The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-08-03
THE DAUGHTERS sTRATAoEM.

ry year he went to Washington, and hi
voice was often heard in the halls of Con
gress. Yet though he was called grea
he was not good, because he was fond o
drinking wine, brandy, &c, and frequent
ed the gambling rooms so numerous il
the city. These habits gained ON hin
daily, until they conquered all his mora
strength. His townsmen refused to senc
him as their delegate any more.
Judge Rose had an amiable wife and
three pretty daughters. Mary the eldest
was his special pet. He thought more
of her than of himself, and no wish Of
hers went ungratifed. She was of a
sweet disposition, and so obedient and
respectful to her parents, and kind to ev-
cry one about her, that she was beloved
by everybody. And though her father s
dwelling was the most elegant and they
had beautiful grounds, and servants, and
horses, and carriages and fine clothes; she
never put on airs as many do, but was
modest and retiring. Mr.. Rose and his
wife and daughters were all members of
a christian church. He was often sus-
pended from its fellowship, and on prom
ise Of repentance received again. His
influential position in society and the pi-
Gus conduct of his wife and daughters,
caused much pity for them, and elected
much patience. They hoped by love and
forbearance to restore him wholly. But
all the love Of his family and the church
could not stop this erring man in his
downward course
At last so low did he fall as to lose all
self-respcct, and frequented the lowest
whiskey shops in the town. Daily he
went out unshaved, and unwashed, ragged
and almost naked, and when drunk would
sing some low song which would draw a.
round him crowd of boys to jeer, and
laugh, and scorn the once dignifed and
respectful judge. In personal appearance
he was the lowest Of the low.
1t is not to be supposed that Christians
and temperance men allowed such a man
to ruin himself without efforts to save
him. Earnest and persevering efforts
were put forth prayers were offered up,
and his family left no avenue to his
heart unentered. But all were "a
like useless. His wife and daughters
wept and prayed, but despaired entirely.
Mary bis pet, often labored to save her
father from open disgrace, if not from
private sin. She became very sad and
refused to attend church or go into soci-
ETY.. When her father was sober, he had
sense to perceive the sorrowful change in
his once happy Mary and seemed to re-
gret his course more for her own sake
than his own.
One morning he started as usual for the
drinking shop. He was q horrible OBJ
ject, indecent to look at as well as filthy.
His wife tried TO hold him back, and get
him at least to put on some decent cloth
ing, but he would not yield. Mary made
her appearance by his side, clothed in
rags, low at the neck, bare armed and
bonnelless with an old whiskey-bottle in
her hand. Taking her fathers arm she
said: "Comc, father, I'm going too"
'GoiDg where 2" said he, staring at
her as if horror struck.
80 the dram shop. What is good for
you is good for me-"
Then she began TO furish her bottle
and sing one Of the low songs she had
heard him sing in the street.
eco back girl, you are crazy; mother,
take her in"
'But [ am going with you, father, to
ruin my soul and body. 1t is of no use
for me to be good while you are going to
the bad place. You'll be lonely there
without your Mary"
"Go away, girl, you'll drive NE mad"
"But you have been mad for some time,
and [ am going mad too. What do L
care Ny father is only a poor old de-
spised drunkard his daughter may as
as we'll drink aud lie in the gutter too"
So Mary pulled away at her fathers
arm, and went out to open the gate. lie
drew back still she dragged on and sung
| louder. 4 few boys came toward them,
and then her father broke from her hold
and went into the house. There he sal
down; and putting his hands to his face
he wept aloud.
"What is the matter ?" said Mrs. Rose
! "Mary is crazy. and l have made hel
so. | wish / was dead. Do go out and
get her in won't so out to-day.
Mrs. Rose went out and told Mary
what her father had said, and then she
went in. She sat down with her bottle
and all day kept on her old rags. Mr.
Rose was in an awful state for want Of
his accustomed stimulous and frequently
, went to the door, but Mary was ready a
: his side on every occasion. Mrs Rose
prepared his meals with extra care, anc
gave her husband cups Of strong coffee
: and the latter part of the day he lay dowr
: to sleep. When he woke up, Mary wa'
still there in her rags, and her bottle b,
her side.
5 With much shaking and trembling h'
put Oh suit of clothes, and asked his
! wife to send for barber. Then afte
tea lie said, "Pm going out"
"Where p
e 'eTo the Temperance Hall. Go witt
S me and see if | do not go there.
So Mrs. Rose went with him to tn
door of the hall, Mary still saying "