The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-08-13
The EbauEcr Lieutenant.

The Pauper Lieutenant.
| did not like to see him there He was
too young and handsome q man Hi.
chronological developments were decided
ly good. He had fair complexion, blue
eyes, light curly hair; but lack of decision
characterized his countcnancc-want OF
firmness was apparent in his manner. He
was reading a newspaper
That is not one of your paupersY p said
to the gentleman in charge
u am very sorry to say that he IS, Sir,
he replied
80 young! SO promising in appearance
i really cannot understand it, was my
reply.
Nor could any one not acquainted with
his history" was the reply; but let US re-
sumo our walk By-and-by come this way
he will enter into conversation with you
he is not backward about it. Idont know
what to make of the man, really
" How old is hep
"Twenty-nine years; he looks even
younger. l fear he has lost all proper am
bition, and it may be, will end his life in
the work-house."
We wandered along from one to sno-
ther. The establishment was perfect
Most of the pallpers were old and intirm ::
many OF them looked shamc-.aced on be-
ing noticed. Poor old men, | suppose
they had no children TO care for them
IL one Of the Offices was the model of 4
ship 1t was a splendid thing. From
keel to masthead there was no fault in
her. The guns were neatly carved. OH
GERS stood upon her quarterback, sailors in
her rigging. Every coil of rope, every
shroud was exquisite in finish and proper
ton. The boats were secured, the sails all
set. Truly, she was a regal object Be
hind this vessel was painting represent
ing the distant port
Ny natural question was, Who did
that
The poor fellow i dead" was the re
ply. He was genius and a scholar
The uolle-t looking man, sir, that YOU
ever laid eyes on. You have seen the fine
stone mansion on Sedgw.cll street? Well,
sir, he built that house ten years ago. and
paid thirty thousand dollars for it, and
vet, FIVE years after Le was in the poor
house.
What did il, SIR
Rum
That was the brief reply. Expressive,
wa- it not?
Yes. sir, rum. The last time he went
out (li- eyes were Very much infiamed) the
doctor OF the institution handed him
dollar, saying. Bob, If YOU drink any
mor-', you viii lose Your eyes
Bob looked 1T the dollar, then turned
TO tine doctor with a most expressive
glance. as he said: Then farewell the
eyes
Horrible, wasutit? In months time
they were digging his grave. 1t was in
the corner Of the church-yard Nobody
~ 4 y l. o..
pine coffin. and we only said az we heard
it. Poor old Bob Tkat's all the epitaI b
4 drunksrd gets. SIR
Fifteen minute after. was hunting up
the porsonaco who had interested me so
mu-h tound him il the garden hoeiug
potatoes
We talked together on agriculture. His
fine language aston!sied me. l felt that
he had an intimate acquaintance with
books. with inc, with nature
We walked along, hc showing me the
product Of the soil pr~-vTItiy We came TO
an a-r5r overhung with grapes. and sat
down together.
Pardon me, said !, if ] take the IL
herty Of asking You what brought You here
at 80 youthful an age? His eyes drop
ped he raised them again rs he answered,
RUM!
That brief word, In my mind it is as
socated with all the horrors Of hell.
Presently he continued
" ! have dieCraccd an honorable name,
,.r; | am bringing my family 10 shame,
and yeti have not the nerve TO be 4 bet
ter man
was indignant at this confession lie
saw it and continued
Do not blame me, sir: you have not
rr.-4l 4 how. G. H., lirl
place Eightceu months ago was lieu
tenant in the navy. sir.
l. it possihle' was startled, shocked
"Ycs, sir. possible; "a reality, sir His
lip quivercd little a. he added hive
a brother in the pulpit, sir; fine pre;ch-
CT, man loved and respected How do
you suppose he feels? have a rich bro
ther in New York, They have both tried
their bes; to save me
i was ruined in my youth. There was
4 large old store on the corner OF ". and
l.. streets. You have doubtless seen it
Before his death iay i&thcrcarried on that
business. ] went there regularly after it
was closed for the arrival Of the distin
,,tishcd voyacers, stealing from my home,
often from my bed, for the purpose to ca
rouse with three young fellows of my own
age. We told stories, we drank wine toge-
Their till midnight, then with a false key
had made, | would steal into the house and
sleep of my carouse | began that, sir,
when was but ten years OF age. Do You
wonder was a dlUnkard2 OF these boys
alone am living. One of these boys shot
himself, another was drowned drunk, and
Ilic third was hung for murder only two
months ago The fourth you see is not
much bestcr off, he added, with sicklv
smile
"Iy habits BEGAN to Le known at last to
my parents 1t came near killing them.
Before | was eighteen, had been brought
home drunk near score of times. Sir
fought with my habit, but it mastered me.
The tiend had me by the throat.
Strange to say, once when was drunk
performed n daring feat | caught
horse, and by sheer strength sue
ceeded in arresting his mad course =
Would that some power could have held
me so. was much applauded for my he
rOism. But better than all the praise l
heard was the sweet smiles upon the white
face OF the girl had saved from horri-
bic death. She was driving alone in the
city as had been her wont for months
the privilege Of driving her home,
as She was most thoroughly frightened
i on SliiIlt- SIE, Diil ilic GNc1tlOH, Her
grateful! thanks, my own impulses of gra-
titude, had sobcred me. sprang into the
vehicle. and in Il short time we stopped at
her father door. She invited me in.
thought would at least describe the acci-
dent and make some apology for my unex-
pccted appearance.
a told my story of the narrow escape to
an old man whose brow and hair was
whitened with the frosts of eighty win
ters TWAS the aged grandfather Child
ish in his joy, he tottered towards us, and
his trembling arms about my
neck he kissed me upon the cheek.
MANY times l have felt that kiss, sir
was unworthy of so pure an ovation from
such holy man. l felt myself unworthy
of that dear angels gratitude, as the sweet