The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-10-10
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little toss of his head, "shc's nobody, anyhow.
Her father drinks" = s,,.f. q sAyrs,1 !;
quick flush crcpt over the child s pale,
face as she heard the cruel, thoughtlcss words.
She was very sensitive, and the arrow. had
touched her heart in its tenderest place; !, Her
father acds drunkard, she knew; but to be
tauntcd with it before so many was more than,
she could bear; and with great sobs hcaving
her bosom, and hot tears filing her eyes, she
turned and ran away from tho play ground.
Her mother was sitting by the window when
she reached home and the fearful face of the
little girl told that something had happened to
disturb her., giio s ..ss4 ,.J.rt,l,,,i.i
"What is the matter, Susie 2" she asked,
kindly. *
"Oh, mother" Susie said, with the tears
dropping down her checks, as she hid hor face
in her mothers lap, Ned Graham said such a
cruel thing about me-" and hore the sobs
checked her voice so that she could hardly
speak )" he said l wasn't anybody, and that
father drinks" !
HMy poor little girl,,, Mrs. Ellct said, very
sadly There were tears in her eyes, too.
Such taunts as this were nothing new. .as.. i.
SOh, mother" Susie said, as she lifted her
face, wet with tears, from her mothers lap, 81
cant bear to have them say SO, and act just as
it had done something wicked. wish faith,
er wouldn't drink Do you suppose he Ii ever.
leave it off! .s.....
81 hope So" Mrs. Ellct answered, as she
kissed Susic's face where the tears clung like
drops of dew on 4 rose. II pray that he may
break off the habit. and I can do nothing but
pray, and leave the rest to Cod s.4t,
That night Mr.. Ellet came home to supper,
as usual. IIc was hard working man, and a
good ncighbor. So everybody said, but ho had
thu habit OF intemperanco,so 80 firmly fixed upon
him that everybody thought he would end his
Days in the drunkard's grave. Susie kissed
him when he came through the gate, as she al
ways did, but there was something in:her face
that wentto his heart. A lookIso sad, and
full OF touching sorrow for ono, so young MS
sho 4! S@ ,E..f $, s..,.. Z.
aWhat ails my little girl" heasked, as he.
pattcd her cnrly head. ses ~:
e aaa..t you, fatl,er,' allsw ersd,
sslaysSlg lss'sgy II #
Sic -
because it would iuakc youfeal bad, 81 Susie
replied. a ~.
II guess not he said las they walked up to
the dour together s.What is it, SuseY" ~
aOh, father" and Susie burst into tears
ngain as the momory of Ned Grahnm's words
came up freshly in. her mind, "I wish you
wouldn't drink any more for the boys and
girls don't like to play with Inc, 'cause you
do" ss 4. rs7,s s,..47 IS &. s,5 I'D 4, 7
Mr. Ellet made no reply. But something
stirred his heart that made him ashamed of
himself; ashamed that he was tho cause of so
much sorrow and misery. avrlae
After supper he took his hat, aud Mrs. Ell
let knew oEly too we'll where lie was going.
at first lie had resolved to stay at home that
evening, but the force of habit was SO strong
that he could not resist and he yielded, prom
ising himself, that he would not drink more
than once or twice. Ne8
Susie had left the table before he fni. he'd
his supper, and us he passed the great clump
of liiacs, by the path, On his way to the, gate,
he heard her voice and stopped to listen to
what she was saying.
''Oh, good Jesus please doh't let father
drink any more. Make him just as he used to
be whom was a baby, and the boys and girls
can't call Inc drunkards child, or say such
bad things about me. Please dear Jesus for
mothers sake and Nine"
| Susic's father listened to her simple prayer
with great lump swelling in his throat. And
when it was ended he went up to her, and
knclt down by her side, and put his arm around
her, oh, so lovingly!
Good in lIcaven," he said, very solemnly,
II promise tonight, never to touch another
drop of liquor as long as live. Give me
strength to keep my pledge, and help nc to be
II better man." @
"Oh father" Susie cried, her arms about
his neck, and her head upon his breast, "I'm
so glad shant care about anything they
say to inc now, for l know you won't 90 a
drunkard any more"
"God helping mo, will be a man !" he an