Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-08-24

wouldn't give much for the mother who would
let two little things like them go wandering
about the streets alone at this time of night.
One of them who had expressed an interest
in the children, felt angry at these remarks, and
he retorted with some bitterness,
sand | would think less of the man who
would make their father dSlnk"
"Ditto to that" responded one of the CON-
pany.
sand here's my hand to that" said another.
The landlord finding that the majority OF his
company were likely to be against him, smoth-
cred his angry feelings, and kept silence. A
few minutes afterwards, two or three of the in
mates of the bar-room went away.
| About ten o'clock on the next morning, while
Mr. Freeman, who was generally sober in the
forepart of the day, was in his office, stran-
ger entered, and after sitting down, said:
Il must crave your pardon beforehand for
what am going to say. Will you promise me
not to be offended g
"If you offer me an insult, ! will resent it,"
| said the lawyer
$50 far from that I come with the desire to
do you great service"
Every well-say on"
II was at Lawson's refractory last night"
"Well?"
"And saw something there that touched
nv heart If slept at all last night, it was
| only to dream of it. l am father, sir; l saw
two little girls, and love them tenderly y,
sir! the thought of their coming out, in the cold
winter night, in search of me, in such polluted
place, makes the blood feel cold in my veins"
Words so unexpected, coming upon Mr..
Freeman when he was comparatively sober, dis
turbed him deeply. In spite Of all his en-
deavors to remain calm, he trembled all over.
He made an effort to say something in reply,
but he could not utter word
"My dear sir" pursued the stranger, "you
have fallen at the hand of the monster intem-
perance, and feel that you are in great peril.
You have not, however, fallen hopelessly. You
may vet rise, if you will. Let me in the name
of the sweet babes who have shown in so
wonderful manner their love for you, conjure
YOU to rise up superior to this deadly foe.
Reward those dear children with the highest
blessings their hearts can desire. Come with
me and sign the pledge of freedom. Let us,
though strangers to each other, unite in this
good act.-Comew
Half bewildered, though with new hope in
his heart, Freeman arose, and suffered the man,
who drew his arm with his, to lead him away.
Before they separated, both had signed the
pledge = tgt.
That evening unexpectedly, and to the JOY
of his family, Mr.. Freeman was perfectly sober
when he came home. After tea, while Ady and
Jane were standing on either side of him, as he
sat near their mother, an arm around each OF
them, he said in low whisper,
sYou will never have to come for me again.
The children then lifted their eyes quickly
10 his face, but half understanding what he
meant. ~a7e-s-
Il will never go there again." he added; II
will always stay at home with you"
Ady and Jane, now comprehending what
their father meant, overcome with joy, hid their
faces in his lap, and wept for very gladness.
Low as all this had been said, every word
reached the mothers ear and while her heart
yet stood trembling between hope and fear,
Mr. Freeman drew paper from his pocket and
threw it on the table by which she was sitting.
She opened it hastily. It was pledge, with
his well known signature subscribed at the
bottom. ~ u ss.-.z.ss.. ...s-.s..s--ss .sg 4
Witha cry Of joy, she sprang to his side,
and his arms encircled his wife, as well as his
Children, in fonder embrace than they had
known foryears IS S5S 3s 49, z#sstas4g So
The children's love had saved their father.
They were indeed his good angels.