New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1861-03-01

Our host don't seem inclined to con-
verse on that subject he remarked
with shrug; enquiring. Did you
know John Anderson? -
He wasa schoolmate in boyhood and
my bosom friend in YOUTH l told him.
He then led me one side, and spoke
as follows: e8. .t,f a...'.,an au..
sPoor John! He was the pride Of
the town six years ago. This man
opened the hctel at that time, and
sought custom by giving wine suppers.
John was present at many Of them, the
gayest of the gay, and the most gen
erous Of the party. In fact, he paid
for nearly all of them. Then he began
to 60 down hill. Since, at times, true
friends have prevailed on him to stop.
But his stops were of short durrtion.-
A short season of sunshine would CLEAN
upon his home, and then the night came
more dark and dreary than before
He said he would never get drunk
again, but still he would take a glass Of
wine with a friend! That glass Of wine
was but the gate that let in the food.
Six years ago he was worth sixty thous-
and dollars. ''.'
Yesterday he borrowed the sam eff
fifty dollars to pay his mothers funeral
expenses. That poor mother bore up
as long as she could. She saw her son
her darling boy as she always
called him brought home drunk many
times. And she often bore blows from
him! But now she rests. Her 'dar-
ling wore her life away, and her gray
hairs in sorrow to the grave! Oh! l
hope this may reform him.
But his wife?' I asked. .
'Her heavenly love has held up thus
far, but she is only the shadow of the
wife she was six years ago. he return
ed. -'' a.
My informant was deeply affected,
and so was I consequently asked no
more. r. sur, orr. o.. s..-..
During the remainder of the after
noon debated with myself whether to
call upon John at all. But finally I
resolved to go, though I waited till af-
ter tea. I found John and his wife
alone. They had both been weeping
though 1 could see at glance that
Ellen's face was beaming with hope and
love. But oh! she was changea-sadly
painfully so. They were glad to see
me, and my hand was shaken warmly.
Dear c., don't say word f
The past John urged, shaking my hand
second time. I know you spoke the
ruth five years ago. I was going down
ill. But I have gone as far as I can
here I stop at the foot. Everything
$ gone but my wife. 1 have sworn and
ny oath shall be kept,-Ellcn and l are
going to be happy now r
The poor fellow burst into tears, Ell
en- followed suit, and I kept their COM
'any. I could not help crying like a
lid. My God! what sight! The
nee noble, true man, so fallen-become
mere broken glass the last fragment
My rejecting the image it once bore; :
suppliant at the foot of hope, begging J
grain of warmth for the hearts of him
elf and wife! And how I had honored
nd loved that man! And how loved I
i'm still! Oh! Ihoped-aye, more than /
oped-I believed that he would be
aved. And as gazed upon his wife t
so trusting, so loving, so true, and 50 |
opeful even in the midst of living q
eath--1 prayed more fervently than j
ever prayed before, that God would i
old him up--lead him back to the top e
f the hill.
In the morning saw the children - Z
crown to two intelligent boys; aud
hough, they looked pale and wan, yet i,
hey smiled and seemed happy when !,
heir father kissed them.
When / went away, John took me {
" the hand, and the last words he said :
we're.
:, - r,isign,. itGda Il nr.