Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-22

the usurer in anger, "shey vas not
tit to live on Gods earth. They re-
bay favors with ingratitude and in
science. But vait--they will soon
feel my hower,p and true to his in
tention and assertion, he notified r.
win that in few days his property
would be up for sale.
The evening preceding the sale,
these good people sat quiet and sor
row striker in their parlor. Stella,
signing and weeping, said, 30 God,
is it possible that this is our last
evening in our dear homer We are
the most unfortunate and wretched
people under heaven! What have
we done to deserve all this7 Have
we not at all times done our duty
honestly and faithfully Have we
not always been industrious and
frugal, and have we not always en-.
deavored to serve God with all our
hearts 7 Alas what is our condition
nowY What is left us now but dis
grace, poverty and want p
"Dear wife," interrupted the has.
band, ''do not go on in this way. Do
not hold providence responsible for
our misfortune. The cloud may have
silver lining, and but hide bless
ing:
"'Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind frowning providence
He hides smiling face"
"True, but when / look at my
children my heart bleeds for them,
for now we can do nothing for
them"
"Whatl' reioined he, "do nothing
for our children ? We may indeed
leave them no earthly goods, but
we as christian parents, can, as We
have always done, teach them the
principles Of the christian religion
and fit them for usefulness in life.
This much we can do under the
most trying circumstances. Besides,
God will not forsake us if we put
our trust in Him." He would doubt
less have said more, but he was in
terrupted by a rap at>the front door.
They could not imagine who it was
that desired admittance at this late
hour of the night, and Irwin went
at once to ascertain. 1t proved to be
stranger, who respectfully asked
for shelter from the storm that was
approaching. The stranger was well
dressed of a dignifed appearance, and
Irwin did not hesitate to admit him,
conduct him to his family and then
attend to bis horse. Stella kindly
placed before him some refreshments,
which he seemed torelish very much.
lnasmuch as the storm was severe
sleep was out of the question, and
the stranger being man OF intelli-
gence, they engaged in very pleas
ant and entertaining conversation.
Tho stranger soon discovered that
some secret sorrow pervaded the
hearts of these people, but was una
BILE for some time to arrive at the
cause. His manner, however, was
so kind and assuring, that it ELECTED
trustful and confidlng manner in
return, so that The impulsive Stella
could no longer conceal the secret
pain that was gnawing at their
hearts, but opened her heart and told
him everything, not emitting thesad
fact that they were spending their
last evening in that pleasant home.
The stranger listened to this
sad story with rapt attention, and
seemed to be in deep thought, but
said very little except that he was
very sorry that they had fallen into
the hands of such william as Moses
Raubyogel.
On the following morning the
stranger complained of fatigue, and
proposed to remain in the neighbour
hood that day, both for rest and a de
sire to see the outcome of Ranbvo
gels transactions.
About noon Raubyogel with hii
lawyers and a posse Of officers ap
peared at Mr.. Twins house for ths
purpose of selling the property. a
number of citizens we're present II
witness the proceedings, none, how
ever, being either able or willing t.
purchase the property. Before th'
sale commenced Mr.. Irwin proposed
to Raubvogel to let him have tht
property at a reasonable price, de
duct his liabilities, and pay over the
balance. But Raubvogel rejected th'
proposition with disdain, knowing
full we'll that he would be the only
bidder and get the property for
mere song, or at most no more thai
would cover the debt, and thereupol
ordered the auction to proceed.
At this point the stranger at
tempted to say few words in be
half OF the family. but the lawye
cut bin off short, and impudentl,
told him that as be knew nothinl
about the matter, he had 20 bust
ness 10 interfere, and the strange
kept silent just then.
The auclioneer took his stand an
waited for bids. No one in th
crowd was ready to make an offel