The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-07-03
Body and Soul.

4he chamber was darkened, the shut.
ters were closed. All "the pride, pomp
| and circumstance" which attend any i'm
portant episode in rich mans life, or
gild the story of rich mans death, was
there, and on q luxurious bed was ex.
tended the emaciated body of a dying
millionaire, and fierce was tho struggle
between that pampered body and soul
painting to escape from its sin.polluted
cage. The trembling lips poured forth
wild prayers, and besought tho soul to
| stay yet little longer; there was so
| nuce to do--ro much more to undo.
The church had been cloak. an ample
cover here, but had fallen of at the portal
of the dread hereafter. Religion had
been only pretense, the solemn amen I"
tho clasped hands-the deep groans
during revivals were tho tricks of an
actor, but the hypocrite of a life time was
now on the border Of that higher world
where no rretense could avail, and the
failing body writhed in cowardly anguish.
The Soul bade Conscience answer the
wild appeal. Conscience stood forth, and
in low distinct voice, asked stern and
startling questions: "Didst thou not in
early manhood turn coldly from the good
old father who had reared thee, and repay
the care and affection of tender mother
with heartless neglect and unkindness ?
Honor thy father and thy mother, saith
the Book"
A cry of anguish answered.
"Dost thou remember, long years ago,
how thou didst creep into tho heart OF q
fair young girl, in humble station, and
write thy name on It's unspotted page in
words that no time, no change, no cir.
cumstance ever did elface, and when thy
tickle fancy wandered of, how thou didst
coldly see her droop, and die of what men
called consumption? Thou shalt do no
murder, saith the Book" "And another.
young, ignorant and child Of poverty,
but strong in her purity, whom thou
didst follow with thy ely unmeaning gal.
lantry till tho world looked coldly on her.
and on thine own villainous lip rested q
sneer that devils loved, and will reward ?
Aud remember how thou ddst periure
the Soul that would now forsaks thee.
when the good name of this pure maiden
thou didst shrug, insinuate. and even lie
to blacken9 Thou nhRlt not not lie, saith
the Book"
"Dost thou remember the widow whom
thou didst wrong by keeping from her
the money thou didst justly owe her hus.
bnnd, because abe had no paper to sho ow
against thee7 Didst thou not zee her
stitch, stitch, stitch, till the color left her
check, and the light faded from her eye |?
and when in tbs depth OF her misery, shs
c'aved of thee trifling loan, didst thou
not bid her go auorkf when her weak.
ness rendered her as unit to do 30, as thy
own bloated corpulency rendered thee.
Thou shalt not steal, saith !ha Book"
"Hast thou not seen tho orphan suffer
Hast thou not kept the worEingmau out
of his well.earued wages, through some
petty spite, or culpable carelessness, till
nearly frantic with want he was willing
to sacrifice half to get tho rest to buy
bread for his family, while thou vast
pampcred with dainties3 Do unto OH
ers as thou wouldst they should 90 unto
thee, saith the Book"
"Didst thou ever enter poor mans
home, when he lay as thou dost now, and
minister to his comfort? And thou who
didst never fail to swell the procession
Who followed the rich man to his grave.
didst thou ever so honor the poor and
friendless? Charity covereth up a multi
tude Of SIM. saith the Book"
"And thy wife who weeps, though the
blight Of her existence is passing away,
what reward hast thou given her long
years of devotion7 What but daily dis.
appointments. .dispelled Illusions. q faded
cheek, a tear-dimmed eye, and premature
age ?"
There came no answer. t
Conscience questioned no more, for the
Body ceased its impotent struggtes--the
white lips writhed in vain effort to cry
once more for mercy, the eyes with one
last look Of horror, closed forever, and
the Impatient Soul winged its flight.
WhereY-Ars. III. W. Straton, in tho
YorkvtNe Enquirer.