The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-10-10
ysTITUTE OUR CoTJlNr- IR III
little toss of his head, "shc's nobody, anyhow.
Her father dr,nksn

little toss of his head, stshc's nobody, anyhow.
Her father drinks" <: ,;.f J.. u ,,,,r$, 5
A quick flush crcpt over the child 8 pale
faco as she heard the cruel, thoughtless words.
She was very sensitive, and the arrow had
touched her heart in its tenderest place. ! Her
father ards drunkard, she knew; but to be
tauntcd with it before SO many was more than
she could bear; and with great sobs heaving
her bosom, and hot tears filing her eyes, she
turned aud ran away from tho playground.
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. mo s4 .,3a45isr.s,
"What is the matter, Susie p she asked,
kindly.
son, mother" Susie said, with the tears
dropping down her Cheeks as she hid her 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 IS he said wasn't anybody, and that
father drinks"
"My poor little GIRL" Mrs. Ellct said, very
sadly. There were tears in her eyes, too.
Such taunts as this we're nothing new.
ooh, 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
if 4 had done something wicked wish faith
er wouldn't drink! Do you suppose he Ii ever
leave it off,!
81 hope so,' Mrs Ellet answered, as she
kissed Susic's face where the tears ,clung like
drops of dew ON rose. II pray that he may
break off the habit, aud I can do nothing but
pray and leave the rest to God" z-l4
That night Mr.. Ellet came home to supper,
as usual lIc was a Woodworking man, and a
good ncighbor SO everybody said, but he had
the habit of fintcnperanco.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 went to his heart. 4 look 30 sad, and
full of touching sorrow for one SO young as
sho /! ::5s.3F - s,t s. Is s5.i3,l. q;
aWhat ails my littlo. girl?' he asked, as nc
pattcd her cnrly head J.
aaR,.st you, father. erad,
sslssiy gs.; 81
s's asis, S.
"Becausc it would make youfecl bad Susie
replied. sss rs
!. ~ guess not,p hc said as they walked upto
the door together. hat is it, SusieY" .i
aOh, father" and Susie burst into tears
again as the momory of Ned Graham's words
came up freshly in. her mind, 81 wish you
wouldn't drink any more for the boya and
girls don't like to- play with me- 'causo you
do" H. sstzss ,,.4s .S ,lSssy, 4t ~ s,i ~
Mr. Ellct made no reply. But something
stirred i'll his heart that made him ashamed of
himself ashamed that he was the cause of so
much sorrow and misery.
After supper he took his hat, nnd Mrs Ell
let knew OILY too we'll where he was going.
at first he 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.
Susie had left the table before lie fini. he'd
his supPci, anu us uc pasScu Tue great clump
of lilncs, 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 don't let father
drink any more. Make him just as he used to
be when was 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 minc."
| Susic's father listened to her simple PRAYER
with great lump swelling il his threat And
when it was ended he went up to her, and
knclt down by hor side, and put his arm around
her, oh, so lovingly!
"God in Heaven" 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 me to be
a better man.
ooh, father" Susie cried, her arms about
his neck, and her head upon his breast, "I'n,
So glad I shan't care about anything they
say to me now for know you won't bo a
drunkard any more"
"God helping mo, will be q man !" he an
swered, as with Susie in his arms, ho won't