The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-01

| no ncAI udy EIlA came nome With @ ne
story Tbe stranger who was so like be
father. had visited the school and converse
with the teacher, who, at his request had sen
I home small sealed note by her. Ella wa
very pale, apd tremhled as her mother opeue
il. the mystic paper. No sooner had Mrs. Rem
lngton glanced at the handwriting than al
consciousness left her. and she fell back in
tainting ft. Ella, frightened, and not know
ing what course to pursue, ran for the neares
neighbor, and in short time her motberi
room was filed with sympathizing. though III
! coDsiderate friends. I tE5-E 5-l-7f +
The paper, child, the note,' we're the first
words the mother uttered when she came to
consciousness. Blessed note--he is not dead
then. / did not kill him. | am not murder
er. See--here is bis own handwriting 7 %
. Ny DEAR WIFE-I am no longer DRINK.
ard-wIll you receive me back to vour love.
now that l have conquered myself (? Most
humhly do ask this boon, conscious that 7
do not deserve it--bat promise that in time
to come. will be a faithful. loving. temperate
husband to you, God helping me- FL
AT that moment the door bell rang Ella
ran into the room where her pale mother sat.
There were tears on her cheeks as she cried,
Mother-he has come-my father whom
we alithought deed-he wants see you.' g
Leaning on the q. M of her daughter, the
repentant, long suffering wife tottered down
stairs; he heard the step-sprang impatiently
forth-aud wife and daughter were clasped to
his bosom.
Have you forgiven me, Helen ?
Have you forgiven ne?' was the sobbins
question. ] cent you from me with cruel
words no Christian ehouId utter O!my bus
band that this has resulted in mercy, is of
Gods most loving kindness alone. ! have
died Thousand deaths since I thought we
buried you after the waves had given you up .
Can you ever forget my cruel unchristian
words p ITlszH s75s1ts-- ~ sfH i
Freely. dear Helen. and only wonder how
if was possible you bore with me so long
Most freely. since it has led to my reformation
God be praised-I am slave no longer
I ca need never fear that shall fall again in
to that accursed siu-for I have, as trust
placed myself under a powerful Protector
even under the care and guardianship of our
Lord Jesus Christ '.7ar.-F esd nass s.z-sz4t
Z But where have you been all this time,
father z asked Ella, her gentle eyes shining
with happiness. 1 sos IS - .sa 81
In foreign land In the first heat of re.
sentiment l walked to the city. 1 did not
reach it till near morning, and there finding an
old sea captain. friend of mine ready to sail
to China, / recklessiy took passage with him,
as he had often importuned me to do Once
put upon the great ocean, leaving home as I |
thought forever, reason came to me- / began
% reflect upon my past life, and could see
1othlng but crime against society, my wife and
amily and my God. There I made resolve.
hat with help from OIL high. would become
ne man you once thought me Helen--that
would never return till I had conquered my
elf Many dangers awaited me, but passed |
trough them all. went TO the golden coun-
ry, and while there alone, wretched, sick and
miserable, | found the great gift that has made
ne what am-the gift of redemption through
ur Saviour. Now, will make home happy
iere will erect aa altar of praise and thanks
iying to Him who has so wonderfully, kept
nd returned me to yon.'
The whole village was ia an uproar as the l
eWs spread. Countless copjectures arose as $
whose was the body they had found, but
ne identity was never established Hanr, 4,
remington was welcomed as one from the
ead.s ..s s- >
So flowers blossomed once again along the
ath Of her who had been that most unfortu Q
ate of all beings-a drunkard's s wife. il
sarzssl ~. - = =7 500 s. ss..s MA G