True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-08
q Raglan, Editor and Proprietor.

her; you always seemed so cold towards
me, almost as though you hated me and
have sometimes almost thought you did,
for 1 cannot recall one kind word that
ever had from you," and she covered her
face with her hands and wept bitterly at
the thought.
Mr.. Vernon was silent, for he was now
as much surprised as he was angry. He
had always treated May as a wayward
child, incapable of acting or thinking for
herself, little dreaming Of the latent spirit
that lay beneath the quiet exterior, which
his own conduct had reused into being.
There was painful pause for few mo,
meRts, when May, drying her tears, went
on-"You remember Ina Mason? her pa
rents, too, I presume ?" and she cast Gu
rious glance at her father as she said it,
"you remember the drinking saloon you
fitted up in our peaceful village, which FL
led your Golfers with gold, and the homes
of so many with misery and despair
Young as | was, felt it all but through
fear and shame, my lips were sealed to all
but Ina; and We heard, though you did
not know it, the pressing invitation you
gave Mr.. Mason, to meet some friends
there one evening. We were in the arbor,
and you were standing close by, and when
he promised you that he would go "just
once," he was very pale, and looked so
strange and wild that I was frightened
/ looked towards Ina for an explanation,
and as our eyes met, she buried her face
in my lap and sobbcd as though her heart
would break.
ave left our books and play, aud with
Ina l went over to her pleasant home
There, everything seemed planned for en-
joyment; but the first shadow that I had
ever seen on her happy face had settled
there with heavy weight. Her mother
observed it and asked her the cause. of her
sadness; but she cvaded direct answer,
as she could not bear to tell her of the
promise she had heard her father make
and she thought that she would see him
alone, and persuade him not to 60, but
she was sadly disappointed, as he did not
come near his home that evening. Mrs.
Mason was alarmed at her husbands alb.
sence, though I doubt whether she thought
of the real cause But the reality came
all to soon, without any forcboding.
"We had been sitting for some time in
silence, when Ina arose and taking my
hand, led me out into the garden, and as
we slowly paced the gravcled walks for a
time, not word was spoken, but tears
were upon my poor friends check, which
clistened for moment in the moonbeam'
rays and then rolled slowly down to make
room for others.
'I said nothing, for my heart was toC
full to offer consolation; but at last shC
spoke, and told me that which I was much
surprised to hear-that her father once
used to frequent such places as the one he
had that night gone to, and he abused
them so when he returned home, they
dreaded to see him coming, though wher
sober he was one of tho best and kindest
of parents; but that was so seldom, il
seemed all darkness and sorrow to them
Father, had you but heard her tell of the
miserios they endured, as I did, you woulc
not, if you had any heart left, ever hav,
sold another drop of that which never does
Aanything but curse its purchaser, while
the curse. is still deeper on those depend
ing ones, whose duty it is for him to low
and protect. .
"She said, that finally, through the in
Auence of friends, he was persuaded tt
come to our peaceful village, where there
was then nothing to tempt him, and HI
had built their pretty cottage, and brought
happiness to hor mother and herself lon!
before the tempter was again after him, ii
the person of--my father
,"When they learned that you had open
ed a place, where those, who like him
possessed habit that was their master
could find free indulgence, they feareI
much for him; but as he seemed to shu
, it, and time passed and he was still tn
same, their faith in him was 6xed ant
little did they dream, their hearts wer
again to be wrung, their hopes blightct
ut was very late, before Mr.. Macon rt
turned home that night, and then he ha
| drank of the poison that sent him reelin