Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-02

on l1 Of tBs 8olaital @ asti
D., HURSDA z,
two. You believe Mi. Madison \ be chris.
tia1.--do you not?''
eyes"
''WeD, do You think it consistent WITH the chris
tar character, Intentionally to dseeIya another"
That is needless question:
II am aware Of it, said Toms Don't you re-
ally think that Mr.. Madison would e deceiving
Glover, if he allowed mefo be taken into his en-
ploy without stating the cause Of my present i'm
|poverished condition"
That depends upon circumstance replied his
wife. IF direct question be put Il Mr. Maddi-
son, whether or not he could vouch yMyour steadi-
ness and sobriety, he might, consistently with
christian principles, reply in the negative; but,
the probability is, thai nd ipgof t kind will be
asked, as, when Mr.. Glos saded esre, you were
staunch temperance mla.
"You are evading my daas u, Jplia. you know
you are," said Tom. "JSel Gloveril very nat
lutalg enquire why my Situation at MhSaiaddison's
factory was vacated by me, and how it comes to
pass that I am out of employment. In justice to
himself, full exposure will be the only alternative
left to my old employer"
Toms wife sighed for she felt the force of her
husbands remark; but feeling the importance Of
announcement at this critical point, she said in
tone of voice, which belied her real feelings, and
was strangely in contrast with the expression Of
her pale, sad, care-worn face, "Wel, Tom, things
may turn out better than ydd think. Somehow or
other I feel that Mr.. Glover will befriend u.s. even
though he should learn what has taken place"
"Oh Julia If he only will It would be q
hard struggle, but L do believe that would give
up drinking and 20 honestly to work again, If
Glover, or anybody else, would only lend me help
ing hand"
"Dear papa," said his Oldest daughter, affec-
tionately throwing her arms around his neck,
there Is helping hand outstretched for your res
cue--the only hand that can lead you back to vir-
tue, temperance, purity and happiness"
"I know it, Fannie said Tom. Sometimes,
as lay awake at night thinking about the misery
which have inflicted upon you all, I have resol-
we'd again and again to become better man. But,
when go out into the world, earnestly endeavor-
ing to carry out those resolves, everybody avoids
me, everybody disbelieves me, everybody seems
disposed to keep me down into the sink Of iniqui-
ty into which I have fallen. Then-you will be
surprised to hear it have wandered away out Of
town and fallen PROSTATE upon the earth and
called upon the Lord to help me-to quench this
everlasting thirst after strong drink; but He will
not hear me, Fannie; will not reach me out the
hand you are speaking about. "
"He has heard you, dear papa |" said Fannie.
"Your own words bear witness to the fact Whence
comes this selfabhorrence, this remorse this dis
position to abandon your besetting sin? We have
all noticed marked change in you during the
past two or three months !; and we honestly believe
that you are striving hard to do better"
This was actually so. Poor Tom was evidently
making desperate efforts to abandon the intoxica
ting bowl. Formerly he was almost constantly ii
liquor now. he was seldom inebriated, and then
to no considerable extent The community, how
ever, were disposed to attribute this hopeful con
dition of things to anything but disposition tt
reform. ''Ton's funds are getting low, said some
"He is evidently trying to find some one who vii
be fool enough to give him work" said others
$50 as to accumulate suffciency for another frol
|ic."s
Il was Toms own fault that such things should
be said of him but that made the matter none the
less uncharitable There is nothing creditable il
the disposition to "press fallen foe;" to kick @
man, because he happens to be down. 1t is one
of the attributes of humanity, however, to be un
kind and merciless, and it is rare occurrence wher
anything creditable emanates from such source
1t was critical period in Toms life ; and there
are critical periods in the lives Of all men, when ar
unkind word or look will swerve us from our pur
poses and fix our resolves forever or when the
slightest encouragement will lead us happily and
triumphantly to the desired goal. It is madness
to say, that it is an evidence of moral imbecty tc
be thus influenced by others. Weare all conscious
of the fact-that is enough.
Toms family knew all this and, therefore, made
every effort to encourage him in his efforts at a
mendment. Long into the day did his wife and
daughter advise with him in reference to the fu
ture and, as the evening shadwows gathered O.
bout the afflicted family, they were unspeakably
delighted to hear that he had concluded to remain
at home that evening. An unusual occurrence oi
late.