The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-10-27

Here is tale for the juveniles: short
story. Bless their little hesrts-we would
rot give them a long one. lest they should
leave it half read to go AMI play with their
little hobbies, and never have patience to
rea Ms again.
There was once hoy. Now don't cry
vet; for there has been once boy and twice
"a boy; bat this, we would have You To
know, was certain boy thai lived IN a GER
tain placc--we are not permitted To tell
where. Ills mother became wn'uan oi
sorrows and died. That grievesus, buttrmh
mus, be told. lie aud little sister were
LEFT alone alone, for their father was
drupkard. Hand in hand they went forth
into the street. and sat down upon marble
carriage step, lrcnipg large brick dwell
ing, The cold stone seat sent anotheT chill
TO their desolate hearts they looked into
the windows of the rich mansion, and saw
younr faces bright and happy there, glow
ing in the sunshine Of health and plenty
aud they wept. II made them feel more
keenly their own hapltss condition.
Aud there they sat-yithout covering to
their heads or >hoes TO their feet, and their
thin garments 'all tattercd and tenn A cold
October wind blew upon them. They Shiv-
cred anil sat closer, and put their little feet
together Ia keep them warm. Asthe stran-
ger passcdthey insiinctively covered their
pale faces to conceal their tears. Atlength
gentleman addressed them.
Children, run home said he. 'Why DO
You sit here and ireezcY'
'Our mother has gone aud left us replied
the boy. 'rhere is no one left hut ny poor
little sister aud me. We looked at her old
l.f ~ md
made us cry and feel lonesome
Sand did she send you ont to beg while
she was gone?' asked the stranger.
.Oh no. returned the boy, 'dear mother
taught US never to beg. Besides she will
never come back any more for they put
her intoa coffin, and took her away and told
us she was dead And their tears ran
airesh.
'Bat your father?' qncried the stranger
sWhere is hep
The children shudiercd prrceptibly, but
shook their heads and made no reply. Their
little hearts swelled with pride, and choked
their ut,erance. They could not speak the
words Our father is a drunkardn
The stranger. who seemed rough and
coarse in bis manner, was touched. He
quickly surmised the truth and asked Of the
boy
'What are your names, my little lad?
'Mary and James Milford,' he quickly re-
piled.
sThe children of William Milfordf p NUT
tered the stranger with evident emotion, in
tone Of half enquiry, as iFtO satisfy sud-
denly occurring idea.
sYes SIR responded the boy, and at this
moment the rude wind played roughly with
their little bare heads, and pierced their thin
garments; the boy drew his sister still clio
ser to his side, and the stranger was gone.
In few minutes after, lady with kind
benevolent face, and we trust, a warm heart,
came and took them by the hand, and led
them away.
A short time after this we attendeda TEN.
perance meeting. One Of the speakers in
the course Of his remarks, related as follows:
'For many years kept dram shop. /
heard of temperance doings in divers ways
and rdiculed them. went to their meet
ings and made sport. heard of wives be.
ing murdered and children beggared, through
the influence Of strong drink, and was UNI
moved. All argument assailed me i'll vain,
for was hardened in my course. Ono cold,
windy day,I walked intoth street, and saw
n little boy and girl half naked and SILVER
ing, sitting on a stone step. They were a
drunkard's children, had known well in
the days Of his prosperity. Never saw ]
moro beautiful children. Their father had
begun his drinking course and squandered
much of his property at my bar. His wife,
young and lovely woman, and once hap.
ny and joyous, had sunk into the grave, sor-
rowing ard broken-heatted. The sight of
these motherless children so suffering and
innocent-too noble to beg-too proud to
own their father was drnnkaId-accom-
plished what every other argument had fail
ed TO do. And felt within my breast the
sting Of a murderer. From that day new
er sold drop of liquor. took the children
into my own family, and they shall never
want while have dollar to divide. 1t
was James and Mary.
He paused. At this moment the pledge
went round, and was spread upon the table.
A man in ragged aud filthy garb came for.
ward and subscribed his name. 1t was
WILLIAM MiLFoaD.