The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-02-05

y enter sank, and some were far ava
II and would not come. though he hal
ed them ever so loudly. He erie
cut in an agony of despair, when
voice. just like that of Grace, sal,
sweetly, Il am come to you T. AM
looking up al angel stood beside
him. aud it was Grace. Her hanC
touched his forehead. He reached
out to clasp her in his arms anG
awoke. He vas alone; alone on a
barren island il the middle Of the
ocean, but he ever forgot that
touch Of her hand.
The hours, and the days. and the
months, and the years crept by with
a snairs pace. He planted the corn
that burst through the ground and
took on blade and tasselled ear,
with no eye to see it save Gods.
He read and re-read his few books,
and thought; but oh. the desolate.
ness of such life Death would
have been a mercy, but death did
not come. Every morning and eve
ming were the same. Sabbath and
week days we're alike 10 him. No
word was heard. He furgot the
sound of his own voice. Year after
year he strained his eyes for sail,
but there was never one in sight.
Oh, to look upon one living thing |
to see once more one human face!
Five years went by, and sail was
in sight. With an intensity almost
suicidal, he watched the ship draw
nigh. Fear mingled with his hopes.
1t was no dn2bt the Betsey, but
what would that bring to him? She
could not bring worse than she had
brought. She came alongside. drop
ped anchor it seemed only for min
ute, when the captain handed him
some books and said. in the old hard
way. Remember !" the only word
spoken, and the Betsey was soon
lost in the horizon. His heart died
within him, but he had seen q face
once moro, thank God for that, if
only of bitter enemy!
His hair was grown quite white.
He was older by 80 years than when
ne came. How mucL longer could this
asst? He hoped when he died it
would be under the clump Of bushes
ike those where they found Grace.
Eternity alone must wash out those
India brands on his hands aud fore
lead. His steps grew feebler year
1y year. 1t was terrible expiation
IF terrible ain. To rob woman
hood was to rob God
At last, another five years has
gone by. Ten years silent commune
With God and nature had wrought a /
great change, Ha could bear now
whatever came, but there could not
De long to bear it.
Again the old ship, Betsey, came
n sight. Calm, unruffled as a man
who knows he is going home, wheth.
er he knows the route or not, he
waited for the familiar ship. Tue
captain took in al at glance.
"Shall go home to die?'
Yes"
Il seould like to see the grave of
Grace and our baby once more"
The incoming voyage was shorter
han the outgoing, but not short
enough for tho weary man to reach
he desired haven. They were near
hg port.
Il have asked and received for
giveness," said the dying man. 81
want yours also. 1t is Grace's hand
feel it just as if in my dream.
She has come for me. | have but
one wish, to lie beside her 1"
"It shall be as you wish" And
The captains hand pressed warmly
,he cold hand Of death.
The Betsey came in with flags at
half mast. The villagers did not
see the brand which repentance bad
washed out for heaven, but not for
earth. And they buried him by the
side of Grace.