The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-29
From The Louisville COu
Mrs. JOneS' Vow.
An Old Story in a New Dress.

attraction SIt possessed, she was sensible,
and prudent. amiablc and industrious, and
Mrs. Jones loved her husband, she loved
him for several reasons. In the first place,
he loved her, III the second place he was
good and honest, and in the third place he
rdS sober, and when he Joined the sous of
temperance she loved him, If possible.
more than ever. In fact, Mrs. Jones was
opposed to every man who was in the hab-
1t OF indulSIng III spirltuOus liquors. And
what woman OF sense would not?
1t was merry christmas evening that a
party of villagers, mostly ladies, were as.
seiHbied around the snug fine place in the
comfortable parlor of Mr.. and Mrs. Jones.
They were not rs might be expected talk
Ing scandal, but were discussing the subject
OF intcmpcrance.
"Mrs. Grey" said Mrs Jones, address
ing the youngest of the group, "whai would
you do if your husband were TO get abSo-
Iutely drunk"
SO dear" replied Mrs. Grey, rolling up
her bright eyes in horror-''do not speak of
such thing should faint"
"fain', indeed" said pretty Mrs. Allen
-'I would do like the women in the ea>,
tie him in a bag, and whip him until he
was SOBER
II would not whip him." said Mrs.
Mansfield, "but would lock him up, and
feed him on cold water and stale bread. un-
I'll he come TO his senses
elf my husband were to come home inc
briatcd,' chimcd the iaStldious Mrs Mill
banks, she would not hear the sound Of my
voice until he longed for 1t like the birds do
for spring"
"Well, if my old man should get drunk -
said old Mrs. Martin, IL believe I'd get
drunk too, just to let him see how disgust
ing IT was"
"If John should come home drunk, ;" said
Mrs. Jenkins, the plainc>t of the party, IL
would tuck him comfortably in bed, and try
TO keep it secret from the world"
"Oh Mrs. Jenkins" exclaimed Mrs.
Jones, who had not spoken before, chow
could you use such deception?'
"Dcccpuun You would not call that
deception. Think, Mrs. Jones, for the
sake of my children"
"Childrcu or no children, if were TO see
Mr.. Jones drunk, Iwould not live with hun
another day"
why. Jane" said her husband, 81 am
a,toni>hcd."
"WcIl, you need not be, for if you were
to-
"lou never had the trial yet" interrupt
ed Mrs. Jenkins, $50 don't make any such
rash vows
"Such Il vow rs that would not be rash.
and, she continued, the blood mounting to
her fair cheek. ''if Mr.. Jones ever does get
drunk, ron | viii not live with him an
other day
"lOu only talk that way" said old Mrs
Martin, "bCcau>e YOU know there i no
danger Of being tried, for Philip Jones is
noted for sobriety."
"lt ever such a thing should happen. you
will see, said Mrs. Jones, stoutly.
Not long after the happy circle disbaudcd.
and week from that night we will look
again into the same apartment.
Mrs. Jones is seated 10y the remains of p
fire. She has put all the children to bed g.
in her warm chamber, mp stairs, aud She i,
waiting below for the well known, loved
tread Of Ler husband. Hour after hour
passed, and still he did not CONE. "What
can he mean thought Mrs. Joucs-"l
never knew Philip to stay out so late"
Another half hour passed, and she walked.
for the twentieth time, with troubled STEP
W ''' N'Hh'N' "'lNl lI'U IltT UU>NtlV Ht-
peared at the l.t''r gate and entered the
yard; but why did Mrs. Jones start? II
was not the regular, manly tread Of Nj.
Jones that met her view, for the moon
Shone full and bright and she could see him
distinctly. He was actually staggering
With trembling hand Mrs. Jones few t.
open the front door 10 admit him. ole
must be sick" she thought. The fumes g.
~hishcy that met the olaiactogy Of III, lady
made her stand ochasi as her husband Gu
tered. He d" not seem e. notice her aci-
'ation, but walked into the psrlor rs stead
i'y az he could, under the circumstances.
"Why, Jenny" he MccnYpcd, sis this
youf Why aint you in bed, my lovcy -
Mrs. Jones 'rcmbIed in every limb, aud
was rs ra'c a. he.
"hou'rc not sick nor nothing. Jenny, are
YOU, because (mccnp) if YOU are, why may
be, honey, this will do (hiCcup) Won some
good aud he fumblcd about awkwardy,
until he drew from his coat pocket, a vul-
car green glass ''icklcr' halt full of the
raw Stui'.' "Now-do- try-a- little
You know Jenny (hccup) that (hIccup)
81. PaOl SayS-take a little for your (hic-
cup stomach sake"
son my gracious cried Mrs. jones',
SINKING on char, and c!d>plng her hands,
while tear after tear comrSed itself down