Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-22
LOST AND RESTORED.
AwoRDIN sEAsoN--now GOOD Is ITr
a sketch from Life.



"Gou have Just returned, friend Manson. 81
sid Livingston, from your Western joumeyl'
YES, he replied, 81 have aud there was a
Circumstance which will make it tho most
memorable event in my whole life"
Iudccd, what was that, my itiendl"
"Ah, II would lake more time than either
you or | could spare, said Manson, for mo 10
relate, aud you to listen to the particulars; but
will attempt very brief sketch OF the sub
stance. When went 10 school in Oonnecticut
| had very dear friend and associate. named
John McL---d lie was one Of the brightest
and most beloved pupils in the school lie
| grew paid his addresses TO beautiful and
excello It young lady, member OF the church.
At length he was married to his Mary, and they
prepared Immediately after that event, in pur
| suAnce of prcvOus plan, TO leave the STATE
The day We were TO separlte, perhaps forever,
had tender interview with my bosom friend
and his lovely wife; it was deeply affecting to
US all. The next morning they departed, with
tho allrctionate farcwes Of many old friends
and neighhors in The town where they wero
born and reared, and with a handsome provision
'uade by the parents Of both, who were in ai,
tuent circumstances.--Te Years elapsed, dur
ing which time | was called to the Methodist
ministry in distant places as my lot happened
to be cast. Not word concerning them
reached my ears in all that time The course
OF duty called me then to the vicinity of the
pace where my friends had settled, aud res,
oycJ to 90 out OF my way considerably and
give Joau and Mary call Arriving at the
town, aud inquiring for their residence, l was
told they lived some distance from the centre Of
the village. AT length found the place At
the first glance my mind misGavo me. The
sight OF the miserable cabin made me sick, and
after hitching my horse, | scarcely dared to en-
ter Knock, | could not; there was no door
nothing but blanket stretched across the paR
sage. Removing this, alasl what did behold!
There was Mary sitting ON stool, with AN in
FAINT ON her lap, and another child in the corner
On the grou d, for the cabin had M floor.
o, sight OF wo! how altered was the lovely
Mary I'll!
80, Mr.. Manson, is it indeed youl We are
ruincdi John is lost, and the children al d are
starving here. We have not had a morsel TO
eat since yesterday morning"
"Great Heavens" said ], "and wh,re is
joint"
"lle is at the store, and has not been here for
several days"
81 must sec him." added.
Better not SIT; he is savage now, and will
ill.treat you"
81 mus and will see John"
/ started Immediately for tho store according
to her direction. There was no time to lose,
for was TO be at Conference, whittier | was
bound, at a certain time appointed. readily
found the store, and entered Tho first sight
disclosed four men playing cards at table,
The next glance disclosed man stretched out
along a wliskey hOgshead. The landlord was
sitting by, but instantly hoppcd up and ran be.
hind the counter to wait upon me, supp01irg
was customer. Says /;
"ls John McL--d herel"
They looked at me, on hearing that question,
as if / had been the Evil One" or the sheriff.
"What is that to youl" he sullenly replied.
al want to see him"
Whilst was speaking took another sweep
of the room with my eye, and saw something
like a man asleep in the corner
ais that Johni"
"None ofyour business" answered the surly
barkeeper.
"Iiit is that unhappy man, you will fluid it
some ofmy business"
SO l went to him recognized him. though in
this shocking, beastly plight, aud began To try
to wake him. This was no easy lob, aud while |
| was about il tho rumselltr and his quests re-
telling me To go away, threatening
and showing violence / had in |
my hand loaded whip, and am not inferior |
you know, in point of wiry, muscular power
In the whole Of the twonty-soven years / have |
been in the ministry, never felt so strong n |
disposition as at that moment 10 give four or |
five men a trashing. They were intmidated, |
and | suceheded in getting John upon his leg, |
and trotting him of homcwards My presence |
aud the exercise sohcred him 70 that when he |
reached his hoyel ho was in his right mind
forgot to m 'uti0n that when | first went |
into the house, the childupon tho ground start
ed up ailrighted, running to her mother cry |
ing
"Is he going to carry me to jail, mother,
" here father wasl"
Aud the mother sohbcd upon my hand as il |
her heart would lreak. Well, | conyerscd with |
them an hour, talked of old times in Connocti- |
,ut, the old village and school boys. lie wns
his hsart was touched. Then urged /
.he PLEDGE his wilo put in her earnest, almost
fantlc plea. She felt this 10 be indeed the
lour Of destiny.
"Do you think can keep itl" at length ask.
ID the miserable man. once 30 promising, now
10 fallen. as il possible for mo to be favedl"
at is," said j, with confidence aud hope
you can keepit. / know you eau, and ia the
lame Of humanity and religion, try it, dear
ohn, and God will help you"
At last lie consented, We knet down on the
aHh-there was no chair or table in the house
i took out the pledge which always carry
n my pocket, placing il on tho stool where
iaIy had been citing, aud handed him my pen.
a. lle wrote his name notwithstanding his
onditon, it was beautifully written, as AFTER
Yards observed, Tor lac was an excellent Eng
sh scholar We did not rise till had relieved
~ oycrburdoned heart in prayer, and prayed
nth all my struggling soul, and his despaiiug
life joined me in all the solemn invocation,
nat the Father Of all mercies would receive
ne returning prodiga to his arms, and that he
llght never go astray again.
II was no " quite time Tor mo TO go, aud res.
me my Journeys but | could not leave the
'wn before called upon the class leader, left [
I'm some money for the family, aud fnjoncd
n him TO look after them aud throw around
'hn the shield Of all good influences, to pre-.
mt his suffering relapse Whatever fur
Ter charges he should incur on their account,
promised TO pay az soon az informed of them