Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-23

| 'l1afe you plcuSeu vOuTScll YET
"Beiore God and in my heart, | have,
but one of my crrands here was to get
you to write me pledge, and have it
made to my wife and children"
Capt. Walker sat down to his table and
wrote out the required pledge, and then.
in trembling, but bold hand, Thomas
Wilkins signed it.
! wilkins said the old man. as he took
his visitor by the hand, II have watched
well your countenancc, and weighed your
words kaow you speak the truth
When bought the cottage from your cred
itors six years ago, paid them one thou
sand dollars for 1t. 1t has not been HARM
ed, and is AZ good as it wae then. Most Of
the time have received good rent for it.
| Now, sir, you shall have it for just what
paid for it, and each month you shall pay
me such sum as you can comfortably
spare, till it is all paid. will ask you for
no rent nor a cent OF interest. You shall
have . deed of the estate, and in return
will take but single note and mortgage
i upon which you can have your own time.
Thomas Wilkins tried to thank the old
| man for his kindness. but he only sank back
into his chair and wcpt like child; and
while he sat with his face buried in his
hands, the old man slipped from the room
And when at length he returned he bore
in his hand Il neatly covered basket
Come, come" the Captain exclaimed
"checr up, my friend. Here are some tit
bits for Your wife and childrrn-take them
home; and believe me, Wilkins. if you
feel half as happy i'll receiving my favor as
| doin bestowing it, youare happy indeed"
80, God God will bless you for this
sir,'' exclaimed the kindness stricken man.
''and if betray your contid nee, may
die on the ins.antn'
stick to your pledge, Wilkins, and
will take care of the rest" said the old Cap
tain, as his friend took the basket. If You
have time tomorrow, call on me, and
will arrange the papers.
As Thomas Wilkins once more entered
the streets his tread was ligh; and easy
\ bright light of joyousness shone in every
/ feature, and as he wended his way home
ward, he felt, i'll every avenue Of his soul,
that he was once more man.
The gloomy shades that ushcred in the
night Of the 3lst Of Dccenihcr had fallen
over the SHOW clad earth. Within the mis-
cradle dwelling of Mrs. Wilkins. there was
more Of comfort than we found when we
first visited her, bnt yet nothing had been
added &c the furniture of the place For
/ the last six days, her husband had come
I home every evening, and gone away before
/ daylight every morning. and, during that
+ time, she knew that he had not drank any
Intoxicating beverage. for already had his
ice begun to assume the stamp OF It's for
mer manE"od, aHd every word that he had
sgG!.ea iai been kind and ai',ctionate. To
i his children he had brought new shoes ami
warm clothing, and to herself he had given
+ such things as she stood in immediate need
+ Of; but vet, with all this, he had been taci
.nfn and thoughtful showing dislike to
all questions and only speaking such words
as We're necessary. The poor, devoted,
loving wife began to hopo. And why
shouId she not, For six years her husband
had not been thus before. Onc week be-
fore she dreaded his approach; bat now
She found herself waiting for hun with all
the anxiety of former years. Should all
this be broheu; shoHd this new Charm be
swept away Eight O'Clock eame and so
| did nine ana ten, and yet her husband came
not
"Moher," said little Charles, just as
the clock struck ten, seeming to have
awakened from a dreamy slumber. Isn't
this the last night in the old year ~
Yes my SON.
And do You know what Eve been
dreaming. dear mother? | dreamed that
father had brought US New Years presents
| just The same as he used to. But he won't.
| will he He's too poor now ~
No, my dear hoy, We shall have no 9TH
er presents than food and even for that
/ ~. e.. 'tl.rn l.,,
Your head IN my lap again"
The boy laid his curly head once more
in .lis mothers |; p, and with fearful eyes
she gazcd upoa his innocent form.
The clock struck eleven The poor
wife was on her tireless watch. But hard
| " had the sound of the last stroke died
away, ere the snow crust gave back the
sound of football and in II moment more
her husband entered. With II trembling
| fear she raised her eyes to his face, and a
wild thrill OF joy went to her heart as she
saw that all there was open and bold-on-
| ly those manly features looked more joy
Gus, more proud than ever.
"I.izzic,' said he, in mild, kind accents,
Il am late tonight but business has de
tanned me; and now have favor to ask
of the"
..Name it, dear Thomas, and you shall
not ask a second time cried the wife, as
she laid her hand confidently upon his arm.
And you will ask me no questions =
continued Wilkins"
"No, will not
Then" continued the husband as he
bent over and imprinted kiss upon his
wite's brow Il want you to dress our
children for walk, and YOU shall accom-
pany us, The night is calm and tranquil,
and the snow is we'll troddeu-'
"But -"
"Ah, no questions Remember your
promise"
Lizzie Wilkins knew not what all this
meant, nor did she think or care, for any
thing which could please her husband she
would have done with pleasure even though
it had wrcnched her very heart-strlngs.
In a short time the children were ready =
then Mrs. Wilkins put on such articles OF
dress as she could command. and soon they
were in the road. The moon shone bright
", the stars peeped down upon the earth,
and they seemed to smile upon the travel
ers from out their twinklmg eyes OF light.
silently Wilkins led his way, and silently.
his wife and children followed. Several
times tie wife gazed up into her husbands
face but from the strange expression that
rested there, she could make out nothing
that tended To satisfy her.
At length, slight turn in the road
hronrht them suddenly upon the pretty