The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-07-05
The Daughters stratagem.

The Daughters Stratagem.
Judge Rose lived in Bellville, on the bants
Of a great river in the West. Every yearhe
went 70 Washington, and his voice vas often
heard Ia the halls Of Congress. Yet. though,
he was called great, he VAS not good. because
he was fond OF drinking vine, brandy, &c, and
irequented the garnbling rooms 90 numerous
IN the city.-These habits gained on him daily.
until they conquered all his moral strength
His townsmen refused to send him as their del.
! egate any more. .--- ,la ,t19..ses.F a,aE s.f
! Judge Rose had an emiablc wife and three
pretty daughters. Mary, the eldest was bis
| especial pet. He thought more OF her than of
| himself, and no wish OF hers went unQratifed.
She was Of sweet disposition, and 90 obedi-
ent and respectful to ker parents, and kind to-
every one about her, that she was beloved by
everybody. And though her fathers dwelling
was the most elegant, and they had beautiful
grounds, and servants, and horses, and Car.
riases, and fine clothes, she never put on airs
az many do, but was modest and retiring. Mr.
Rose and his wife and daughters were oall
members Of a christian church. He was often
suspended from its fellowship, and OF, 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 patience. They hoped
by love and forbearance 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. .,.,,..a.. -
At last so low did he fall az to lose all self
respect, and frequented the lowest whiskey
shops in the town. Daily he went out un!
shaved, unwashed, ragged, and almost naked;
and when drunk would sing some low song;
which would draw around him a crowd Of boys
to jeer, and laugh, and scorn the once digni.
fed and respectful Judge. In personal ap.
So Isa A. q Al
It is not to be supposed that Christians and
temperance men allowed such man to ruin
himself without efforts to save him. Earnest
and persevering endeavors were put forth.
prayers were offered up, and his family left no.
avenue to his heart unentered. But all were
alike useless. His wife and daughters weps
and prayed, but despaircd entirely. .s 2" :
Mary, his pet, often labored to save her ia
ther from open disgrace. if not from private
sin. She became very sad and refused to at
terd church, or 60 into society. When her IA,
ther was sober, he had sense enough to per-
ceive 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 tho
drinking shop. He was horrible object, in.
decent to look at, As we'll 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 in rags, low at the neck. bare armed
and bonnstless; with an old whiskey bottle in
her hand. Taking her fathers arm she said:--
"Come, father, ! m going too"
"Gong where?" said he, starting at her az
if horror.struck.
"To 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. ..f
600 back, girl, you are crazy. Mother take
her in"
"But am going, father with you, to ruin
my soul and body. It is Of no use for 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 sf@
"But you have been mad for a long time,
and l am going mad too. What do I caref
my father is only poor old despsed drunkards
his daughter NAV as well drink and lie in the
gutter too"
SO Mary pulled away at her fathers arm.
and went out to open the gate. He drew back;
she dragged on and sung louder. A few boys
began to run toward them, and then her father
broke from her hold, and went into the hous,.
Theirs he sat down, and putting his face in his
hands, wept aloud. Still Mary staid out.
"What is the matter?" said Mrs Rose. s.
"Mary is crazy. and have made her So
wish l was dead: Do 60 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.. Rose was in art
awful state for want Of his accustomed stimu-
lus, and frequently would go to the door, but
Mary was ready at his side. on every OCCASION.
Mrs. Rose prepared his meals with extra care.
and gave her husband, cups of strong Coffee
and the latter part Of the day lie lay down to-
sleep. When lie awoke up. Mary was still
there in her rags, and her bottle by her side.
With much trembling and shaking he put on
suit of clothes, and asked his wife to send for
barber Then after tea, he said; sim going
out"
"Where7' -.. IL. -...
ITO the Temperance Hail. Go with me
and see if do not 20 there"
So Mrs Rose went with him to the door
Of the hall, Mary still saying: ~ must follow.
for I'm afraid he'll go to the whskey Stop
without me-
But his wife saw him go up stairs and enter
the meeting room. and the door closed upon
him. Then she and Mary went home to re.
joice with trembling at the success Of the STRAIT.
agem.
Surprise, Joy and some dstrust pervadcd the
minds Of the assembly Of temperance brothers.
when Mr.. Rose walked in lie was invited
forward and to speak what he wished. .....
He rose and told his tale of the day, and ad
ded: When saw how nv angel daughter was
transformed into low filthy creature; when I
knew how much lower she would have to de.
scend if she went with me, abhorred myself:
She vowed to 60 everywhere went, aud do
everything I did. Could see her do thatf
Her loveliness stained, her character ruined
she pure as an angel No, sirs +! If it kills me
l will leave of. and never touch, taste. o. han.
die more from this night henceforward and for
ever. And now, gentlemen, help me to be u
man again."
The building vibrated with the cheering,
stamping, and clipping, and gush Of song
rose from those manly hearts (which might
have been heard for miles. Oh "There 10
joy in heaven" ...... ...-... f.