Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-02-06

also saying .4I fear the evening viii
be very long and lonely for you, un-
less you will allow me to fill his place
and read to you. Walter is asleep,
and it win give me much pleasure TO
do what can for your entertainment.
This offer, so graeiousiy made, was
received, and when the usual hour for
retiring came her listener seemed
somewhat reluctant to say ''good
night and she thought as he turned
away that she perceived shade more
of warmth in his parting words and
manner to her. She felt at once
strengthened and encouraged in her
work of love.
She was asleep when her husband
returned, for the hour was late and
she was weary. The next morning
she was early aroused by summons
from her father-in-law to his son,
whom the servant said seemed very
ill. "a
Eustacc hurried to his chamber.
soon followed by Rosa. With a w0-
mans keen observation she saw there
was no time for delay. A physician
was called in at once, who pronounced
it an alarming case OF pneumonia, and
gave but little hope of his recovery,
saying atthe same time that great care
and good nursing might save him.
For several days and nights the
sufferer lay perfectly unconscious of
all around him. Moaning pitiously
withpain, Eustacc was much unncrved
and greatly distressed, watched with
| faithful affection beside him, awaiting
the first token of recognition that
would give him any hope.
Another, too, with anxious heart,
never wcarying in every little woman
ly attention that can soothc the bed of
suffering giving every dose of med
icinc, applying blister and poulticc as
the case required. Her touch and
voice seemed to soothe him and her
influence alone could control him.
This gave great joy TO the heart
stricken son, and he fervcntly prayed
that his father might be spared, and
in that hour when reason was restored
he might acknowledge and appreciate
the good in that noble woman, whose
untiring devotion was SO beautiful
and chiIdlillc.
| God heard and answered his PRAYER.
One morning the sick man had been
quietly sleeping, and Eustacc, worn
with long watching had thrown him-
self on a sofa near the bed to rest,
leaving Rosa to watch the suffcrer.-
As she sat there the old man. slowly
opened his eyes, and looking ut her
said: -.,,.
Rosa, is that you? / have been
very ill, have I not: Where is EHs-
tace. Asleep? Well do not disturb
him, but you, my dear, good child,
come 10 inc; i am better now and 4
know that it was You who nursed me
with such care. II was your soft hand
that smoothed my aching head, your
gentle kindness that has restored me
to life. j did not deserve it, but j
will in the future. Forgive me, my
noble daughter, all the coldncss and
stern unl1indncss you have had from
me; forgive my scllishncss and wick
cdncss, for have been guilty of both.
Gcsi you will, see it in the good
ness bcaning forth from your beau
tiful eyes. My child, you have been
4 loving and tender daughter to me,
and the remaining years of my life
shall prove that am not ungratefui,
or the hard unfecling man i have
seemed. I did not want 10 love you,
Rosa, because j thought you would
steal from a poor, lonely. old father,
his only child's heart, and leave me
desolaIe in my declining years. But
no, dear girl, you have kept my boy
a respectful and loving son by your
own noble conduct, and you have
softcned and won the old mans heart;
believe me, love you as do him,-
You are sunbeam in my heart, you
are all and all to me now. Give me
your love as you have done your gen.
tie kindness, and we will be very
happy household. A fathers bless
ing shall rest upon you and yours
here, and a Heavenly Fathers re-
ward be yours hereafter. thank
Him for You and all you have been to
me. You have taught me noble wO-
mans worth. lie has shown me the
wickcdness of my own heart, and
spared me TO be a better father to you,
and with His help hoIicr man, whose
footsteps will go down in pence to the
grave, with the blessed hope of i'm
mortality beyond the dark river of
death. Once more say, forgive an
old mans wicI1cdncss and folly, and
let him redeem the past, If he can"
'"Oh! yes, gladly forgive and for
get all, and very thankful arc we that
you are better. We have hoped and
prayed for this hour, and you must be
very quiet now for a little while. -
When Eustace heard these words,
told him by his wife, tears of thank
fulness streamed from his eyes, and
ciasping her in his arms he, said,
MAY God bless and reward you, my
noble wife. never can; / can only
thank Him for sending my father sach
a daughter and my child such
mothcr.'' ...., -....-..
Mr.. LaStrange improved daily, was
soon again in his usual seat with his
little pet on his knee. The joyods
wife and mother giving happiness to
all as she moved around disclIarging