Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-03-21
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SELECTIONS.
ssHe will forgive you, TAthcr."

n. stood leaning upon broken gate in front
II : miserable dwelling. His tattefed hat was
4. NJ hands. end the cool breeze lifted tho mat
- lscks which covered his noble brow. MS
eosossnauce was bloatsd aud dishgarsd' but IN
- eve there was unwonted look-a mingled
~.oeessiou Of sadness and regret. Perhaps ne
- l;sse ming 10 the melancholy voice OF his pa
tent wife a. she soothed the SICK babe o" nef
koaom: or porchance ho was gazing on the
swses face Of his eldest daughter as al the open
,w;mdsw sle pIicd her needle to obtain FOR her
s,oehsr and the poor children susten Poor
Mary! for herself she cared not; young as she
vas her spirit was crushed by poverty, unkind-
ssep and neglect. As the inebriafe thus stood.
his eyes wandered over the miserable hantaiion
bsfors him. The windows were broken and the
doom hjuseless, scarce a vestige Of comfort re-
mained. vet memory bore him back to the days
of his youth. when il was the abode OF peace and
.hsppiuess. In infancy he saw again the old arm
chair whore sat his father, with the bible upon
Ms knee. and seemed TO hear again the sweet
tones Of his mother she laid her hands upon
the head Of her darling boy, and prayed that 'od
would bless him and preserve him from evil
Long years had passed away, yet tears came IN
TO the eyes Of the drunkard at the recollection
Of his mothers love.
"Poor MOTHER he muttered, ait IL well that
thou art sleeping in the grave; u would break
thv heart TO know that thy sou - wretchrd
and degraded bsing-a miserable ontcast from
society"
-.
adjoining forest was a dell where the beams OF
the sun scarce ever penetrated. Tall trees grew
on either side, whose branches, meeting above,
formed n canopy Of leaves. where III. birds butt
their nests, ana poured forth happy songs. Thi-
ther the drunkard bent hi, steps. IL had bee n
his favorite haunt IN the days Of his childhood,
and as he threw himself upon the soft green
sward, the recollection of past scenes came
crowding over his mind! lie covered his face
With his hands, and the prayer Of the prodi-
n "a; ~. rec "A
turning wand-rer" Suddenly a soft arm was
thrown around his neck, and a sweet voice muir
mur-d-"ile will forgive you, father" Start
ing TO his feet, the inebriate saw standing before
him his youngest daughter, II child of SIX years
"Why are you here. Anne7' he said, ashamed
that tho innocent child should have witnessed
his grief.
II came 10 gather die lilies which grow upon
the banks" she replied; "sec. l have got my
basket full, and now ! am going 10 sell them.
"And what do YOU do with the money" ask
ed the father he turned his eyes To the basket,
where among the broad green leaves the sweet
lilies Of the valley were peeping forth.
TIL. child hesitatcd, she thought she had SAID
Too much; perhaps her father would demand the
money y, and spend it in the way in which all h's
earnings went.
"You are afraid to tell me. Anne" said he,
father, kindly. "Well, DO not blame you,
have no right to my chldren's confidence"
TIL. y.utlrness Of tone touched the heart OF
th. aff.ctjouat. child. She threw her arms
around his neck. and exclaimed. eyes father,
will tell Won. Mother buys medicine for poor
Ettle Willie. We have 10 other way to get 1t
Mother aud Mary work all the time they can sc
TO buy bread
~ pang shot through the inebr late 8 heart ,
.I have robbed them OF the comforts OF liie,' he
~xc!ai,ncd: "fron this moment the liquor far.
passes my lips no more"
Anne stood gazing at him in ASTONISHING Mt
She could scarcely comprehend her father
words; but she saw that some change had taker
place. She threw back her golden ringlets
raised her large blue eyes, with an earnest looi
to his fsce--..Will you never drink any NOR
rumf'' she whispered timdiy.
"Nerer. dear Anne" her father replied so
scmnly.
Joy danced in her eyes. "Then we will al
be so happy. Oh, father. what happy home
ours will b-!'
Years passed away. The words oflittle Anne
tho druukari's daughter, had proved true. TIN
home of the reformed man, her father, was III
deed n happy one. Plenty crowned his board
and health aud JOY b-amcd from the face of hi
wife aud children--where once sIualid ms-r
alone could be traced. The pledge had raise
him from his depreciation, aud restored him ono
more to peace aud happiness.