Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-05-21

'.Forgivo YOU. father Yes, with Ill my hcart.-
but father | want you 10 mako me promise tn:
moment that you will never drink another drop!'
Such promise she had never before asked.
hurriedy made up my mind, ard told her tha
from that moment | would never drink anothe,
drop! She down stairs. and from my
bed-cvery thing appeared to be fitting around
She told her mother, in my hearing, that
would never drink any more liquor, and asked il
she did think would keep my promised 40
my dear daughter, afraid not,'' she replied
40, mother, if you could have seen his looks
you would no. douht!''
O. how relieved felt at M daughters belief
! cried ont from above, in loud voice. Il will
never drink another dror!' 1t startled thcm--
aud they came rushing into my room.
'Fathcr,' said my wife, {sho always called
mo by that cndearing name, notwithstanding that
| was such q miserable man) .'wilat do | heart
| begged hcr and my daughter to stand by and
strengthen ne in my determination. - how
their kind Offices pierced my heart-coming is
they did from the last remnant of friends! And
oh the agng thirst, what conflict! | had re-
solved in my mind to reform. and by the help of
God if spared by him. would go to tho WASH
ingtonian Society and sign the Pledge tho next
meeting night. Whom Monday night came, the
night for the Washingtonians TO meet, told my
wife that was going out that evening on some
special business. | saw her fears wore excited,
for she knew too well what special business 1t
was that had lurcd mo from homel Applause
and fearful sncs.) At supper neither VITO nor
daughter could cat | knew they were striving
to find out whore i. that could be going on
special business. They had began to hope that
there were better days in store for thom hence
their anxiety for my future conduct. Neither
seemed disposed TO cat, as for myself. l had not
eaten n nIoal day for five weeks, some days
could eat nothing. saw plainly their foars
when started to 90 out.
After had left the house and passed through
tho yard leading to tho gate III front, my wife
camo tripping along after me, and mailing me,
said, "siop young man, havo word to say be-
fore you go!''
told her tha. was always the way.
"Rut," sal! she, '.tet! where you go
inc!'
told her was going into sober decent com
pany, and that | would return homo by nno o.
clock Perfectly s , a tut ta ny dahnfh
"Ycs, fathcr!" sho replied.
then started for the temperance meeting,
which was held in carpenter shop on German
street. The pledge vas road as usn1l' ana on
this evening by Captain Hoss. After 1t was
road. I took tho pen, and tho moment the last let
ter of my nanc was writton, felt that n load
was lifted from me; it mado me feel cheerful
A qleer feeling camo over nc, which described
! to others, who acknowlcd ,scd such TO have occl
| their feelings on signing tho pledge Mi,chci.
said tho reason why felt SO queer was, that |
had signed away my libcrty-thc liberty OF got
! ting drunk
| That was tho mos: important act, then felt ~
nv mind have over done. There was present
an old friend Of mine. formerly great brulsor,
who had of:on loaned mo money. as had done
the 50 mo to him, purchase wood, and other ne
cessaries of life. On that evening we balanced
our accounts with each other ard we both deter
mined TO start fair together from that hour.
/ was so claddoned at what had done, that |
had forgotten my promise to be at home at nino
o'clock. On my way and at tho corner of Lab
crtv street, heard tho Waterman crying eleven
o'c!ock!' | then remembered my vito and
daughter, and of my promise to return at an ear
&! ~ hour, but thought when | got homo and told
/ her had signed the temperance pledge that would
do I set off and ran the whole distance from
I German street. rushed into my house; and the
first object noticed, was light on the stars and
a shadow. took the light which was small Ia
per- and nearly burnt out, and went into the
\ kitchen. picked up tin cup. went to the bucket
and took one of tho best drinks of cold water
over before enjoyed in my life. | was IN doubt
as to what should say TO my wife. She was sit
ting III, to SEQ if returned sobcr-she anticlpa-
ted othcrwise--bu, had come in without Siam
ing the doors and upset,ing chairs! Nito SAID !,
/ what do you think! Sho looked 1T me unmoFed.
| \ new feeling began to work. The moment
said s.Washlng, onian Society,"" she ran to and
threw her arms aronnd mo, and said how happy
/ | made her. Never shall forget that moment
feel the happiness of that scene at this very IN
slant, and Just fresh Ill my mind as II 1t hap
pened only las. night. | cried aloud and she al.
so. Ny daughter awoke, and seeing US in this
condition. likewise began to cry. | tod her what
| had done. when she came TO me and embraced
me. All was JOY and delight jumping around
the room, sometimes seated on chair and some
times on an old chest, continued till near day
light Next dav | went to SOC my mother. ane
told her had como to bring her good nows; had
signed the pledge. Q that you could have seer
that good old mothor, and witnessed the welcome
she gave her long lost prodigal son. deep sen
sation manifest through the hall.)