The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-10-08

a coli November blast swept around
the corner Us he spoke, penetrating his
worn, summer clothes and causing his flesh
to culver, and his teeth clatter.
don't believe they'd hurt me. if |
should go in while, | am such little boy
and | am so cold out here" he said, as he
pushed the door carefully from him. slip
ping in aud closing it without breath of
noise. For moment be was bewiIdered
with the light and catter, and half
wished nc were away. But the warm air
was grateful to his chilled limbs and find.
ins that no one seemed to notice him. he
stole towards the glowing CRATES and spread
ont his purple palms before the blaze
The group of men that eneircled the bar
were drinking when he entered. Soon,
however, they sat down their glasses and
dispersed about the room
HalloO," said one in a loud tone, a,
going to the fire he spied little Willie.
" W hat are you doing here, my little fell
low ? Who are yor what do YOU
want
| don't want anything, ouly to see
what you do here My name is Willie NJ
My papa loves to come here, and it looked
so pleasant through the windows, | tho't
I'd like to. But mustn't stay long, for
I've left the baby alone"
The man tones were sof,cneI as he
spoke again to him
And where is your mother, boy ?"
80, she IS gone to 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 help him"
And does it look 50 pleasant in here
as you thought it would, my child"
80, yes, it docs, sir. / don't wonder
papa loves to come here 50 much, it's SO
cold and dark at home But | should
think hed bring mama aud me and little
sis. How she would laugh to see this fire
and all those flowers with lights them -
please. sir, - and he earnestly seized the
rouga hands Of his listener, please sir,
tc.' me why lt.le boys cant come with
thyjr fathers
4oy God sake a, not tell him, Bran
croft, said a deep anguish voice "Ile
deems ne pure and holy. Heavens what
wretch | am My boy, my boy :" and
Willie was clasp in his fathers arms, "you
have saved me, saved me from earths vi
lest dell. Here, with my hand upon thy
'lnless brow, | promise never again to
touch the cup have drank so deep And
my brothers in sin as yc value your souls
salvation, tempt me not to break my VOW
Help me, IIcaven-hclp me, men, so to
live hereafter, that papa may never blush
to take his boy along-that if papa goes
there, Willie may GO toe"
Silently .he door closed after them and
silence dwclt in the saloon behind them.
The preacher had been there in chcrub
iorm, and crazy, loose, uuhuiy thought, or
light ribald jest was hushcd One By one
they stole away and many ojre wore
smiles that night, Nor lid The I'D bar.tcn-
der, even, Gu Sc the little one that robbed
him Of 80 man dimes Too deeply into
his heart had sunk the voicc Of that chorub
preacher.
Don't you like me, papa? Are you
cross at me ?" asked Willie, in hcsitat;ng
tone as they stood a few moments on the
the pavement, for tRe scene in the room
was an enigma to the child and he half
feared a reproof.
i was thinking what mamma would
like best for supper said the fathcy
Was you, was you?" was the easor
question, in a gladsOme voice. 90, get
cyestcrs and crackers aud tea, papa, and a
candle, because there is only piece -
And please, papa, tell mamma not TO be
cross at me cause lcf. the baby. | don't
believe she will though, cause you know
if | hadn't gone as l did, you wouldn't
perhaps have come horne yet, aud che
does love to have You home so much O,
| feel just like crying, j lam so glad"
"And feel just like crying too" said
his father, solemnly, and ere midnight he
did cry, and his wife, too, but they were
holy tears, washing his heart of the dust
that it had gathered on its beauty, and
hers of the sorrow that had draped it as a
pail