Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-08-18
TIE 1NERR1ArE.

/
THE INEBRIATE.
He stood leaning upon broken gate
in front of his miserable dwelling. His
tattered hat was in his hand, and the cool
breeze lifted his matted locks which COW
cred his once noble brow. His counte-
nance was bloated and disfgured, but in
his eye there was an unwonled look-a
mingled expression Of sorrow and regret.
Perhaps he was listening to the low me.
| lancholy voice of his patient wife, as she
soothcd the sick babe on her bosom or,
perhaps he was gazing upon the sweet
face of his eldest daughter, as at the open
window she piled her needle to obtain for
her mother and poor children scanty
sustcnancc Poor Mary for herself she
cared not; young as she was, her spirit
ness and neglect, AS the incbriate thus
stood, his eyes wandered over the mise.
rable habitation before him. The win
dows were broken and the doors hinge
less; scarce vcs;igc of comfort remain
ned yet memory bore him back to the
days Of his youth, when it WAS the abode
of peace and happiness. In fancy he saw
the old arm chair where sat his farther,
with the bible upon his knee; and he
seemed TO hear again the sweet notes of
his mother as she laid her hand upon the
head Of her darling boy, and prayed that
God would bless him and preserve him
from evil, Long years had passed away,
yet tears came into the eyes of the drum
kard at the recollection of his mothers
love.
"Poor mother" he murmurcd, at is
well that thou art sleeping in the grave,
it would break thy heart to know that thy
son is n wretched and degraded bcing-a
miserable outcast from society"
He turned slowly away. Deep within
the sun beams scarcely ever penetrated.
Tall trees grew on either side, whose
branches meeting above, formed a canopy
of leaves, where the birds build their
nests, and poured forth happy songs
Thithcr tho drunkard bent his steps. 1t
had been his favorite haunt in the days
Of his childhood, and as he threw himself
upon the soft green sward, the rccollec-
tiuns of past scenes, came Crowding over
his mind,
He covered his face with his hand and
the prayer Of the prodgal burst from his
lips-"O God, receive, returning wan
dcrcr ''--Suddeply a soft arm was
thrown around his neck, and a sweet
voice murmured-" He will forgive you
father" Starting to his feet, the inebri
ate saw standing before him his youngest
daughter. A child of six years.
"Why are you here, Anne ?" he said,
ashamed that the innocent child should
have witnessed his grief,
az came TO gather the lilies that grew
upon the bank and l now am going to sell
them"
And what do you do with the money ?
asked the father, as ho turned his eye to
the basket, where among the broad green
leaves the sweet lilies OF the valley were
peeping forth.
The child hesitated: she thought che
had said too much perhaps her father
would demand tho money and spend it in
tho way in which all his earnings went.
"You are afraid to tell mo Anna" said
her father kindly. "Wcll, l do not blame
you; i have no right to my children's
confidence"
The gentleness Of his tone touched the
heart of the affectionate child. She threw
her arms around his neck, exclaiming-
" Yes father will tell you. Mother buys
medicine for poor little Willie. We have
no other way to getit. Mother and Mary
work all the time they can to get bread. !"
q. IA pang shot throught the inebriatc's IS
heart ! have robbed them of the COM
forts of life, he exclaimed; "from this
moment the liquid fire passes my lips no
more" . q la1a OLA p. .ia.-' .G3.
Anna stood gazing at him in astonish-
ment: She could scarcely comprehend
her fathers woods /; but she saw that some
change had taken place. She threw back
her golden ringlets, and raised her large
blue eyes, with an earnest look to his face
-" VIII you never drink any more rum =
she whispered timidly. s rsJ n.a
"Neyer Ann, said her father solemn
ly. eIat JllLs sI.5 - yeH
Joy danced in her eyes. IS" Then we
will all be so happy she cried, ,ftand
mother won't weep any more /; OH father,
lawhata happy home ours will be = Years
passed away. The words Of littlesAnnai
8 tho druIkand's daughter,rproved true
itihe home of the reformed man, her father
was indeed happy one, Plenty crowned
! his boardi and healthsand1 Joy beamed
b from the face of his wife and children,
/ where once squalid misery alone could be
traced, The pledge had restored him
konce moreto peace and happiness.
E1lgnss-If YOU wish to re!fasten the loos,