Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-12-07
back, weeping and despairing, to her cheer
less home and half starving children.

Z tSSo bphhC anu NAM 5toa'AhS NntiutEu.
! Thus it was With Joe Barker and bis fam
| lily on the night in which We have introduced
them to the reader. What was aslittls unu-
sual for joe ho had worked steadily an day,
and without once going to the tavern to get
drink. In fact, Bessey had talked to him
SO earnestly in the morning. and pictured to
his mind SO wildly the evil consequences Of
bis way Of life, that he had made one of his
feeble resolutions to become q sober man.
This resolution be had been able to keep
through the day, sustained therein by the
useful labor in which be was engaged. But.
when evening came, aud his thought went to
the tavern and the good fellows there assem-
blea, with whom be was wont to meet. be was
unable to withstand the impulse that led him
thitherward And so, seiziog a favored
mouent, he left the house, ere his watchsul
partner could prevent ity
Diving down narrow cross street, not far
from the poor howell in which be dwelt, Joe
Barker was soon in front of 1.-THE Diamond,
an old drinking haunt Of the worst descrip-
ton He was right against the closed door
ere he noticed the absence of the red lamp,
on which the word Refractory" had so often
tempted him with thoughts of good cheer
within; aud he pushed several times against
the door, ere fully satisfied that it was fast
ened within.
What's the matter here ?" muttered Joe,
10 some bewildermcnt at SO singular state
Of affairs. Stopping back pace or two he
looked up at the house. Lamp outdoor
locked--shutters closed what's the matter
old Gilbert's not dead. hope"
Two or three feeble raps we're made on the
door, but only a hollow sound came from
within.
II don't understand it all, said Joe Bar
kcr, now observing, for the first time, that
this particular neighborhood, usually crowded,
SO to speak, with noisy tpplers every even
ing. had deserted look. Here and there
man might be seen moving briskly along as
if on some particular errand. or on bis way
home. But, there were no groups on the
corners. no loud takers none of the usual
evidences Of drinking and rowdyism.
st can't be Sunday evening" thought
Joe, and he stood still, trying to think, with
his hand on his forehead,
| No: it was not Sunday evening, he was
certain of this; for be remembered that
The Diamond had always been ready to
receive whether it were Saturday
or Sunday evening,
"He's dead, or moved away" This was
the only conclusion to which Joe could arrive.
So be passed on, saying to himself
I'll 60 round to Sprigg's; for must have
a drink to night"
And so, the poor, meagrely- clad creature
went shutting along the half deserted pave
ment, where, aforetime, he had been wont to
meet, at every tarn. wretches sold to the vice
of iotoxication, and even more degraded than
himself. But few of these were now to be
seen, and they were evidently as much bewil-
dered at the changed aspect which everything
wore as be was.
Sprigg kept drinking and gambling den,
in the next square from Gilbert's. Thither
Joe Barker CROPPED his way, for the street was
unusually dark-thc large lamp in front of
The Diamond" now extinguished, had, of
itself, lit up the whole block. Stranger, still !!
sp-igg's den was closed A dim light, shi-
ming through one of the upper windows, en-
couraged Barker to hammer on the shut door
for admittance. Two or three times he
knocked before there was any evidence of life
within. Then window in the second story
was opened, and a mans head thrust out
who's there q was growled in gruf,
almost angry voice.
Hey. Sprieg, is that your cried Bar
ker, "What, in wonder, is the NATTER"
who are you, and what DO you want p
returned Sprigg, sharply. so BOSS
"l'm Joe Barker; come down and let me
in, | want the siiffest glass ofrum- toddy you
can make; for havn't tasted drop since
yesterday 1n8l a
"If do come down. TN be sorry time
for you, old chap was she passionate an
swer of Sprigg "oG Uia you, and this in
stant!p aailasa ls st.s siti 81
"Why. whas's in The vim, pa,5 neigbbOr r
said Barker, more puzzled tnan before. =
Have you all shut up shOp-turned pious.
and joined the church? M
The tavern keeper suffered out an oath,
as he drew in his head, and closed the sash
| with heavy jar,
Joe Barker was mysti6ed worse than ever.
What could it all mean
Somebody must be dead" He looked