The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-05-28

that Of the brute. The balance was
given to his sad.hcartcd wife to get
food for the hungry, halCclothcd
children.
Nor was this all. Debts were
contracted which Gordon was unable
to pay. One or tvo of his creditors,
more cxacting than the rest, seized
upon his furniture and sold it to
satisfy their claims, leaving to the
distressed family only the few articles
exempt by law.
Things had reached this low con.
dition, when Gordon came home from
the shop, one day, some hours earlier
than usual. Surprised at seeing him,
his wife said
"What's the matter, Henry? Are
you sick?'
"No' he replied, sullcn1y, "l'm
discharged
Discharged! Tor what IIcnry?'
"For spoilin. n job
GLOW did that happcn?' Mrs.
Gordon spoke kindly, although she
felt anxious and distressed.
"lIow has all my trouble hap
pcncd?' asked Gordon, with unusual
bitterness Of tone. 81 took Il glass
too much, aud-and-
"It made you spoil your job,' said
his wife. her voice still kind.
"Ycs. Curse the day l ever saw
4 drop Of liquor! 1t has been the
cause Of all my misfortuncs.'
"Why not abandon its use at once
and forever, Henry
"That is not SO easily done
Hundreds have done it, and are
doing it daily: and so may YOU. O,lr
determine to break these letters, IL
you arc free. Let the time ras.,
wherein You have wrought folly, nnd
your family suffered more than words
can express, suffice. Only will It.,
and there will be bright future iar
all Of US
Tears came into the eyes Of \r.s.
Gordon while sic made this armtal,
although she strovc hard to appear
calm. Her husband felt better
spirit awaking within him. There
was brief struggle between appetite
and the good resolution that was
forming in his mind, and then Tie
latter conquered.
81 will be free lie said, turning
towards the door through which he
had a little while before entered and
hurricdly leaving the house.
The hour tina, passed from the
time her husband went out until he
returned, was one Of most ANXIOUS
suspense to Mrs. Gordon. Her hand
trcmblcd SO that she could not hold
her needle, and was obliged to lay
aside the sewing upon which she was
engaged, and 60 about some house
hold cmploymcn,s.
"Mary. l have signed the pledge,
if that will do any good, said Gordon,
opening the door and coming in upon
his wife with his pledge in his hand.
"Thcrc,' and he unrollcd the paper
and pointed to his name; "tAcrc is
my signature, and here is The docu.
| mcnt'
lie did not speak very chccrfully;
but lis wifc's face was lit up with a
sudden brightness, followed by gush
Of tears.
DO any good" size replied, leaning
her head upon his shoulder, and
grasping one OF his hands tightly in
both Of hers. 1T will do all good
but | have no work, Mary. /
was discharged today, and it is the
only shop in town. What are We
to do?'
'Mr. Evenly will take YOU back.
now that you have signed the pledge.
"Pcrhaps he will Gordon spoke
more checr!ully. Il will 60 and sec
him to morrow.
Mrs. Gordon prepared her husband
strong cup Of coffee, and baked
some nice hot cakes for his supper.
She conbcd her hair, and made
herself as tidy as possible. The
children, too were much improved in
their looks by q little attention which
their mother felt encouraged to give.
There was an air Of comfort in the i'll.
| furnished dwelling Of Henry Gordon
that it had not known for 4 long time,
and he felt it.
On tho next morning, after
breakfast, Gordon went back to the
shop from which he had been dis.
charged only tho day previous.
Evenly, tho owner oft, was n rough.
untoclins man, and had kept Gordon
on, month after month, because he
could not we'll do without him. But.
en- Che very day he discharged him,