Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-01-13

adding, Remember, Mr.. Parker, thai
you're professor Of religion, or remem.
Der, at least, that you're gentleman.
Any way Parker was quite softened
down, and Immediately acknowledged
himself to blame, and begged pardon oi
Stevens, in presence Of US all. MY good
friend, the Deacon said he, turning
toward Deacon Wiseman, has shown me
the truth of this matter, and | thank
him for it. Another time l trust shall
not be so foolish as to let my quick tenn
temper run away with my prudence or
temperance-they are about the same
thing. for there is intemperance other
wise than in drink And at this the
Deacon looked as happy as if told that he
had fallen heir to an estate"
Yet again.
Into home where "hard times" in the
train Of ruinous business failure had en-
tered, and where Encouragement and de-
spair had become inmates, there came one
night its head and founder. Not as
usual, however, came he. The patient
wife, laying her table for the frugal even
ing meal. looked up to greet him with a
brave word Of cheer, and saw something
in his face that sent thrill Of hope and
gladness through her aching heart.
"What is it, James," she tenderly
asked.
"rve touched bottom, at last" was
the reply. 1.-The waves and the pillows
are going over me, but I've got footing.
No, not that" he hastily added, reading
in her upturned eyes the question his
words had suggested. 1.-The financial
prospect is no more encouraging tonight
than formerly, yet I've got little Of that
without which l should be poor indeed,
though able to count my millions. o,
Mary Gordon"-throwing his arm around
the woman's slender waist, and drawing
her down to a seat beside him on the
lounge-''your husband has been fool
and coward! True, my losses over
whelmed and disheartened me as much
for your sake and our children's as for my
own, still I'm not worthy to be called a
man, that didn't bear up under them
any better. This afternoon / was talk
ing with Deacon Wiseman, making over
again the same old childish, fretful COM
plants. MY dear fellow, said he; its
great trouble, l know; but have you
tried standing up against it-just stand
ing up against it, one day at time
Now folks have condoled with me and
pitied me in my trial, gabbled about TAX
ing things as they come and submitting
to the dispensations Of Providence till |
have thought should 60 crazy, while
the Deacon's simple proposition to stand
up against it has, as it were, brought me
back to myself. I'm weak enough yet.
| can't get the mastery Of this; l can't
fight it much; but will have the forti-
tude to stand up against it. will show
myself possessed Of some manliness and
courage. Bless the old Deacon for his
good word; It was htiy spoken!
"And like apples Of gold in pictures
of silver" falteringly responded Mrs.
Gordon, through rush of happy tears
aud then she rose and stepped lightly
about the room, completing her prepara-
tions for supper, and humming low to
herself, 1.-The Lord will provide"
The new reformation was beginning to
be felt, A little leaven leaveneth finally
the whole lump, we know. Therefore ii
will not be accounted strange-the love
and zeal whereof we have taken knowl-
edge never failing, moreover-that the
community in which Deacon Wiseman
lived and labored came to be preeminently
distinguished for its practice Of the things
that are true and honest and just andpure
and lovely and Of good report.