Neighbor Jackwood (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1895 Excerpt: ... XLVI CLOSING SCENES Strange is this boon of existence How sacred how fatal how sweet O sorrow O love 0 despair I why have ye conspired? Beautiful is this dear, warm flesh The miracle of the heart-beat, of the rushing blood, how wonderful Sensation, how delicious Thought, affection, aspiration, the delirium of joy--thank God for all. Yet beware, O man O woman penalty and peril hem us in; and we know not how terrible a thing it is to profane the sanctity of the soul. Sin, tumult, endless toil, a little laughter, many tears, agony, longing, and the baffling search: such is man's history. O Father pity thy children Life is a fiery furnace, and none see God save those who have passed through the burning. Purification is born of the fire; the faithful shall not perish; brightness, triumph, heaven, await us; and to some there comes great peace. If there is anything for which one should thank God, it is peace. In that still lake sleep all life's turbulent streams. Its bosom is the mirror of God; and heaven lies deep within. A hush pervaded Mr. Jackwood's house. There were words--but how gently spoken there was laughter--but how subdued and mellow there were tears--but how bright and happy "This 'ere 's a day wuth livin' to see " observed the farmer. He sat upon a keg in the corner, whittling an oxbow; but, somehow, he could not work; his eyes now and then grew misty, and he would pause, holding his hands abstractedly, his countenance beaming with the light of a deep, earnest joy. "Don't seem to me it's right to work; it's kind o' like Sunday." "Don't le's " said Bim, who had been set to scour the table-knives, but who took a great deal more interest in his mother's baking. "I got two on 'em bright--this one's for Charlotte, anyhow Let the rest go--...