The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-03-29
Mislellaneons.
From the Methods. Protestant.
THE TEMPTED;
BY FINLEY JOHNSON.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
"And so YOU are going to leave us, Ned 2"
said old farmer Brian in atone OF inquiry to
his late assistant. =,
"Why, yes" was the reply; 81 think that
nv so doing | can do better. With the wages
have saved intend to buy small farm, and
when nv little girl and l are married we shall
settle down for life"
81 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 mortar e"eH'S'
rum E,
The Young man was for moment confused
but speedily recovering he replied: "Well'
Mr.. Brian, that 1 am resolved on. For two
wears have been without it, and think that
now can refrain altogether. So good bye,
have a long road to travel yet, and | mean to
reach nv destination tomorrow.
"Good od.bye-God bless you," said the hon
est farmer; "and remember, as you value
your happiness, to avoid all intoxicating
drinks"
"No fear for me- cried the young man, as
he waved his hand /; and whistng to huge,
shabby dog, he took the road, and with hap.
py heart sped onward
Edward Howard was one of those strong,
hardy men, that seem to have been made ex.
pressly to clear the way for civilization. AS
he trudged on his way with his doga his heels,
and cast his eyes now on the vast expanse OF
prairie land, and now on the rude hut of the
settlers, he seemed to have been formed for
such scene,
"Come on, Liou,-come on, old boy" 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 perhaps,
will YOU call 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
talk as fhe understood all his master said
Bright visions of the future came before the
Young man, and building fairy castles in the
air, Ned was happy.
He had not proceeded far before his ears
were saluted with the shouts Of party who
were returning from the 6elds,-"HIllo, Ned,
they cried, "where are you bound H'llo' old
Lion, where for nows"
"Whv, my friends, am going no farther
tonight than the Western House, cried Ned,
as he shook them all by the hands ''and for
Lion he'll not leave me. must taste mother
Simpsons tea tonight"
a cup Of whiskey would sit better on your
stomach" said one, as he slapped the young
man on the shoulders.
"Or glass of the old man s punch" rejoin-
ed another.
81 wonder If Ned has any 'dimes,'" shout
ed out of third Il move he treats the
party"
"0ch, boys" cried red faced Irishman,
"leave the man alone, his money is where
Paddy as-that's in the sharks mouth. It's
q man like Ned that can keep money tight"
As the young man gased 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 gazed
around and in stern voice said:
"Hark, ye friends, am no mlser. ltis true
that there is money in my purse, but | do not
intend to drink or treat, which is perhaps to
you disagreeable ne vs."
"Och, man, the news is just like Betsey's
scolding-the very thing expected" cried the
Irishman, and loud laugh greeted his wit
at is not because am afraid of the ex-
pense," replied Ned, his eyes flashing with
passion.
"And is it because you are getting proud 2"
retorted the tormentor.
"You are all wrong" said another of the
party "Ned is not stingy after all. Come
on men-old Simpson has got fresh supply.
Come alorg-Ned's trump" and placing
his arm in that of the too yielding farmer, ne
led him on.
'Alas, poor Edward! the fatal step was
taken. Urged on by his pride to show his
friends that he was not penurious, he passed
the Rubieon of safety and plunged mady in
the vortex of dissipation. The tavern was
reached, and setting down upon rude bench,
he called boldly for the intoxicating liquor
AS he raised the first cup to his lips a warning
voice spoke to his soul, and he felt dissatisfied
with his conduct. But as the songs of his
friends fell upon his ear, and as he heard their
loud shouts of boisterous mirth, he was chain
ed to the spot, and when morning dawned upon
the earth his money was almost gone, and he
himself in sleep of drunkenness. 1t was
midday before he again started on his journey,
and as he passed the threshold of the inn, he
cursed the fol!ies of the previous night. Lion
bounded on before him as if Joyous again to
see his master sober, but Ned's steps were not
as elastic as when first he started. He felt
himself debased, and his course was downward.
The warning voice of bis good old master was