Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-16

his mothers feet, and she would tell
us some pleasant story Of Joseph or
David, or some good boy, who after
wards became a great man and then
she would part Willie's brown curls
from off his forehead, and say in a
trembling voice which can never for
get, promise me, Willie, when you
are man, and the grey hairs OF your
mother are resting in the churchyard
yonder, you will never disgrace her
memory And Willie would draw
up his slight form, lift his blue eyes
proudly to his mother, and say, "Nev-
er fear, mother, will make a good
man, and a great man too;'' and then,
after he had said his evening prayer,
we would 60, contented and happy as
the bird that nestled in the old apple
tree, to rest.
"Then just as we were sinking into
some pleasant dream, we would hear
well known football on the stairs
and a kind face bending over us,
would inquire if we were nicely tuck
ed up.
at is long, long time, father
would say, since | have heard from
Willie, but | am sure he has never
fallen into any evil ways. The words
of his mother would keep him from
that"
Rap! rap! rap! went the words
of the lady at the door in old Bills
heart. Creak creak creak went
the door on its rusted hinges. Angels
of God, held we not your breaths to
listen? This lady could only see the
subdued man bury his face in his
clasped hands, and while his form
shook like an aspen leaf, she heard
him murmur, amid child-like sobs,
{" My mother, oh my mother!' and
she knew the tears were washing
those wrinkled cheeks, were washing
out long, dark record, of old Bills
past life; so with silent prayer of
thankfulness, she resumed:
"But there was one thing my faith
er loved to talk of better than all the
rest. 1t was the morning you were
married, Mr.. Strong. 1t was enough
to do ones eyes good to look at them
he would say, as they walked up the
, old church aisle; he, with his proud
) manly tread and she, delicate, fragile
creature, fair as the orange blossoms
!, that trembled in her hair. | remem
Der how clear and confident Williams
) voice sounded through the old church
as he promised to love, protect, anC
cherish, the bright confding creature
, at his side; and | know the thought
. as he looked down upon her, that the
winds of Heaven would never visi
Y her face too roughly"
: "And then my father would tell u!
Y of your happy home, and of the brigh
eyed boy, and fair haired girl, tina
? came after while to gladden. it; anC
e then you know he moved to the West
Mr.. Strong, and lost sight of you"
/ Once again, the lady paused, for tn
o agony Of the strong man before her
:, was fearful to behold, and then in
j. lower tone she said:
It ~ did not forget the promise
e made my father previous to his deatl
: that if ever | visited his native State
| would seek out his old friend. Blu
l. when | enquired for you. they unfold
n ed terrible story to me, Mr.. Strong
T, They told me of desolate, and brok
en- household. OF the blue eyed boy
l. that a fathers heart might so we
delight in, who had left his home i
Y disgust and despair, for one on tn
9 homeless waters; of the gentle, suffer
" ing wife, who, faithful to the last, wen
down with prayer on her lips fo
d her erring husband, broken hearted t
b. the grave; and of the fair haired o.
lie phan girl, who followed her mother i
1t little while Oh! it is a sad, sa
IN story, have heard of my fathers oil
I'd friend"
to at was /! it was | that did it !
killed them!' cried old Bill, liftir
r. his bowed head, aud gazing on tt
Il lady, every feature expressive of SUI
,f- wild agony and helpless remorse, th'
ne she shuddered at the despair her ov
eel words caused.
. Wide, wide open, stood the do,
en- then, and the lady passed in.
A soft hand was laid soothing
to upon old Bills arm, and a voice fl
tn of hope, murmured:
lis Even for all this, there is REDEEM
: a ton, and you we'll know the first ST
a towards it. Sign the pledge.
the name of the last prayer of yo
er- dying wife, and of the child tn
ad sleeps by her side, | ask you. W
lily you do it 2"
he n willr said old Bill, while
brought down his closed hand wi
. | such force on the rickety table, th
,ur it rocked beneath it; and a CLEAN
nv hope lighted up his features as
iii. seized the pen and paper the la
he placed before him, which paper CT
of tanned pledge binding all who sign
in it, to abstain from the use of intoxi,
zen ing drinks, and when he returned
the to her, the name of William Strol
its lay in bold legible characters benes
or. it.
,ed There was an expression, almC
en- ludicrous from it's intenseness of Gu
nd osity ,onithe bar-keeper's physiognor
ub. as the lady, after her long intervi'
list with old Bill, passed quietly throu
the shop; and the expression was I
L., Iessenad. when old Bill a few minu