The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1906-11-27

Today he passed, stoop-shouldered, a
kindly, weather-beaten face, sad eyes
that looked at you as if the world had
dealt harshly or unjustly with him
The drawn corners of his sensitive
mouth gave to his face an expression
of disgust, whether with himself or the
world we will leave our readers to
judge.
His clothes bespoke neither extreme
poverty, nor a superabundance OF this
worlds goods.
He was only master builder, boss
carpenter, CT anything else that the
community i'm which he lived might
call the person who superintendent the
erection of buildings, either public or
private. Was he young? Oh, no! For
ty-five or sixty, perhaps, but appearing
even older. Had he a home? Yes;
the little cottage jpust across the way
is his, or one he rents. Fifteen years
ago he owned the beautiful residence
on the corner of College avenue and
Third street, he was then the proud
and happy father of five rollicking,
fun-loving boys. In one week four of
them were carried to their graves, vic
tins of one of the most fatal diseases
for children-scarlet fever.
Carl, the most delicate of the five
Iallied, and is now twenty-five or
three. Since that time there have
been two little daughters given him.
They are the pride of this ever-indul-
gent father
His wife is one Of the very best OF
women. Always ready in case of ILL
ness, and seems to know just what to
do for the relief of the sufferer.
Oh, how many fever-tossed, weary
and languid ones still live to bless her
for her deeds of charity and nobleness
of heart She is one of those women
Solomon speaks ola Grown of glory
10 her husband How she tolls, do
ing all the household work, the sew
ing, and having the entire care Q
her children.
Often weary, but never complaining
her good, wholesome, motherly face
brings sunshine with it always. With
all this economy, if it be called econ
Cmy to so overtax the mother, why do
they live so humbly? Who has their
former home? Was it sold for debt;
or was the poor man unfortunate in
business? Neither. He drank 1t up.
Just a glass now and then. he was so
exposed to the cold, something to keep
him warm. The wife saw, but never
q bitter word. They moved from one
tenement to another The furniture
grew less. Clothing became cid and
worn. At last the husband Tambled
homo with reeling, unsteady steps.
The last baby that came had no dain-
ty baby garments, only a little night
slip, and coarse flannel to wrap it in.
The son came in and stood by his
mothers bedside-a thin, pale-faced
youth of fourteen
Mother" said nc. with happy
light in his boyish eyes: Il have "A
place in a store. / can't earn much
at first, but, oh, ] am so glad! Now
you shall soon be well and strong
again See. Mr.. Morse has advanced
me half a months wages, and I bought
a chicken for you, some good wine and
crackers"
And what is in that bundle, my
SOM" asked the feeble mother.
lie blushcd and threw the package
on the bed
1T is a little soft flannel for baby"
"Oh, my noble son!" and the tears
rained down her pale cheeks
Here was one patch of sunshine i'm
this otherwise dark and cloudy time.
That evening, as the children sat
eating some cold baked beans, all the
food there was in the house, the father
came In. They looked up, startled, at
first, because, so rare now, he was
sober He asked:
Where is supper?"
Father. this is all there is" was
the answer, only what Carl brought
mother"
The man sat down in a chair, bowed
his head in his hands, and wept like
a child. 10 Is painful to sec a big
man so weep The children were
frightened The wife called softly:
William, come here
lie arose, and, with feeble steps, en-
tered the little bedroom
oh, Sarah, has it come To this? why
haven't YOU reproached me. turned me
out-anyt to have aroused with
In me a sense Of shame?
Dear William. knew that your
manhood would reassert itself I have
never for an hour ceased to pray for
your reform"
We'll" said the now humbled hus-
band and father. "from this night I
will leave the cup. Ny children shall
never again blush for their father. We
will have a home once more. my poor
long-suferirg. patient wife"
In the morning nc started for his
long-neglected shop There was
bridge to be built across the river. He
bid with the rest, and secured the
Job. He rallied his men. and once
more William Hatch was an energetic
builder
As the beautiful structure progressed.
men who had looked at him with pity
fnr acorn n few weeks before brf nav