The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-06-21

! gfaVely TOT nave determined never
TO tasto drop" ~,
Como here, Emma" called the
lady III want you to coax this obsti
nate young man TO take n glass ol
wine. | know he will not refuse you
Emma took the glass in her little
white hand and with q smile which
few could have resisted, said, "come
james, you will take just this one
glass p
Mo Emma" he answered, with a
powerful effort. 81 have made up
my mind and you must not ask me to
change it,"
"Then you shall not accompany
me home tonight, Mr.. B--,"said
Emma, with an angry fash of her
dark eye, j" now take your choice"
i must bid you good bye then
Emma, il it comes to that" bc said
sorrowfully " wouid gladly do any
thing else for you but that | cannot
do" So saying ho bowed and turned
away -
Never mind Emma, I'll see you
home; !" said ayouDg man standing by
whose flushed face hctokcped that be
had taken more than one glass of the
wine. ,...,0....
"Lot him 80, tho ill,natured fellow"
50 saying, he offered hisarm, which
Emma accepted, and they moved Off
together
More than ten years bad passed
away, Mr.. B. was married and es-
tablished in prosperous business, and
by degrees tho incidents.of his part
ing with his darling Emma were
almost forgotten. ana. -.Ir
One day, a man with whom he was
slightly acquainted came into his
store and asked for employment
Il am afraid cant give it to yon
Norris" was the answer. make
it rule never to have any ono in my
employ who is incorporate"
But mean TO stop all that Mr..
B--," said the man earnestly
al havo made up my mind to quit
drinking entirely, It is rather hard
not to give a man chance when he
wants to reform"
Well" said Mr.. B., partially
relenting :" will try you, come in
to the back part Of tbs store, and l
will give you some work"
A bundle was soon made up, with
which Norris departed. Several days
elapsed; and tho work not being re-
turned, Mr., B. sent to his resi-
dence to ask the reason.
Alas ! it was the same old tale Of
sorrow. The husband and father had
gone on a drinking frolic, leaving
sick wife and three starving children.
Mr.. b = generous heart prompt
cd him to 60 to their relief at once
lie entered tho miserable dwelling,
and found The sick woman lying IN a |
room almost bare of furniture; while |
the children sitting on the floor by |
the beside, were crying for bread.
A few kind words and promise Of |
something 10 eat, soon dried up tEeir
tears, and Fastening to the grocery, !
he returned with an ample 5hpply, |
which be divided among the famish-
ing children.
While he stood smiling at their de-
light, the mother burst into tears, and |
exclaimed, ooh, Mr.. B., can you
forgive me "
"What do 70 mean 2" he asked In
atonishment.
"Don't you remember Emma F.? |
Don't you remember my Offering you
the wine at the party, and your refus.
ing it? The Lord Knows, wish / |
could foget; but it seems as it was
branded on my heart in letters of
FIRE"
1t was some moments before Mr..
B. could realize that the iuisera.
bic creature before him was indeed
the bright, facenatiug girl from which
he had parted so many years before.
"PoorEmma, how you must have
suffered" ho said compassionately.
4" But dOyou forgive me-" she asked
anxiously.
"Certaihly, say no more about il.
You must not stay in this wretched
place. Is your mother liviDg?"
ayes, sir: in the country"
"Would you not like to 90 back |
to her with the children?'
" Yes, sir;" sho anwpred sadly, |
but have no means"
"Do not trouble yourself" said Mr. |
B.; Gas soon as you are suf.
fciently recovered, / will take caro-
of that part Of the undertaking. Let
me know if there is anything elso
| can do for you. No thanks" he
added hastily as the poor woman COM
meneed u grateful acknowledgement;
Goodbye"
This was tho second parting.
Young ladies, you who are aecustom-
cd to press your gentlomen friends 10
partako of wines, pause now, and ask
yourself the question, whether you
are prepared for the miserable fate OF
a DRUNKARD'S WIFE,