Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-09-24
Ghermp.
Lunch and the Fly Trap.

: evening work from which he seldom returned Ii
midnight. ar. ft.'. es
lunch" said Charley, l am afraid you ma
want something to eat before you come home, an
don't want you to stop at the Exchange. Pleas
1 don't father. .i.f... si- essen sasi,
What are you talking about my son? Wha
do you know about lunches and the Exchange 2
What do you mean?' --r,. f..-.--...'- =.
Why, it is in the paper, father, and l aske
mother and she thinks it is to get folks n to drink
Something like fy-trap" v FL.
"Flytrap. A very dignifed comparison you
mother has hit upon, truly! Then she has beel
telling you that l stop at the Exchange, and that
get lunches and all that? Fine gossip for YOU
mother" -.r e. - ...t... + .:.-.rr II. -
30 no father, she did not say word about you
and did not know that you went there, until
told her that found you there the day Bessie was
SO sick. And, o, father, how bad she looked when
] told her ~ .-. -..,l. H-q ..... D..
What did you distress your mother for, you
mischievous fellow Why did you report such a
thing, when you never found me there but once +?
Do you think that l am going TO stop and eat any
where tonight? Why, child you are crazy" g.
"Why, the paper tells them to come just quar-
ter before ten but please, father, don't stop
come home early, just as you used to when mother
used to play the piano. and you played the fute-
| 0, they were such nice times could Just lie in
the bed, and lsten and it helped me to goto sleep
and have pleasant dreams, too. Come home father,
| do take it, - ----s
Mr.. Edgar was softened, and could not deny the
request He went away not only with lunch in
his pocket, but weight upon his conscience. He
had noticed at the table the troubled countenanee
of his wife, but dare not inquire the cause He
knew too well aheady. He repaired TO his Office,
and to and from thence to the Exchange. A rare
entertainment was in course of preparation, which
was to be enlivened with wine and merriment.-
Perhaps" thought he, {" l can go once more and
then break off, But he no sooner come TO this
decision, than the pale countenance of his wife
and the Importantly Of his child would rush upon
his mind. Neither could that formidable 1y-trap
be forgotten. Surely" thought he, al was al
most suds'd the last evening, and dare 1 venture
again? No, there is safety only in fight, and know
it is not an inglorious retreat" He wrote hasty
apology to his friend stating that the circumstances
of his family required his presence, and then re-
turned home. No bright lamp illumined his par
lor; only dim light shone from solitary cham
Der. Poor Mary" thought he, as he found the
street door fastened, you do not look for me for
many long hour" Noiseless and unperceived, he
entered by side door, and approached the room
occupied by his with and children.
The little son had dismissed his disquietudes for
couch. Little Bessie occupied the crib, and the
mother sat by it in her cushioned chair, with her
head reclined resting on her hand. She would
sometimes raise her head press her throbbing tenn
ples heave sigh, then resume her former posture
Mr. Edgar was moved. All" thought he is |
that my own dear Mary-the only daughter that !
severed from doting parents whose hearts still |
bleed over the separation? Is that pale, languid |
face the same that was once radiant with smiles?-
Oh, wine! wine what hast thou done? This
heart has been stepped in thy poison till it has
ceased to love-tO feel-no, thank God he does
still lOve-st feel; and, by Gods blessing, he will
show it henceforth Here do most sOlemnly pledge
myself that this liquid poison shall never again
enter my lips" Stepping gently forward, and
" Why, Mary, are you i'll tonight"
Starting up in surprise she said, " Why-yes-
no--not very. But, Edward, are you sick, that
you have come home so early?
40, no not at all, feel better than usual this
evening but observed that you looked pale at
the table, and have hastened home on your ac-
count"
" Dear Edward do not leave me-" said the wife
with beseeching look, just stay with me one even
ing"
No. Mary, am not going to leave you you
are to share the entertainment, and it is prepard
already" he said, as he drew the paper from his
pocket.
"There, Mary the lunch had well nigh ruined
your husband, and verify believe the lunch will
save him, too"
Mrs. Edgar at once recognized the agency that
had restored her husband to her side, and smiling
amid her tears, she begged the privilege of adding
something to the repast.
No." he said nothing but some cold water;
let us have Charley identical lunch and while you
prepare the table will wake up your temperance
orator, think mother will be inclined to excuse
this one departure from established rules
In few moments the happy trio were seated
around their entertainment. Charley was mute
with pleasure and surprise. He sat and looked
first at one parent and then at the other; and a
smile, and then tear. ......
/" Come, Charley" said Mr.. Edgar. " don't set
mother to weeping; but as you say they are not
sorry tears this time. Well Charley you don't
think that your father is quite at the bottom OF
the trap" said Mr.. Edgar with a smile.
"NO, father, and | don't think you will ever
get there if you will just take your lunches at
home with mother and me. If | had known We
were to eat with yOu would have put up more
But father, what is to be done about these places
when they are making so many drunkards? Why, /
| could not keep from crying when just looked on
and saw the poor flies caught, and then trying to
get away, and after struggling little while they
would sink, and Others drop right in at the same
place. Now, know it is great deal worse to
kill folks than flies Father, what can be done
about it?' .... H-a !
"Why my SOn," said Mr. Edgar, don't see
as anything can be done while persons continue to /
place themselves in so much danger
4" But mother said the Legislature can help 1t,
said the child with mnch earnestneSs: but they 1
don't begin right They act just as Biddy did |
with my sore finger; you know how much salve she
put on and never tried to get out the splinter
Now, father, wish you would just speak to the |
legislature about it, and tell them about my finger
and how it was cured at last. ....