The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-08-21

/
side of the bars,and he prayed, and ] prayed
for could not help but pray. And there's
my wife-God bless her-God forgive me
She is praying"
Mr.. Hartley was broken down. He ST.
lentIy pressed the hand of the pastor, and
went on his way Weeping. How like a
rainbow of promise cleaned the light in
the window,as he saw it through his tears
"I'll not 90 to the front door," he said
to himself sand then she will know that
the parson is not bringing me home drunk
tonight. She will heal my sober step,
and that will prepare her for the surprising
news"
He then opened the side gate, and walk
ed on with firm elastic step, when the
doc muttered his caution. "Why Prince,
don't you know me?" said he, much af-
fected because of the watchers suspicion.
The dog was at once assured and leaped for
Joy in the path. "Poor fellow, said Hart
ley, for his wife's benefit; didn't know your
master. Been so long since [ came home
sober, that you didn't know me, because I
wasn't staggering along, and talking like a
fool. That's right-be as happy as | am"
Mrs. Hartley was sitting in her room, with
foot on the rocker of cradle, in which
an infant was sleeping, and with an ear in
tent upon every sound in the street. 80
mother! there 'sarobber coming" exclaimed
her daughter Ellen who had persisted in
staying up until her father came home.
"Be calm, my child" replied her mother
rising up; "old Prince will frighten him
away. You rock the baby, Thila l see
that the doors are SAFE"
She went to the side door, listened and
recognized her husbands voice. Instantly
the key was turned, and they met in tears
of gladness. And shall we intrude upon
the scene, and tell the world how John
Hartlev told the happiest tidings, that she
had ever heard concerning himself? Shall
VIC tell how they prayed together that he
might have Gods grace to keep his vow
at the barss
Early the next morning the Sheriff
entered the office of lawyer Edison, and laid
upon the table a paper headed "Sheriff' S
Sale saying, "please look it over and sec
| if the property is correctly described"
The lawyer began to run off such phra-
ses as these: "To be sold en- the premises
two large lots''--"a two story house"-"a barn
and carriage house -"other Improvements
the garden well planted with choice
fruit trees"-taken as the property of John
Hartley, at the suit of Pit Edison, ESQ.,"
The Sheriff stood thinking of what disa-
greeable duties his office imposed upon him
and seemed to be in no haste to perform
/ them
at is hard to turn John Hartley out of
house and home" said the lawyer, "for he
is one of the cleverest men living, when he
is sober But drink will drive him to the
wall, and must have my money Those
who have mortgages on his mill will take
alarm, .and yol may soon have to sell tlat
under the hammer. Take this to the
printer and have il posted up by noon to-
day. I must find some business to take
me ottt of town, or his wife and the parson
and the deacons,will all be here TO BEG the
mercies of the law. They overcome me
once, but now the law must have its course"
1t was favorte notion Of Mr.. Edison, that
he was the most merciful lawyer who ever
gave work to a Sheriff. In the present
case he had the justice of the law on his
side. John Hartley has brought himself
10 the verge Of financial ruin. The lawyers
eve kirdIed with bright idea,a ,and he said
70 himself; 'I'Il ride int the country, and
pursuade my friend Allen to make the
highest bid for the property. He wants TO
move into town."
"Would you believe it3" exclaimed a
neighbor, rs he FASTENED into the office
"Johu Hartley has reformed! That is all
the talk up street"
''Too much for me to believe" replied the
lawyer. "Can't take heresay evidence in
this court"
"John Hartley has quit drinking" said
another happy, over the event.
"Quit until he gets over the present dis
gust" said Mr.Edson: "Such reform&tions
are quite common after an election day"
"Perhaps you would have more conf
dence if you had passed by his house last
night as did, and heard him praying like
one grasping for the last hope"
"Drunken men often take a religious
tune; you would think them models of
piety, if it were not for the odors of rum"
at was never so with Hartley. He be-
came humorous, then coarse in song and
anecdote"
"But never profane," said the lawyer.
1--WE must give him credit for that. When
most drunk, he would lash a man with the
keenest rebukes for profane swearing"
Thus ran the conversation upon John
Hartley's virtues and vices, until Parson
Blake and Deacon Watson came and drew
! the |gvyer into another room. They talked