Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-24


gers. No, she dill not fear to go and leave
him, for he had thus been left many
time, and always carefully obeyed her.
!, And he meant to now but poor little
fellow his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store, whittier he knew his
father always went at evening; and his /
brain was busy with eager wonderings. /
He knew his father loved TO 60, and knew
there must be something there he liked,
for he never came home again till long af-
, ter Willie was asleep. What lay behind
those scarlet curtains was mystery he sought
in vain to ravel.
At length he whispered eagerly, as. if
: to encourage longing wish, "Papa used to
J tell meif ! wanted to know anything very
bad, to persevere, and | would find it out. |
t Now do want to know what makes him |
t love to go there so. / know that there
E must be pretty things behind these win
: dows [ shouldn't wonder" and his
cheeks were glowing if it was like
t fairy house. Why can't go?"
e Poor Willie! The temptation to know
t was too strong TO be resisted SO he hun
, ted Through Che closet for a candle, for he
was thoughtful little fellow, and would
e not leave his little sister to the only dan
ger that could menace her. He fund a
+? bit of tallow dip, and lighting it, drew
D the stand close to her, that the fame might
c scare away the rats and mice, should they
] sally out ere his return
It :" / won't stay long, pretty DEAR" said
n he, pressing tender kiss on her sleeping
e lids. and drawing the blanket close over her
d fair arms "No, I'll come back soon, but
G | do so want to take one peep"
il Swiftly his little feet Bore him syer the
% pavement, and in trice he stood beside
A. the curtained door.
re How light it is. and how they laugh
Of and talk. 1t must all be very funny there" I"
ID A cold November blast swept around
N the corner as he spoke, penetrating lis
IN worn, summer clothes, and causing his
q flesh to culver and his teeth to chatter
$. a don't believe they'd hurt me, if |
,e should 90 in awhile; | am such little
n boy, and am SO cold out here" he said,
Of as he pushed the door carefully from him,
ts slipping in and closing it without breath
S, of noise For N nsHlent he was be~iIder-
T. ed with the light and clatter, and hall
wished he were away. But the warm all
- was grateful to his chilled limbs, and indine
that no one seemed to notice him, lac stole
towards the glowing CRATE, and spread out
this purple palms before the blaze The
group of men that encircled the bar were
drinking when he entered Soon, howev
er, they set down their glasses, and disper
sed about the ROOM
se Halloo," said one, in loud tone, a
going to the fire he spied little Willie
We :" W hat are you doing acre, my little fcl
ne low? Who are you? and what do yo
:r. want 2"
ed Il don't want anything, only to see wha
W, yon do here. My name is Willie NJ. Ny pa
us pa loves to come here: and it locked so pleas
H. ant through the window, Ethought I'd like tc
nc Butt must not stay long, for Pve left tho ba
ps by alone"
ice Theman' s tones wsrt ssftened as he spok
're again to him..
IA, And where's your mother, boy 7"
20, she's gone to take home the wash, sir
rty Papa don't have as much work as he used t
ad once, and we're very pcor now, and she ha
help him."
= And dces it look as pleasant in hero q
vas yeu thought it wouid, my child"
KS go, yes, it does sir. don't wander par
bis loves to come here so rpuch.ns so cold an
ere dark at home. But shoald think he'd brin
ish mamma and me and little sis. How s
ico would laugh to see this fire aud all those pre-
~ ty bottles, and those flowers with lights j
them. Please SIR" and he earnestly seize
ey the rough hands of the listener, please, 81
No, tell me Why little boys can't come here vii
their fathers %
led For Gods sake do not tell him, Bancroft
a 1ioho hoA Il
10 pure and holy. Heavens what a wretch
ami Ny boy, my boy p and Willie W
clasped in his fathers arms-"you have sa
a,e ed me, saved me from earth's vilest he'll.
ud- Here, with my handu upon thy sinless bro
the l promise never to touch'agaIn the cup ha
He drunk so deep. And MY, brothers in sin,
and you value your souls salvation, tempt me n
wn to break my vow. Help, me, Uearen-he
me, nsen, so to liye,hcrea4ter, that papa m
-, never blush to take his boy along-that
axe :, papa goes there, Willie may go there too.
Is, Silently the door closed after them, and
ON, lence dwelt in the saloon behind them T
the preacher had been there in cherub form, a
no crazy, loose, unholy thought, or light and
ID | 0aid jest was hushed. ene by one they ST.
away, and many home wore SMILES IL
night; nor did the old bar tender, eys
= AS curse the little one that robbed him of so i
the ny dimes. Too deeply in his heart had 50
the the voice of that e!serub preacher. *
and Don't you like ne, papa? Arc you crc
Ian at me 2" asked Willie, IN hesitating t. i
as they stood a few moments on the De,
- ment for the'scene in tue bar-room was
enigma to the child, and he half feared
20 proof.
Twas thinking what msmma would i
oor, best for supper" said the father
Kept WAS you was you ?'7 was the eager gu
ler' ton, in a gladstone voice .,s5stben KIN
uld you amt cross. o, get oysters aad crack
,,,re. and tea, papa; and candle, cause there
80. ,,a only piece. And please, papa, tell nam
not to he cross at me'cause L left the Labv
oyed don't believe she will though, cause
said know if hadn't gone as did you would
you perhaps hare come home yet, aud ,
YOU does love to have you home so much
no, Oh, ! feel just like crying, am SO glad y
And feel like crying. too" said his ia
er, solemnly; and ore midnight be did C
nei and his wife, too. but they were holy tea
her washing his heart Of the dust that had ga
ered on It's beauty, and bers of the sorr
come that bad drapsd it as pail.
some --s--
and Imprisoned. Jordan CuIIifer W
sne committed to jail in Halifax, N. c.,