Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-08-24
from the Congregationnlisr.
A DAUGHTERS STRATAGEM.


| "tht W W "HHiuS S'oii, dul HiS NO.ce was OlteIl
! heard in the halls Of Congress. Yet though
he was called great, he was not good, because
he was very fond of drinking wine, brandy,
&C., and trcquentcd the gambling rooms 81,
numerous in that city. These habits gained
upon him daily, until they conquered all his
: moral strength. His townsmen refused to
send him as their delegate any longer
Judge Rose had an amiable wife and three
pretty daughters. Mary, the eldest daughter
was his especial pet He thought more of
her !han he did OF himself, and no wish OF
hers went unsatisfei. She was of sweet
disposition, aud so obedient and respectful to
her parents, and kind to every one about, that
she w's beloved by everybody. And though
her fathers dwelling was the most elegant,
and they had beautiful grounds. and servants,
and horses and carriages, and fine clothes, she
never put on airs US many do, but was modest
and retiring.
Mr.. Rose and his wife and daughter were
all members of Christian church. He was
often suspended from its fellowship, aud on
promises of repentance received again. His
| influential position in society and the pious
conduct Of his wife and daughters, caused
much pity for them. and elected much patti
eucc. They hoped by love and forbearancc
to restore him wholly. But all the love Of
his family and of the church could not stop
this erring man in his downward course
at last so low did he fall as to lose all self
respect and frequent the lowest whisky shops
in the Town. Daily he went out unshaved,
unwashcl, ragged and almost naked, and
when drunk would sing low song, which
would draw around him crowd of boys, to
| jeer and laugh, and scorn the once dignifed
judge. In personal appearance he was now
the lowest of the low
1t is not to be supposed that Christians and
temperance men allowed such man to ruin
himself without efforts to save him. Earnest
and perseveIing endeavors were put forth.
prayers were offered up. and his family left
no avenue to his heart unentered But all
| were alike useless and hopeless. His wife
and daughters wept and prayed, but despair
ed entirely
Mary, his 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 60 into society. When her
father was sober he had sense enough to see
the sorrowful change in his once happy Mary
and seemed to regret his course more for her
sake than his own.
One morning he started as usual for the
drinking shop. He was horrible object, in
decent to look at, as well as filthy. His wife
tried to hold him back and get him, at least
to put on some decent clothing, but he would
not yield. Mary made her appearance by his
SIDE clothed i'll rags, low at the neck, bare
armed and bonnetless. with an old whisky
I,iIo -, hor k,nl T,k;,, has g., a.
she said:
"Comc father, I'm going too"
"Going where?" said he, staring at her as
if horror struck.
40 the dram shop. What is good for you
is good for me ""
Then she began to flourish her bottle and
to sing one of the low songs she had heard
him sing in the streets.
"Go back, girl, you arc crazy. Mother
take her in "
But am going, father, with you, to ruin
my soul and body. 1t is of no use to me to
be good, while you are going off to the bad
place. You'll be lonely there without your
Mary"
go away. girl, you'll drive me mad"
"But you have been mad for a long time,
and lam going mad too. What do care, my
father is only poor old despiscd drunkard
his daughter may as well drink and lie in the
gutter too"
So Mary pulled away at her fathers arm,
and went on to open the gate He drew back,
still she dragged on and sung louder A few
boys began to run towards. them and then
her father broke from her hold, and went into
the house. There he sat down. and putting
his face in his hands, wept and sobbed aloud.
Still Mary s:aid out.
What is the matter!" asked Mrs. Rose.
"Mary is crazy. and made her so. | wish
was dead. Do go and get her in. | won't
90 out 10 day"
Mrs Rose went out and told Mary what her
ather had said, and then she went in. She |
81. down with her bottle in her hand and all |
lay she kept on the cid rags. Mr.. Rose was
n terrible state for the want of his accus-
omed stimulus, and frequently would 90 to |
he door, ut Mary was ready at his side on !
very OCCASION Mrs. Rose prepared her |
ucais with extra care and gave her husband |
wo cups of coffee, and the latter part of the
lay he laid down to sleep. When he woke |
p Mary was still there in her rags, and her
'ottle by her side.
With much trembling and shaking he put
II n good suit of clothes, and asked his wife
0 send for barber Then after tea he said,
j am going out"
"Whcre"
"To the temperance hall. Go with me and
ee if do not 20 there"
So Mrs Rose went with him to the door of
he ball, Mary still saying:
II must follow, for I'm afraid ho'll go to
ne whiskey shop without me-"
But his wife saw him go up stairs and en-
,r the meeting room and the door closed
pom him. Then she and Mary wen, home to
,joice in trembling at the result Of the strata
en-.
Surprise, joy and some dstrust pervaded
ie minds IF the assembly of temperance
rothcrs when Mr.. Rose walked in. il, was
lvi,ed forward and asked to speak whatever
e wished.
He rose, and told tho tale of the day, and
lded when saw how my angel daughter
as transformed into a low filthy creature;
hen | knew how much lower she would have q
descend if she went with me, abhorred t
yself. She vowed to 60 everywhere went
Id do everything l did. Could see her do
att Her loveliness stained, her character q
lined? No, sir. if it kills me will leave off C