Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-07-21

III my neglect and abuse 10 my dear
hildrenl May God help me to be .
ather TO you Indeed, my BOY!
BY this time Mary and Henry had
ome from their experiments, anxious to
<now the cause of the excitement aud
ears. When they were Informed o.
What had taken place. their tears aowed
reely. and their hearts leaped for 10y.
After the frst expression Of joyous
ceiling had passed off. in the form o.
Drayers and tears, a little circle was
ormed about the small fire that was
turning on the hearth. Mr.. and MIRA.
Mortimer sst close together; little VIII
ie was on bis lsther's knee, Mary stood
W the side OF her mother, aud Henry
sat on little stool by the side OF hls
ather.
Husband, what induced you TO slgn
the pledgel inquired Mrs. Mortimer.
A stranger; know notwho hewas. pn,
ip at Parks. and said, II we worId oil g.
ip to lhe TEN perance meeting. he would
1--WE them some. u he got chance =
We thought he meant TO talk against
temperance men; but instead OF that.
9 poured oul the truth powerfully up
IN all rumsellers anl rum drinkers. ]
never felt 80 ashamed IN my lite.
thought every wor he said was for me;
and | dsre not look up, Tor l thought ev-
cry body in the house must be look 9.
ing at me. Aud the way he gave II To
pirson Hoydw couldn't be beat. |
guess the old man won't sit 81 addIe the
ence any longer.
Was Parks therei osked Mrs. Norti-
mer.
Yes. he was there, and heard Il all;
and | thought by the way he looked, he
felt Il too. tr
Did you sign the pledge at the church !
No After We Went back To Parks's,
cfowfvol drew up a pledge, and signed
10 thS SssnIe ana<Se hIs@ighi before
old Parks. cf. a
WA, did he say!
n said we were fools TO sign away
our liberty to drink wine, beer, AMI cider.
Aud Crowtoot told him he ought to plead
tor cider, drinking since il had such a
gooi effect ON old Bill SAvilia
He din What diJ.he say tNthat
He couldn't say much to il. He
wilts pretty quick.
Well my husband, ] am rejoicing
that YOU have made up your mind u
break of drinking We were once hap
py, and can be again. Rum Is the on y
thing that has ever cast dark clnu'l
over our family; and if it is entirely put
away. can see no reason why we my
not again be happy, and have all ths
necessaries Of lite, il not thr luxu les.
Little Willie. to express his deep in
terest in the matter, put one arm around
his fathers neck. aud tenderly rubbed
his cheek with the other hsnd, aud said,
Father, il you don't drink ANY more, |
eau have some shpes; cant |. father!
I hope so, my child, replied the lalher,
with much feeling.
And can have some new clothes.
and new book, aud run go to school.
said little Mary, as she brushed back her
curls.
And the children won't point at US
any more, and saw, Your iather is u
druukard;' will they, father! asked
Henry.
These touching questions entirely
overcome NJ NJ ,rtimer II inclined
forward. put his hands 10 his face, aud
Went bitterly.
Mkt morning, Mrs. Mortimer rose with
heart as light as the mir she brealhed.
She went about her household duties
leeling that new star had appeared in
her horizon, which she hailed as the hsr-
binger OF brighter da.. When break
fast was ready, the family was gathered
each wearing bright aud happy face as
'h.y took their seats at the tabl,. Mr.
Mortimer Gust his eye over the table,
and seeing nothing but snne baked po-
tatoes, corn bread. and crust COFFEE. he
inquired, My dear wife, is tins all the
huuse affords for our cOmiortl
This is NIL we have; bat with kind
and sober husb,nd, consider them lux
uries, she replied.
o, how cruel is the rumseller, TO rob
poor mans lamily OF the comforts of
liie. by taking advantage of bis uppe-
tite! said Mr.. Mortimer.
lie seemed now, Tor the frst time, 10
wake up to a seusc oi the great evils he
had brought upon lis inn cent vie and
children oy his Ioag course Of inrbria-
ton. The scales has fallen from his
eyes, aud he saw most cIeorly the pover-
ty, the deep degradation, aud wretched.
uess he had Indicted upon his children.
Breakfast was over ani Mr. MJrti-
mer had zone 10 his work. IL was a
mason by trade, anla good msckanic -
Toe day was passed b, Ms. Mortimer
as usual, at her work, but not with the
sune downcast lok and heavy heart. =
Tue children spent the day In con Sess-
ing about new irocks, new shoes, new
hats, and new bo ks, and going to schupl;
and what afforded theft little hearts
more Joy than all the The rest, tho school
children wouldn't point at them. anl say,
Your lather is drunKurd. II was the
first happy, unclouJed ddy thst had ever
passed over their dwelling during their
remembrance. About dark, the chill
dren gathered around the window to
watch The comingof their father. 'Tas,
too was something new Ia the history
of their recollec,ions. Before, they
dreaded hts approach, because he always
came intoxicated anI cruelty beat them.
wThere, lather's coming lie hasn I
been To pirks's; know he hsseut! y
aint YOU glad, mother! SAID Mary.
As he opened the door. his wife fond
ly embraced him, and his ovrrjpyed chIl-
dren gathered around him, pulled down
his face, and kissed him; AMI il indeed
actions speak louder than words, he had
abundant evidence that they We're all in
expressibly happy To SEQ him rrturn
home SOBER. lie put into his wiie's
hand twelve shiIlings. the amount ol his
days work, saying Old Parks didn't g'i
this. Make use al II as you think best
Tor the comfort .: the family.
From this time the Mort mer family
/ he IA tu thrive In lew tnopthS th,.i