The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-12-05

A cold, November blast swept
around the corner as he spoke, pene
trating his worn, summer clothes,
and causing his flesh to culver, and
his teeth to chatter
Il don't believe they'd hurt me, ii
should go in awhile, | am snch q
little boy, and | am SO cold out here, :"
he said, as he pushed the door care
fully from him, slipPingin and closing
it without breath Of noise For a
moment he was bewiIdered with the
light and clatter, and half wished he
were away. But the warm air was
grateful to his chilled limbs, and find.
ing that no one seemed to notice him
he stole towards the glowing CRATE,
and spread ont his purple palms be,
fore the blaze. The group Of men
that encircled the bar were drinking
when he entered, Soon, however,
they sat down their glasses and dis
persed about the room.
'HaIloo," said one, in a loud tone,
as going to the fire he spied little
Willie. What are you doing here,
and it looked 30 pleasant through the
window, | thought I'd like to. But
must not stay long, for I've left the
baby alone
The mans tones were sottened as
he spoke again to him.
"And where is your moi 0ther boyp
80, sEe's gone to take home the wash,
s,r.-Papa, don't have as much work as he
used to once, and we're very poor now, and
she has to help him.
"And does it look as pleasant in here as
you thought it would my child."
40, yes. il does, sir. | don't wonder,
papa loves 10 come here so much, it's so
cold and dark at home But should think
he'd bring mamma and me and little sis
How she would laugh 10 see this fire and
all those pretty bottles, and those flowers
with lights in them. Please sir" and he
earnestly seized the rough hands of the lis
tener, "please, sir tell me why little boys
can't come here with their tathersl"
"For Gods sake do not tell him Ban
croft" said deep, sngushed voice. He
deems me pure aud holy. Heavens! what
wretch am! My boy, my by" and
Willie was clasped in his fathers arms
"you have saved me, saved me from earth's
vilest hell. Here, with my hand upon thy
sinless brow, promise never to touch the
cup have drank 80 deep And my broth
ers in sin, as you value your souls salvation,
tempt me not to break my vow. Help me,
Heaven-help me, men, SO 10 live, hereaf-
ter, that papa may never blush to take his
boy along-that il papa goes there Wlile
may go too"
Silently the door closed after them and ST.
Ience dselt in the saloon behind them
The preacher had been there in cherub form
and crazy, loose unholy thought. or light and
rbald icst was hushed. One by one they
stole away an many wife wore smiles that
night nor did the old bar tender, even,
curse the little one that robbed him OF so
many Dimes. Too deeply in his heart had
sunk the voice oil that cherub preacher.
"Don't you like me, pspat Are you cross
at mel" ask ed Willie, in hesitating tone,
as they stood few moments on the pave
ment; for the scene in tho bar-room wac an
enigma TO the child, and he half feared re-
proof.
IL was thinking what mamma would like
best for supper, said the father.
"W as you was yoa2" was the eager quss-
ton, in gladstone voice "Othen know
you amt cross. q, get oysters and crack
c,s and ties. papa; and candle. cause there
is only piece And please papa, tell NAM
ma not TO be cross at me cause ! left the
baby. don't believe she will though, cause
you know i'll hadn't gone as did you
wouldn't perhaps have come home yet, and
she does love to have you home 50 much.
Oh, feel just like crying, am so glad"
"And feel like crying too, said his
father, solemnly; and ere midnight he did
cry, and his wife, too, but they were holy
tears, washing hs heart oi the dust that had
gathered on lis beauty and hers of the sorrow
that had draped it as a pail