The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-02-09
THE DUELaST'S PRAYING
WIFE.

was from family as old, and wealth
almost as great as his Own. But bis
family was one of the gayest in the
city; hers one of the most actively
and truly Christian. The theatre,
the opera, the dancing party, were his
delight. To read the Bible and pray
with her servants each morning, to
care for their life needs and soul needs,
to sit BY their sick beds and point
their souls heavenward, we're her
pursuits. 1t is said that if any one
have walked in Spice Islands the
aroma of their garments will tell it.
So not words, but the gentle doings
and not doings of her daily life, told
that her walk was with God. And
her religion was so part of herself
that 10 time, place or circumstance
could part her from it; and her bus
band idolized her iu this very cn-
likeness to himself. ..-,s
The little wsteripg-place that had
struggled vainly to get recognition,
even though it stood on high land, in
fact, on a spur of the Alleghanies,
became, by the war, centre of fash
ion. In its little log cabin, il the
long, upholstered dining room, on
rude benches, by plain board tables,
covered with common, but clean sheet
ing, sat the wealth and style and ele-
gance and culture of the South ; glad,
even with these drawbacks, to breathe
the highland air in summer days. a
Sabbath came-no minister; few men
we're there.
This Lordsday must not pass unno-
tieed,' said the sweet, firm Christian
woman. Let Us ladies meet in the
parlor and read the Episcopal service
All we're there-the gayest and the
staidest, the youngest and the oldest,
She read the service, With grace so
refined, a voice so sweet and gentle,
and cheek so flushed, that all felt
that in pure love and obedience to her
Lord she was bearing a cross /; ard
the sweet influence of that half hour
toned the Sabbath of the whole
crowd.
A bevy of smokers heard the sing
ing, and one said to the husband:
Your wife is too good for you
Yes; with an oath) she is! She
is the sweetest, purest woman on this
earth
She must enjoy your swearing!
Swear to her! Why I never think
an oath where she is!'
Her mother told me-and it is for
that that | write these recollections at
this time-that, after high words, her
son in-law was challenged by noto--
rious duelist and unfailing shot 1t IVES
fancy feat Of his to snuff a candle at
long range. His friends told her son
it was certain death to aceept~the
challenge, and his wife, with her arms
around his neck, implored him, for
her sake, for his children's sake, and
for his own souls sake to refuse the
challenge. But he talked about the
code, and his honor and the like.
'Will you give your worst enemy a
pleasure, your dearest ones a life OF
sufering?' she asked.
I'll give him. sorry pleasure; LII
give him bullet. III, send him to a
bad place. ...:
Will you reet your Judge, with
murdered man, as passport to hea-
ven p
DO hush, dear wife. You IN
nerve me-
But she could not hush, until he
pledged his honor that, if God spared
his life, as soon as he had his break
fast he would refuse ever to fight
duel. It was subterfuge which she
did not understand at the time, but
she did understand it when little
after b-eak of day light touch or
her forehead-ber husbands farewell
kiss-made her open her eyes anc
find him gone. The noise of wheels
at that unwonted hour made be-
fy to the window, only to gee the. bacl
of the carriage as it moved fast away
speeding her husband to eterna
death.
She fell on her knees in an agony
Ope-the God, the holy God-whos'
justice he was daring. could save hun
from the eternal, eternal doom h
was .courtiDg. But Father. spar'
him! Father! spare him :! was he
heart cry to God, unheard by mortal
.ut heard in heaven. She took nj
thought of time, she took no not
sounds, for more than two hours. Sh
did not move till his voice, cheer.
and clear, rang out with I knew