Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-02-20

shop, IN retired street. Behind the
counter of this shop stood an old man.
busily employed in ironing a hat There
was something benevolent in his counte-
nance and manner. As Jarvis entered. he
looked up, and shade passed quickly
over his face.
Good morning Mr.. Lankford, Jarvis
said, bowing with something like limidity
and shame in his manner.
Are you not afraid to come here, John?
replied the old man, sternlv.
Il am ashamed to come, but not afraid
lou will not harm me, | know
Don't trust to that, John. Did YOU
not steal, ay, that is the word-did YOU
not steal from me the last time | EMPLOYED
you 2 The old man in manner was
stern and energetic.
Il was so wicked as 70 take a couple Of
skins, Mr.. Lanklord, but did very wrong,
and am willing to repay YOU for them, if
you Will give me work. ! was in LIQUOR
when did ii, and when i'll liquor, have
no distinct consciousness Of the evil of any
action
Give you work, indeed, Q, no, John,
cannot give you another chance to rob
me-
But will not get drunk any more.
And YOU know, Mr.. Lankford, that while
| was sober man, and worked for you,
never wronged you out Of a sixpence
/ worth
Won't get drunk any more All,
/ John, have lived too long in the world
and have seen too much, to heed such
PROMISES
But / am III earnest. Mr.. Lankford |
signed the pledge this morning.
Nou = in tone of surprise.
/ Yes, signed it,
Ah, John, after pause, and shaking
his head increduIously, l cannot credit
your word, and / am sorry for it,
If have signed the pledge, and | am
really determined to be reformed man,
will You give me work, Mr.. Lankford .
The old man thought for few moments,
and then said, hall-sorrowfully,
| am afraid of you, John. You are
such All old offender Oh the score of drunk
enness, that have no confidence in your
power to keep the pledge
Then what shall | do !. the poor
wretch exclaimed, in tones that made the
heart of the old man thriil-ior nature and
pathos were in them. Now that | am
trying i'll earnest 10 do better, no one will
give me a word of encouragement, or a
helping hand. Heaven help me for |
am torsaken Of man.
Mr.. Lankford stood thoughtful and irres-
olute, for some moments. At length, he
said
John, if you will bring me a certificate
from Mr.. R, that you have signed the
total-abstinence pledge, | will give you
! another trial. But if YOU disappoint me
again. you and are done for ever
The countenance of Jarvis frightened
up instantly. He turned quickly away,
without reply, and hurried off to the store
of 3lr. R, the secretary of the socie-
y he had Joined. The certificate Vas, Of
course, obtained.
And you have joined, sure enough,
: John Mr. Lankford said, in changed
tone, as he glanced over the certificate
Indeed, have, Mr.. Lankiord.
And you seem in earnest.
( If | was in earnest about anything in
my life, am in earnest now
Keep to your pledge, then, John, and
all will be well. While you were a sober
man, | preferred you to any journeyman
in my shop. Keep sober, and YOU shall
never want q days work while am in
/ business
! The poor man was now shown his
place in the shop, and once again he re-
sumed his work, though under far differ
ent impulse than had, for years, neryed
him 10 action.
TO be concluded