Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-05-25

The Angel of DeIiVerance.
One Of the most efficient laboieis in the
Temperance Reform is 7. S. Arthur. His
agency is a Somewhat different, perhaps a
more pleasant one than ours; for While we
deal with rugged statistics, whose long col
umns of figures give US both head ache and
heart-ache, and with compacIed arguments
designed to carry conviction to statesmen
and philanthropists, be takes some simple
life fact, clothes it in the graces Of an at
trsctive narrative and sends il on its mission,
to steal into the heslts Of the yonng and
susceptible, with its impressive moral les
sons, through their quiekeniug. moral sym
pathies, to give ultimate expression 10 those
sympathles, in corresponding action. In
this way be reaches thousands who could
scarcely be reached by any other influence
and contributes essentially to the right ed
ucation of the public mind @
AT the risk Of doing injustice to good
thing by abridging it Of its fair proportions,
We give part of one of MIR. Arthur's clever
Temperance Tales, in bis own language,
and the substance of the. rest, very much
condensed in our OWL:
Lizzie Leslie-"little Lizzie" as she was
calied.-a girlo ten years,-had drunk
en- father. She once heard her mother
say. bitterly, to a sympsthizing neighbor,
ooh, if they wouldn't sell bim liquor. there
would be no trouble. He's one of the best
men when he dosen't drink. He never
brings liquor into the house, and he tries
hard enough to keep sober, but he cannot
pass jerks tavern" Lzze pondered these
words awhile, and it occurred to her that
the remedy for the trouble which was
breaking her mothers heart was simple
enough-it was only to get jerks to prem
ise that be would sell her father no more
liquor. So the child miss onary threw her
apron over her head, and unobserved end
alone made her way 10 the tavern. A few
minutes before, stranger had stopt at the
door, and going 10 had called for a glass of
water, drank it with relish, and spoke so
emphstically in praise of the simple bever-
age that the landlord chose 10 take offence
atwhat he termed a temperance lecture his
being increased by the fact
that it was listened to with evident interest
by several of his customers among them the
father Of little Lizzie 10 the very flush Of |
jerks indignaiion-bu it's Mr.. Arlhur's
turn to speak and we shall let him describe
the scene that followed in bis own langu-
age:
"At this moment child stepped into the
bar-room. Her little face was flushed, and !
great beads Of perspiratiou were slowly
moving down her crimson cheeks. Her
step was elastic. her manner earnest, and
her large, dark eye black with an earnest !
purpose. She glanced neither to the right
nor to the left, and walking up TO the land
lord, lifting to him her sweet, young face,
and said in tones that struck every heart,
but his:
"Please. Mr. jerks, don't sell raps any
moie liquor!'
"Of home with you this Instant" ex.
claimed jerks, the crimson of his face deep |
ening into dark purple. As he spoke, he
advanced towards the child. with his hand
uplifted in threatening attitude.
"Please don't, Mr.. Jenbs" " persisted the
child. not moving from Shere she st, cd,
nor taking her eyes from tie landlords
Mother says, if YOU wouldn't
sell him liquor, tberc'd be no trouble =
He's kind ard good to US all when he
doesn't drink"
"Of, say!" shouted jerks. now mad
dened beyond self-contrul; aud his hand
was about descending upon the little one.
when the stranger caught her in his arms.
exclaimed as he did 50 with deep emotion:
%God bless the child! No, DO, precious
one!" be added, 'don't feeF him. Plead |
for your father-plead fOA your home
Your petition must prevail. He cannot
say nay to one of the little ones. whose an
gels DO always behold the face Of their faith
er in Heaven. God bless the child" sd-
ded the stranger, in choked voice, 20 |
that the father, for whom she has come on
her touching errand were present now! If
there were anything of manhood yet left in
his nature, this would awaken it from its
palsied Sleep"
Papa. o, papa!" now cried the child.
stretching forth her hands. In the next
moment she was clinging to the breast of
her father, who with his arms clasped tight
ly around her, stood weeping and mingling
bis tears with those now raining from the
little ones eyes.
What an oppressive stiffness pervaded
the room! jerks stood subdued and be-
his stare OF mental confusion
scarcely enabling him to comprehend the
full import of the scene; the stranger look
ed on wonderiugly. yet deeply affected
Quietly, and with moist eyes, the two or
hree drinking customers, who had been
louuging in the bar, went stealthily out
and the landlord, the stranger, and the
father aud child, were left the only inmates
Of the room.
"Come. Lizzy dear! This is no place
for us" said Leslie. breaking the deep ST.