Lower Sandusky freeman. (Lower Sandusky [i.e. Fremont, Ohio]) 1849-1849, 1849-03-31
He will Forgive yOu Father.

! He stood leaning upon broken gate, in front of
! his miserable dwelling. His tattered hat was in
his hand, and the cool breeze lifted his matted locks
which covered his once noble brow. His counten-
ance was bloated and disfgured, but in his eye
there was an unwonted look-a mingled express
ion of sadness and regret Perhaps he was listen
ing to the low, naelancholy voice of his patient wife,
as she soothed the sick babe on her bosom; or per-
chance, he was gazing upon the sweet face of his
eldest daughter, as at the open window she piled
her needle to obtain~for her mother and the poor
children scanty sustenance. Poor Maryl for her.
self she cared not; young she was, her spirit
was already crushed by poverty, unkindness and
neglect. AS the inebriate thus stood, his eyes
wandered over the miserable habitation before him.
The windows were broken and the doors hingeless
and scarce vestage of comfort remained; yet
memory bore him back to the days of his youth,
when it was the abode of peace and happiness. In
fancy he saw again the old arm chair where sat
his father with the bible upon his knee and he
seemed to hear again the sweet notes of his moth
er, she laid her hand upon the head Of her dar-
ling boy and prayed that God would bless him and
preserve him from evil Long years had passed
away, yet tears came into the eyes of the drunkard
at the recollection of his mothers love-
"Poor MOTHER" he muttered, cit is well thou art
sleeping in the grave; it would break thy heart to
know that thy son is wretched and degraded be-
ing-a miserable outcast from society,""
He turned slowly away. Deep within an ad-
joining forest, was dell where the beams of the
sun scarce ever penetrated. Tall trees grew on
either side whose branches, meeting above, formed
a canopy of leaves, where the birds built their
nests, and poured forth happy songs Thither the
drunkard bent his steps. 1t had been his favorite
haunt in the days of his childhood, and as he threw
himself upon the soft green sward, the recoections
of past scenes came crowding over his mind. He
covered his face with his hands, and the prayer of
the prodigal burst from his lips-"O God forgive a
returning wanderer." Suddenly soft arm was
thrown around his neck, and asweet voice murmur-
ed-"He will forgive you, father" Starting to his
feet, the inebriate saw standing before him his
youngest daughter, child of six years.
"Why are you here, Anne ?' he said ashamed
that the innocent child should have witnessed his
grief
81 came to gather the lilies which grow upon
the banks" she replied, "see, have got my basket
full, and now I'm going to sell them"
"And what do you do with the money ?'' asked
the father as he turned his eyes basket where
among the broad green leaves, the sweet lilies of
the valleys were peeping forth.
The child hesitated, she thought she had said too
much; perhaps her father would demand the
money, and spend it in the way in which all his
earnings went.
"You are afraid to tell me Anne" said her father
kindly "Well, do not blame you'll have no right
to my children's confidence"
The gentleness of his tone touched the heart of
the afectonate child. She threw her arms around
his neck exclaiming-"Y father, will tell you
Mother buys medicines for poor little Willie. We
have no other way to get it. Mother and Mary
work all the time they can get to buy bread"
A pang shot through the nebriate's heart 81
have robbed them Of the comforts of life,' he ex
claimed, "from this moment, the liquid fire passes
my lips no more"
Anne stood gazing at him in astonshment She
could scarcely comprehend her fathers words; but
she saw that some change had taken place She
threw back her golden ringles and raised her large
blue eyes, with earnest look to his face, ''Wil
you never drink any more rum ?" she whispered
timidly.
"Never! Anne' her father replied, soIen1nly.
Joy danced in her eyes. Then we will all be so
more Oh father! what happy home ours will
be-
Years passed away. The words of little Anne
the drunkard's daughter, had proved true. The
home of the reformed man, her father, was indeed
a happy one. Plenty crowned his board, and health
and 10y beamed from the faces of his wife and
once squalid misery alone could
be traced The pledge had raised him from his
degradation, and restored him once more to peace
and happiness.
TRUTH.-Who knows that Truth is strong, next
to the Almighty, needs policies, no stratagems,