The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-16

hearth, sat boy of about seven years, drag
ging from the half-dead embers potatoe,
which he broke open, with the remark,
Mother, give this to little Willie Maybe
he's hungry. Pm hungry, too, and so is
sister, but Willie's sick. Give him this po-
tatoe, Mother.
"No, poor boy - said the mother.--
"Willie will never be hungry again. He
wiU soon be dead."
This remark drew all the children around
the mother and the dying child.-The faith
er was sitting upon what was intended for
bedstead, without hat, shoes, or coat, with
his hands thrust into his pockets, apparent-
ly Indifferent to all that was passing around
him. His head was resting upon his breast,
and his blurred eyes were fastened upon the
floor, as if he was afraid to look up to the
sonowing group who were watching the
countenance Of the dying infant.
There was moment Of silence. Not a
sound was heard. Even the sobs of the lit
tie girl had ceased. Death was crossing the
hovel's threshold The very respiration Of
the household seemed suspended; when a
slight shivcring Of the limbs Of the infant,
and shrek from the half conscious moth
er, told that the vital spark had fled.
For the first time the father moved
Slowly advancing to where his wife was
sitting, with quivering lips he whispered
g Is Willie dead ~
eyes, James, the poor babe is dead ~
was the choaking reply of the mother, who
still sat as at first, gazing upon the face Of
her little one.
Without uttering another word, the long
brutalized father left the house, muttering
as he left, "My God, how long"
AT this moment kind-hearted lady came
in, who had heard, but few moments, be-
fore Of the dangerous illness Of the child.
She had brought with her some medicine !;
but her visit was too late. The gentle spir-
it of the babe had fled, and there remained
for her but to comfort the living. This she
did, while we followed the father. We re-
lated to him the circumstances which had led
us to his house, and briefly spoke of the
misery which inevitably follows in the wake
OF intempeance.
81 know it, sir" said he, 81 have long
known it. | have not always been what
you now see me. Alchohoi and my appe-
tite have brought me to this depth Of degra-
dation.
"Why not master that appetite? You
have the power. Thousands have proved
III.
"Sir, believe it. have seen others as
far reduced as myself, restored and made hap
py but you are the first who has ever spo-
ken to me on the subject, and had too
strong passion for liquor to think of re-
formation myself
"Well, will you now make an effort -
81 will. 1t has occupied my thoughts
during the whole morning; and now in the
presence Of Almighty God, covenant never
again TO touch the accursed thing which
has ruined me, and made beggars Of my
family.o
Happy enough to hear his manly resolu-
ton, we returned to the house with him
in due time we made the fact known to his
wfe-and producing pledge, The aphole
family signed II upon The table which held
the body Of their dead brother.
Two years had passed, when the incident
was recalled to our mind by shake of the
hand by gentleman who was returning
west with stock of dry goods, which he
had just purchased in New York. IL acas
the man who signed the temperance pledge
By the body Of his dead child.
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