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


ed bat was in his hand, and the cool breeze
lifted the matted locks which covered his
once noble brow. His countenance was
bloated and disfgured, but in his eye there
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 aud 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
youth, when il was the abode Of peace and
happiness. In infancy lie saw again the
old arm chair where sat his father, with the
Bible upon his knee; and he seemed to hear
again the sweet note of his mother, as she
laid her hand upon the head of her darling
boy, and prayed that God might bless him
and preserve him from evil. Long years
have. passed away, yet tears came into the
eyes of The drunkard OF the recollection
Of his mothers love.
"Poor mother" he uttered, "it is well
thou art sleeping in the grave, 1t would
break thy heart to know that thy son is d
wretched and degraded being, miserable
outcast from society"
He turned slowly away. Deep within
the adjoining forest was dell where the
beams of the sun scarce ever penetrated.
Tall trees grew on either side, whose branch.
es, meeting above formed canopy of leaves
where the birds built nests and poured forth
happy songs. Thther the drunkard bent
his steps. 1t had been his favorite haunt
in the days Of his childhood and as he threw
himself upon the soft green sward the re-
collection OF past scenes crowded over his
mind. He covered his face with his hands
and the prayer of The prodgal burst from
his lips. 30 God receive returning wan
derer!" Suddenly soft arm was thrown
around his neck, and sweet voice MUIR
mured-"He will forgive you father" p
StartInU IN bic foot fba hi
ing before him his youngest daughter, child
of six years.
"Why are you here, Anne ?" he said,
ashamed that the innocent child should have
witnessed his grief.
81 came to gather the lilies which grow
upon the banks" she replied, 'see have
got M basket full, and now am going to
sell them"
"And what do you do with the money?"
asked the father as he turned his ewes TO
to the basket, where among the broad green
leaves the sweet lilies of the valley were
peeping forth.
The child hesitatcd, she thought she had
said too much, perhaps her father would
demand the money and spend it in the way
In which all his earnings went.
"You are afraid 10 tell me Anne" said
her father kindly. ''Well, do not blame
you, ! have no right to my children's con
flence.'
The gentleness OF bis tone touched ,ht
heart of the afleclionate child. She threw
her arm around his neck exclaiming -"Yes
father, ! will tell you. Mother buys medi
cines for poor little Willie. We have n,
other way to get it. Mother and Mar,
work all The time they can to get bread"
A pang shot through the inebriate'
heart. Il have robbed them of all the com
forts OF lile," he exclaimed, "from this mo
mens the liquid fire passes my lips n,
more"
Anne stood gazing at him in astonish
ment, She could scarcely comprehend hei
fathers words; but she saw that som,
change had taken place. She threw bacl
her golden ringlets, and raised her arg,
blue eyes, with an earnest look to his fac,
--"Will you never drink any more rum?'
she whispered timidIy.
Never Anne" her father repIe,
solemnly.
Joy danced in her eyes. "Then we will
all be SO happy" she cried, sand lnothe
won't weep any more, oh, father what
happy home ours will bel" Years passe,
away. The words of Anne the drunkard'
daughter, proved true. The home of TN
reformed man, her father, was indeed hap
py one. Plenty crowned his board, AM
health and joy besmed from the face of hi
wife and children, where once squalid mis-
eFv could alone he fraoaJ TLo ,IoJ. H.