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

my father OF this There was mani
trmness in the air of Freddy, and re-
buking tone in his voice, that had thei
effect upon the drunken man.
"Who cares for your father? I don't ?
he replied, moving back step or tive
from the gate, muttering and swearing.
But | say, youngster !" and he came
toward Freddy again, with a scowling looL
on his swollen and disfgured face. "Jusl
answer me one thing. Say yes or no. 1:
that young scamp of mine here ?"
'' | don't know any young scamp ol
yours. Mr. Harwood, /" replied Freddy.
"You don't, heyl Now that's cooI
for model young gentleman like Master
Wilson. Don't know my Jim !"
know your Jim very we'll" said
Freddy. But he'sa good little boy and
not young scamp; and don't think
you are kind father to call him such an
ugly name.
This robuke was felt by Mr.. Harwood,
drunk as he was. He could not stand
Freddy's clear eyes and steady look -
Then away down in his heart, almost COWS
cred up and lost, was an old feeling OF
fatherly pride, and this stirred at the
words of praise spoken about jim. /" A
good little boy"
The anger went out of Mr. Harwood's s
face.
He was a good llttle boy once" said
he, with something so like tenderness in
his voice that Jim, who was lying close
by, hidden under the currant bushes, lis.
tening to every word, sobbed out aloud.
What's that Z" asked MIR. Harwood,
leaning forward and looking toward the
currant bushes.
But the sound was hushed in mo-
ment. Jim had choked down his feels
ings.
F" He's a good little boy now," said
Freddy, speaking in a very firm voice,
and not seeming to hear the sob, or the
question of Jim father A good little
boy" he repeated; aud added, to make
his assertion stronger, There isn't bet
ter one anywhere about here, if his father
does beat him aoout, and let him go rag
ged when he ought to have good clothes
like the rest Of us"
Mr.. Harwool didn't stop to hear any
thing farther, but turned from the gate
toward the poor cottage across the road
walking more steadily than he had done
short time before. Then Freddy went
behind the currant bushes where JIM
still lay on the ground.
He's gone" said Freddy
The rent up grief Of Jm's sad heart
could be restrained no longer. lie burst
out into wild ft oil cryingg, that contin,
ued for several minutes. Freddy said all
that he could to comfort his little friend ;
and when he had grown calm, asked with
the soberness of one who felt in earnest.
Can't something be done, Jim ?"
jim shook his head in a hopeless way.
Something ought to bo done I'm
sure something could be done if we just
knew what it was. Oh isn't drinking
an awful thing p
It's the worst thing in the world" "
said jim, and it's no wonder he thought
so. /" When father is SOBER" he went
on, he's just as kiud as he can be but
when he's drunk-o dear it's dreadful
to think of
Does he get drunk very often z" asked
Freddy.
Now he does. He's drunk most all
the time. But it wasn't so always. Oh
dear v' Aud Jim's tears ran over his
cheeks again ale used to be so good
to us" he sobbed, ''and take us out with
him sometimes, and buy US nice things.
lie never does it now Most all the
money he gets is spent at the tavern
But | must run home Mother is sick
and father is so cross when he's been
drinking; and she's weak and can't bear
it"
Jim got up from behind the currant
bushes and walked toward the gate.
Aren't you afraid he'll beat you p
lie was in dreadfal-rago at you about
something Just now," SAID Freddy.
May be he will and may be he won't y
answered Jim. " But | mustn't stop to
think of that. Mother is sick AMI weak,
aud father will be so cross to her" Aud
he started off and passed through the
gate.
Freddy, remembering how his defeuse
and praise Of Jim had cooled Mr.. Har-
woods anger, said to himself, "May be
l can do some good" and started after
his little friend, resolved to face the
drunken man again in the hope of turns
ing away his wrath.
The two lads entered Jim's poor home
together, and stood face to face with Mr..
Harwood.
o father !" exclaimed Jim, as he saw,
with glad surprise, look of almost ten
der pity on his fathers countenance and
as he spoke, he sprang forward and caught
his hand, clinging to it tightly.
This was too much for Mr.. Harwood,
who was not yet sober enough to control
his feelings, and he turned away with a
choking sob, trying to draw his hand out
of Jim's; bet the boy would not let %
his hold. And DOW Freddy spoke out in
behalf Of his little friend,
g Jim'a good boy, Mr. Harwood |
know all the boys around here, and there
isn't one of them better than jim
Father says 50 too and lets me have
him over at our house whenever / please =
Z, Who said he wasn't good boy 7"
answered Mr. Hargood, turning round
upon Freddy with a half angry manner-
/" I'd just like to hear anybody speak
against him, wouldr