Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-11-26
THoSn EyENING BELLS.
BY ELLA GUERNSEY.

for they bring wildly to me the men,
orv Of dear old times,n said our host
busy, prac:icl man. one whom we
had not suspected OF indulging in
sentiment.
About the CHEEKY fire in the CRATE we
had gathered at the twilight hour, the
mother holding close to her heart the
baby. She, too. loved the music OF
those evening bells.
"Tell us of Mrs. Glenn, Paul." said
Mis-. Vail, softly.
"The good that people do lives after
them. All that am to-day | owe to
n sweet, pure woman who reached out
and drew Just such neglected waits rs
myself into the sacred home circle
where she planted in our souls the dc.
sire to grow up into good men and
women
A puny creeter and drag 10 her
farmer hushard.' the strong-armed
women Of Poplar Valley called Mrs.
Glenn. who was an invalid and un-
fitted Tor hard labor. but she was
tower OF strength in her household.
"A little sister and myself were
taken from the county poor farm ana
bound out to people who fed and
clothed our bodies, and starved Us
mentally and morally For the good
folk OF Poplar Valley had almost
contempt for education and refine
mcnt, counting the man, woman; and
child 4 failure, who was unable 10
turn off lot of work
NV master did not wish me 10
spend the Sabbath afternoons with the
Glenn fSmily. fearing Mis- Glenn
might ,pilo me by putin notions in
my head uniittin' for workhouso
brat. But he gave reluctant con-
sent toany doing so, nevertheless;
Sister Alary's mistress dared not
offend the Glenn family by refusing
to allow her 10 go, but thought 1t her
duty TO warn her against 'takin up
with that crazy creetur's notions
"In the home-lke parlor there was
small spindle-legged piano, upon
which Mrs. Glenn played wonderful
music and soon we boys and girls
sang Justify to the tinIlling accompani-
ment. Billy Boy My Willie's on the
Dark Blue Sea- 'Rosalie, the Praine
Flower and other favorites.
After n time We began TO love tho
sweet sacred songs which she sang on
Sunday. After a particularly hard
week, we pauper hrats, whose hearts
were sore from grieVing and longing.
found sweet comfort in the good old
hymns. ,n
when wo carried TO her our sorrows,
that we felt wonderfully helped. She
always advised more love and pa
tience. II we felt injured or ILL
treated. we were made 10 see that Dy
striving TO do better we could right
things.
Mary's mistress, hard, driving
woman, often said,- 49,,
with all her soft trillin' ways. III
own that Mis- Glenn never sets the
uauper children agin' their masters"
1--WE must hayc been a sorry look
ing group. and there were at least
ciobt of MS. poor and ignorant young
ncople who literally didn't know that
fhe world was wide and round, and a
bigger place than Poplar Valley.
Mrs. Glenn in time managed to
teach Us many things in the weekly
talks which were to US rich treats.
With the Bible VIC became familiar;
consulting il oftener than we should
have done II we had had n larger
library 10 select from -,
" A little treat was always provided
for ia. usually apples. or a slice OF
gingerbread. perhaps saucer OF baked
beans. Mrs. Glenn being n New Ing
land woman, far from home in Poplar
"Her husband. an old sailor. who
had in his youti been around tho
world. had wonderful tales Of adven,,
ture TO relate Of foreign ports ana
towns which were enjoyed by even
the smallest Of bis auditors.
"Time brought changes and sep
araied old friends: before many yeafs
had gone found myself j. a largo
city among temptations sore aud thick
Nv way TO manhood was not an easy
ono. Frierdlcss, with no one to caro-
whether did right or wrong. | have
often been tempted 10 do that which
wonld have grieycd mother, had
had one.
But unrestrained as was, and
utterly uncafed for. there was an i'll
Anence that held me back from fall
mo into evil ways. The sound OF
church bells always brought before me
/ tbe sweet white face Of the one friend
who did love me. !,
While a young lad bad friend
WIN loved the gaming-tablc, and had
long been irving 10 induce me 10 join
him in q game ~ chance. Ono even
| inc consented 10 90 with him.
While we yet stood at tho door the
Lells beqan 10 ring softly Instantly
T seemed TO hear the dear voice OF
NIrs Glenn. The bells sounded q
warning. Their clang, clang, said
don't, don'tv Impulsiyely ] cried L
will uot-I never will and wonder
mi content and peace came 10 me.
q .Th what. Vail? Come on, and
don't hang back grumbled my COM
panion.
F" I will never enter gambling
don while I live, Come with me 10
fiat house across the street. was my
response.
"Tben told him Of Mrs. Glenn
and the bells. After little thought
he turned about, saying. resolutely,-
4" I'm going with you.
That is we'll = | said.
"We found kind friends who sang
With us the old familiar hymns. and
from that evening my wild young
friend was a changed youth.
In year or more was able to go
hack 10 Poplar Valley for Sister
Mary. who was glad TO keep my little
nome lor me. found Mrs. Glenn still
engaged in the old work Of gathering
about her children from the poor
farm who loved to learn at her feet.
"Truly the good we do lives after
Us"
Not Weak Man.
nScadIev weak? I should like %