Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-14

children have suffered-and o, God only
knows how keenlyl / have long wan
dered in the path of sin. One after ano-
ther the tender cords Of friendship that
used to bind me to the world have snap
ped assunder; my name has become .
by-word, and upon earth have been but
a foul blot. But, sir, from heneeforth, l
am MAN! Up from the depth ofits long
grave, have dragged forth my heart,
and love still has home therein. Ihaye
sworn to touch the fatal cup no more
and in my heart there is no lie Ny wife
and children shall suffer no more for tn.
sins they never committed. have seen
my old employer at the machine-shop,
and he has given me situation, and is
even anxious that should come back /;
and, sir, he has even been kind enough to
give me an order in advance for necessary
articles of clothing, food and furniture
Tomorrow morning will commence
work"
Z" And you come to see if you could OBJ
tain your cottage back again to live in ?"
said Captain Walker, as Wilkins hesita-
ted.
eyes, sir-to SEQ if i could hire it from
you," replied the poor man.
wilkins, how much can you make at
your business ?" bluntly asked the old
captain, without seeming to heed the re-
quest.
"My employer is going to put me on
to job work, sir; and as soon as get my
hand in, I can easily make from twelve
to fourteen dollars a week.
And how much viii it take to support
your family ?"
CAS- soon as can get cleared up. can
easily get along with Ave or six dollars a
week"
Then you might be able to save about
four hundred dollars year"
Il mean to do that, sir"
A few moments Capt. Walker gazed
into the face of his visitor, and then ask
ed:
"Haye you pledged yourself vets"
Before God and in my heart, have !;
but one of my errands here was to get you
to write me pledge, and have it made to
my wife and children"
Captain Walker sat down to his table
and wrote out the required pledge, and
then, in trembling, but bold hand. Will
kins signed it.
wilkins" said the old man as he took
his visitor by the hand, "I have watched
well your countenance, and weighed your
words. KNOW you speak the truth
When l bought that cottage from your
creditors six years ago paid them one
thousand dollars for it. 1t has not been
harmed, and is as good as it was them
Most of the time have received good
rent for it, and each month you shall pay
me such sum as you can comfortably
spare until it is all paid. will ask for no
rent, nor for cent of interest. You shall
have deed Of the estate, and in return /
will take but single note and mortgage,
upon which you can have your own
time"
Thomas Wilkins tried to thank the old
man for his kindness, but he only sank
into his chair, and wept like child; and
while he yet sat with his face buried in
his hands, the old man slipped from the
room. And when at length he returned,
he bore in his hand neatly covered bas-
ket.
Come, come" the captain exclaimed,
"cheer up my friend. Here arc some
tit-bits for your wife and children-take
them home and believe me, Wilkins, if
you feel half as happy i1 IUUriVIng my ia
Vor as do in bestowing it, you are hap
py indeed"
40 God God will bless you for this,
sir ?" exclaimed the kindness stricken
man; "and if betray your confidence.
may l die on the instant %
Stick to your pledge, Wilkins. and ]
will take care of the rest" said the old
Captain. as his friend took the basket
"If you have time tomorrow, call on me,
and will arrange the papers"
As Thomas Wilkins once more entered
the street his tread was light and easy
A bright light of joyouIneSs shown in eY'
cry feature, and as he wendcd his way
homeward, he felt in every avenue OF his
soul that he was once more MAN.
The gloomy shades that ushered in the
night of the thirty first of December, had
fallen over the snow-clad earth. Within
the miserable abode of Mrs. Wilkins there
was more of comfort than when we visited
her, but yet nothing had been added to
the furniture of the place. For the last
six days her husband had come home ev-
cry evening, and gone away before day
| light every morning, and during that
time she knew that he had drank no in
toxicating beverage, for already had his
face beg an to assume the stamp of its for
mer manhood, and every word that he
had spoken had been kind and affection
ate.
To his children he had brought new
shoes and warmer clothing, and to her
self he had given her such thiags as she
stood in immediate need Of; but yet, with
all this, he had been taciturn and thought
ful, showing dislike of all questions, and
only uttering such words as were neees-
sary. The poor, devoted, loving wife be-
gan to hope And why should she not ?