The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-02-01
SELECT STORY.
n8 8AlC0lM WARREN,
THE OLD MANS LESSON.


'Notthis evening, Alice. have prom
ised to meet some friends this evening
and l must keep my word. l will be al
home in good season.
Il had hoped that l should have youl
company this evening. Come, why can
you try and see if | cannot make you as
happy as those companions whom you are
to meet? Just this once, Malcolm 0,
this once !
No no, Alice, l am going out. What
crying Now what's the use of that?
Can't fellow go out once in while with
out leaving a crying wife 2
Il can't help it, Malcolm, But here
kiss me before you go
Thus spoke Malcolm Warren and his
young wife. Malcolm was young man,
twenty-seven years of age, and a carpcn-
ter by trade. His wife was one of the
sweetest dispostioned girls in town, and
she made one of the best Of wives. She
loved her husband with the whole energy
of her pure soul, and she knew that she
was beloved in heart. Her two children,
a boy and girl, often saw her shed tears
when they were alone with her in the snug
little sitting room and the boy was old
enough to ask what made his mother cry,
but she dared not tell him.
Malcolm Warren owned the little cot
tagc in which he lived, and he had paid
for it all out of his hard earnings, while
Alice had borne her share of the burden,
by purchasing all the furniture. Nal
colin was stout and an excellent work
man, and he had never yet seen the hour
when he needed to lay idle for the want
of work. A better hearted youth lived
not in the town and when he took the gen.
tie Alice for his wife there was many
fair maiden whose bosom gave place to
kindly, wistful envy. They would no.
have robbed Alice Of her prize, but they
only hoped that their own lot might be as
fortunate. Why, then, should a cloud
come upon that house? Why should
Alice weep? All, for the same reason
that thousands of our faircst daughters
weep. For the same reason that hot
tears are ever crying out their silent ap
peals for mcrcy-tea that run. and run
until they make flood that fairly shrieks
as it rolls over our land.
Malcolm Warren had high social ma
ture his society was priz d by all who
could secure it-and he had been indul-
ging in the false smiles Of the wine cup.
For the last year he had been allowing
his appetite to gain strength. At first it
was only an occasional glass;, then a
glass or so once in while, and then
one or two glasses a day But lately
he had gone so far as to spend day.
But lately he had gone so far as to spend
his earnings away from home, and for
nearly two months past he had spent all
his money with his jovial companions
Alice saw all this, and she knew full well
where it would end if it was not stopped.
See knew her husbands nature, ard she
knew how surely he was fallen. She had
whispered to him her fears, and he had
tried to laugh them off as idle whms.--
She had prayed to him TO stop the fatal ca
reer while he yet had strength, but he
had been offended because she could
think that he would ever become drunk
ard. So Alice was afraid to speak all her
fears. Yet she saw with clear eye all
that was coming. She saw the broad road
upon which her dear beloved was travel
ling and her heart was aching. She
knew that even now want was staring
them in the face 1t was autumn, and
she had asked Malcolm for money to buy
warmer clothing for herself and children,
and he had none to give her. Only day
before he had brought home bucket full
of flour instead of sending home bar
rel, as he used to do. He earned money
and where was it? Alas poor Alice
knew too well, Malcolm's face, and she
saw that lis manly beauty was slowly but
surely eaten away. The large blue eyes
were growing dim bleared and bloodshot
the once fair cheeks were becoming Swol-
len and bloated, and the lips looked dry
and cracked. No wonder she knelt down
by her bedside and prayed.
was now Saturday evening, and Nal
colin was going out. He was to meet
some of his friends, and Alice knew that
he was to meet them at the tavern. lie
had worked only three days during the
past week, and he had the pay for these
three days work in his pocket The
money was needed at home, but where
would it be on the morrow.
'Malcolm, O, do not wholly forget your
fond. loving Alice when you are gone !
But Malcolm did not answer. He kiss
ed his wife, however-kissed her not as
he used to do. but kissed her merely be
cause she had asked him to-and then
he left his cottage. After he had gone,
Alice sat down and wept. She could not
help it, Her darling boy crept by her
side, and placed his arms about her neck
He asked no questions but he asked her
not to cry. His little mind seemed TO have
some idea Of the coming of calamity
It must have been vague, but it was clear
enough to prevent him from forcing the
dread thoughts upon his mothor. Once
more he asked her not to cry, and then
his own little heart burst, and the mother
and child wept together, This was an
other drop in the poor wife's cup of at
Fiction. o. how palpable now must be
her husbands S course when even the prat'
ting child saw and knew the danger p