The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-04-22

10 SHllle cHeeFIulIy3 L uOh KNOW why,
she continued. "but of late spend
very restless nights, and suffer much
from nervous debility during the day,
though 1 am not very conscious of Sc
we're pain.
Horace loved his mother so tender
ly that his fears for her health were
now thoroughly aroused,
Strange" he said, "that did not
see how thin you are. Have you had
a physician recently ?'
/ Eyes, your father has consulted DIR.
Morris about me, and only few weeks
since he paid me several visits. have
strictly followed his advice, but thus
far have seemed to realize but little
improvement"
''Iwill go for. him again;I am sure you
need him, he said, but as he arose to
leave, his mother gently laid her hand
on his arm to stay him.
81 prefer that you should wait until
tomorrow. All is so quiet that 1 want
to talk with you alone. 1t recalls the
years gone by when you were a little
boy seated just here by side as you
are now. You are man to-day, but
still little Horace to me"
a tear-drop glistened in the young
mans eve, from what cause it was diff
ffcult to decide-whether from anxiety
for his mothers health, or the memory
of those purer, better days of innO-
cent childhood, we cannot say; but a
moment afterward his mother was sur
prised to feel hot drop on her hand
which he had taken in his own.
She had longed to know something
of his inner heart life, his spiritual
state; but he seemed to have purpose
ly avoided all reference to religion, both
in his letters home, and since his re-
turn. Frank and confding in other
things, he was strangely reserved on
this alI-important subject. She could
not conscientiously permit this barrier
of silence between them, and now re-
Esolved to embrace this favorable op-
portunity of obtaining his views and
feelings Gently she led the way,
hoping that he would give some ex-
preston of comfort to her heart, and
hope for his eternal welfare. just as
she reached a point, however, where he
might, yea, must speak, n visitor was
announced, and the conversation was
unfinished. The lady who called at
this inauspicious. moment was an init
mate friend of Mrs. Hunter, who
spent the remainder of the day, only
leaving short while before twilight.
In the meantime Horace had con-
versation with his father, and they de-
cided that on the morrow the family
physician should again see his mother,
and if he deemed it advisable, and it
was in accordance with her wishes, she
would spend the remainder of the sum-
mer at the springs of Virginia, where
they hoped she would regain her ac-
customed health and strength.
The evening was so pleasant that the
family assembled after tea on the YER
andah. as they often did, to enjoy the
refreshing breezes from the river, and
the beauties of nature as seen by the
clOudless rays of the silYeFy moon.
Already the hush of night was falling
on the city, and naught broke the 81
lence that reigned around save the
never-ceasing, dirge-like roar of the
Falls, which but added to the quietude
that stole over each spirit present.
Mrs. Hunter was the first to speak.
'rDo you sing much now, my son p
she asked addressing Horace.
''I have not done so in a long time, .
he replied, "'btlt if you like it, viii
sing for you tonight"
/ She choose that beautiful and fa-
miliaF lryau they had often sung to
gether In his childhood under similar
circumstances.
81 love to steal awhile away
From every cumb'ring care
And spend the hours of setting day,
In humble1 grateful prayer.
81 love in solitude to she'd
The penitentiaI tear
And all his promises TO plead
Where none but God can hear.
81 love to think of mercies past,
And future good implore;
And all my care and sorrows cast
On him whom I adore.
AZ love by faith to take view,
OF brighter scenes in heaven:
The prospect doth my strength renew,
Whilst here by tempest driven.
'Thus when life's toiIsome day is o'er,
May its departing ray,
BE calm as this impressive hour,
And lead to endless dsy."
He had fine voice, but to night il
5 faitered, as if from deep emotion. i
did not escape the close observation Of
: his mother, ana she prayed more hope
: fully-if possible, more earnestly.
Was not her prayer waited away
through the still air as evening incens'
: before the mercy-seat?