Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-05-20

BF FINLEY JOHNSON.

ana SO You are gong to leave us, Ned 2
said old farmer Brian in tone of inquiry Il
| his late assistant.
"Why, yes" was the reply; al think tha
by SO doing can do better. With the wa
ges have saved / intend to buy small
farm, and when my little girl and are mar.
! ried, we shall settle down for life.''
Il am glad to hear it, Ned, though it goes
hard with us to part with you You have
been faithful to your trust, and may you be
happy; but beware of your mortal enemy,
rum. va
The young man was for moment con-
fused, but speedily recovering, he replied
well, Mr. Brian, that am resolved on
For two years have | been without it. and
| think that now can refrain altogether So
good bye, have long road to travel vet,
and mean to reach my destination to-rnor-
row." ~
Good bye-God bless you,' said the
honest farmer, "and remember as YOU value
your happiness, to avoid all intoxicating
drinks" "a t s RS
"No fear of me- cried the Young man, as
he waved his hand; and whistlng to huge,
shaggy dog, he took the road, and with a
happy heart sped onward
Edward Howard was one of those strong,
hardy men, that seem to have been made
expressly to clear the way for civilization
AS he trudged on his way with his dog at
his heels, and cast his eyes now on the vast
expanse of prairie land, and now ON the rude
huts of the settlers, he seemed to have been
formed for such a scene.
"Come on Lion-come on, old bow" he
cried, swapping his fingers, and bending down
to stroke his dog; "you'll miss the old farm
and the old hearth, and the new folks, per-
haps, will call you an ugly customer, but the
girl that loves me will love you too, old boy
We are going to new home
And here he struck up lively tune while
the dog bounded on before him, wagging
his tail as if he understood all his master
said. Bright visions of the future came be-
fore the young man, and, building fairy cas-
ties in the air, Ned was happy.
He had not proceeded far before his ears
were saluted with the shouts of a party who
were returning from the fields. "Hillo,
Ned" they cried where are you bound
Hillo, old Lion, where for now." a
why, my friends, | am going no far
Their tonight than the Western House. cried
Ned, as he shook them all by the hand :;
"and as for Lion, he'll not leave me- must
taste mother Simpsons tea to night
"A cup of whiskey would sit better on your
stomach said one, as he slapped the young
man on the shoulders.
Cor a glass of the old mans punch" re-
joined another. -
q wonder if Ned has any Dimes" shout
ed a third, - | move he treats the party
"Och, boys" cried a red faced Irishman,
leave the man alone, his money is where
Paddy was-in the sharks mouth It's a
man like Ned that can keep money tight"
AS the young man gazed around him and
heard the laugh with which this sally was
greeted, he felt quite displeased. His pride
was touched; if there was one thing which
he despised above all others it was meanness,
and therefore it was with eyes of fire he ga
zed around and in a stern voice said:
Hank We, friends, am no miser 1t is
true that there is money in my purse, but
do not intend to drink or treat, which is per-
haps to you disagreeable news"
"Oeh, man, the news is just like Betsy's
scoldlng-the very thing expected" cried
the Irishman, and loud laugh greeted his
wit.
1t is not because am afraid of the ex.
pense," replied Ned, his eyes flashing with
passion.
"Andis it because you are getting proud!"
retorted his tormentor.
You are all wrong" said another of the
party, " Ned is not stingy after ALL Come
on, men; old Simpson has got fresh sup
ply. Come along-Neds a trump" and
placing his arm in that of the too yielding far
mer, led him on.
Alas, poor Edward the fatal step was
taken. Urged on his pride to show his friends
that he was not penurious, he passed the Ru
bicon of safety and plunged madly into the
vortex of dissipation The tavern was reach
ed and sitting down on a rude bench, he cal
led boldly for the intoxicating liquor. AS
he raised the first cup to his lips a warning
voice spoke 10 his soul, and he felt dissatisti-
ed with his conduct But as the songs of
his friends fell upon his ear, and rs he heard
their loud shouts of boisterous mirth, he was
chained to the spot, and when morning dawn
ed upon the earth his money was almost
gone, and he himself in a sleep of drunken
ness.
1t was midday before he again started on
his journey, and as he passed the threshold
of the inn, he cursed the follies of the previ-
Gus night. Lion bounded on before him as
if JOYOUS again TO see his master sober, but
Ned's steps were not so elastic as when he
first started. He felt himself debased and
his course was downward. The warning voice
of his good old master was forgotten, and en-
tering the first low cabin on his route, he
again drank of his enelny-rum. Thoughts
of his betrothed of his future prospects would
occasionally, like sunbeams dart across his
mind, then all would be dark. Still he drank
and as he drew near to the home of her whom
he loved, his steps were staggering, and his
head reeled from the effects of the poison
He had been tempted, and relying upon his
own strength rather than the grace of God,
had fallen. The first false step was taken,
and hope was shrouded in the darkness of
despair.
Carrie Church loved Edward Howard