The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-02-20
Il am indeed How did the bless

everything was 1ull OF glory On, 81
I've lived nigh on to seyenty-tive years
but there's alters ben an unhapp
streak in worm about suthin
or other. Whenever it Numbered an
| lightened-and we do have dretfu
storms up on the mountain-1 wa
! alters afraid lest | sh'd be struck. Ant
once, when was mighty low with
fever | was about wild with the dreat
that death should come and | no
read, to meet it. But that feelin al
gone now. The dear Lord has for
given me. But now the only thing
worry about is that shan't prove my
self worthy of Him | want to lv'
newfoundland help them that's nea
and dear to me to live right, too y
That is a true Christian feeling,
said the missionary, and he continued
"To all such our church oh-rs a heart,
welcome. What is your nameo |
will give me much JOY to put 1t on th'
list OF those under probation
"My name is Sarah Harvey; but,
slowly, what is it that you mean by
probation?'
1t is a kind of membership tC
which new converts are admitted be
fore being allowed to enter into full
communion of the church. You see
my friend, with some OF the converts
the religious interest is but a mere
passing emotion. Such a person /
would be unjust to admit to the priv
leges of the church. So we wal
awhile and watch the lives of our con
verts, and if the conversion is sincere
we gladly accept them
''Wal, think | see what you mean,
said Ma am Harvey slowly. Il sup
pose its all right, only'-halt APOLOGIZE.
Cally-''it was a sort of comfort tc
think that | was going ter be member
right off. Howsoever, | reckon ia nj
more n fair that | should show folks
I'm in arrest. You see | ha'n't proved
that | had much interest in sech Things.
Living so fur up on the mountain has
made me neglect SEWN bees, prayer
meetings and 50 on. Folks don't
know much about me-
But the Lord does said the
preacher earnestly.
Il reckon So with glad smile
and | want ter keep near HIM. Wal,
l'll try and do my duty and walk
straight in the path I've marked out
But its getting late, sir, and I've fur tC
50, SO | must say goodbye. If you
ever come up to our place | shall be
proper glad Ter see We. Goodbye
Good bye, and as Father Williams
tnrred away, one of the valley folks
SAID IN low tones, $50 Ma am Harvey
experienced religion, too That s
news Not that pd have you think she
was a worse sinner than the rest of us
sir, fur she's alters ben Woodworking
peaceable body. But her men-folks
was an awful wild set. Her husband
died in State prison. Sent thar fn
boss stealing. One of her sons go'
stabbed in a drunken brawl The
other one, Ben, is going the same way
if what folks say is true
"And what do they say?' Father
Williams inquired rather shortly, for he
was not disposed to gossip, though he
had an interest in his aged convert anC
her family.
"Oh, Ben's a moonshiner Got one
Of the Suggest stills hid up on the
mountin But his old ma'am cam
help that, reckon. She's as innocen
of moonShining as my new red calf
She's had hard life, the poo, old wo
man has. Glad if she's found com
fort in religion
While this little conversation wa:
taking place Ma m Harvey was push
ing her way through the knots of PEG
pie until she reached a narrow patti
that wound with many curve up the
rocky-ribbed mountain. lust at one 0
its turns she stopped and looked down
ward Somehow, even in her untut
ored mind, there came an apprecia
ton of the beautiful scene spread GU
before her
Below was stretched the marrow
valley hemmed in by green hills, al
whose feet the foam-tlecked waters o
the creek brawled in noisy swiftness
Westward, beyond the faint purpl,
outline of the Tennessee hills, the SUI
was slowly sinking, painting the SKY ii
rose and gold and making the Ions
shadows OF the mountain stand GU
bold and black. Here and there dow
the valley was white or red cottage
looking like tiny blossoms amid the
dense green foliage of chestnut trees
Then, nearer by, was the busy scene 0
the camp meeting, the sober costume
of gray or butternut brown worn by tn,
men, frightened by the gay req O.
blue caliCos of the woman.
But it was getting late and she mus
hasten on or darkness would cover he
ere she reached her home. SO, turn
ing from the placid scene, she spec
briskly onward, up toward the darl
wall of balsam trees that crowned tht
mountain. Presently light step wa
heard on the hard beaten path behinc
her. Then fresh young voice callec
out:
How fast you walk, Ma'am Har
ney Wait a bit, and let ME ketch W
with We ;