Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-18
Brilliant GIiettl).
THE DOOR IN THE HEART.
by MISS v. F. TOWNSEND.

"Shc was 4 stern, hard woman! But far
away up great many pairs OF winding STAIRS IN
her heart, was door, easily passed by, and on
that door was wriiten-WoMAS."
aAnd so it is with the drunkard. Far away
up 4 great many pairs OF winding STAIRS IN Ills
heart is a door, and on that door is written Man,
and we must knock at that door orec, twice,
sc,e times; yea, seven times seven that it may
open unto us"-John g. Cough.
He was an old man. Not so old either,
for the wrinkles that marred his cadaverous
visage were not the autograph that Times
fingers had laid there: and the hand that
placed upon the low table the well-draiued
glass, did not tremble so with the weakness
that age induces; yet very old and very
wretched looked the sole occupant of that
narrow room, with its rcd curtains and floor
stained with tobacco juice, and an atmos-
phere abundantly seasoned by the bar-room
into which it opened A hat it must have
been intended for one) half concealed the
owners uncombed locks, and unmistakeable
evidence Of famiIiar acquaintance with
"brickbats and the gutter" did that same
hat produce. Then there was a coat, out
of whose sleeves peeped pair of elbows in
rejoicing consciousness that they "could
afford 10 be out" Add to these a shabby
pair of faded pants, and you have, reader,
the tout ensemble Of the wretched being who
had just commenced his daily potations in
the only grog shop he was allowed to fire.
auent. And vet the wretched, fricadless
creature that sat there half supplied with
the effects of his morning dram, had heart
and far up great many pairs Of winding
stairs in that heart was door, easily passec
by, and on that door, covered with cobweb:
and dust, Of Time and Sin, was written
"MASw But nobody dreamed Of this, ant
when the Temperance men" had gone tc
him with the pledge, and promised him en-
ployment and responsibility if he would sigr
it-and others (well meaning men too) hae
rated him soundly for his evil ways, and h'
had turned deaf ear to all these things
and gone back with blind pertinacity TO hi
cups again, everybody said old Billy Strong
case was a hopeless one.
Ali none Of these had patiently gropct
their way up the hearts winding stairs ant
read the inscription Oh the hidden door there
But while the unhappy man sat by the pine
table that morning, the bar keeper suddenl!
entered, followed by lady with pale, higl
brow, mild hazel eyes, and a strangely win
ming expression on her pensive face.-Th'
old man looked up with a vacant stare o
astonsbment, as the bar-keeper offered tn
lady chair, and pointed to the occupant o
the other, saying:
"That's Billy Strong, ma'am," and wit
lingering glance Of curiosity, left that gen
tie woman alone with the astohished an
now thoroughly sobered man.
The soft eyes of the lady wandered wit
sad, plying expression, over old Bills fea
lures, and then in low, sweet voice, sh
asked:
cam rightly informed' Do | addres
Mr.. William Strong9"
All! with those words the lady had 60
further up the winding stairs, nearer the hid
den door than all who had gone before her
Yes, that is my name, ma'am," said oil
Bill, and=he glanced down at bis shabb,