Year: 1861

around the pillars, and the rose bush thai
looked in at the bedroom window, and the
spring that went flashing and singing
through the bed of mint at the side of the
house."


Old Bill moved uneasily in his chair, and
the muscles around his mouth twiched oc.
casionally; but unmindful of this, in the
same low sweet tones, the lady kept on:


"Many and MANY were the hours-sc
father would say-Willie and l used to
pass under the shadow of that old apple
tree, playing at hide and seek, or rolling
and tumbling about on the grass, telling
each other the things we would certainly
do when we became men; and when the
sun set its cap of gold on the top of the
oaks, can see Willie's mother standing
in the front door, with her white cap and
check apron, and the pleasant smiles that
always lowered around her lips, and hear
her cheerful voice calling. "Come boys,
come to supper"


One after another the big warm, blessed
tears came rolling down Old Bills pale
cheeks. All! the lady had found the door
then.


81 was always at home at Willie's-
father would say-and used to have nv
fresh milk and bread, too; and when this
had disappeared, Willie would draw his
stool to his mothers feet, lay his head on
her lap, and she would tell US some very
pleasant story, it might be of Joseph OF
David, or of some good child who after
wards became great man; and then she
would part Willie's brown curls from his
forehead, and in voice can never forget,
say, promise me, Willie, when you 90 in
to the world and its temptations, and your
mother is laid down to sleep in the church
yard yonder, promise me child, that her
prayers and her memory shall keep you
from all evil ways" And Willie would
lift his laughing blue eyes to her face and
say, "Fll be first rate man; don't be
afraid, mother" And then, after we had
said prayers, we would go TO bed as happy
as the birds that went TO their nests in the
old apple branches by the window, and
just as we were sinking to sleep, we would
hear soft football on the stairs and a low
ing face would bend over TO see if we
were nicely tucked up. 1t is long time
father would say, after pause-since l
heard from Willie, but sure / am that he
has never fallen into any evil ways. The
memory of his mother would keep him
from that"


Rap. zap, rap! went the words Of the la
dy at the door Of the old mans heart
Crack, crack, crack went the door on its
rusty hinges; while far above them both,
the angels of God held their breath and
listened. But the lady could only see the
subdued man bury his face in his hands,
while his whole body shook like an aspen
leaf, she heard him murmur amid child
like sobs:


"My mother! Oh, my mother!"


And she knew the tears that were wash
ing those wrinkled cheeks were washing
out also many dark page in the record of
Old Bills past life; so with silent prayer
of thankfullness she resumed:


"But there was one scene my father low
ed to talk of better than all the rest. 1t
was on the morning you were married, Mr..
Strong. 1t was enough 10 do ones eyes
good-he used to say-to look at them as
they walked up the old churchside; be with
his proud manly tread, and she delicate
fragile creature, fair as tho orange bios
SONS that trembled in her hair. remem-
Der how clear and firm his voice sounded
through the old church as he promised to
love, protect and cherish the fair girl at his
side; and know, as he looked fondly upon
her, that the very wind of heaven should
not visit her face TO roughly.


"And then my father would tell us of
home made very bright by watchful af.
fection and of dark eyed boy and fair
haired girl who came after while to glad
den il; and then you know be removed to
the West and lost sight of you, Mr.
Strong"


Once again the lady paused for the ago
ny of the man before her was fearful 10 be-
hold and, when she spoke again, it was
in lower and more mournful tone.


81 promised my father previous to his
death that if ever returned to his native
State, would seek out his old friend. But
when enquired for you, they unfolded
terrible story to me, Mr.. Strong; they told
me of broken, desolate household; of the
gentle uncomplaining wife; VINO went down
with prayer on her lips for the erring
husband, broken n-hearted to the grave; and
of the fair haired girl they, in little willie
they placed by her side. Oh, it was a sad,
story l have heard of my fathers old
friend"


at was I! 1t was l that did it all l
killed them. and Old Bill, in voice hoarse
with emotion, as be lifted his head FROM
his clasped hands and looked upon the la
dy, svery feature wearing such look of
agony and remorse that she shuddered 10
behold it. Wide, wide open stood the
door then, and that lady fastened to pass
in. A small hand was laid gently on Old
Bills arm, aud sweet voice murmured:


"Even from all this there is redemption.
In the name of the mother loved you, in
the name of your dying wife, and the child
that sleeps beside her, l ask you, will you
sign the pledge9"


II will" said Old Bill; and he brought
down his hand with such force upon the
pine table that its rheumatic limbs hardly
regained their equilibrium, and he eagerly
seized the pen and pledge the lady placed
hefora him and when he returpad ,bam 10