American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-07-24

: wrong. I'm only having little talk
with these boys"
, He was almost sober now excitement
of feeling had cleared his stupid brain.
Looking from one to the other of the lads,
he could not help noticing the painful
contrast one so clean and well dressed,
the other soiled and ragged.
He knit his brows closely, and sat very
still, like one arguing with himself.
"Tll tell you what it is, mother"
and he turned toward Mrs. uarwood, 81 m
not going to have Jim running about
looking like beggar's child. He's just
as good as anv of the boys around here,
and I'll not have him ashamed to be seen
with the best of them"
Jim covered his face with his hands,
but could not hide the tears of joy that
came trickling through his fingers. His
father saw them. Laying dis hand on
the boys head. he made this promise,
speaking in a solemn voice.
90 will drink nothing stronger than
tea or coffee while live, God being my
helper p
Oh, thank God !" almost wildly ex>
claimed Jim's mother, dropping upon
her knees and clasping heI husbands
neck. Oh, thanks be to God p she re-
peated. " He will be your helper. In
him is all compassion and all strength !;
but without him our poor resolves are as
flax in the fire."
Freddy stood looking on for little
while, greatly moved by what was pass
ing then he walked quietly to the door ).
and was going out, when Mr.. Harwood
called to him, saying,
Just one word before you go. Tn
sorry to say it but its in my thought
now, and feel it had better come out.
May be | wouldn't say it another time"
Freddy stopped and turned toward Mr..
Harwood.
I'm sorry to say it, Freddy, l am, for
yure nice boy aud have always been
good to Jim. But you'll thank me for
it, may be, one of these days"
There was something in Mr.. Harwood's
manner that sent feeling of alarm to
Freddy's heart. He stood still, waiting,
every pulse beat sounding in his ears.
May be your fathers head is stronger
than mine was five years ago" said Mr..
Harw bod, {" but I've seen him at the
Black Horse too often of late, going on
Just as | began. IL isn't safe, Freddy /!
1t isn't safe And don't like to see him
there Look at what I've come to But
there was a time when [ could hold my
head as high as Mr.. Wilson or anybody
else in the ncighborhood."
Freddy waited to hear no more 1t
seemed as if night had fallen suddenly
on his young spirit and as if the, air
would suffocate him. lie turned and ran
wildly away, such a weight on, and such
a pain in his heart that it seemed as if he
would die.
Mr.. Wilson was coming along the road,
and near his own gate when he saw Fred
dy hurrying across from Mr.. Harwood's
cottage his face white as a sheet and
strongly agtated.
"My son! " hat ails your" he cried,
in alarm.
go fatherw 1t was all Freddy could
say, as he stopped before him and looked
up with a strange, sad, grieving express
sion on his countenance.
II don't believe it ~ he cried, after
few moments, bursting into tears and hid
ing his wet face in his fathers hands
Its all lie cf Mr.. Harwoods !"
+" Don't believe what p asked Mr..
Wilson, wondering at all this A lie
of Mr.. Harwoood's! What has that
drunken wretch dared to say Z" His
voice changed to an angry tone.
8 can't tell you, father 1t would
choke me. But it's all lie. Oh, |
wish | hadn't said anything about it :
But / felt so miserable, and you came
right on me.
Mr.. Wilson led Freddy within the gate
to a seat under one of the trees.
Now, my son." he said, in kind,
firm voice, "tell me just what Mr.. Har
wood said"
Freddy then related all about the druk-
ken man coming to the gate, and what
had occurred there and all that he saw
and heard when he went home with jim,
even to the warning words of Mr.. Har-
wood.
As Freddy came to this last part, Mr..
Wilson turned his face so far away that
his son could not see it; but Freddy felt
his fathers arm that was around him
drawn more tightly. At least minute
passed in dead silence. Then Mr.. Will
son laid his lips closely and with long
pressure on Froddy's forehead.
81 will talk with Mr.. Harwood about
this" he said, in subdued tones, as they
arose and went toward the house. "Poor
man he was nearly lost. But there is
one more chance to save him"
And he was saved. Mr.. Wilson went
to see him that very day. Their inter
view was affecting to BOTH, and good for
both. The warning sentences had not
come moment too soon, and Mr.. Will
son felt this so deeply that he could not
be angry with his poor friend No one
ever saw either of them at. the Black
Horse after that; nor did they ever again
permit the cup of confusion to come nigh
their lips.
s>---aze---%ss---
WnIrEwAsnfNG FRuIT AND ORNAMENTAI,
TREss.-An old farmer, in the Germaafotcn