Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-26
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
From the Friend Of Youth
why the Father began to drink, and why
he left OF drinking.
BY MARY IRVING

"What is the matter, Charley boy?" said
young lady to little curly three-year old
who came crying into the parlor, where she sat
sewing, holding his two chubby hands against
his head. "What is the matter? There, be
little man! Don't cry SO! Hush up, and
tell sister what hurt Charley"
"Charley fall down-bump head " sohbed
the little fellow, leaning the bumped head"
on his sisters lap
"Oh, Charley mustn't mind that! See,
Charley is sister Margaret's brave boy, and
brave boys don't cry when they hurt their
heads! There, let sister kiss it, and make it
well! Now. isn't it better?o
She wiped his tear-sprinkled face with her
handkerchief after she had given the healing
kiss and shaking her finger roguishly at Char
ley, surprised him into laugh. He slid down,
and ran off to his play. But he did not play
long. He grew tired Of his marbles and rolled
them away from him into the farthest corner
of the nursery. Then he lay down on the floor,
and shut his eyes. His nurse, seeing that he
was very sleepy, took him up, and laid him on
his crib-bed.
Margaret sat in the parlor, sewing, very
happily. She was thinking what sweet little
brother she had-what "well-spring of
pleasure" in the great house, the dear laugh
ing boy was. Her mother had died when
Charley was a very little baby and Margaret
had ever since taken mothers care of him.
She did not however, love him SO very much as
his father did, He could scarcely bear to have
Charley out of his sight for moment, when he
was in the house. The boy seemed to be the
only thing that had comforted him after the
loss of his dearly-loved wife. He had three
afectionate girls; but he did not love them, all
together so much as he loved his idol Charley's
little finger. They were not enyious of their
brother; for they, too, loved him. Who does
not pet a pretty baby-especially motherless
baby?
The alabaster clock on the marble mantel-
piece rung for twelve, just as two girls came
skipping in, fresh from school. They peeped
their white sun-bonnets.
"Where's 'bubby,' sister?o said the Oldest
one, who was about nine years old
Hush you mustn't make a noise, or you'll
wake him up. He has just gone to sleep"
nounced their father, who always came home
from his store to an early dinner with his chill
dren.
"Where's Charley?" was his first question,
too when he came into the parlor.
"He is taking little nap, father" J" said Mar
garet cheerfully.
"Whew what did you let him 90 to sleep
Just now, for2 You know always want him
to frolic with, when | come in from my bust
ness! Is he sick?n he added, with suddenly
changed tone.
"Oh, no, father he was only sleepy little
earlier than usual, and | thought | wouldn't
try to keep him awake"
~ don't like it at all,o said the father,
throwing a discontented glance on his two little
girls. who had drawn as near him as they
dared, and were looking lovingly into his face.
"Go and get ready for dinner children" he
said noticing that their curly heads were tum-
bled
When he sat down at the dinner table, the
sight of the little plate at his right hand, with
spoon in it, mug before it, and high chair
behind it, seemed to take away all his appetite.
Margaret Pm going to wake up that boy"
he said, rising from his seat.
"Oh, why, father? wouldn't"
at is nonsense to have him going to sleep
this hour-the only one between morning and
night in which can see him! Besides | am
afraid he is sick"
So the father went into the nursery, and
Margaret followed him, half amused half pro-
voked, at what she thought his needless anx-
iety.
The blinds had been shut, so that the large
room was almost dark. The father lifted up a
lace f1y-net, which fell in graceful folds around
the crib, and looked at the child silently for a
moment. He had not the roses on his cheeks
that had been in bloom there an hour before !;
he Law, with one round arm over his head, still
and pale, with heavy, dark purple circles
around his half-shut eyes.
"This child is sick, Margaret p said her
father, tremulously.
"He was well half an hour ago." whispered
Margaret doubtfully.
e Charley, my darling wake up!" said his
father, gently kissing his hot forehead.
Charley did not move, nor open his eyes. He
breathed quickly and strangely.
"Charley, my boy! Charley" cried the
father shaking him, to arouse him.
The child just moved his eyelids, with
murmur of pain, and then settled back into
that strange stupor of sleep.
Send for Dr. H, Margaret " exclaimed
the father, huskily, catching up the child in
his arms
Rose and Abby, the two little sisters, ran all
the way to the Office of DR.. H, and told
him, as well as their crying would let them, to
make haste and come that minute, for sweet
little brother was very sick !"
DR.. H came Immediately, and shook his
head with sad surprise, when he saw the little
sleeper.
"He has had some fall he said
He has never had hard fall J" answered
Margaret. "This morning, he just trlpp.ed his
foot and fell over on the floor that could not
have hurt him, could it, doctor :"
THAT is the cause . said the doctor, seri-
ously.
But doctor, he was at his play again in
five minutes!n
"The fall has produced congestion of the
brain fear" said the physician, in q low tone,
as he turned, with sigh, to the almost useless
task of writing prescription. He had known
the dear child from his birth, and saw very well