Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-10-16
"ls he ?" and the childrcn's laces bright

All wake nin lOr you."
Halt intoxicated and sound asleep, it
was with some difficulty that Mr.. Free
man could be aroused. As soon, however,
as his eyes were fairly opened, aud he
found Ady and Jane had each grasped one
OF his hands, he rose up, and, yielding pas
sively TO their direction, suffered them TO
lead him away.
go DEAR" exclaimed man who had
looked on with wonder and deep interest,
Hba'S temperance lecture | can't stand.
God bless the little ones" he added, with
emotion, sand give them sober father"
81 guess you never saw them before ?"
said one Of the bar-keepprs, lightly.
"No, and | never wish to DO so again
at least i'll this place. Who is their father 2,
"Freeman, the llwyer."
"Not the one who, few years ago,
conducted with SO much ability the case
against the marine Insurance Company
'The same'
is il possible p
A little group now formed round The
man, and good deal was said about Free
man aud his fall from sobri'ty. One who
had several times seen ADV and Jane come
in and lead him home as they had Just
done, spoke of them with much feeling,
and urged that il was most tonching scene.
60 see,' said one, show passively he
yields himself TO the little things when
they come after him, | feel sometimes,
when | see them, almost weak enough 10
she'd tears"
They are his good anrrIs,' remarked
another. Bat Pm afraid they are not
strong enough to lead him back to the
paths he has lorsaken'
You can think what you please about
IT, gentieinrn,' spoke up the landlord,
but can tell you my opinion upon The
sutject. wouldn't give much for the
mother who would let two little things
like them 90 wandering about the street
alone at this time Of night
One Of them who had expressed an in
terest in the children felt angry at these
remarks, and he retorted with some bitter
ness-'And l would think less OF the man
who would make their father drunk
Ditto TO that responded one Of :he
company.
'Ald here's my hand 10 that said an
o her.
The landlord, finding that the majority
OF his-company Were likely TO be against
him, smothered 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 So
Der in the fore part Of the day, was in his
Office. stranger entered, and, after sitting
down said, Il must crave your pardon
beforehand for what | am going to say.
Will you promise me not TO be offended @
"If you offer me an insult | will resent
it, said the lawyer.
so far from that, come with desire
10 do you great servce.'
'Very well--say on.'
i was at LawsoA'S Refractory last night
sWellp
'And | saw something there that touched
my heart. If ! slept at all last night, it
was only 10 dream Of it. am father,
sir; have two little 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..
Freeman when he was comparatively So
Der, disturbed him deeply. In spite of all
his endeavors TO remain calm, he trembled
all over. He made an effort to say some
thing in reply, but could not utter word.
"My dear sir,' pursued the stranger,
"you have fallen at the baud CT the mon
ster intemperancr, 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
lul manner their love for you, conjure
YOU to rise up superior to this deadly foe.
Reward those dear children with the high
est 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.-Come :"
Half bewildered, though with a new
hope in his heart, Freeman arose, and sui
fered the man, who drew his arm within
his, to lead him away. Before they separ-
ated, both had signed the pledge.
That evening, unexpectedly, and to the
Joy Of his family, Mr.. Freeman was perfect
ly soLtr when he came home. After tea,
while Ady and Jane were Standing on Ell
ther side OF him, as he sat near their moth
er, an arm around each of them, he said in
low whisper, "You will never have 10
come for me again."
The children then lifted their eyes
quickly TO his face, but half understanding
what he meant,
81 will never go 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 gladness.
Low as all this had been said, every
word reached the mothers ear and, while
her heart yet stood trembling between hope
and fear, MIR. Freeman drew paper from
his pocket, and threw it on the table by
which he was sitting. Sh. opened il has
tlly. II was pledge with his well-known
Signature subscribed at the bottom.
With cry Of JOY she sprang to his side,
and his arms encircled his wife as well as
| Childran In fonla. a,nb.a N tha m than bad