Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-03
GAN MOTHER FORGET :?
From Blackwood's Magazine. ]


In one of the poorest and most over
crowded parts of poor and overcrowdeG
London stands little whitewashed house,
differing from the squalid places round it
only in its perfect cleanliness; for on enter
ing nothing but thu plainest and mcst
necessary furnishings are to be found.
One bitter night early in February there
sat, in the hardly furnished sitting-room a
young priest. He was evidently expecting
some one, and scme one he loved; for,
from time TO time, he stirred the fire and
looked with something like sigh at the
meagre meal which was prepared on the
table. 81 must not put on GOALS" he said
to himself; "for if the fire is really bright
when he comes in, he will grudge himself
the warmth / dare not make ready a
comfortable meal, for he will grudge him
self the food. 1t is always so, for he thinks
that he alone can do without rest, warmth,
and comfort; for oh! how tender and
thoughtful he is about every one else p
AS he sat down again the door opened to
admit a tall, powerful man, looking weary
beyond words and wet to the skin. 1t
needed not his clerical dress to assure any
who saw him what his calling was, for in
teresting as his face must have been under
any circumstances it was rendered beauti-
full by the beauty of holiness, and the
strength and sweetness mingled in it made
it like the face of an angel.
"Dear brother" he said as he came in.
81 can go out no more this night, for my
body is 80 weary and my heart so sore that
1 feel helpless and dispirited as I have
rarely felt before. The sin and the suffer-
ing, the wretchedness and poverty, and,
above all, the cry of the children are break
ing my heart. And if mine-Oh, Thou
loving Shepherd! what must the suffering
he to Thee, in Thy perfect purity and un-
equalled tenderuessP How long, Oh, Lord,
how long?"
He sank down on chair and buried his
face in his hands fos few moments, while
the younger priest looked at him sadly and
anxiously. 1t was SO unusual for Father
WarIen's face to be clouded and so rare for
bis spirit to be despondent that he felt sure
something was wrong, and that over-work
and constant exposure we're at last begin
ming to tell even on his magnificent health
and frame. "NoW, dear father" he said
beseechingly, "do put on dry clothes and
rest this evening and take long, quiet
sleep, for if you persist in this constant
self-forgesfulnees, you will have to give up
wolk altogether, and I think no greater
trouble could befell you and us than that. u
"Well, truly" replied Father Warren,
81 am resolved to 60 out Bo more this
night, for though the spirit is willing tine
| flesh is weak" He had hardly finished
speaking when Q ring was heard at the
door, and the servant entering said
''Father, lady desires to see you, and
begs you will not refuse her,"
"Let me CO." said the young priest,
jumping up. sit is too hard, this perpet
ual importantly. I will speak to her and
tell her how unfit you are to Go anything
more or see any one this evening"
'Do so, my son. said Father Warren
''but let it be courteously and gently said
as BELTS those who speak iu the name of {
gentle and never weary Master"
The young man crossed himself and lef
the room. He turned, however, after 6
few minutes, with disappointed and some
what mortified air.
sShe will have none of me, dear father
but desires to see you and you only; ani
in very truth l feel myself asking for her
her pleading is SO touching and her lopg
ing SO earnest that l have gone over to hel
side and can resist her wish no longer"
Father Warren rose briskly and said
stDo not let her wait moment longer.
feel to blame that she has waited so Ions
already. Bring her in at once, pray you, >
and while the priest hastened to obey ht
placed Q chair to the fire and muttering tt