Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-09-15

retorted with some bitterness" And would
think less of the man who would make their ia.
ther drunk"
"Ditto to that" responded one of the compa.
ny. Ue
Sand here's my hand to that" said another
The landlord, finding that the majority of his
company were likely to be against him, smoth-
cred his angry feelings, and kept silence. A few
minutes afterward two or three of the inmates
of the bar room went away.
About ten o'clock on the next morning. while
Mr.. Freeman, who was generally sober in the
fore part of the day, was in his office, stranger
entered, and, after sitting down said, 81 must
crave your pardon beforehand for what am 60
ing to say. Will you promise me not be Offend
ed!"
"If you offer me an insult will resent it,"
said the lawyer.
$50 far from that, come with desire to do
you a great service"
"Very well-say on"
al was at Lawson's Refectory last night"
"Wel?"
"And saw something there that touched my
heart If slept at all last night, it was only to
dream of it. am father, sir nave two lit.
tie girls and love them tenderly. Oh, sir the
thought of their coming out in the cold winter
night in search of me in such polluted place,
makes the blood feel cold in my veins"
Words so unexpected, coming upon Mr. Free
man when he was comparatively sober, disturb
ed him deeply. In spite of all his endeavors to
remain calm he trembled all over. He made an
effort to say something in reply, but could not
utter word.
"My dear sir" pursued the stranger, "you
have fallen at the hand of the monster intemper-
ance, and feel that you are in great peril. You
have not, however, fallen hopelessly. You may
yet rise, if you will. Let me, in the name Of
the sweet babes who have shown in so wonder
ful manner their love for you, conjure you to
rise up superior to this deadly foe Reward those
dear children with the highest blessing their
hearts can desire. Come with me and sign the
pledge of freedom. Let us, though strangers to
each other, unite in this good act. Gomez
Half bewildered, though with new hope in
his heart, Freeman arose, and suffered the man,
who drew his arm within his, to lead him away.
Before they separated, both had signed the
pledge.
That evening, unexpectedly, and to the JOY of
his family, Mr. Freeman was perfectly sober
when he came home. After tea while Ady and
Jane were standing on either side of him, as he
sat near their mother, an arm around each of
them, he said in low Whisper" You will never
have to come for me again."
The children then lifted their eyes quickly
to his face, but half understanding what he
meant.
{" will never 60 there again." he added; 81
will always stay at home with you"
Ady and Jane, now comprehending what their
father meant, overcome with JOY hid their faces
in his bosom, and wept for very gadness.
Low as all this had been said, every word
reached the mothers ear; and, while her heart
yet stood trembling between hope and fear, Mr..
Freeman drew paper from his pocket, and
threw it on the table by which he was sitting.
She opened it hastily. 1t was pledge with
his well-known signature subscribed at the bot
tom.
With a cry Of joy she sprang to his side, and
his arms encircled his wife as well as children
in a fonder embrace than they had known for
years
The chidren's love had saved their father
They were indeed his good angels.
SoMNAMBUL1sM.-The Albany Register gives
the following accounts of an extraordinary case
of somnambulism which occurred in that city, on
the 5th of July
ga little GIRL daughter of gentleman resid-
ing on North Pearl street, was suddenly AVA
kened out of sleep by the loud barking of dog.
AS soon as she was fairly awaked, she was near
ly petrifed with fright with finding herself, in
her night clothes, at the dead hour of night,
standing upon the railroad track opposite the
Tivoli Mills and just in the edge of the woods,
about the Observatory grounds? 1t was long
past midnight, and there was not human be-
ing in sight. The barking of the dog ceased,
and recovering her presence of mind she imme-
diately turned towards the city, and soon reach.
ed the railroad crossing at Van Woert street.
There she first ascertaned exactly where she
was, and presently discovering man walking
near she ran up to him and begged that he
would take her home. The fellow proved to
be little better than brute, and terrified her by
first rudely laughing at and then following her.
She ran down Broadway and to the first door
she reached, at which she knocked so vigorous
y as to arouse the inmatesat once. They heard
her story in astonishment, but feeling that it
was a true one, clothed and soothed her. and
accompanied her to her home On reaching the
house they found the front door standing part
y open The little sleeping walker ran into
he hall and called her parents They had not
missed her, and their amazement may be judged
of when they found her standing in the hall, at
,wo or three o'clock in the morning, with stran-
yers and in her night clothes. Her curious sto-
y was quickly narrated, however, and the kind
hearted people who had protected her were al