Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-12-14


convulsively, and LOOKED beseechingly into
the changing face of the half doubling
wife,
sMaryr
There was agony now in the ringing ap-
peal, for the tide of JOY vas ebbing back,
as if frepulsed.
As ye hope for mercy, believe me
I'm Michael -- nov, and drunkard
no longer
Mother of Christ = sould I believe this
real, my poor heart wotld break with Joy
She stood with heghand hard pressed
upon her brow, the llood crimsoning her
neck and face, and sgsin leaving her pale
her tones as she again raised her head and
looked her husband in the eye.
Il tell We, Mary he almost shouted in
his agony, it is as true as God is true
Michael - is MAN to>night. No more
whiskey here! Do you hear that? You
shall be happy again, Mary, swear it
Look Mary, and believe! / am Son of
Temperance, and have hundred brothers
to stand by me, and be flung the white re- !
gala, with its emblem of red, white and
blue over his shoulders and lifted his form
proudly to its full height.
That emblem, the tones of his voice, his
changed apparel, the fast falling tears, had
the eloquence of truth, TO the long despair
ing wife, and she trembled from head to
foot. And then the heart gave way, and
in voice and tears the flood sf happiness
burst forth. With wild startling shout
Of joy, she flung herselfupon his neck, and
sobbed as though her. heart would burst
its walls. --zSas-- rrs
%, Michael, Michael! my own noble Mi
chael This JOY is more than can bear.
1t is too much happiness after so much Of
sorrow-indeed it is. am happier now
than the day we we'd Lifting her face
from his neck and proudly tossing her hair
over her shoulders, she stood moment as
if to realize that it was not all dream,
and again fell upon his neck and wept.-
There were other weepers looking upon
the scene through their tears.
where is Michael inquired the reform
ed man, as be now thought of his boy.
Then, stealing to the place where he lay,
he kneeled downward in silence, hung over
him for moment, and then shouted, Mi
chael.
The boy started at the sound of that
voice as though it had been the hiss of a
serpent.
father, my poor, injured boy; you won't
hate me now, will you? Your pa is So
| hor l. n
you hear that Micbaag
1t was touching to hear the kneeling pa
rent, pleading with his child for the love
that he feared rum had banished. Michael
instinctively gathered from the tone and
manner that his father was not drunk
Seeing the regalia upon his fathers neck
he caught the rosette and kissed it. Then
winding his arms trustingly around the pa
rents neck, he said ....
o, my own good pa Pm so glad you've
got that on. Now You'll love ma and /, l
t know you will, and, when I want bread,
: you wont scold, and-and-'
Strike you? No. no, never! and the
: humbled parent covered his child with bis
repentant kisses. Then springing into the
3 middle of the room, he shouted:
Michael is a man again Hear
a that, Maryr and then bis eye fell upon her
f tattered garb, and wandered around the
miserable room, his head falling with shame
r But this shall not bs long. Well have
bread to eat and sef4 to wear for Mi Mi
will never drink rum again. With many
Y tears and mutual God bless you, we lef
g the reformed man fol the night, proudel
b than ever of the cause which went hunting
g among the graves of rnanhood, for the an
gels which are ever wtching there.
" Three years had passed since the Incl
It dents we have detaieg and we were agair
e called to the city Of =. The temper
ance hosts had again gathered in thei
. strength, to commemorate the anniversary
J. of our National Independence. AS W,
d stood upon the crossing with friend, ;
v well-dressed and hand youth came
b and stood near, frequently eyeing us witt
Ie more than ordinary nterest. With man
e ner frank and yet rhodest, he at last ad
,e vanced and tenderep his hand, accompa
p MED with the usual Situation.
perhaps you do MT know me- he spok
of half sadly; Don't pu remember thre
t. years ago?'
Certainly l dot was the meeting {
ne the Grand Division.
in Yes, and don't youremember me?
t. 4 do not, were you here
Don't remember ne 7 and his countt
ne nance fell under our gaze. Don't you re
= member Michael II, the boy that wal
ad ted you to make his pa stop drinking
if and he looked eagerly in our face.
h. 4 do we answered, for the incidents
od the night in the drunkard's home cam
be back clear and distinct to our mind.
And are you Michael -
D. Yes, sir, and I'm glad to see YOU
to Are your father and mother living?
nd Yes, sir. They talk about you eve1
yet day, and mother prays for you every nigh
Does your father dlink nowF
O, no, sir he never has since you we
ar to our house.
~ To our wish to 60 and see his paren
. he eagerly assented, and we passed in
no the suburbs. It was our turn to be asto
,er ished, when the boy stopped before ne
On cottage, with yeranda and blinds, and
-. yard filled with choice shrubbery. As t
now door opened, however, We were more ST
prised. A well-dressed lady met Us W
grace and cordiality known only to 60
on breeding.