The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-08-25


lowed great mouthfuls in her frantic
struggles to keep afoat; her head seemed
bursting, visions of death, glimpses Of
sky, trees, and muddy water followed
each other in rapid succession; her
strength was almost gone, she threw up
her hands in wild despair, and COM
mended her soul to Him who gave it
her hand struck something hard, she
grasped the root of tree and by one
desperate effort, drew herself and the
loathsome burden still clinging to her
her, near the shore, and all was dark
When next she opened her eyes, she
was in a darkened room, the inmates
moved silently and cautiously around,
and spoke to each other in whispers
She called, it was answered by her moth
er, who in reply as to what was the mat
ter, placed her finger on her lips and
left the room In the afternoon she
was told that she had been very sick,
but was better now; still she was not
allowed to communicate.
In the morning when she awakened,
some one was sitting by her bedside; as
soon as her eyes became accustomed to
the light, she recognized Edgar-not
the drunken, leering Edgar she was ac-
customed too see, but Edgar of ole,
with the old manly look in his eyes
She reached out her hand, he took it,
lowered his head upon it and wept-
After he had regained the command of
his voice, he said, between Ais sobs:
Rutha, to you I owe my life; had it not
reached that "beurne from whence no
traveller returns Going home from a
drunken revel, overcome by the deadly
potions had swallowed. fell and rolled
into the creek, log fell in with me, 1
had sense enough to seize it. but remem-
Der no more, till awoke upon the bank
of the stream, with you lying, as l
thought, dead beside me- Oh! Rutha,
in the grief, the horror of that moment,
such thoughts as filled my soul, pray
God, may never have again! There,
upon the very verge of the watery grave
from which we had but barely escaped,
promised Heaven; no had saved me
from drunkard's grave, never! never
so long as had hopes of bliss in heav-
en-. to touch the broth of hell And
now, as I have forfeited your esteem,
your friendship, and your love, hear me
repeat my oath. and kneeling he took
the solemn pledge. have joined the
Division of the Sons Of Temperance,
and, God willing. will henceforth be
man; and now, Rutha, farewell!
But she detained him. There was no
mistake about his determination and
sincerity. The earnest light in his deep
blue eyes told that there was no falter
ing. no giving hack now He had been
imbned with inward strength Rutha
saw that. and reaching out her hand,
blessed him and took him again to her
heart. Weeks have passed since then.
Edgar. we'll and happy, has conquered
his enemy, and his hours he passes in
peace; his Wednesday nights at the Di
vision. whore there is more JOY tower
one sinner that repenteth than over the
ninety and nine that went not astrav."
Rntha is no longer the melancholy in.
valid, her cheeks again have ruddy
glow. and her voice and step have re.
gained their elasticity She still lives
with her father. though the MANY trins
to the store and the wreath of ORANGE
flowers and white vail. so recently hid
den. seem to indicate that he may lose
her before long
Edgar and Rutha still ramble bv the
banks of Ackerman. and often, in full
ness OF heart, bless the day of .sThe
Great Freshet"