an the natural man is broken to pieces. give up right here. The Lord is good God be merciful to me sinner 1! Brethring, can't you prayT' '. u ... IEDI3 5-lASe
 There was but one answer to the pathetic agony of that appeal. Deacon Adkins rose and prayed as if his lips had been touched with thetic tears in the hardest eyes there before he finished, while Squire Paine's low sobs were heard at intervals as if they were the very convulsions of breaking heart.
 Let us sing
 "'Praise God from whom all blessings fow,'" said the deacon, after his prayer was over; and when the last line of that noble doxology foated away into the rafters, they all gathered round to shake hands and and express their deep sympathy with the repentant and bereav- ed father. It was almost too much for Squire Paine; the breaking up of the great deep with in had worn upon him exceedingly; ; humbled, sad, yet wonderfully peaceful as his spirit felt, still the flesh trembled and was weak. He was glad when Roxy came up, and, taking hold of his arm, led him homeward.
 Was he glad or death-smitten, or, as he thought, suddenly in the heavenly places, when his own door opened before his hand touched the latch, and Louise, darting for ward, threw her arms about his neck?
 Land O liberty!" shrieked Roxy. ''Do you want to kill your pa outright? An how came ye here anyway? We heered you an him was both stun-dead p
 Roxy's curt and curious interposition seem ed to restore the equilibrium suddenly. Squire Paine did not faint and Louise actually laugh ed Here was something natural and homely to shelter in after the dreamlike agitation of the day. .......-
 ''No," said Louise's clear voice, ''we want hurt, not much-only stunned and scared bit But there was two in the next seat who-well, Mey won't come home to their folks, Aunt Roxy. We thought maybe you would be anx- ious and then somebody said, right before us, that were both killed, and they sent the news over to Bassett; so we thought the best thing to do was to come back and show ourselves. Here's 'Lisha."
 Squire Paine must have been converted, for he shook his son-in-law's hand with all good will, and kissed his daughter heartily. His voice was somewhat weak and husky, but he managed to say, so as to be heard 'An' now ye Ve got Holne Te ny, you vt SOt to stay nome. l sha'n't hev no more sech risks run. And, 'Lisha, we'll open the store real early to-mor- Ter. I dono when it's ben shut twenty-four hours before"
 This was all he said for the New England man, saint or sinner, has few words when feel ing is strongest but the squire's actions spoke for him. He never referred to the past, but strove with his might to live new and right eous life. Not all at once the granite gave place to gold there were roots of bitterness and strivings ofthe old Adam, many and oft en, but none who had once known him doubt ed that Squire Paine was changed man: At his one own earnest request he was allowed to make new profession of religion; and after relating his experiences in due form to the as- sembled deacons, he wound up the recital in this fashion: ''It was the Lords hand done it fin'lly, brethring {; but, next to Him, 1 owe this here real conversion to Roxanny Keep"
 ''Halleloojah! p exclaimed Aunt Roxy, when Mrs Deacon Adkins betrayed her good husbands confidence far enough to tell her this. ''I tell ye, Miss Adkins, took my life in my hand that mornin', but felt call to do it. Ye know, David killed Goliah with 8 pebble, nothin' more an allers could sling