The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-19


fused to go. They had lived with the
" darlints" ever since they were babies,
and they'd like to see themselves turned
out of doors, they would. They didn't
want any wages, they'd saved enough for
their old age, and that was all they
wanted.
Often, as Barbara was performing her
duties in those long, sad days, the words
would come ringing though her head,
Call upon me in the day of trouble, and
l will deliver you" and forcing back her
tears she would cry with her whole
heart, will trust and not be afraid
At last the day came for the final set
Element of Mr.. Lea S affairs AS he went
out for the first time since his loss, he
looked like the very wreck of his former
bright, active self His energy and amb-
tion had deserted him altogether; his
eyes were sunken and had dark rings
round them from nights of sleeplessness
his buoyant step was gone and now and
then his figure reeled as he walked.
Mary and Barbara felt as they looked
at him as though their burden were in
deed greater than they could bear And
in an agony of grief they went to find
relief where they knew they could re-
ceive it. Barbara believed with all her
heart that God would deliver them, but
things had been growing steadily worse
and worse, and now her poor father
looked as though it would break him
down entirely. Locking herself in her
room, she turned to her old comforter, the
Bible, opened to the place where she had
finished her usual morning portion, and
her eyes fell on these words: "And I
will multiply upon you man and beast
and they shall increase and bring fruit
and ! will settle you after your old es-
tates, and will do better unto you than
at your beginnings and ye shall know
that 1 am the Lord" She read still
further the comforting words God had
sent by his prophet to his chosen Israel,
until she reached "I, the Lord, have
spoken it, and 1 will do it, instantly all
her sorrow, anxiety and fear vanished,
and there fell upon her holy calm. She
could distrust no longer, she could not
pray, she could only feel sustaining
presence round and about her that lifted
her out of her weary self and made her
new creature.
For an hour she lay in this trance-ike
state. She felt that God had heard and
answered her prayer, and, murmuring
fervent thanks to him, she left her room,
went about the house, threw up the
blinds and let the sunshine food the dear
old home, fed the pets which had been
neglected for many days, had romp in
the grounds with the children, and they
wondered what had come over their
dear sister Barbara and had made her so
like her jolly old self.
AS it drew towards evening she gath
cred the children round her, and went
to the window to watch for her fathers
return, telling them merry story the
meanwhile. Soon she saw him away off
in the distance but she could scarcely
believe her eyes, for, instead of the heavy
step and dropping held, his old elasticity
seemed to have come back, and his head
was erect.
AS he loved to have them do they all
trooped down the garden to meet him
Giving them hearty kiss, he told them
he brought them good news, for, after all,
he added: You look as if some one had
got before me and told you all about it. "
And somebody did, papa" whispered
Barbara
When they were all assembled in the
library Mr. Lea said, that at the meeting
of his creditors in the morning, they
would not hear of his giving up his bust
ness they needed just such honorable
business men as he had proved himself
to be among them, and they knew if his
credit were extended, he would be able
to retrieve his fortunes. "And position
was offered me-" said Mr.. Lea, merely
advisory; and the salary which L. shall
derive from it will enable us to live in
our old home, in comfort at least.
After the children had retired for the
night, Barbara took low STOOL placed
it at her fathers feet, and, looking up
into his face, she said, with some of the
awe still remaining in her manner from
her close communion with God Papa,
want to tell you who told me the glad
news you brought home tonight"
Then she told him about the text the
Bible opened to on that day when the
dreadful news came, how fervently she
had prayed and tried to believe it all
along.
And on that morning when he had
gone out looking sick and weary, how her
prayer had been answered in ii e words
of Holy Writ 81 will settle you after
your old estates, and will do better unto