Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-25

!
No Charlie, he said, well leave the
VINE for those who need it.
You used to drink it, Jack"
! Yes, but it never did me any good. %
harm ?'' o' ''"'
As to that l will not say; it never shall
| do ne harm. [ know it has harmed others
who were as strong as | am By the way,
Charlie isn't Mary Granville here ?''
Yes, said I.
| Do you know her?"
turned away my face and pretended to
have heard something at the nindow.
L have seen her, / replied, when T had
composed myself. she plays the organ in
the church.
She and | were school mates,' pursued
Stanton, and speaking of wine brings her
to my mind, Do you know anything of her
early life ??''
Nothing, | answered.
Poor Mary | never think OF her with
out feeling my resolution Of total abstinence
grow stronger and stronger When We were
school children together her father was the
weaithiest man IN Berryville, and she and
her brother were among the happicst OF the
happy.
Mr. Granville was in the habit OF drink
ing wine. and the habit grew upon him
until he felt he could not I've without his
brandy.
He was Of social disposition, and in
time IL came to pass that hey was often gross
ly intoxicated. Ofcourse under such cir-
cuEistances one OF two things must happen
the man must reform OF he must sink.
Nr. Granville did not reform, and ere many
years he died drunkard's 5 death, leaving
ms family IN poverty and suffering.
'ihomas, the soli,, was four years older
than Mary, became dissipated, and at the
age OF eighteen was killed III street fight
III New York Mrs Granville survived her
son but a few lonths--absoiuteiy dying the
doctor said, with broken heart
Poor Maryth thus left Iathcrless and moth.
erless, without brother aud sister, at the age
OF fifteen, was forced to earn the bread
which she ate-and molly has she done il.
Il you know her, Charlie, you know one OF
the nobiest women that ever lived But
what the matter? Why, bless ne you look
as pale Is ghost
/ struggle d with myself. and told jack
had Swallowed a let OF cigar suleIza Ls<osss
and opening ore OF the easements, stepped
out upon the balcony, where the fresh air
restored Lie.
At late hour Jack departed Tor the no
tel, and when | had retile ed TO nay chamber
| paced too andIro until long after midnight
could no longer misunderst and the motives
which had actuated Mary in rejecting my
hand. She knew that I was in the habit Of
using wine, and on that evening when last
wc net she must have discovered that had
drank enough to bring false fush to lny
cheek
On my God p I calculated, as s.....s !
into chair, 1 wonder not that she refused |
to place her future in my keeping She |
has sutf red enough from the accursed cup. |
The night OF sarrow and desolation has been |
long enough upon her She would be woI Sc
than mad 20 take u husband whose opening |
path OF lie led towards the pit into which |
the loved ones Of other days had fallen
But, | asked myself. why did she not
tell me the whole truth ?''
| fouGi no difficulty In answering the
question. She had shrunk from wounding
nay feelings l knew how sensitive she vas,
and ! knew that she was afraid of offending
ne. Perhaps she thought me proud and
headstrong suough to resent such liberty on
her part. aud perhaps she imagined might
ooll upon hes part as the Offering Of her
hand IN consideration OF my renouncing the
and that [ might spurn her offer
Ga Friday Jack Stanton left me, and on
saturday evening | called at Mary's board
ny house. Mary herself answered my sum
mons. She startled when she saw me. and |
'aw her right hand move quickly toward
Ter heart.
Mary, said speaking calmly, forI had
mighty strength OF will to support me, Il
ave not come to distress you, | have come
S q friend, and | humbly ask thai you will
ave ne az audience for a it,w moments
She went into the paFlor, and followed
lcT, closing the door behind ne and when
x.s,ls,
lie and motioned HE to seat.
No, said |, 4 viii not sit down yet '
live me your hand, Mary"
Mechanically she put forth her hands and l
took them IN my own. There was won |
erlng look in her eyes, and slight flush I
ad come to her pale cheeks.
Mary, | continued speaking slowly and
Dftly, and knew that a moisture was gath I
ring in my eyes, you must answer one {
uestion Answer it as you please, and I
axe my solumn assurance [ ask it only L
or your own good. Tell me, do you love
lie No, no-do not take your hands away 0
ct. Answer me if you can. Fear not-0, T
ear not for ! had rather go into endless I
light than do you wrong. Tell me Mary, t
o you love me 0
Il cannot speak falsely" she tremblingly c
hispered. For my own peace, perhaps | Z
we you too well. Il
Listen to me one moment I added, K
rawing her nearer to me; when / have D
Id you what l have to tell, you shall be
le judge. !"
She did not strive to free her hands, but n
oked up eagerly into my face, and her eyes +
eamed with a hopeful light. Ii
q ou know John Stanton p [ said. d
Yes. she replied. lo
He was my best friend when we were at Il
nllena and m,r friendShin has not grown 81