The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-01-24

"Those evening bells love them,
for they bring yividly to me the mem
ory of dear old times" said our host
a busy, practical man, one whom we
had not suspected Of indulging in
sentiment.
About the CHEEKY fire in the CRATE we
had gathered mt the twilight hour, the
mother holding close to her heart tho
baby. She, too, loved the music Of
thosn evening bells.
Tell us of Mrs. Glenn, Paul" said
Mrs Vail, softly
" The good that people do lives after
them. All that l am to-day | owe to
n sweet, pure woman who reached out
and drew just such neglected waits as
myself into the sacred home circle
where she planted in our souls the de-
sire to grow up into good men and
women"
"A puny creeter and drag to her
farmer husband the strong-armed
women of Poplar Valley called Mrs.
Glenn, who was an invalid and un-
fitted for hard labor, but she was q
tower of strength in her household.
A little sister and myself were
taken from the county poor. farm and
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 a
contempt for education and refine
ment, counting the man, woman, and
child a failure, who was unable to
turn off lot of work.
My master did not wish me to
spend the Sabbath afternoons with the
Glenn family, fearing Mis- Glenn
might spile me by putin notions in
my head, unfittin' for a workhouse
brat. But he gave a reluctant con-
sent to my doing so, nevertheless,
Sister Mary's mistress dared not
offend the Glenn family by refusing
TO allow her to 60, but thought it her
duty to warn her against 'talkin' up
with that crazy creetuPs notions
" In the home-like parlor there was
small spindle-legged piano, upon
which Mrs Glenn played wonderful
music, and soon we boys and girls
sang Justify to the tinlzling accompani-
ment, Billy Boy My Willie's on the
Dark Blue Sea- 'Rosalie, the Prairie
Flower and other favorites.
After time we began to love the
sweet, sacred songs which she sang on
Sunday. After particularly hard
week, we pauper brats, whose hearts
were sore from grieving and longing,
found sweet comfort in the good old
hymns.
Mrs. Glenn talked to us so kindly
when we carried to her our sorrows,
that we felt wonderfully helped She
always advised more love and pa
tience. If we felt injured or ILL
treated, we were made TO see that by
striving to do better we could right
things.
Mary's mistress, a hard, driving
woman, often said,-
With all her soft, triflin' ways, I'll
own that Mis- Glenn never sets the
pauper children agin' their masters" J"
We must have been a sorry look
ing group, and there were at least
eight of us, poor and ignorant young
people who literally didn't know that
the world was wide and round, and a
bigger place than Poplar Valley.
Mrs. Glenn in time managed to
teach us many things in the W ekly
talks which were to us rich treats.
With the Bible we became familiar,
consulting it oftener than we should
have done if we had had q larger
library to select from.
A little treat was always provided
for us, usually apples, or slice of
gingerbread. perhaps saucer of baked
beans, Mrs. Glenn being New Eng
land woman, far from home in Poplar
Valley.
"Her husband, an old sailor, who
had in his youth been around the
world, had wonderful tales of adven-
ture to relate of foreign ports and
towns, which were enjoyed by even
the smallest of his auditors.
"Time brought changes and sep
arated old friends; before many years
had gone / found myself in a large
city among temptations sore and thick.
My way to manhood was not an easy
one. Friendless, with no one to care
whether I did right or wrong, I have
often been tempted to do that which
would have grieved a mother, had ]
had one.
But unrestrained as I was, and
utterly uncared for, there was an in
fluence that held me back from fall
ing into evil ways. The sound of
church bells always brought before me
the sweet, white face of the one friend
who did love me.
"While a young lad l had a friend
who loved the gaming-table, and had
long been trying to induce me to join
him in a game of chance One even
ing I consented to go with him
While we yet stood at the door the
bells began to ring softly. Instantly
I seemed to hear the dear voice Of
Mrs. Glenn. The bells sounded 2
warning. Their clang, clang, said
don't don'tp Imnulsively l cried q
will not--I never will 7 and a wonder
full content and peace came to me.
A" 'Eh, what, Vail ? Come on, ano
don't hang back grumbled my com
panion.
" 4 will never enter a gambling
den while l live! Come with me tc
that house across the street. was my
response.
" 'ThatP That's church. sneeret
Harvey.
"T6en told him of Mrs. Glenr
and the bells. After a little thought
he turned about, saying, resolutely,-
" Pm going with you.'
" That is we'll ? / said.
1--WE found kind friends who sans
with us the old familiar hymns, anC
from that evening my Wild young
friend was changed youth.
" In a year or more was able TO gC
back to Poplar Valley for Sister
Mary, who was glad to keen my little
home Tor me. / found Mrs Glenn still
engaged in the old work Of gathering
about her children from the Door.
farm who loved TO learn at her feet
Truly the good we do lives aftel