Life and Literature Part 6

The path is rough, my child! But oh! how sweet Will be the rest, for weary pilgrims meet, When thou shalt reach the borders of that land To which I lead thee, as I take thy hand; And safe and blest With me shall rest My child!

The throng is great, my Father! Many a doubt, And fear and danger, compa.s.s me about; And foes oppress me sore. I can not stand Or go alone. O Father! take my hand, And through the throng Lead safe along Thy child!

The throng is great, my child! But at thy side Thy Father walks; then be not terrified, For I am with thee; will thy foes command To let thee freely pa.s.s;--will take thy hand, And through the throng Lead safe along My child!

The cross is heavy, Father! I have borne It long, and still do bear it. Let my worn And fainting spirit rise to that blest land Where crowns are given. Father, take my hand; And reaching down Lead to the crown Thy child!

The cross is heavy, child! Yet there was One Who bore a heavier cross for thee; my Son, My well-beloved. For Him bear thine; and stand With Him at last; and from thy Father's hand, Thy cross laid down, Receive a crown, My child!

--_Henry N. Cobb._

84

Anxiety is the poison of human life.

85

Beware, as long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.

--_La Fontaine._

86

_Appearance_--Thou art after all what thou art. Deck thyself in a wig with a thousand locks; ensconce thy legs in buskins an ell high; thou still remainest just what thou art.

--_Goethe._

87

A man's reception depends very much upon his coat.

88

APPEARANCES OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD.

Sometimes our estimate of men and women On short acquaintance is very much at fault.

A gentleman and his wife--Pierrepont by name--pa.s.sengers on one of the great Atlantic steamers, not knowing any of the other pa.s.sengers, kept very much to themselves; he usually reading aloud to his wife, and she occupied in some needle work; for this, they were commented upon, and not very favorably, and generally were called the "stupid couple."

Little did these same pa.s.sengers know the true character of that gentleman and lady. An incident that occurred on board soon proved the bravery and heroism of the one, and the gentleness and self-sacrifice of the other. The captain had with him his only son, a boy of some eight summers, a great favorite of all on board from fore to aft. The little fellow, climbing on the side of the ship, somehow fell overboard. The lady happening to be on the other side of the deck, saw the child climb up, and immediately missed him. She quickly laid her hand on her husband's shoulder, looking in his eyes, and cried out, "Oh, save the boy, he has fallen overboard." In one moment he was on his feet, kicked off his canvas shoes, threw his hat on the deck, and turning his face toward the bridge, where he knew some of the ship's officers were always stationed, he called out in a voice which rang like a trumpet call over the ship, "Man overboard." Then, with a quick run and leap, he cleared the rail, and the broken twisting water of the ship's track had closed over him. He was on the surface again in a moment, and taking a glance back at the ship to know his position, stretched out into a long steady stroke in the direction where he knew the child was.

Instantly the captain's hand was on the engine-room telegraph, and down into the depths of the ship went the signals. First to "stop," and the tremor all over the ship ceased. The bell rang again, and the index moved to "astern-slow;" then in a minute or two, to, "half;" then he called out to the second officer--"Man overboard! Stand by to lower away the gig," which was quickly obeyed, and four hands, a c.o.xswain, and a man for the boat's bow were instantly off and rowed fiercely.

In a little while Mrs. Pierrepont--who was on the bridge with Captain Hood--said, "Do you see them; are they together?"

"Yes," replied the captain, "I believe they are." But his voice was now broken, and he took hold of Mrs. Pierrepont's hand. "I have watched my child from here with the gla.s.s, till at last he floated so low that I could scarcely see him, and just as he seemed sinking your husband dashed across the spot where he was, and I saw by a wave of his hand towards the ship that he caught him. He is now waiting for the boat."

It was getting dark when they returned. The child, who was shivering, was immediately carried away to have a warm bath, and a little later was in the saloon with dry clothes on, as merry as if nothing had happened.

When Pierrepont stepped on the deck, a rush was made at him, and both hands were shaken till he thought his arms would be pulled off.

The captain said all he had to say in a very few words, and with a hand-grasp which said more than words.

89

A man to whom G.o.d hath given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet G.o.d giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it.

--Eccles. 6, 2v.; Saint Luke 12, 20v.

90

To love applause is praiseworthy; to seek it is weakness.

91

Eat an apple on going to bed, and you will very soon send the Doctor begging his bread.

92

Appointments may be given, Not the capacity to fill them well.

93

_Dr. Johnson to Boswell_--"If general approbation will add anything to your enjoyment, I can tell you that I have heard you mentioned, as a man whom everybody likes. I think life has little more to give."

94

If you arbitrate a dispute between two of your friends, you are sure to make an enemy; if you arbitrate between two of your enemies, you are sure to make a friend.

--_Bias, a Greek._

95

Never contend with one that is foolish, proud, positive, testy; or with a superior, or a clown, in matter of argument.

96

ASKING AND BESTOWING a.s.sISTANCE.

Those who are constrained to solicit for a.s.sistance are really to be pitied; those who receive it without, are to be envied; but those who bestow it unasked, are to be admired.