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

THE GOOD ANGELS.
"COme, Ady and Jane, it's time you were in
bed" said Mrs Freeman to her two little girls,
about nine O'Clock one evening ADV, was nine
years old, and Jane was year and half young.
er. The two children had been sitting at tie
work table with their mother, one of them study
ing her lesson, and the other engaged on piece
of fancy needle work.
Papa hasn't come yet" answered Ady.
''Nu, dear. But it's getting late, and It's time
you were in bed. He may not be home for an
hour"
Ady laid aside her work and left the table,
aud Jane closed her books and put them away
in her school satchel
"You can light the little lamp on the MANTLE
piece" said Mrs. Freeman, after a few moments,
looking around as she spoke; when she saw
that the children had both put on their bOnnets
and were tying their warm capes close about
their necks. She understood very well the
meaning of this; and therefore did not ask a
question, although the tears came to her ewes,
and her voice trembled as she said
at is very cold out tonight, children"
"But we won't feel it, mother" replied Ady;
''we will run along very quick
And the two little ones went out before their
mother, whose feelings were choking her, could
say another word As they closed the door af-
ter them, and left her alone, she raised her eyes
upwards and murmured-
"God bless and reward the dear children"
1t was a bleak winter night; and as the little
adventurers stepped into the street, the wind
swept iercely along, and almost drove them
back against the door But they caught each
osher tightly by the hands, and bending their
little forms to meet the pressure of the cold
rushing air, hurried on the way they were going
as fast as their feet could move. The streets
were dark and deserted; but the children were
not afraid Love filled their hearts and LETT no
room for fear.
They did not speak a word to each other as
they hastened along After going distance Of
several blocks, they stopped before house, over
the door OF which was handsome, ornamental
gas lump, bearing the words, "0ysters and Re-
freshments." 1t was strange place for two
little girls to enter and at such an hour but af-
ter standing for moment, they pushed against
the green door, which turned lightly upon its
hinges, and stepped into large and brilliantly
lighted bar room.
'Bless us!" exclaimed a man, who sat read
ing, "Here are these babes again"
Ady and Jane stood near the door AID looked
all around the room. But they did not see the
object of their search, and going up to the bar,
they said, timidly, to man who stood behind it
pouring liquor into glasses
"Has papa been here te-night p
The man leaned over the bar until his face
was close to the children, when he said in an
angry way
al don't know anything about your father
And see here! don't come any more. If you
do, III call my dog out of the yard and make
him bite YOU -
Ady and Jane felt frightened, as well by the
harsh manner as the angry words Of the man,
and they started back from him, and were turn
ing towsrds the door with sad faces, when the
person who had first remarked their entrance.
called out loud enough for them to hear him
Come here, my little girls"
The children stopped and looked at him,
when he beckoned them to approach, and they
did so.
care you looking for your father !" he en-
quired.
'.Yes sir, replied Ady.
'And what did that man at the bar say 20
you !"
'1He said that papa wasn't here; and that if
we came any more, he would set his dog on
u.s."
"He did,"
"Yes, sirr
The man knit his brOws for an instant, and
said-
"Who sent you here !"
Nobody" answered Ady.
Don't your mother know that you have
come !"
ayes, sir. She told US to go to bed; but we
couldn't go until papa was home. And SO we
came for him first"
"He is here"
ais he I" And the children's faces brighten
ed.
'.Yes; he's at the other side of the room,
asleep-I'll wake him for you"
Half intoxicated, and sound asleep, it was
with some difficulty that Mr.. Freeman could
be aroused.
As soon, however, as his eyes were fairly
opened, and be found that Ady and Jane had
each grasped one OF his hands, be arose up and
yielding passively to their direction, suffered
them to lead him away.
s.Oh dearl" exclaimed man who had looked
on with wonder and deep interest. That's a
temperance lecture that can't stand. God
bless the little ones" he added with emotion,
''and give them a sober father"
81 guess you never saw them BEFORE said
one of the bar-keepers, lightly
mo; and l never wish to again; at least in
this place. Who is their fatheri"
Freeman, the lawyer"
| Not the one VINO, lew years ago, conduct
ed with so mach ability the case against the
Marine Insurance Company -
i The same
ais it POssiblein
A little group now formed about the man.
and great deal was said about Freeman's fall
from sObriety. One who had several times seen
Ady and Jane come in and lead him home as
they had just done, spoke of them with much feel
ing and all agreed that it was a most touching
] case.
"To see," said one, how passively he
Yields himself to the little things when they
come after him. / feel sometimes. when
see them, almost weak enough to shed tears .
"They are his good angels" remarked an
other, :" but I'm afraid they are not streng
enough 10 lead him back to the paths which he
has forsaken."
'' You can think what you please about it
gentlemen" spoke the landlord "but l car
tell you my opinion upon the subject
wouldn't give much for the mother who wOul'
let two little things like them go wander
ing about the streets, alone, at this time o
night"
One of those who had expressed interest II
the children, felt angry at this remark, and re