The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-25

HOu, say :. snouleu jerks, now u"d'
sned beyond selfcOnirOl and his hand was
about To descend upon the lille one. when
The stranger caught her in his arms, ex-
as he did so with deep emotion
GOD bless the ehid! No, no, precious
one - he added, don't fear him. Plead
for your ialher-plsad for your home. Your
petition must prevail! He cannot say nay !
10 Que Of the little ones, whose angels do
always behold the face Of their Father in
Heaven. God bless the childw added the
stranger, in choking voice. 80, that the
father, for whom she has come on this touch
ing Grand, were prsseu, now! If there
were anything Of manhood yet LEFT in his
na,ule, this would awaken it from pal,itd
sleep"
"Papa o, papam now cried the child,
stretching forth her hand. In the next
moment she was cling 10 the breast OF her
father, who, with his arms cIasped tightly
around her, stood weeping and mingling
his tears with those now raining from the
little ones eyes.
WHAT an oppressive stiffness pervaded
that room jerks stood subdued and be-
wildered, MS stale OF mental confusion
scarcely enabling him to comprehend the
full import Of the scene; the stranger look.
ell on wOndeIinslY, yet deeply Affected
Quietly and with mOis, eyes, the two or
three drinking customers, who had been
loungins ia the bar. went s'ealIhily out {;
aud the landlord, the stranger, and the ia
her and his child, were leii the only in
mates Of the room.
Come, Liz1is, dear This is no place
for Us, said Leslie, breaking the deep ST.
lence. awe II 20 home"
And the unhappy incbriate took his child
by the hand, and led her towards The door.
But tho little Que held back.
"wait papa. wait" she said, he has nj
promised yet o, wish he would prom
ise
'P,omise her, in heavens name !" said
the stranger.
Promise, said Leslie, in stern AMI
solemn voice, As no turned aud Fixed his
eyes on the landlord.
"If do promise, keep it," returned
jerks, in II threatening tone, as he returned
the gaze Of Leslie. ...
"Thcu, for Gods sake, promise :" ex-
claimed Leslie, in hali-des. nliring voice
" promiss, AID I'm safe"
BE it so! May be cursed, il ever !
sell you drop Of drink ut this bar, while |
am landlord OF the Stag aud Hounds ,"
jerks spoke with an angry emphasis.
God be thanked!' Durmured the poor
drunkard, as he lei his child away. "God
be thanked there is hope for me YETI
Hardly had the mother Of Lzsie missed
her child, ere she catered, leading hes IA
Their b; the hand.
40, mother " she exclaimed, with Joy
Ii, couutsuance, anu in voice Of exulialiOn,
"Mr. jerks has promised
"Prlmisei WHAT" Hope sprang up in
her heart, on wild and auiterin: wings, her
face flushed, and then grew deadly pale
She sat paatins for reply.
"That he would never sell me another
glass Of liquor {" sail her husband
A pair OF thin, white hands were olasped
quickly together, en- ashen face was turned
upwards, fearless eyes looked their thank
fumes, to heaven.
"Thsrc isye, hope, EIIen," said Les
lie."
Hope, hope ! Aud o, Edward, you
have said The word
"IIope, through our child. Innocence
has prevailed owe, vice and cruelty. She
came to the strong, evil, passionate man,
and in her weakness and innocence, pre-
vailed over the man. G,d made her fear
less anj eloquent"
A year afterwards, stranger came again
Ina, way, and stopped at tho Stag and
IIounjs.n As before, jerks was behind
his well filed bar, and drinking customers
came anil went in numbers jerks did not
recognize bin until he called Tor water, AMI
Irouk fall ,unb!er Of the pure liquor with
a hearty ze,t. Then he knew him, but
eigned TO be ignorant OF his identity. The
stranger made no references to the scene
be had Witnessed there twelvemOulh be
fore, hut fingered 10 The bar most Of the
lay, closely observing every one who came
here TO drink. Leslie was no, among the
number.
"Whas has become Of the man and little
girl that saw ke5c, at my last visit to Nj
.anyillo!" sail IA, stranger, speaking
last to jerks.
"Gone to the Devil, for all care" was
the landlords rude answer, as he turned oil
from his qaes'ioncr.
"Por all you care, no doubt" said the
stranger to himself Men often speak
their real thoughts in Il passion"
"Do you see that liuls white cottage
away or there, jus, at The edge OF The woOd'
Two tall PoPlars stand in 'front.'"
Thus spoke to the stranger ore who had
heard him address the landlord
al do. What Of 1T" be answered.
"The man you asked for lives there
"Indeed!"
''And what is more, il he keeps on as he
has begun, the cs't,ge will be all his own in
another year. Jeaks, here, dOes nj feel
any good blood Tor him, as you may well
believe. a poor mans prosperity is re-
garied as 50 much loss TO him. Leslie is
good meehanic---One ct the best in Milan
lila III. can snru tr,eiv., l,it... . ,v..,k