The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-08-04

Ahe VOW M she Bars.
The village tavern was full OF carousing
Every tippler must have his reveals on elec
tion day. The bar-room was black with
the sins Of drunkenness.
"Where is Hartley ?" was the frequent
question. Many penniless topper wanted
dram Mt his expense. One lady had beer
quietly glancing into the room in search Of
him. All knew the anxiety of Mrs. Hartle,
for her husband. One minister aftcrwarc
looked in as he passed thrice to and fro
Many knew that Parson Blake would come
the fourth time, and then, perhaps, make a
closer search. :" Ii Is strange,a mutterec
one dry man, who was quite anxious fol
Hartley to appear, |" thas these women and
these preachers can not let man have his
liberty"
10 doors and on the porch were men
whose eyes were staring in every direction
for Hartley.
A step was heard up the street but it was
too firm and elastic for that Of their much
desired friend. Then the man was seen on
the other side Of the way; Hartley was not
expected to be there. IL was not his side
OF the street. Then be seemed to be pass
ing rapidly by; that was not like Hartley.
But the light cleaned across the street the
man was indeed Hartley-What could pos
sess him.
" Hartley, Hartley 20 was the cry, but he
paid mo more attention to it than if he were
the deafest man that ever lived.
Say, Hartley, what are you playing the
fool fory" cried one Of the Oldest sort Of
grog- -bruisers; "won't you give US little
Of your wit tonight ?'
"Come, Hartley, have we offended you 20
saia another dry-throated friend. "Come.
Let us have drink togethsr-it is not late. -
Hartley had got well past the tavern when
be stopped short, turned, and said, with a
clear voice:
"Farewell TO your drinking. Farewell to
dram drinking. Farewell TO tayerns.
FareAell to bad company. Farewell to the
ditch. Farewell TO deliria,n treme,as. Fare
well to q drunkard's woes and drunkard,s
gravep'
He turned and walked on as erect as an
Indian, and as straight forward as a "bee
line" with his eye on the light in he win
dow"
L. this Mr.. Hartley ~ inquired gentle
voice, as he was turning the corner.
's1t is and this is Mr. Blake. am glad
to meet you. Did you hear what | said to
those temptersf"
81 did, and with joy cannot express"
"Come on home with me want to tell
my wife about H."
"No, that will be too sacred and joyful o
meeting for my presence. Go on, and may
God bless you But let me give you little
advice" said the pastor, still holding the
hand that had grasped his own with eager
ness.
"Certainly, I need advice. Oh that
had taken it long agon
" only want to say to you, begin with
God. Begin with Him who said, Him that
cometh unto me will in no wise cast out. ~
God has begun with me; feel it in
my soul. 1t has seemed to me, for the past
hour, that all my friends are praying for
me, and that God has determined to answer
their prayers, in spite Of my wickedness and
my hard heart. Deacon Watson knelt
down with me, in the woods, this side of
the bars !; and he prayed, and prayed, for
could not help bat pray. And there's nv
wife-God bless her-Ged forgive me-she
is praying"
Mr.. Hartley was broken down. He silent
ly pressed the hand Of the pastor, and went
on bis way weeping. How like rainbow
OF promise CLEANED the light in the window,
as he saw il through his tears.
"Pn not 90 to the front door," he said
to himself, "and tnen she will know that
the parson is not bringing me home drunk
tonight. She will hear my sober step, and
that will prepare her for the surprising
He then opened the side gate, and walk
ed on with firm, elastic step, when the dog
muttered his caution.
~why, Prince, don't you know me ?''
said he, much affected because sbf the
Watchers suspicion. The dog was at once
assured, and leaped for Joy in the path.
Poor fellow % said Mr.. Hartley, for his
wife's benefit; "didn't know your master.
Been 90 long since came home sober, thai
you didn't know me, because wasn't stag
eering along, and talking like a fool.
That's right-be just as happy as am.
Mrs. Hartley was sitting in her room, with
foot on the rocker Of cradle, in which
an infant was sleeping, aud with an ear in
tent upon every sound in the street.
go mother! there's robber coming .
exclaimed her daughter EllrT, who had per
sisted In staying up until Ter father came
home.
"Be calm, my child" replied her mother
rising up !; % Old Prince will frighten him
away. You rock the baby, while see tha,
the door 10 safe."
She went to the side-door, listened, and
recognized her husbands voice. Instantly
the key was turned, aud they met in tear
of gladness. AID shall We intrude upoE
the scene, and tell the world how Johr
Hartley told the happiest tidings that shs
had ever heard concerning himseIff Shal
We tell how they prayed together that h
might have Gods grace TO keep his vow .
the bars? at
Early the next morning the sheriff enter
ed the Office Of lawyer Edson, and laid upos
the table paper headed "SherihPs Sale
saying, Please look IL over and zee II II
property Is correctly described.s
The lawyer began TO run OF such phrase