The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-05

IN their chalrs, with their feet higher than their
heads others were tossing their arms about.
laughing shrilly, making most foolish speeches,
or using great swelling oaths some were drink
ing the last dregs of the empty bottles that
strewed the table. One, a young man. lay, hic-
cuping and suffering, on a lounge, evidently too
far gone to sit up. Their father did not look
so drunk as the rest but his face was red and
angry, and his breath was fiery with the fumes
of spirit, as he told them TO 60 down into a
certain cellar-giving them the key-and
bring each as many bottles as she could carry.
"Ca-can't you br-bring four bottles apiece >
he called after then.
"Yes, pa Rose au.wered, family.
As they went down stairs, through the wide
hall Abby whispered to her sister
"Oh Rose am afraid he'll make me drink
some more of that poison stuff Oh dear?
a." lie can't make me-" Rose said very firm
ly. Don't you know what the little girl there
sung
And both. who we're accustomed to singing
songs together. joined in the chorus, as they
went slowly from step to step
No-no-no-no
III never drink any more
The echoes rang through the hall, startling
the house cat, who lay mapping on the rug be-
fore the door They did more they reached
the ears of the father. in the midst of his rev.
cling companions; and they startled him. as
nothing had startled him since Charley $
death,
How Was he fallen so low as to be re-
proved, taught by his very children---his own
dcspised neglected little girls! He leaned his
head on his hands, and tried to clear it from
the mist of drunkenness. He seemed to hear
his blessed wife's tone in that clear sound Of
singing Ii was rs though the sky had opened
above him. and Charley and Charley's mother
two angels all in white, had looked down on
him. and hidden him "nerer drink any more y
81 neUer TW - he solemnly exclaimed
within his heart, at that moment. He started
up; but recollecting himself he sat down Just
as his pale sad, sorrowful-looking little girls
came back with their arms full of the bottles
he had demanded. He could not look in their
faces, nor speak to them, but motioned to them
to go out He then uncorked the bottles, and
passed them to his guests excusing himself
from taking any more. He did not touch an
other drop.
That night he did not sleep an hour. Early
| the next morning he went out found, and
signed the pledge of Total abstinence from
all that can intoxicate +"
| Margaret was looking sad when he came
! again to his home. Poor girl, she saw nothing
but ruin before her father and his whole fam
! iy He sat down by her side, and spoke to
her more afiectionately than he had done for
months.
Margaret my daughter he said, in a
trembling voice, Il have made II promise
which, by Gods help, will keep till my dying
day
She looked up, bewildered-afraid to believe
what she most wished on earth.
81 have signed The pledge ~ he said, looking
! firmly in her face
"Oh, father !" she began, lifted her hands
clasped them together and turning instantly
away she began TO cry aloud, like a little child
Rose and Abby came running in, with then
school bOnnets ON their heads, ready to 90 out
They did not know what to make of their quiet
sober sisters unaccountable behaviour.
They had not much time for wondering; fol-
their father, with look of love in his face tha
had never fallen on them before, caught then
both in his arms, and drawing them to hi
heart, exclaimed
My children! my angels! you have save'
your father
And bending his head over them, the stron
man wept as babe,
ooh, God forgive me!0 he exclaimed, q
last, brokenly. II hare enough 10 hre for! y
That pledge was kept-that family rs hdppy