The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-12-10
CnArrrn III.


CHAPTER Ill.
It was quite late when the old man reach
ed his nephew's house that night, and Mr.,
Jimps and his wife were too sleepy to ask
many questions: but at the breakfast table
the next morning, they were disposed to be
quite curious on the subject Of his late hours.
"Fie, Uncle John,' began Mrs. jumps,
smiling, as she handed him his coffee, "this
never will do. l shall have to write to aunt
Sarah about it.
81 think that shall write to her myself,
this morning, returned the old man in the
same light tone.'
/ "But uncle, these mRst be very interesting
people, these friends of yours, to keep you up
so late, said Mr.. Jimps.
''lhey are; SO much so, Dimmie, that
must introduce them to you. Will you call
with me some time during the day?"
"With great pleasure, uncle. -
It being New Years Day, however, Mr..
Jimps, amid calls and business, quite forgot
Uncle john proposal-the more readily as
the old gentleman was absent most Of the day
on business Of his own, and it was not until he
was about to dress for the donation party in
the evening, that the old man saw tit to re-
mind him Of the engagement.
"Why, It is too late now, Uncle John-Julia
has already commenced dressing for the par
ty," said the little man.
"Well, can't go TO the party with you nm
til have called on these friends, that's GER
tain, )" said the old man. "lf you are minded
to 90 with me, III have Black Simon to the
door by the time you are dressed, andw can
be there and back again by the time that Ju-
liG, gets rugged, if she is like most women
folks"
Black Simon was at the door. in time, and
bore them with flying steps along the crowd
ed streets. On, on they went, past brilliant
lily lighted paFlers, from whence came the
(. sounds Of music and laugbter-on, to where
the streets began to narrow, and the light
began to dwindle, until, with a suddennes
that almost took Mr.. Jimp's breath from hi
body, the old man drew up before ricket!
old building.
'Uncle John, you must have mistaken tn
place. your friends surely cannot live here!
cried Mr.. Jimps, from beneath the many fold
of his scarf a.s
"May be sO--we'll see" was the reply, al
the old man sprang out, and taking a ropt
from the sleigh, fastened Black Simon SC.
Curely TO post.
1t was too cold for Mr.. Jimps to remon.
strate; his teeth chartered, and his scarf was
almost frozen to his lips, even then; so step
ping carefully in his dainty, glistening boots,
| he followed the old man through gloomy
hall and up the dirty stairs, Mr.. Jimps was
somewhat fastidiouss and more than once he
would have taken exception to the various
smells, that, coming from the different rooms,
seemed to cOngregate in the hall, had he not,
fortunately, been too wrapt up to be aware OF
them. ~
Uncle John raped softly at Ives door, and
after waiting few moments, as no one came,
opened it himself. One glance around the
apartment taught him the cause Of that silence.
Near the stove, with his little.boy in his arms,
who was sobbing in that peculiar, spasmOdic
manner that indicates the exhaustion Of the
physical frame, and William Ives, with his
eyes fixed upon the bed which had been ar
ranged as dGcently as possible to receive the
dead body Of little Jennie. The mother had
done all her scanty means allowed. She had
parted the soft hair on the little brow, straight
ened the shrunken limbs, and robed them in
pretty white frock, the last relict OF happier
days. The dainty edgings with which it had
been trimmed we're in strange contrast with
the miserable bed coverings -edgings wrought
| by her busy fingers in those happy days when
a mothers glad anticipatiOns first stirred heI
heart Then she had flung herself on he
knees by the side of the bed, and with her fac
buried in the clothes, neither wept nor moved
The grave-eyed Ellen stopped over the bed
and was trying to place apoof, siekly-lookinl
rose in the cold hand of the little one. Uncl'
John glanced at the bush she had showed hin
the night before, and knew at once from
whence it came. It was her all, poor thingl
She was first TO observe their entrance, ant
soon both parents were mingGng words O.
deep gratitude with their tears.
81 shall never, never forget your kindness
sir, to the day diel" exclaimed the mother
! turning to Mr.. Jimps. "Much as we need
: cd the money, starving as we were, we though
mot less Of your confidence in US than we diI
: Of that. II was so kind, SO noble in you, Il
trust usl but you shall be repaid, sir; VIII
liam and | are determined to do it, if w
! work our fingers to the bonesl and this gen
tleman, to come as he did, through the snON
to aid usl Oh, how can we ever be greatfu
enough.
"My kindnessl repay mel you here" ez
claimed the beWildered Mr., Jimps, turnip
to Uncle John, and rapidly unwinding tn
folds Of his scarf, as II pressed for breath.
"Yes, Dimmie, l was certain that you di
: not quite understand the errand Of that littl
/ girl, yesterday so followed hnr home, an
settled your bill myself. It was well I dit
for the poor things needed 1t very mueh.'
sSaye bit of bread for the children, and
| spoonful Of milk fOr-for," aud the DO,
/. mother glanced sadly at the white robed lit
9 figureon the bed, 'ifOr her, sir, We had n
tasted food for two days. - ''.
VI Mr.. IiIaps wasneither an unjust nor harl
1 hearted man, he had simply been guided |
the current custom Of the day; and, when
= had subscribed his quota to any benevolel
4 object, allowed himself to consider his r
sponsibility at an end. Now, a new liz
/ broke in upon him; be turned to his old rel
Il tive and said earnestly: 4+e Ate ,iil
y "Thank you, thank you. Uncle John.l y
Il could not have done me kinderd deed; or
: added, in lower tone, s'taaght me a hetl
Z lesson. It is one which shall never forget
e And, tldo Mr., Jinps justice, he never al
ID He told the story TO julia, when they I
> homo, and hrpvely look his share of the hlaH
}. while tears gathered in her pretty eyes. q
d she almost forgot her present and the donati
0f party IN her interest In the Ives,