Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-13

fellow, ard would not leave his little sister to the
only danger that could menace her. lie found a
bit Of u tallow dip and lighting it. drew the stand
close to her, that the flame might scare away the
rats and mice, should they sally out ere his return.
IL won't stay long, pretty dear" raid lie. press
ing u tender kiss on her sleeping lids, and drawing
the blanket close over her fair arms. mo, I'll
come back soon, but | do 50 want to take one
peep"
Swiftly bis little feet bore him over the pave.
ment, and in q trice he stood beside the curtained
door.
'lIow light it is, and how they laugh and talk.
1t must all he very funny there"
4 cold, November blast swept around the cor.
ner as he spoke, penetrating his worn, summer
clothes, and causing his flesh to culver, and his
teeth to chatter.
a don't believe they'd hurt me, il l should 60
in awhile; | am such a little boy, and | am SO cold
out here" lie said, as he pushed the door carefully
from him, slipping in and closing it without n
breath Of noise. For 4 moment he was bewilder-
cd with the light and clatter, and half wished he
were away. But the warm air was grateful to his
chilled limbs, aud finding that no one seemed to
notice him he stole towards the glowing CRATE, and
spread out his purple palms before the blaze. The
group of men that cncircled the bar were drinking
when he entered. Soon, however, they sat down
their glasses and dispersed about the room.
"llalloo," said one, in a loud tone, as going to
the fire he spied little Willie. What are you do.
! luH Dtics III llllt CllON w ~ ~ " bhN
what do you want?"
II don't want anything, only to see what you do
here. My name is Willie NJ. My papa loves to
come here, and it looked so pleasant through the
window, | thought I'd like to. But | must not
stay long, for I've left the baby alone"
Tie mans tones were s%oltened as he spoke again
to him.
And where is your mother, boy ?"
80, she's gene 70 take home the wash, SIR
Papa don't have as much work as he used to
once, and we're very poor now, and she has to helI
him.
And does it look as pleasant in here as you
thought it would my child ?"
80, yes, it does, Sir. l don't wonder papa loves
to come here so much, it's so cold and dark al
home. But | should think he'd bring mamma and
me and little sis. How she would laugh to see
this fire and all those pretty bottles, and those flow
ers with lights in them. Please sir" and be ear
nestly seized the rough hands of the listener,
please, sir, tell mt why little boys can't come here
with their fathers ?"
For Gods sake do not tell him Bancroft p said
a deep, anguished voice. "IIe deems me pure and
holy. Heavens! what a wretch | am NV boy
my boy ~ and Willie was clasped in his father
arms-"You have saved me, saved mo from earth
vilest hell. Here, with my hand upon thy sinles'
brow, | promise never again to touch the cup
have drank so deep. And my brothers in sin, as
you value your souls salvation, tempt me not to
break my VOW. IIclp me, Heaven-help me, men,
~ ~ INC hCiNuINCi, tiNV pap" may Nv nus !"
take his boy a%long-that if papa goes there Willie
may go too"
Silently the door closed after them and silence
dwelt in the saloon behind them. The preacher
had been there in cherub form, and crazy, loose
unholy thought, or light and ribald jest was hush.
ed. One by one they stole away. and many a wife
wore smiles that night; nor did the old bartender,
even, curse the little enc that robl ed him of so
many dimes. Too deeply in his heart had sunk
the voice of that cherub preacher.
Don't you like me, papa? Are you cross Mt
me % asked Willie, in a hesitating tone, as they
stood a few moments on the pavement; for the
sceHe in the bar-room was an enigma tC the child,
and he half feared a reproof.
II was thinking what mamma would like best
for SUPPER" said the father.
WAS you? was you ?" was the eager question
in "a gladstone voice. 80 then | know YOU ain
cross. o, get oysters and crackers and tea, papa
and a candle, cause there is only a piece. Ant
please papa, tell mamma not to be cross at m,
cause l left the baby. ! don't believe she vii
though, cause you know if l hadn't gone as | did
you wouldn't perhaps have como home yet, anc
she does love to have you home so much. Oh,
feel juMstlike crying, I am so glad"
".And | feel like crying" too, said his father
~solemply; and ere midnight he did cry. and hi
; wife, too, but they were holy tears, washing hi
heart of the dust that had gathered on its beatty
and hers Of the sorrow that had draped it as
4. pail.