The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-30
of truthful spirit. He would have

de UOWel dltt COutluueu Ills Seat.
"Tm very glad to see you, sir" he
said fervently, "yet I'm sorry to occasion
you so much trouble. But, indeed, we
need friend, and thought it would
not be wrong to send for you"
1 said few words TO relieve him of
any embarrassment or delicacy. In the
mean time his wife had seated herself by
the cooking stove, and with crossed
hands was gazing into the fire in sad,
thoughtful abstraction. 1 looked about
the apartment The furniture was of
the simplest and plainest description.
The pine table beside which Mr.. Graves
was sitting, few chairs, with little
stand by the south window, on which
were two or three flowers, embraced the
whole. But everything had been freshly
secured, and the shining dishes in the
old-fashioned dresser in the corner, were
arranged in careful order. 1t was
such a room as 1 like to visit There
is many a matron whom drop in upon
in my rounds. who has uniformly an
apology for "the looks of things" And
forthwith the broom is in requisition,
and the dust is hastily aourished into
the atmosphere, in the sudden efferves-
cence of cleanliness, to cover my clothes
and fill my lungs, instead Of remaining
on the floor, where should greatly pre-
fer it to be until my exit.
In few minutes two or three of the
children came in. So soon as they saw
me they repressed their childish buoy
ancy and sat silently down. There was
no forced and extempore display of
manners" They had been habitually
taught to be silent and courteous in the
presence of stranger. 1t was lovely
household, saddened and wan by the
feeble aspect of the husband and father.
my wife has told you of our situation
I believe" said Mr.. Graves.
''She has," I REPLIED "and I shall
certainly be glad to aid you as far as duty
will permit.
II thank you, sir" he answered. II
am very anxious to try voyage to the
South, as she mentioned to you. 1t may
be that should grow stronger as the
summer comes on at home, but l can
not work, and every cent that had laid
by is gone. We were happy when l was
in health, and the contrast makes us the
sadder. l know that while l should be
away there would be nothing for my fam
lily; but there is nothing even now, and
know that my wife and children are with
out the necessaries of life, will certainly
wear me to the grave"
His manly voice quivered as he spoke,
and, when he had done he bowed his
head upon the table as if in prayer.
Yet, whatever may be your fate, you
will not despair, 1 trust" said 1. The
clouds may be black above us. but the
One who knows what is best far better
than we."
"Oh, no. exclaimed the invalid, clasp
ing his hands and looking upward with
fearful eyes but hallowed expression of
unfailing trust. Il do not despair. l
know there is One who loves me. 1t is
only when 1 forget Him that 1 look at
my children and sigh over the future.
But when think of Him and pray, am
better"
The impulse Of prayer was upon US all.
simultaneously we sank down on our
knees, and offered mp a humble petition
to God-the God of the lowly as well as
of the great; the God of the abode of
poverty and wretchedness as we'll as of
the decorated palace that his blessing,
without which even the palace is
accurscd, might rest on this suffering
family.
All were calmer. Trust in God will
ever make the spirit calmer. We con-
versed about his voyage. He needed
few dollars in money, some articles of
clothing to make him comfortable, and,
above all, the assurance that his family
should not suffer in his absence. Thanks
to the supplies of Christian benevolence,
1 was able to promise all, and l babe
them farewell, leaving lighter hearts
than had been beating beneath that roof
for months, and beam of hope pierc.
ing the whitening gloom of the future.
Before the appointed day all was ready.
The clothing was furnished, small
sum was given to him for security
against want in strange land, and
further sum was placed in the hands of
his wife for her own necessities, that he
might go with a more happy mind.
He went The more fortunate invalid,
as he mounts the deck of the proud and
noble vessel that is to bear him to the
milder cline of foreign shore has
passed from many o loved and anxious
friend, who watch the departing ship
with straining eyes, and whose sympathy
cheers his melancholy emotions. This
poor mechanic, as full of deep and pre-
cious sympathies, babe adieu on the
deck of the little sloop that was to bear
him away, to none save q weeping wife
and children to whom his health WAS