Litchfield enquirer., 1864-01-07
sunny morrow, which the first dark cloud may dash forever aside.

the little fellow had always laugh for Ains he was willing to go to this bold, bad man and in time Nancolas was by slow consent induced to take into his great, rough, weather beaten arms, this baby-boy !; and once, it is sad, he was 30 far forgetful of his nature, as to press the little mouth with his gin-stained lips By slow degrees, was the drunkard wor from his absolute course. the change was scarcely preceptble at first, but step by stel lie was weaned from his seat in The Jolly Sailor rs' taproom to' a corner at TregllIian < ilreside; and though years passed before peo pie believed that Nancoas was sober man yet that day came at last, when his old com panlonS laughed at iin, and the neighbors pointed him out as reformed reprobate.s 1c carry out the impression he had made, and in testimony to those who were willing to think well of him, Paul Nancolas in all sincerity pledged himself to taste no more liquor for the next twelve montb-a promise that requifel some nerve to make but Nancoas made it. and resolved the VOW sAouid be kept.
 Twelve years had passed, and on each anni- versarys had Nancolas renewed his VOW of tcm- perance. The time that had served to erase the dark spots that stained the fisherman's former life, had transformed the unconscious cause into robust and handsome youth while the passing fondness that had arisen in the fisherman's breast for the child, had grown into a deep-rootsd attachment for the boy That boy las Nancolas often said) had been the first that had ever cast thought on him.-alnost the only soul who had given hi Il a tender look " God bless the boy ' He had won him un knowingly from the bad, and made him know what it was to hold up his head with the good and true then, snapping his fingers. either in defiance of hisspast state, or in exultaton at his present, lie would hug the fair haired little fellow closer to his big. manly breast, and in his heavy sea boots go crashing along the beach to his boat wherein to set sail for his evening trip. On these occasions (wben the weather was fine and the sky was clear) the boy was his companion for half the distance, returning ID his fathers boat which they usually met.
 It was about half-past eight o'clock on a Friday evening ill August, about thirty years ago, that Paul Nancolas, accompanied by his little charge, prepared to Set sail. Hitherto las have said) the boy had gone with him but halfway but, upon this nisht-the fishing sea- son being good one, and Paul decming he might need the lads hep-he had wrung from the parents reluctant consent that the little fellow should be his midnight companion.
 The sunlight was fading into ten thousand broad red streaks upon the vast expanse of water and as the sun sank into the bosom of the ocean. the tide bore them steadily to u e mouth of the Bay. It was a calm and beauti ful evening, and nature looked very lovely in the declining light of day the sun cast its de parting rays upon the gray stone of the old Gas tles and ting.d the tops uf tie tiny waves it Was still the breZe bore OF it, at intervals tine laughter from the window of the little vii lage ale house that stool upon the shore, an from the boat mIs ;.lleAa of them, the lity of the fisherman came nlinyias with the pleas ant air, as the light faded gradually and the moon, with its mild beams. turuel into silver what had been the streaks of gold, lighting u:, the dsrkening landscape with it's soft, meilowy beams. All things were 50 quiet, it seemed as if, in it's own calm, Nature had luiled herself to sleep.
 The ,wiikling lights that dotted here and there the shore. became each moment paler in the distance the rustling of the trees was lost in the murmur of the ocean the land recedsd further and further from their views, til they appeared aloue upon the moonlit sea. Nunco- lns began now to be alarmed at the protracted ahsence of rrsgil whose boat he ought to have met some time before he was the more uneasy, as the old man had complained before starting of giddIness, and had of late been ail- ing.
 It was about this time that, resting on his cars, looking round, Paul observed that the boat from the owner of which they had heard the ditty proceedings was making towards them and the fisherman, as he rowcd along was chanting the burien Of an old song, that had been favorite with Nancolas, long before the birth of little Tregiliian.
 Heaven knows for what reason. but of all th5 revolters who jeered at his temperate hab its, Nascoas had avoided this man. Tolbody for that was his name, had staid out later, much later, than was usual for him to dc. and was making his way to land with heavy draught of fish, rowing hard against wind and tide.
 As they neared, Tolbody hailed Nancolas, and brought his fishing boat alongside.
 Why, mate, we see nousht of ye now" be- gan Tulbody i" ii thee don't care about taking a sup. ye needn't be above a pipe now and then. --.s
 Nancolas bade him good night, and would have rowed on.
 Stop, stop, mate F roarad the other :; 6 what's the hurry Sure the fishes won't come the sooner to thy nets, for thy speed I want something to speak to thee about.'
 The fisherman stopped irresolutely on his oars. He had been nettled that day, more than once, at the rdicule he had had to en- dure from his old associates, who invariably made it point, on each succeeding anniversa ry of his taking the pledge, to follow Pau! to the beach with derisive cheer This day was the twelfth anniversary, and he had wrthed under the yearly torment thus inflicted. If he passed this man without greeting-if he re- fused to throw him word, his motive might be misconstrued, and Mat act set down as one of fear, which would have been done in reality from the wish to avoid an sltercaton.
 I'm in hurry, master" returned Nanco- las |" 1 want to make the best use of wind and tide"
 Why. mate, you're not afraid ?"
 Afraid-no! What should be afraid on? You've little cause to say so, Master Tobody."
 Tolbody laughed sneeringly, and winked at Nancolas, lifted his hand to his mouth, raising his little finger in the air.
 !" Fourteenth of August P he added "This is the day, isn't, friend ? Why they say you're bliged to s,cear, or you couldn't keep your promise"
 Stung with the last retort, and smarting un- der the jeers of his former friends on shore Nancolas answered roughly-ihat it would be well if some minded business of their own. and that for his part he wanted no promise to bind him he bade the other good night, and resum ed hs oars.
 "S;ay, stay, man alive !: we know each oth CT. don't believe what they Say Of you. Toe