White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-06-03

broad road upon which her beloved was travel
Ing and her heart was aching She knew tia
even now want was staring them in the faca,-
1t was Autumn, and she had asked of Malcolm
for money to buy warmer clothes for herself and
children, and he had pono to give her, OMIT
day before he had brought home bucketfull O.
-four instead Of sending home barrel, as be
used to do He earned money, and where was
it'll Alas! poor Alice knew too well Maleolm's
face, and she saw that its manly beauty was
slowly but surely eating away. The large bluse
eyes were growing dim, cleared and bioodshot:
the once fair cheeks were becoming swollen and
bloated; and his lips looked dry and cracked
No wonder she knelt down by her bedside and
prayed. -'s--'---
It was now Saturday evening, and Malcolm
was going out. He was to meet some friends,
and Alice knew that he was to meet them at
the tavern. He had worked only three days the
past week, and he had the pay for these three
days work in his pocket. That money. was
needed at home, but where would it be on the
morrowf
I" Malcolm! O, do not wholly forget your
fond, loving Alice, when you are gone" ~,
But Malcolm did not answer. He kissed her
not as he used to do, but kissed her merely be-
cause she had asked him to, and then left his
cottage. After he had gone, Alice sat down and
went She could not helpit. Her darling boy
erept BY her side, and placed his arms about her
neck. He asked no questions, but he asked her
not to cry. His little mind seemed to have some
idea of the coming calamity. It must have been
vague, but it was clear enough to prevent him
from forcing the dread thoughts upon his moth
er. Once more he asked her not to CRY, and then
his own little heart burst, and mother and child
wept together. This was another drop in the
poor woman's cup of affection. o, how palpa-
BILE must now be the husbands course, when
even the prattling child saw and knew the dan
ger! Bat she could only clasp and pray more
fervently. And the little boy, when his neither
had done praying, said, "Amen." ar
1t was clear, cool evening, and as Malcolm
Warren stepped out into the street, he seemed
to shake himself as though he would shake off
the influence of the place he was leaving. But
he could not wholly do it. He could not holly
drive from his mind the fearful countenance of
his fond and faithful wife, nor could he forget
the look of earnest, simple anguish he had no.
ticed upon the face Of his child. Yet; he tried
to crush the thoughts that were thus spriuging
into life. Z" PoohI" said he, as the image of his
wife forced itself upon him; /" it's only little
fun and frollc. Whose business is.it1 Get out
with your nonsense" sEF-
And thus speaking, the young husband and
father closed his hands as though he would hold
upon the feelings he had tried to repress, and
then he FASTENED on. At length he reached the
tavern, and here he found his companions. The
laugh and the joke commenced, and ere long
Malcolm forgot all about his home. He sat in
the bar-room, and his sharp wit made food for
much merriment.' nh -
"Who says there's danger in the bOwl7"-
cried young man, as he raised the glass to his
lips. .......
"It's the ravens croak," said another ef his
companions. "Here's confusion to the idea"
"Good." exclaimed Malcolm Warren, pois-
Ing his glass. Poison in the boWlf Nonsense!
Look at old Uncle Adam, now. He's been used
to it all his lifetime, and here he is, the Oldest
man in town. Come, here's to Uncle ADAM"
The person to whom Malcolm had thus allu-
ded was an old white haired man who stood at
the bar, with glass Of rum in his hand. His
name was Adam Stanford; and almost ninety
years had rolled over his head. His form was
bent, and his limbs trembIed, but still he lived,
and his mind was yet clear. He heard the re-
mark which the young carpenter made, and ha
wing set down his untouched liquor, he turned
and gazed upon the youthful speaker. He knew
Malcolm Warren well. aH ,r.5fl
Malcolm" he said, "como with me. Come
alone, for alone would speak with you
Come"
There was something very deep and meaning
in the old mans voice, and as he turned toward
the door. Malcolm arose to follow.
Detsin him not" said Adam, as some of
his companions sought to hinder him.
"Why should 60 with your heasked.
"To please an old man. mean 10 do you
no harm, Malcolm. Comet EDS "A
Passing out of the door, they moved across
the street. Near by was the village church yard,
and thither be bent his steps. Arriving at the
gate, he passed in. When Malcolm hesitated
to enter, the old man said:
'"Come, follow me-" i'H''9t
Malcolm went, and soon they stood within
the village church-yard! And this white haired
guide was the sexton, who for more than sixty
years had made those beds for the children Of
immortality. The pale moon shed its beams
upon the place, and the chill air sighed mourn
fully among the weeping willows that grew BY
the hedge. The graye-stOnes stood Ike spec
tres among the faded grass. and here aid there
arose a white monument, like some more pow
erful spirit that watched the sanctity Of the
place. l'
"Malcolm Warren" spoke the old man, in
voice so deep that it seemed almost % come
from one Of the neighbOring graves, a not long
since YOU pointed to me as an example Of how
long man might live who smiled upon the
xine-eup You pointed TO me as one who had
.outlived all my companions, and yet as one who
had always quafEed at the intoxicating bOwls-l
Perhaps you spoke truly, but you did not speak
the whole truth, for the whole truth you did not
know. and have brought yOn here to whisper
the truth into your ear ,is ss1.at cod.
Malcolm Warren looked up into the old mans
face, and as he saw how solemn was the express
,;,, .hat ravkad tl,.. ~ E,--ok tba - A connna-