The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-06-30

stead of sending home barrel, as he
used to do. He earned money, and
where was it /? Alas poor Alice knew
too well Malcolm's face, and she saw
that its manly beauty was slowly but
surely eating away. The large blue
eyes were growing dim, bleared and
bloodshot; the once fair cheeks were
becoming swollen and bloated; and his
lips looked dry and cracked. No won
der she knelt down by her bedside and
prayed. ,issaa Il E8Bsss eaiseI
1t 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 days work in his pocket. The
money was needed at home, but where
would it be on the morrow?
"Malcolm! 0, 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 because she asked
him to, and then left his cottage. After
he had gone, Alice sat down and wept.
She could not help it. Her darling boy
crept by her side, and placed his arms
about her neck. He asked no ques-
tions, but he asked her not to cry. His
little mind seemed to have some idea of
the coming calamity. 1t must have
been vague, but it was clear enough to
prevent him from forcing the dread
thoughts upor his mother. 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 affiic
ton. o, how palpable must now be
the husbands course, when even the
prattling child saw and knew the dan
ger! But she could only clasp him and
pray more fervently. And the little
boy, when his mother had done pray
ing, said, "Amen."
1t was a clear, cool evening, and as
Malcolm Warren stepped out into the
street, he seemed to to shake off tie
influence of the place he was leaving.
But he could not wholly do it. He
could not wholly 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
noticed upon the face of his child. Yet
he tried to crush the thoughts that were
thus springing into life. "Pooh !" said
he, as the image of his wife forced it.
self upon him; "it's only a little fun
and frolic. Whose business is it? Get
| Out Will your HOnSeuSe.
And thus speaking the young hus-
band and father closed his hands as
though he would hold up the feelings
he had tried to repress, and then he
hastened on. AT length he reached the
tavern, and here he found his compan-
ions. The laugh and the joke COM
menced, and ere long Malcolm forget
all about his home. He sat in the bar
room, and his sharp wit made food for
much merriment.
"Who says there's danger in the
bowl?' cried young man, as he raised
the glass to his lips.
"It's the ravens croak,n said anoth-
er of his companions. "Here's confu-
sion to the idea" "'-+ ''-ift .s .
Good!" exclaimed Malcolm War
rem, posing his glass. "Poison in the
bowl? Nonsense Look at old Un-
Gle Adam, now. He's been used to it
all his lifetime, and here he is, the old
est man in town. Come, here's to Un-
Gle Adamr' faa 1 -tl
The person to whom Malcolm had
thus alluded 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 yea,
had rolled over his head. His form was
bent, and his limbs trembled, but still
he lived, and his mind was clear.
He heard the remark which the
young carpenter made, and having set
down his untouched liquor, he turned
and gazed upon the youthful speaker
He knew Malcolm Warren well.
Malcolm" he said, "come with me-
/ Come alone, for alone would speak
with you. Come p =
There was something very deep and
meaning in the old mans voice, and as
he turned toward the door, Malcolm
arose to follow.
"Detain him not" said Adam, al
some of his companions sought to hin
} der him. a s.l-ap tseryl