Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-06-28
THE DAUGHTERS sTRATAGEM.


Yet though he was called great, he was not
good, because he was fond of drinking wine,
brandy, &c, and frequented the gambling
rooms so numerous in the city. These hab
its gained on him daily, until they conquer
ed all his moral strength. His townsmen
refused TO send 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 nngratifed. She was of a sweet dis
position, and so obedent and respectful to
her, that she was beloved by everybody
And though her fathers dwelling was the
most elegant, and they had beautiful
grounds, aud servents, and horses, and car
riage and fine clothes; she never put on
airs as many do, but was modest and retir
ing. Mr.. Rose and his wife and daughters
were all members of christian church. lie
was often suspended from It's fellowship, and
on promisciof repentance received again. HIS
influential position In society and the plous
conduct Of his wife and daughters, caused
much pity for them, ana elected much pa
tience hey hoped by love and forbearance
to restore him wholly. But all the love Of
his family and Of the church could not stop
this crriug man i'll his downward course.
At last so low did he fall as to lose all
self respect, and trequented the lowest whis
key shops III the town. Daily he went out
uushayed, unwaShed, ragged, and almost
naked. and when drunk would sing some
low song which would draw around him
crowd Of boys to jeer, and laugh, and scorn
the once dignitied 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 perseyering efforts were put
forth; prayers were offered up, and his
family left no evenue to his heart unenter-
ed. But all were alike useless. His wife
and daughters wept and prayed, but dlspalr-
ed entirely.
Mary, his pet, often labored to save her
father from open disgrace, if not from pri-
vate sin. She became very sad and refused
to attend church or go into society. When
her father was sober, he had sense to perceive
the sorrowful change in his once happy Ma
ry 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, end get him at least
to put on some decent clothing but he would
not yield. Mary made her appearance by
his side, clothed in rags, low at the neck,
bare armed and bonnetless with an old whis
bottle in her hand Taking her faith
ers's arm she said: Come, father, I'm go
ing too: -,
if horror struck
ITO the dram shop. What is good for
you is good for me.
Then she began to ferish her bottle and
sing one of the low songs she had heard
him sing in the street.
Go back girl, you are crazy; mother,
take her in.
But am going with yoa, father, to ruin
my soul and body. 1t Is OF no use Tor 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 me mad.
But YOU have been mad for some time,
and am going mad too. " hat do | care?
My father is only poor old desplsed drunk
ard his daughter may as well drink and he
in the gutter too
SO Mary pulled away at her father arm,
and went out to open the gate. lie drew
back; still she dragged on and sung louder.
A few boys came toward them, and then her
father broke from her hold, and went INTO
the house. There he sat down; and put
ting his hands to his face. he wept aloud
NV hat is tie natter said Mrs hose.
Wary is crazy, and I have made her so.
I wish was dead. Do go out and get her
in; won't go 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 in her hand
and all day kept on her old rags. Mr.. hose
was in an awful state for want OF his accus-
toned stimuli, and frequently went to the
door, but Mary was ready at his side on ey-
erv occasion Mrs. Rose prepared hls meals
with extra care, and gave her husband cups OF
strong coffee, and the latter part OF the day
he Law down to sleep. When he woke up,
Mary was still there in her rags, and her
bottle by her side.
With much shaking and trembling heput
on suit of clothes, and asked his wife to
send for barber. Then alter tea he said'
II IN going out.
"Where2'' =,
'"To the Temperance Hail. Go with me
and see if | do not go there:
So Mrs. Rose went with him to the door
of the hall, Mary still saying must 1ol-
low, for [ m afraid he will go to the whis-
key shop without me.
But his wife sa him go up stairs and en-,
ter the meeting room, and the door closed
nnon him. Then she and Mary went home
to rejoice with trembling at the success OF
Surprise, joy, and some distrust pervaded
tho minds of the assembly Of temperance
brothers when Mr. Rose walked IN lie
was invited to walk forward and asked to
speak whatever he wished.
He rose and told his tale of the day, and
then added. "When | saw how my angel
daughter was transformed into low, hthy