The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-17
TEMPERANCE TALE.
BY 8. T. ARTHUR.


ance, to a woman, whose thin pale face.
and heart-broken look, told but too plain
ly that she was the drunkard's wife.
Not quarter Of a dollar, John
Surely you will not waste quarter OF
dollar of my hard earnings. when you
know that can scarcely get food and de-
cent clothing for the children 2
As the wife said this. she looked up
into her husbands face with sad, appeal
ing expression.
| must have a quarter, jane was the
Arm reply.
80 John, remember our little ones.
The cold weather will soon be here. and
I have not yet been able to get shoes. II
you will not earn any thing yourself, do
not waste the little my hard labor can pro-
cure. Will not a sixpence do? Surely
that is enough for you to spend for -
Nothing but quarter, Jane, and thai.
Imust have if steal ii! was The prompt
and somewhat earnest reply.
Mrs. Jarvis laid aside her work mo-
chanically. and rising. went to drawer,
and from a cup containing a single dollar
in small pieces. her little all, took out a
quarter of a dollar, and turning to her hus-
band said, as she handed il to him
Remember that you are taking the
bread ont Of the children's mouths!'
mot so bad as that, hope, Jane, the
drunkard replied. as he clu,ched the
money eagerly something like feeble
smile fitted across his disfgured and dis
torted countenance,
Yes, aud worse!' was the response
made in a sadder tone than that which
the wife had at frs, spoken.
'How worse. Jane I?
John = and the wife spoke with a
sudden energy, while her countenance
lighted up with a strange CLEAN. John,
canno: bear this much longer.-I feel
myself sinking every day! And you
you who pledged yourself -
Here the voice of the poor woman gave
way, and covering her face with her hands,
she bent her head upon her bosom and
sobbed and wept Historically.
2 The drunkard looked at her for mo-
ment, and then turning hurriedly, passed
from the room. For some moments after
the door had closed upon her husband,
did Mrs. Jarvis stand sobbing and weep
ing. Then slowly returning to her chair
near the window, she resumed her work,
with an expression of countenance tina.
was sad and hopeless.
In the meantime, the poor wretch, who
had thus reduced his family to state Of
painful dcstitution, after turning away
from his door, walked slowly along the
street with his head bowed down as if en-
gagged in, to him, altogether new EN-.
ploymenl, that of self-communion. All
at once a hand was laid Familiarity upon
his shoulders, and u well-known voice
said e
.. Come, John. let's have drink
& Jarvis looked up with bewildered air,
and the first tina. caught his eye, after il
glanced away from the face of one of his
drinking cronies, was the sign with brigh
gold letters, bearing the words, EAGLE
CoFFEE HOUSE. That sign was as fami
liar to him as the face Of one of his chill
dren. At the same moment his eyes res
ted upon this, creating an involuntary i'm
pulse to move towards The tavern door
his old crony caught holdof his coat col
lar, and gave him pull in the same direc
tion.a But, much to the surprise of thu
latter, Jarvis resisted this attempt to Civ,
his steps direction that would lead hin
into his old accustomed haunt.
Won't you drink this morning. Jarvis!
asked the other with look Of surprise.
u There was evidently powerful s,rug
gle going on in the mind of the drunkarl
This lasted only for moment or two
when he said loudly and emphaiically-
mol vaew ~ m b
,d And Instantly broke from his old bool
companion and hurried on his way.
A loud laugh followed him. but he heed
ed it not. Ten minutes walk brougi
him TO the s.ore Of respectable tradesmau
lis Mr.. R. in! he asked as he enter
ed. aisasa -. -, 8 D ,etsa as
.s Back at the desk,' was the reply Of
clerk. dana.s flHsaa ita as
And Jarvis walked back with resolu
ar. gtla zssls SD NHIna a,4 81
,.a. Mr.. R-,I want to sign the pledge
.You,. Jarvis = Mr.. R. said
tones of gra,ihed surprise. ~
Yes. me, Mr.. B. It's almost
hopeless case; but here goes to do n
beet NO h va lAg est .gs9sggG'
Are you fully sensible Of what yov .
about doing, Jarvisr ss1 ie5 a
M II think I am. Mr., R; I've dra