Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-17

quite rudely on his shoulder, said, in per-
emptory manner:
"See here, my friend! Ifyou are about
making temperance lecture, you can ad-
iouru to the Town Hall, or the Methodist
Chapel"
The stranger moved aside pace or two,
so that the hand of jerks might fall from his
person, and then said mildly:
"Therc must be something wrong here, If
a man may not speak in praise of water,
without giving offence"
81 said you could adj9urn your lecture -
The landlords face WIS now fiery red, and
he spoke with insolencc and passion.
90, well, as YOU arc president Of the meet
ing, I suppose we must let you exercise an
arbitrary power Of judgment" said the stran'
ger, good-humorcdly. 81 didn't think any
one had so strong dislike for water as to
consider its praise an insult"
At this momenta a child stepped into the
bar-room. Her little face was flushed, and
great beads of perspiration were slowly mov-
ing down her crimson checks. Her step was
elastic, her manner earnest, aud her large,
dark eyes bright with an eager purpose.
She glanced neither to the right nor left, but
walking up to the landlord, lifted to him her
sweet young face, and said, in tones that
thrilled every heart but his:
"Pleasc, Mr.. jerks, don't sell papa any
more liquor
"Of home with you, this instant" cx-
claimed jerks, the crimson OF his face deep
cuing to dark purple. AS he spoke, he
advanced toward the child, with his hand
up.lfted in 4 threatening attitude.
"Please don't, Mr., jerks" persisted the
child, not moving from where she stood, nor
taking her eyes irom the landlords counten-
ancc. "Nlother says, if you wouldn't sell
him liquor, therc'd be no trouble. Hes
kind and good to us all, when he docsn'
drink
"Of, I say" shouted Jenks, now mad
Icned beyond self.control; and his hand was
about descending upon the little one, when
the stranger caught her in his arms, exclaim'
ing, as he did so, with deep emotion:
Good bless the child. No, no, precious
one ~ he added, "don't fear him. Plead
for your fathcr-plead for your home. Your
petition must prevail lie cannot say nay
to one Of the little ones, whose angels do al,
ways behold the face Of their Father in Heav'
en-. God bless the child! ~ added the stran.
ger, in choking voice. 80, that the father,
for whom she has come on this touching cr-
rAnd, were present now, If there were any
thing of manhood yet left i'll his nature. this
would awaken it from its pal>icd Sleep
"r#pa. y, papa! NOW cried the child,
stretching forth her hands. In the next
moment shc was clinging to the breast Of
her father, who, with his arms claSpcd tight
ly around her, stood weeping and mingline
his tears with those row raining from the
little cues eyes.
What an oppressive stiffness pervadeC
that room. jerks stood subducd and be
wildcred. his state Of mental confusion scar
cely enabling him to comprehend Tie full I'M
port of the scene; the stranger looked Oh
wouleringly, yet deeply affected. Inictll
and with moist eyes, the two or three drink
ing customers, who had been laughing III The
bar, went stcalthily out; and the landlord
Tie stranger, and the father and his child
were left the only inmates of the room.
"Comc, Lizzie, dear. This is no place
for us, said Leslie, breaking the deep 81
lemcc. Well 90 home"
And the unhappy incbriate tool; his chil'
By the hand, and led her towards the door
But the little onc held back.
AWAIT, papa, wait, she said. ale haSn
promised yet O, wish he would pTomisc'
"Promi>c her, in Heavens name. sale
the stranger.
"Pronlisc.' said Leslie, in stern, We
solemn voice, rs he turned and fixed Iii
eyes upon the landlord.
"If do promise, Ill keep it, returned
jerks, in a threatening tone, as he return
ed the gazo Of Leslie.
"Thcn. for Gods sake, promiSs." cx
claimed Leslie, in 4 half.dcspairng voice
..J,,~n,;;s", ond IN *ci"!"
"Bc it 50. May / be cur$cl, if ever I sci
YOU drop Of drink at this bar, while | III
landlord Of the Stag and Hounds y" Jenk
spoke with an angry emphasis.
..GOd lie thanked" murmurcl the poo
drunkarl, as he led his child away. 'I;o
be thanked! there is hope for me yet"
Hardly had the mother of Lizzie miS$e'
her child, ere she entered, leading her fathe
by the hand.
90, mcthcr.' she exclaimed, with a jo
little countcnaacc, and in 4 voice Of cxulta
ton, "lIr Jenks has promised"
"Promiscd what" Hope sprung up i
her heart, on wild and i.uttcring wings, lie
face flushed and then grew deadly pale
She sat painting for reply.
"That he would meyer sell me anothc
glass of liquor, said her husband"
\ pair of thin, white hands were claSpe
quickly together, an aShcn face was turnc
upwards, fearless eyes looked their thankful
ness to Heaven.
"Therc is hope yet, EIlen," said Leslie
"lIopc, hope. And o, Edward, 20
have said the word
"IIopc, through our child. Innoccmc
has prevailed over vice and cruelty. Sh
came to the strong, evil, passionate man, an
in her weakness and innocence, prcvailc
over him. God made her fearless and clC
, 0ucut y