The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-22
THE INEBRIATE.

u l
ed hat was in his hand, and the cool breeze
lifted the matted locks which covered his
once noble brow. His countenance was l
bloated and disfgured, but in his eye there t
was an unwonted look mingled express
sion Of sadness and regret. Perhaps he
was listening to the low, melancholy voice
of his wife, as she soothed the sick babe
on her bosom or perhaps he was gazing
upon the sweet face Of his eldest daughter
as at the window she piled her needle 10
obtain for her mother and the poor children
a scanty sustenance. Poor Mary for her.
self she cared not young as she was her
spirit was already crushed by poverty, I'M
kindness and neglect. As the inebriate
thus stood, his eyes wondered over the mis-
cradle habitation before him. The win
dows were broken and the doors hing eless,
scarce vestige of comfort remained; yet
, memory bore him back to the days Of his
you'll ~sshen it was the abode of peace and
, hap, aone In infancy lie saw again the
old ANA Cir where sat his father, with the
J: ~ faA is knee; and he seemed to hear
s'iohs near tkset note of his mother, as she
laid iynnnl6nd upon the head of her darling
boy, and prayed that God might bless him
and preserve him from evil. Long years
0 have. passed away, yet tears came into the
eyes of the drunk0rd at the recollection
Of his mothers love.
"Poor mother" he uttered, 'it is well
e thou art sleeping in the grave, it would
break thy heart TO know that thy son is
Il wretched and degraded being, miserable
outcast from society,""
e He turned slowly away. Deep within
e the adjoining forest was dell where the
a beams of the sun scarce ever penetrated.
y Tall trees grew on either side, whose branch
# es, meeting above formed canopy of leaves
IS where the birds built nests and poured forth
is happy songs. Thither the drunkard bent
y his steps. 1t had been his favOrite haunt
y. ~, in the days of his childhood and as he threw
ne himself upon the soft green sward the re-
collection of past scenes crowded over his
le mind. He covered his face with his hands
-. and the prayer of the prodigal burst from
70 his lips. 90 God receive q returning wan.
lat derer!" Suddenly soft arm was thrown
C. around his neck, and a sweet voice muir
r. mured-"He will forgive you father."-
u,' Starting 10 his feet the inebriate saw stand
,e. ing before him his youngest daughter, chill
ey of six years.
he "Why are you here, Anne ?" he said
ell ashamed that the innocent child should hav
or witnessed his grief.
rol 81 came to gather the lilies which groy
it upon the banks" she replied "see hav
ne :, got M basket full, and now an going L
~, -, sell them"
nd Sand what do you do with the money!?
,r- asked the father as he turned his eyes t
n to the basket, where among the broad greel
IA leaves the sweet lilies of the valley wer
al peeping forth.
lie The child hesitatcd, she thought she hal
in said too much, perhaps her father woul'
re. demand the money and spend it in the wa,
~ ~ in which all his earnings went.
At "You are afraid 10 tell me Anne," sale
ey her father kindly. "Well, do not blame
cal you, have no right to my children's con
I'm fidence."
so so The gentleness OF his tone touched tn
vs heart of the affectionate child. She threw
Pc her arm around his neck exclaiming-"Yes
lch father, will tell you. Mother buys med
:. cines for poor little Willie. We have n
If other way to get it. Mother and Mar
cir work all the time they can to get bread"
ow A pang shot through the inebriate
Inc heart. 81 have robbed them of all the con
hy' forts of life," he exclaimed, "from this mo
has
NV ment the liquid fire passes my lips n
hts MORE"
and Anne stood gazing at him in astonisl
va nent, She could scarcely comprehend h'
d. fathers words; but she saw that son
us change had taken place. She threw BAG
ion her golden ringes, and raised her lars
nth blue eyes, with an earnest look 10 his fa
anu -"Will you never drink any more rum!
The sh Whispered timidly.
the ace lo'er Anne" her father repIl
the swhiohh
nor 'ender Yhced in her eyes. "Then we W
fay Toy alup thS happy" she cried, Sand moth
lev, woAlI keep any more, oh, father what
ken happy home ours will be-" Years pass
hey away. The words of Anne the drunkarC
ow- daughter, proved true. The home of
on, reformed man, her father, was indeed ha
lhi. py one. Plenty crowned his board, a
de health and joy beamed from the face of
wife and children, where once squalid m
cry could alone be traced The pledge h
nri. raised him from his degradation and restc
ed him once more to peace and happine