Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-19

A Sketch.

| "For ,ohat knovea thou, o wife, whether
thou shalt save Thy husband ~. Corinthians
vii IL.
The room, though scantily and meanly
| furnished, still bore marks of neatness. The
uncarpeted floor had been carefully swept,
the few chairs, the old mahogany table, and
| the mantel-piece, were free from dust, the
books were arranged upon the little shelf
and in the middle of the room, on small
stand, was burning Pickering tallow can
de- On the bed, where poverty could not
be concealed by any art, lay young woman
wasted by disease. Her glossy hair was
parted over her marble brow, and on her
wan cheek was the bright hectic of that
syren disease Of our climate, consumption.
Consumed indeed was that patient sufferer
but there is disease which preys more
upon the heart than on the lungs. She lay
now completely exhausted, for IL was her
exertions that made that cherries chamber
wear its present appearance of comfort. To
be sure there was no fire, though it was
deep winter, and the storm howled piteousy
without, and the chill wind came in at every
crack, but how could she make fire with
out Goals Aud indeed she did not feel
able to go out to get any, and even if she
should venture, where should she apply
Mr. b. repulsed her rudely the last time she
went. She raised her olasped hands to
heaven, her lips moved, then came over her
pallid features sad smile, as she MUIR
INJURED, "Lord, believe-help thou my uu-
belief"
The door opened and the storm rushed in
nearly extinpuishinp the taper. A man in the
prime of life, of good figure. but alas alas
bearing too plainly the evidence of a ruinous
excess, walked hurriedly into the room.
| "Dear G Gorge" exclaimed the woman.
starting from her pillow, show glad | am
you have come so soon. | have been so
lonesome"
The man approached the bed, and taking
her hand in his. said:
| eyes. Mary. and am clad too. for IL ia
an ugly night to be ont in. and I ara luokv
enough to get off sooner than usual this eve
ming. have brought YOU some crackers. and
4 tomorrow you shall have some medicine"
His voice choked. He hastily dropped his
wifes hand, and, approaching the fireplace.
began raking up the ashes, and to make a
fire with some bits of board he had brought
in. Mary covered her face with the quilt.
and burst into tears, but with every sob was
mingled thanksgiving. She felt at that
moment as if she would have willingly
died. so great, so ecstatic was the bliss that
filled her soul: her husband, her dear, dear
| George, was himself once more, God had
heard her prayers, the burning tears had gone
up to the mercy-seat. But she is trembling
again-perhaps- nay, nay, "with God ali
things are possible" and drying her eyes
she arose, and, stealing to the fire. threw her
arms around her husbands neck, and they
both wept locked in fond embrace.
Mary's happiness gave her strength. A
pan of water was soon boiled, cup of tea
made, and though without sugar or milk.
aud accompanied only with dry biscuit, il
was sweeter to both than the richest meal
in the days of their prosperity; for the
angels who rejoice over returning penitents
sat at the board aud made the meal heay-
enly one.
The wife spoke tenderly on bright and
happy topics she related the DAYS Of their
first acquaintance, of their mutual love and
pride-she spoke of her own errors, but
never breathed word of his-of the future,
coloring the future with woman's faith and
love. George sat in silence. but his kind
looks and the unbidden tear told Mary that
his degradation had not hardened his heart
against better influences.
The morning dawned, and Mary, having
slept TRANQUILITY on her husbands bosom.
awoke refreshed. The breakfast was as
frugal and happy as the supper, and as her
husband kissed her, she murmured, "Dsar
George trust in Gods strength, it is perfect
in our weakness" Long, l)ng, did that
sweet sufferer kueel in PRAYER /; feryently did
petitions go up to him who pities his chill
dren that strength might be vouch ,afed to
her husband to persevere in the path of rec
titude. She arose refreshed and comforted,
filled with the peace that passeth all under
standing, for she felt assured that God would
hear her prayer.
About eleven o'clock she was startled by
loud knocking at the door. For a moment
her heart died within her, her knees smote
together deadly faiutness came over her,
but recovering, she murmured az know in
whom | have trusted" and fastening for
ward she opened the door.
"For Mr.. Edgar" said a rough voice,
"some things for Mr.. E1gar-I 'spose he
lives here" "Yes," replied Mary, "this is
the place-Mr. Edgar does live here; but
you must be mistaken-these things cannot
be for him." Yes, they are," returned the
man, al know G. sorgs Edgar, and he told
me to bring 'em, aud here's the paper"
The trembling wife took the direction, and
recognized the handwriting of her dear
husband. The man. unheedinp her. had
pushed ill., and was emptying the contents
of large basket on the table. Mary me.
chemically went forward to hide, in apparent
business, her feelings, and the man, rough
though he was, felt for her and hurried
away. Bread, dried beef. tea. sugar. candles
and MANY other little parcels. On. how
rich, how happy she felt. And now there
is load of wood at the door. Mary can
but fall on her knees to him on whom she
had cast all her cares
| A hot dinner waa smokino wban Caoroo