St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-07

was in a strange land, fricndless, de-
graded and cnslaved. As memory
led him back to the past, reason and
conscience asserted their power, and
all his dark life was clearly pictured
before him. He could see the grad
ual stepping stones by which he had
descendnd into this whirlpool II vice,
he saw that he was now in the very
depth of misery and want-and in
these lucid moments there were pale
faces, which seemed to approach and
look moumfully into his own. Poor
Leslie Those pale faces made him
nearly mad-oh how he hated and
toathed himself He looked wildly
around upon the dark stones to find
something with which to end his
wretched life, but saw nothing he
thought of the bowl but felt too weak
to rise. At length he gazed up to
the stars, and they seemed to look
down to his weary, tortured soul with
SO much compassion that he became
again calm aad capable of reflection.
There in the Stiffness and quiet Of
night, with only the stars for wit
nesses, he promised himself to for
sake strong drink forever, to seek en-
ployment and become better man.
With the morning sunbeams, Les
lie, strengthened by his good resolu-
tions presented himself to those whose
reputation for generosity and kindness
had reached his cars, and encouraged
him to apply, he told his story with
ont reserve, and begged employment.
But he was destined to meet with dis
appointment, and all that long day did
he wander in his fruitlcss search.
Some had never known temptation,
his shabby and miserable dress prciu-
diced others, and though he told his
touching story simply with a manly
and truthful face, no hand was stretch
ed forth to save. Poor Leslie had
hoped and struggled to retrace his
fearful steps, but his heart sank I'M
der his many discouragements, and
he again sought to drown his misery
III the intoxicating draught
Mr.. Marshall had quilted his store
earlier than usual one evening, and he
was walking briskly homewards. when
his attention was arrested bya group
Of boys gathered around drunken
man, who was vainly cndeavoring to
protect himself from their insults,
with his terrible curses. At length
he fell violently upon the rough stones,
and loud laugh from his tOrmentOrs
fell r"i"fnll u upOn the ears Of the gen
heman who suddenly appeared IN
their midst, dispensing them alone by
his dignity of manner, and kindly Of
tcring to conduct the inebrIatc in
safety to his home. To this kind of
fer, however no answer was returned.
The drunken man was evidently in
jurcd by the fall, and as Mr.. Marshall's
generous feelings forbade him to leave
a fellow creature in such distress, he
called carriage and had him con-
vcycd to his own home.
When the consciousness Of the
drunkard again returned, he found
himself in a comfortable chamber, de-
Gently dressed, and his beneiactor
stood at his side. No word of cen
sure or rebuke fell from the lips of the
excellent man as he stood contempla-
ting the change few hours had made
in the being before him, but he gently
said
"My son, | found You in trouble
and have been happy in Offering you
a shelter you are now entircly y re-
covered, and | will send you to your
friends or home"
Only look of wild anguish replied
to his kind offer, and again he said
mildly
M y son, pity you, and it may be
| can help you at any rate tell me
your name and story without fear.'
Oh how these words fell upon the
ears of the stranger, the tones OF the
good old mans voice awaking in his
heart the same feelings which the
blessed glances of the stars had
aroused there when he struggled with
himself, alone and wrctched. Tears
streamed down his sunken check as
he informed his host that he was for
ci.ner with neither friends nor home
my name" said he, "is Leslie :;
and sir have tried to shake off my
letters, to be a man once more, but no
one will employ drunkard. | am a
hopeless wretch, and only wish to die
unknown. God bless You, sir, for
your kindness, it quite overcomes me;
but hope for nothing but a grave"
The old man looked distressed and
sorrowlul, and hardly knew what to
do to arouse in Leslie less discourage
ing feelings, but at length approach
! ing him in a solemn and tender voice,
he said {:
Harry Leslie, have you wife Or
child ?"
"Sir ?" said the inebriate
Il say Leslie have you wife OF
child?"
"Oh my God !" groaned he, con
science smitten, why did ever leave
them? Margaret /. my true wife, my
golden haired Kitty, my wee Willie :
and he covered his face with his hand.
For golden haired Kitty, and wee
Willie, and your anxious wife"
"Oh, sir /" exclaimed Leslie wild
ly, "never must they know aught o
my wretchedness and degradation
Better far that they should weep a ia
ther and husband dead, than mourn
him living disgrace"
} Leslie, do you still love that wife
and those children ~ ..
Love them God knows
"Then struggle and restore to then
! and to yourself happiness--l believ,
firmly that you may be reclaimed
Tell me when You last heard from
: your family ?"
; " 1t is a year, a long year." and tn,
! poor man groaned.
" And you have neglected beanti
: ful wife, your fair haired children
you have given them sorrow anI
, loneliness and anxious watchings
But | seek not the augmentation o
I repentant tears, my young friend l
! you desire to restore them and your