The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-02-09

looked at the tempting oranges IN the win
dow, as she gave the money for the liquor,
and though, how glad her poor mother
would be TO have Que.
As she was hu'rying, she saw q thick,
rusty iron ring lying IN the street; she
PICKED II up and KEEP, on her way. II felt
heavy, and her hear, bounded with the
thought that nov sae could buy the orange
for her mother. The piece OF old iron
was dropped 10 the yard as she passed
through. After her father had taken a
diam he sat down to supper. While he
was eating IT, Jane went into the cellar and
brought INTO the yard her little treasure OF
scrap iron. As shr~passed backward aud
forward before the door, facing which her
father sat, he observed her, aud lell sud
den curiosity to know what size vas doing
lie went softly 10 the window, and as he
did so he saw her gathering the iron, which
she had placed 10 little Pile into her
apron. Then she rose up quickly, and
passed out OF the yard gate lu,o the street.
The father went back to his supper, but
his appetite was gone. There was tina, in
the act Of his child simple as il was, that
moved his feelings IN spite Of himself All
al once he though, of the orange she bad
asked for her mother and he felt convic.
ton that II vas TO buy an orange that Jane
was now going 10 sell the iron she had eyi.
DENLY been collecting since dinner time.
How selfish and wicked an + he said
u himself almost involuntarly.
! In few minutes Jane returned aud with
her hand under her apron, passed through
the room where he sat, into her mother,
chamber. An impulse, almost irresistible
caused him to follow her 10 a few moment,
after.
II is so grateful ! he beard his wife say
as he opened the door.
/ On entering her chamber, be found he
sitting up in her bed eating the orange
while lrtlc Jane stood by her, looking II
I her face with an air Of subdued, ye. heart
I felt qualification. A II this he saw at &
| glance, yet did not seem TO see; for b,
/ pretended 10 be searching for something
which he apparently obtained, and left thu
room and the house with feelings Of acute
pain and self upbraidings.
Come, lei US 20 aud see these cold wa
ter men, said q companion whom he me,
few PAGES from his own door.
They are carrying all he world bclor
lhem
Very well, come along
And the two men bent their steps toward
Temperance Hall.
When lHte James father turned iron
the door Of tina, place, is name was signe
10 the pledge, and his heart fixed 10 Gbid
by II. On his way home be saw SOM
grapes in window. lie bought some Q
them, and couple Of oranges and lemous
" hen no came home he went into his wife
chamber, aud opening the paper that con
tanned the first GuIi Of his sincere repen
lance, lad them before her, md said will
tenderness, while the moisture dimmed BIZ
eyes
Though, thrse would taste good TO you
MARY, and so bought them.
20, William ! aud the poor wife started
and looked into her husbands face With a;
eSpresson.of surprise and trembling hope
Mary, and he took her hand tender
ly-'I have signed the pledge to night
and will keep II by the help of Heaven =
The sick wife raised herself up quickly
and ben, over towards her husband, eager
" extending her hands. Then, as be threw
his afn,s around her, she let her head fal
upon his bosom, with an emolieu of delight
such as had not moved over the surface o.
her stricken heart COR years.
The pledge was the total abstinence
| pledge, and It has never been violated BY
him, and wha, is better, we are confident
never will. How much Of human hope and
happiness is involved in that simple pledgn