The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-05-27
NO. 48

the young man, rising, II must look
to my birdie in the home nest.
And bowlng to the company he hast
lily retired. One laughed, another
sneered, and another made coarse
jest; while fourth said, with gravi-
ty of manner that was felt by the rest
as rebuke:
"Our young friend is right. His
place is at home with his wife and
| child and not here. And there arc
some of US who, III my opinion, might
take a lesson from his example.
A dead silence followed. One look
ed at another; aud the crifnson spots
burned on cheeks that had on them no
sign of shame little while before.
'No more wine for me-" said the
last speaker, replying to an invitation
to fill his glass.
ave no patience with this kind OF
stuff" spoke out one of. the company,
almost augrily. "What has wine been
ordered for, if not to dr;nk?''
He who said this was gambler in
the disguise of friend. He wished
to steal away the reason and the con-
sciences Of his young companions with
wine, that he might rob them Of their
money at cards.
:. As he spoke he filed one glass to
the brim, aud then pushed the bottle
toward his neis who filled his glass
in turn. But when it came. to the
third in the circle sitting around the
table, he passed it on, leaving his own
glass empty. The fourth and fifth
filed their glasses Said the one who
had first passed the bottle, lifting his
glass as he spoke:
"Here's to coed fellowship" And
all but one repeated his toast, and
drank as he drank. Then the third in
the circle filled his glass with water,
and rising said in o clear, ringing
voice.
"Here's to birdie in the home nesti"
Frowns darkened on his companions
faces. Raising the water to his lips,
he drank it slowly. As he set down
the empty glass, he looked at the an
cry face Of the gambler, whose real
character be more than half suspected,
bowing slightly, said:
'I also thank you for that toast; and
I also will look to my birdie in the
home nest"
Then bowing low to all the company,
he left the room, the sound OF curses
in his ears as he shut the door.
The young man whose refusal to
drink any more had first broken in
that company the charmed circle of
danger, walked hurriedly away turn
ing his stops homeward. He was, as
we have said, miles distant, and at
the opposite extremity of the great
city. Hurriedly he walked at first;
then his steps grew slower, for pain
full and self condemning thoughts
were in his mind. A street car passed
it would have taken him, in less than
an hour, within a few blocks of his
home. Why did he. let it go by un-
needed =? Was thought SO busy that
he had forgotten he could ride.
No, that was not the reason. He
had drank too freely at the supper ta-
BILE, and he knew that his breath was
tainted with liquor and now that a
new light had come to his mind and
he saw, as in mirror; O true image OF
himself, he was shocked to discover
that he was less true man than. in
days past, and less worthy to bear the
name of husband and father. This
was the reason why his steps were
slow and his head bowed down and
the reason why he did not take the
car, and pass quickly homewa He
shrank from the thought of laying his
tainted lips upon the pure brow and
lips of his wife and child, and SO re-
vealing to them that weak and sensual
side of his character which was hold
ing him back from a Dobler and purer
fife than the one he was living. so
Slowly he, continued to walk, still
with head bowed. and busy thoughts
ane memories. Suddenly there came
before him, even .moee clearly, if pos
sible, than when he saw it in the am
Der wine, the immage of his kneeling
child and again the voice, so full of
sweet music for his ears, was heard
with strange distinction. saying:
"Bless dear papa, and make him
good and happy
Coald God have answered the Pc
tition of that loving child for her faith
er in any better or more effectual way
than by sending the words of her
PRAYER to his inward ears by the voice
of an angel ? He could not make
him good and happy except through
repentance and better life; but he
could make the prayer means OF con,
vjctien and repentance. So the good
Lord IS ever using US, whether we are
children or grown up men and women,
and using Us by thousands of different
ways, in the work of leading others,
from evil courses into the paths Of vir
tue and peace. We are always better
instruments in his hands, if We are
pure and good, than if We are selfish
and evil for, in some way that we do
not understand, our loving desires act
ually pass to others and. move their
hearts. And so, if we are pure and
true, our influence over those we love,
even when they are away from us, will
be for good. We shall be as grets,
continually drawing them away from
evil. Our love..and our prayers will go
after them as angels Ct mercy.
The image of his kneeling child
seen again so distinctly, and her voice
raised heaven ward in prayer for him,
! heard again with such startling clear
ness, SO touched the fathers heart
that he elasped his hands passionately
together, and, looking upward, he ex-
claimed /: ~ ~ "a
30 Lord, i am not worthy of any
thing so pure and precious as this
child i-one of the little ones whose
angels are ever before Thy face.
A deep quiet fell upon his soul as ne
bowed his head more and walked, still