Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-13
M1isfellameuns &eadiua,
THE wIFE,s PRAYER AND THE DRUNK
ARDS RESOLVE.

Hush, my dear tn0 WlnQS are ulOauluS
Through the ragged window pane,
And the rotten roof is groanlng
Meath the torrent-falling rain;
Close thine eyes and let them slumber
Through the darkness of this night,
And hear not the awful thunder
That will roll before the light.
Hark seems now hear football,
All! twas but that hingeless gate
Dashed again by storm-king..s fury,
Dealing out its due Of fate.
Sleep, my child the lightning's flashes
May but calm thy sweet repose;
But thy mothers tired lashes-
When they'll rest but Heaven knows.
All! upon my eyesight painted,
Holy scenes Of long ago,
With the sparks Of radiance tainted
Sweet as clearest sunsets glow,
When, within the harvest garnered,
I blushing bride was seen,
With youth whose brow was tarnished
Not with sims dark, loathsome screen.
But the change oh, fearful wailing!
NV poor heart can scarce contain
All the woe that lies there railing,
In its bitter, sad refrain;
When the tempter, vile and sullen,
Tore the splendor from that brow
SW6pL Cu0 luSI6E lIOLu
Darkened orbs of misery now.
Yes, he comes! hear him stumble;
Oh, my God, bear me up!
Mid the thunder's peahng rumble,
Help me dreg this bitter cup;.
Help me still the wall of anguish
That seems bursting from my breast;
Blessed Jesus, watt me heavenward-
Let me on Thy bosom rest!
All the door behind him closes;
Seems he walks with firmer tread,
And those ewes seem not as burning
AS when tinged with Satan's red;
As before the CRATE he's standing,
In the firelight's fading glow,
Seems see manly picture,
One I'd seen years ago.
"Wife.v' He turns, and DER his features
Gleamings Of angelic light
Seem to float in waves Of splendor,
Driving out the horrid night,
Lifting from my care-worn bosom
All the loads Of sorrow there,
Filling I'D that hour with gladness,
Banishing all thoughts of care.
"Ere to. night you hushed the sobbings
or our boy in yonder bed;
Ere you'd brushed the golden ringlets
That are sbrouding his young head:
While you were with tears bemoaning
That this home should be his fate;
When thou saidst the winds are roaring,
And the night Is dark and late.
II beneath the cave was listening,
Listening to thy offered prayer;
Heard you sobbing DER our offspring,
Heard and trembled standing there;
As heard the cold rain patterlng
Hs.k kt.o fnhN M "
resolved to shun the tempter,
Ere another tear was shed.
"There kneeled beneath the window,
Gazing toward the clouded heaven,
Asking God, if e'er his aid
Unto mortal man was given,
That he'd let it strengthen me,
Through this scene, my hour OF need;
Help me save my labor's worth,
The mouths of wife and child to feed.
Sand He heard me, wife; I've conquered ;
Ino more will touch the cup
That with helps dark doom is mantled,
That has burnt my earnings up!
no more on earth will cause thee
In thy loneliness to shed
Tears Of anguish DER our offspring,
That now lies on yonder bed.
"But while heaven is all aglowing,
And all earth's bounteous store,
will try to be more grateful
Than I've ever been before;
will try to heal the rupture
That has torn thy heart IN twain;
I will try to soothe thy sorrow,
And receive thy smile again."