The Columbian fountain., 1846-10-20
ralitp Gitsraurs ars, sesnsf SIS ana
Rev. ]. I. WARD. Assistant EditOr.
I PRICE. ONE CENT.
Thstvery nisht,he subject Of Margaret

IhasV very mght the subject Of Margaret
Leslie's prayers and tears was sleeping in
the, streets Of distant city, Aye, in the
streets, with only the blue s.arlit sky for a
covering, with the cold grey stones Of the
pavement for pillowi Oh could that be
one for whom faithful eyes had been weep
ing, and faithful hearts yearning with un-
utierable love ! Alas it was too true
There, covered with its rags and shame,
lay the wreck Of stately form, perhaps,
too, the wreck of as noble asspirit. That
evening he had exchanged the last arti.
Gle Of value which he possessed for the
poisonous cup; and, ere midnight the wretch
who tempted and destroyed him had driven
him helpless and homeless into the streets.
He tottered along slowly, sometimes falling
upon the hard pavement, sometimes creep
ing like foul insect, until at last, exhaust
ed and nearly insensible, he crept close to
the walls Of a building which cast over his
wretchedness q friendly shadow, and fell
asleep. al1 ce4fioa lil'ms q atat
When the inebriate awoke from his
death like slumher, he was in the full pos
sessiono Of his senses, and he looked around
him bewildered, and wondering where he
was. He thought he had been sleeping for
the fret time in his life with NO canopy
above him but the starry heavens ;iyet no
not for the first time, for now he remem-
bered that once in his boyhood he had gone
with the hunters over moorland and noun
tain, and slept on their beds Of fragrant
heather. But that was ID his mountain
Scotland, then he was young and pure and
free: now:he was in strange land, friend
less, degraded and enslaved. As memory
led him back to the past, reason and con-
science asserted their power, and all his
dark life was clearlypictured before him.
He conldisee the gradual stepping stones
by which he had descended into this whirl-
pool of vice, he, saw that hebwas now in
the very depth of misery and want75-and in
these lucid moments there were pale faces,
which seemed to approach looked mourn
fully into his own. Poor, Leslie! i, Those
pale faces made him nearly ,mad-7oh how
he hated and loathed himself! He. looked
| wildly aroand upon the dark stones to find
something with which to end his wretched
life, but saw nothing, he thought of the
he gazsd ip t e t6e Stars stars, a and they seemed
to look down into his weary tortured soul
with SO much compassion, that he became
again calm and capable Of reflection
There in the stiffness and quiet Of night,
with only the stars for witnesses, he prom
ised himself to forsake strong drink forever,
to seek employment, and become better
man, 'N'siHH b9i-a5h AlS itiLstt
With the morning sunbeams, Leslie,
strengthened by his good resolutions, pre-
sented himself before one whose reputation
for generosity and kindness had reached
his ears, and encouraged him TO apply,
told his story without reserve, and begged
employment II But he was destined to meet
with disappointment, and all that long day
did he wander inhis fruiiIess search. Some
had never known temptation, his shabby
and miserable dress. prejndiced others, and
thought he told his touching story simply
and with manly and truthful face, no
heart allowed itself pity, no hand was
stretched forth to save Poor Leslie had
hoped and struggled TO retrace his fearful
steps, but his heart sank under his many
discouragements, and he again sought 10
drown his misery in the Intoxicating draught.
Mr.. Marshall had Quilted his store earlier
than usual one evening, and was walking
byiskly homewards when his attention was
arrested by group Of boys, gathered around
d drunken man who was vainly endeavor-
ing to protect himself from theifainsults,
with his terrible curses. NAT length he fell
violently upon the rough stones, and loud
laugh from his. tormentors fell painfully
upon the ears Of the gentleman who sud
denly appeared in their midst, dispensing
them alone by the dignity of his manner,
and kindly offering to conduct the inebriate
in safety to his home. To this kind offer
| however, no answer was returned, the
drunken man was evidently injured by TIE
fall, and as Mr.. Marshall's generous feel
ings forbade him to leave fellow creature
in such distress, he called carriage and
had him conveyed to his own home.
| q enc Concluded in our next.s