Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-15
The Drunkard,s Children.

Here is a tale for the iuvenilcs-a short story.
Bless their little hearts, we would not give them
long one lest they should leave il half read to go
and play with their hobbies, and have patience
10 read us again.
There was once boy. Now don't cry yet; for
there has been boy and twice boy; but this,
we should have you to know, was certain boy that
lived in certain pace-we not permitted TO tell
where His mother became woman of sorrow and
died. That grieyes us, but truth must be told. He
and little sister were left alone-alone-for their
father a drunkard. Hand in hand they went
forth into the street, and sat down upon marble car
riage step, fronting large brick dwelling The
cold stone seat struck another chill to their desoate
hearts. They looked into the window of the rich
mansion, and saw young faces bright and happy
there, glowing in the sunshine of health and plenty
and they wept Ii made them feel more keenly their
helpless condition.
And there they sat-without covering to their head
or shoes to their feet, and their thin garments call
tattered and torn' A cold October wind blew upon
them. They shivered and sat close, and put their
little feet together to keep them warm. As the
stranger passed. they instantly covered faces
TO conceal their tears At length gentleman adj
dressed them:
Children, run home,'' said he; "why do you sit
here and freeZe?''
"0ur mother has gone and left us,' replied the
little boy. @There is one left but my poor little
sister and me. We looked at her old rocking-char
and saw it empty, AMI it made us cry and feel lone
some''
''And did she send you out to beg while she was
gomez" asked the stranger.
GO, nol'' returned the boy; "dear mother never
taught us to beg. Besides, she will never come
back any more; for they put her into the coffn and
took her away, and told us she was dead" And their
tears afresh.
But your father,' said the stranger; "where is
he?'
The children shuddered perceptibly but shook their
heads and made no reply. Their little hearts sweed
with pride, and choked their utterance. They could
not speak the words, Our father is drunkardl''
| The stranger, who had seemed rough and coarse
in his manner, was touched. He quickly surmised
the truth, and asked of the boy
"What are your names, my lad!"
Mary and James Milford" he quickly replied.
''The children of William Milford!' muttered
the stranger, with evident emotion in tone of hall
inquiry, if to satisfy suddenly occurred idea.
! eyes, sir,'' responded the boy; and at this mo
ment the rude wind played roughly with their little
bare heads, and piercing their thin garments. The
boy drew his sister still closer to his side, and the
stranger gone. In few minutes after, a lady
with kind, benevolent face, and we trust warm
heart, and took them by the hand and led them
away.
A short time after this, we attended temperance
meeting One of the speakers, in the course of bis
remarks, related as follows:
For many years kept dram shop. | heard Of
temperance doings in divers ways and rdculed them
Il "Oh' W ihch iicCuhSo ehu ihduC ci'oit. hcdiO
of wives being murdered and children beggaret
through the influence of strong drink, and un
moved All argument assailed me in vain, for was
hardened in my course. One cold windy day
walked into the street, and little boy and girl
half naked and shiyering, sitting stone step
They were drunkard's children, / had well known
in the days of prosperity Never saw there more
beautiful children. Their father had commenced his
drinking course, and squandered much of his pro
perry at my bar. His wife, young and lovely wo
man, once happy and joyous, had sunk into the grave
sorrowing and broken-hearted. The sight of these
motherless children so suffering and innocent, toe
proud TO own their father a drunkard, accom-
p.ished what every other argument had failed to do
and felt within my breast the sting of murderer
From that day never sold drop of liquor took
the children into my own family; and they shall
never want while have dollar to divide. 1t wa
James and Mary
He paused. AT this moment the pledge went round
and was spread upon the table. A man in ragged
and filthy garb came forward and subscribed hi
name. II was WILLIAM MILFORD!
lily dear young reader, this is little sketcl
enacted from the myriads of facts around If i
interests you, the writer may one day give you an
other-N y Organ