The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-06-25
.ring the words, "Oysters and Refresh

to enter, and ut such an hour but afte
standing a moment, they pushed against tn
green door, which turned lightly upon it
hinges, and stepped into large and bril-
liantly lighted bar room.
"Bless us - exclaimed q man who 50
reading. "Here are those babes again.
| ADV and Jane stood near the door an,
+ looked all around the room. But they di,
not see the object Of their search, and goin,
up to the bar, they said timidly to a mai
who stood behind it, pouring liquor init
glasses.
.sHas papa been here to. night 20
The man leaned over the bar until his fac
was close to the children, when he said il
an angry way: sslg .,.s E.-E
81 don't know any thing about your ia
ther.- And see here don't you come bert
any more. If you do, I'll call my big dog
out of the back yard and make him bite
you"
Ady and Jane felt frightened, a. we'll by
the harsh manner as the angry words of tht
man, and they started back from him, and
were turning towards the door with sad
faces, when the person who had first marked
their entrance, called out loud enough fol
them to hear him.
SOuc utIe, lily 1ItIlc EITlS
The children stopped and looked at him,
when he beconed them to approach him, and
care you looking for your father?" he
inquired.
ayes, sir,' replied Ady.
+ " And what did the man at the bar say to
you?" ~ s.. .r.l..s. -.
" He said that papa wasn't here; and
that if we came here any more he would set
his big dog on u.s."
"He did ?" t- . ..'.-. re
"Yes, sir.'' a --.....s ....s .s.
The man knit his brow for an instant,
and said:
"Who sent you here?" q. 'A
"Nobody," answered Ady. sa
"Don't your mother know that you have
Gomez" --s ..-....
eyes, sir, she told US to go to bed, but
we couldn't 90 until papa was home, and so
we came for him first"
'sHe IS here" ..r
els hep" And the children's faces
frightened.
6 He is on the other side Of the room,
asleep-l'll wake him for you" 50
HalG-intoxicated, and very sound asleep,
it was with some difficulty that Mr.. Free
man could arouse him.
As soon, however, as his eyes were fairly
opened, and he found that Ady and Jane
had each grasped one Of bis hands, he rose
up, and yielding passively to their direction.
suffered them to lead him away. "
"Oh deur!" exclaimed a man who had
looked on with wonder and interest. That
is temperance lecture that can't stand.
God bless the little ones, he added with
emotion, g. and give them sober father 90
~ guess you never saw them BEFORE"
said one Of the bar-keepers, lightly. 49,;
No, and never wish to again, at least
in this place. Who is their father 90
"Freeman, the lawyer"
&c Not the one who few years ago con-
Quoted with so much ability the case against
the Marine Insurance Company?"
"The same"
" Is it possible?"
A group now formed about the man, and
a good 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 feeling all agreed that it was a
most touching case.
"To see,' said one, "how passivcly he
yields himself to the little things when they
come after him. feel sometimes when
see them almost weak enough to shed tears.
8 They are his good ANGELS" remarked
auo.her. "But I'm afraid they are not
strong enough to lead him back to the paths
which he has forsaken." .-.. s- ---s
''You can think what you please about it
gentlemen said the landlord, 81 but l can
tell vou my opinion upon the subject: |
woudL't CIV, much for m other who weud
let two little things like them go wandering
about the streets, alone at this time Of
night"
One Of those who had expressed interest
in the children, felt angry at this remark
and retorted, with some bitterness.
land would give less for the man who
would make their father drunk
Sand here is my hand for that" said
another. .s 80
The landlord finding that the majority of
the company were likely to be against him,
smothered his angry feelings and kept 81
lenec. A few minuses afterwards, two or
three inmates ef the bar room went away.
About ten O'Clock on the next morning
while Freeman, who was generally sober in
the fore part of the day, was in the Office, a
stranger entered, and after sitting down,
said: E'
Il must crave your pardon beforehand
for what am going to say. Will you
promise not to be offended? -
"If you offer me an insult, shall resent
it," said the lawyer.
$50 far from that, came to do you a
great service" -.-- -.
every well, say on"
81 was at Lawson's Refcctory last night" :"
6 WelL' --
> "And | saw something there that touched
my heart. If slept at all, it was only a
dream of it. am father, sir | have
two little girls, and love them tenderly.-
Oh sir, the thought Of their coming out in
cold winter night, in search of me, in such
polluted place, makes the blood feel cold
in my veins"
Words so unexpected, coming upon Mr..
Freeman when he was comparatively sober,
disturbed him deeply. In spite Of his en-
deavors to remain calm, he trembled all
over. lie made an effort to say something
in reply, but he could not utter word.
"My dear sir,' pursued the stranger,
" you haye fallen at the hand of the monster,
in.tnperance, and feel that you are in great
peril. You have not, however, fallen hope
lessly. You may yet rise if you will. Let
me, then, in the name Of the sweet babes
who have shown, in SO wonderful a manner,
their love to you, conjure you to rise supo-
rior to this deadly foe. Reward those dear
children with the highest blessing their
hearts can desire. Come with me aud sign
the pledge of freedom. Let US, though
strangers to each other, unite in this good
act Comew
Half hcwildered, yet with new hope in
his heart, Freeman arose and suffered the
man who drew his arm within his, to lead
him away. Before they separated, both had
signed the pledge. ..
That evening, unexpectedly, and to the Joy
of his family, Mr.. Freeman was perfectly
sober when he came home. After tea, while
Ady and Jane were standing on either side
of him, as he sat near their mother. with an
am around each Of them, he said in low
whisper, as he bent his head down and drew
them closer: -, "a ssv,~.2. - l.e.,,s.-. L
/" You will never have to como thore for
me again"
The children lifted their eyes to his. face,
but half understanding what, he meant.
81 will never 60 there again." he added,
NJ, =, ave stoy at bnn,r Il