I(t
Worse than War, Worte than J'cMilcncn.
jl.:
k
I
1
1 1
f r
! K
I .
i!
li
lingo diamonds suspended In the air. In
deed the ushering in of such a morn to
lioantify the glorious surroundings seemed
more celestial than terrestial. Man in
prosperity protends to cherish nature in
and around his dwelling, hut it is nature
orippled and deformed. To real nature
he is blind- In times of adversity, and
after years of being enslaved and pain
pored by artificial wealth, he turns to na
ture for solace, but it is when his percep
tions havu become blighted and hu is no
longer a child of nature.
Mr. Abbott, in the earl1 part of his life
had been engaged in foreign travel most
of the time. A Her all his travels he had
finally chosen this delightful part of Ten
nessee as his permanent home, hoping he
would spend the remainder of his days in
rustic repose. Some years previous to
his removal to this part of the country, he
had i.eon quite intemperate rnd conse
quently, his moans had become impovor
ished. Hut on his wife receiving a largo
tlowor, he ceased the use of intoxicating
liquors, and closely applied himself to
business with prosperous results.
Ts it strange, then, that Mrs. Abbott on
lirst learning of lier husband's intemper
ance, (at the stage, from the woman across
the way,) should suddenly change in her
countenance mid demeanor, and 'hat she
should foresee something "worse than
war, worse than pestilence." How keen
is the sagacity of woman!
CHAPTER IV.
"And so, brother Sherwin, you are ex
peeling the arrival of brother Abbott in u
few days V" interrogated a member of Mr.
Shorwin's church at the close of n prayer
meeting held at his residence.
"Yes," answered Mr. Sherwin. "As
connections by rail arc cut off in several
places, Mr. Abbott will probably arrive by
the boat and I intend to meet him at the
wharf."
" Our town is becoming an assylum for
these refugees of the outh," said Squire
Iloskon. "The- harboring of such a non
producing populace will produce a stag
nation in business, as most of them come
with little moans, since they are coin
polled to leave their real and personal
property behind."
" It was but the other day that I gave
ten dollars to a destitute person that had
Hod to the .North," said a stylishly dressed
person. " He is the owner of a largo faun
in Kentucky, and was in comfortable cir
cumstances previous to the war." How
popularly benevolent I
" Air. Abbott has been, a prosperous mer
chant, and will probably come with ample
and convertible means," said Mr. Slier
win. " Does ho intend to start in permanent,
and extensive business here?" interrogat
od Squire Iloskon.
" Jly what 1 can glean from Mr. Abbott,
he has from forty to fifty thousand dollais
at command, which he intends to invest
in business in this place," said Mr. Sher
win. Mr. Abbott is an onergeiie citizen,
but his late adversity has much depressed
his spirits. It Is our duty as brothers, of
the church to lend our aid and encourage
inonl to him in those severe trials."
"Wo will, undoubtedly, give him a
hearty welcome," said the stylishly
dressed person.
" If agreeable, brother Sherwin, I will
call tomorrow with my carriage, land wo
will meet Mr. Abbott, as I would be
pleased to entertain him, and to show him
the town and surrounding country," said
Squire Iloskon.
' "The church, on (lie corner will laugh
when tho find we are making sucli valu
able acquisitions," said one of the broth
ers sneeringly. "And when wo also have
a pipe-organ, we will call away some of
their large gatherings.
" And sister Sherwin can also visit Sar
atoga and other places of resort," said
Squire Iloskon.
Ding! ding! loudly echoed tho door-bell
through the hall of the parson's house.
" I wonder what business any one can
have at this late hour," said Mr. Sherwin
(to bi) continued.)
t$r9mm!g2SZSXXZESSSSSSSSSSSSSS
'.'.'VVfcfi
KHHBBnHHHHHHBHlBHBHHBBHnffiw