Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-04-25

Bile to strengthen your good resolutions.
Tell me so, John-so that can rejoice
with yeu.'
She had handed him the book, and the
tears were running freely from her eyes
as she paused in her appeal.
The inebriate took the book, but his
hand trembled; his eyes were downcast,
and his confusion deepened.
why. Jane! didn't mean to read
DIDN'T
sOh, understand you; you want me to
read to you? Well, l viii; and happy /
shall be too. Let me have the book?'
But the inebriate retained the Bible.
No! didn't mean that, Jane; | meant
81 meant
what did you mean then; for Gods sake,
tell mel cried the wife, recoiling with
tear-dimmed eyes.
4 meant, Jane-you see-the fact is---
hum -Pye little debt at Bankers; and
and----"
What's that to do with my Bible?
For heavens sake, tell me what you mean
joint
'Why. you sec-I'm afraid twill MAKE
You feel bad II hate to tell you, but l
s'spose must. l want to let Barker have
the Bible; it is new and nice, and it will
bring
oh, Lord, Lcrd!' cried the stricken
wife, sinking pale as a spectre into her
seat, while she Siidcavored in vain to re-
press the scalaing tears, that gushed up
wards from her overcharged heart. The
cup OF her sorrows was full. The boil
Jig tears ran over and scalded her soul,
until she screamed with pain.
ooh, miserable, miserable destiny!' she
moaned. John, John, for the Lords
sake, don't do that don't!'
The inebriate's head sunk upon his bo-
som: the fiery pangs Of remorse were bs,-
sy within him; few tears gIided down his
bloated cheeks. He coughed and sighed.
But appetite was also busy with her de-
nanas the appetite contracted in an evil
hour, ard TO which he was hapelessiy en-
shaved.
Appetite prevailed over re,norse; or
rather is moi appetite herself remorse?-
Does she not bes!ow the curse that awaits
those who obey her demands
'John, you viii not pawn the Word Of
God for rum, will you9 That Bible was
my mothers last gift know that,
John. Spare me that oh, spare me that!
Remember, you have sold all of Our
furniture for rum, you have made us all
beggars, and our children worse than or
phans; you have made us all wre,cheL-
very wretchcd, and
We'll, woman, you needn't taunt me
with all this; won't stand it : swear
womb
4 don't say il TO taun' you, John; on
~ say it TO remind you what rum has de-
prived us Of; only say it to make you feel
that you ought not 10 pawn my Bible, my
mothers gift, for liquor!'
well, knew 'twould make YOU feel
bad, and | hated to speak Of it at all. But
Squire Barker ought to be paid pre-
missed him
Bat, interrupted the wife, with some
hing OF, Indignation in her tones, ere
squire B,rkci's rights any better than
mine, and the rights Of our children?--
Think of it. Do net you owe your fain-
iy more than you can owe all the world
besides? And have you not promised me,
times untold that you would drink no more
liquor! Have you not denied us our rights,
and broken your promises 10 us?'
The iuebriate muttered an oath.
Then he nultered something about
Squire Barker being a man of honor, his
dislike of aisappointments, and SO forth.
Don. talk so, John, l en,reat you!'' in
tcrrupted the wife. you think more OF
your promise to Barker than your pro-
misses to your family. Barker is the great
est enemy you ever had-he is an enemy
to comnunity-hc drinks the blood and
tears OF wives and orphans = he has robb-
Ell You Of your property-he has"
Well, vel! its no use talking so, Jane.
| must carry the beck down TO the tavern,
any Way
oh, DO not-do not: 1t will kill me,
John =
Here the babe in The cradle awoke, and
began TO wall, in dismal, sepulchral tones.
That infant soul was half blasted by the
!rosts Of sorrow, trouble and wrong.
Poor thing" said the mother attempting
to hush IFS cries--'its life has been full Of
suffering ,has early; and it may die on the
scafoid, for aught know. Ii is "a drunk
ards child. Poor, poor thing!'
The inebriate writhed in the flames
these words kindIed.
He arose, placed the Bible under his
arm, took his hat from the corner, and
moved toward the door.
i dare say shall fetch the book back.
he SAL, l can arrange the matter some
how with the Squire
John, John! you must net take it. He
will not let you bring IT back Il know he
wont-if he can make ceut out of it.
Is there nothing else you can take9 No,
no-there is netting else left is the last
Bible my mothers dying Gift
my last comfort, in my lonely, sorrow
ful life!
And you will sell this--iAis, too, for
Rum?'
The inebriate raised the latch.
His wife laid the infant in the cradle.
and moved to his side. She attempted TO
take his arm,