Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-24

" And would give less for the man wbc
would make their father drunk ?"
Ditto to tina" responded one of the com.
Fany.
And here is my hand on that" said an,
other
The landlord, finding that the majority Of
his company were likely to take sides against
him, smothered his angry feelings and re-
manned silent \ few minutes afterwards, two
or three OF the inmates oi the bar-room went
away.
About ten O'Clock on the next morning
while Freeman, who was generally sober In
the fore-paIt of the day, was in his Office,
a stranger entered, and after sitting down,
/ said
i must crave your pa-dOn beforehand, for
what am going to say. Will you promise not
/ 70 be offended 2"
II You offer me an insult. I will resent it, "
said the lawyer.
q So far from that, come with the desire to
do you great serviee."
Very well Say on"
81 was at Lawson's refeetory last night"
well"
And ! saw something there that touched
my heart. Ii slept at all last night, it was
only TO dream OF It. / am q father, sir! l
have two little girls, and love them tenderly.
Oh, sir the thought OF their coming out, in
the cold winter night, in search of me, in such
polluted place, makes the blood feel cold in
my veins"
WO-ds so unexpected, coming upon Mr.
Freeman when he was comparatively sober,
disturbed him deeply. In spite of his endeav-
Ors to remain calm, he trembled all over. He
made an effort TO say something in reply, but
could not utter 4 word
aaMu Iaar STr - rarrrauaI fba So
have fallen at the hand of the monster inte1n-
peranee, and feel that you are in great peril.
You have not, however, fallen hOpelessly. You
may yet rise if you will. Let me, then, in the
name Of the sweet babes who have shown, in
so wonderful manner, their love for You, con-
Jure you to Tise superior to this deadly foe
Reward those dear children with the highest
blessing their heats can desire. Come with
me and sign the pledge of freedom. Let US,
though strangers to each other, unite in this one
good act Gomez
Half bewildered, yet with new hope in his
heart, Freeman arose and suffered the man,
who drew his arm within his, to lead him away
Before they separated, both had signed the
pledge.
That evening, unexpectedly, and to the joy
Of his family, Mr.. Freeman was perfectly sober
when he came home. After tea, while Ady and
oailc were slauuiilB on tlLleI sue OF llLt As ne
sat near their mother, with an arm around each
of them, he said in a low whisper, as he bent
his head down and drew them closer
"You will never have to come there for me
agais."
The children lifted their eyes to his face. but
half understanding what he meant
Il will never 20 there again." he added, 81
will always stay at home with you"
Ady and Jane now eomprehending what their
father meant, overcome with JOY, hid their faces
in his lap, and wept for very gladness.
Low as this had been said, every word reach
ed the mothers ear, and while her heart stood
trembling between hope and fear, Mr.. Freeman
drew paper from his pocket and threw it on
the table by which she was sitting. She open
ed it hastily. 1t was a pledge, with his we'll
known signature subscribed at the bottom.
With a cry of joy she sprang to his side, and
his arms encIcled his wife, as well as his little
ones, in 4 fonder embrace than they had known
for years.
The ehildrrn's love had saved their father.-
They were, indeed, his guardian angels.