Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-03

they might be favored with the opportu
nifty and the means Of repaying him.
Mary remembered. too, with some satisfac
tion, the resoluie manner in which he ha'
met the unfeeling taunts Of Langdon. a
well as the interest he manifested in he
behalf, and she cherished secret bop'
that she would yet be able to learn some
thing more OF him..
1t was late in the evening, and the moor
bad begun to shine dimly, as Mary ans
her mother neared their dwelling, having
been unavoidably detained by some bust
ness they had been transacting when they
were startled by seeing we'll dressed
young man lying before their door SC
drunk that they at first thought he wa,
dead. AT a glance Mary thought she rec
ognized familiar look in the handsome
face Of the young ipebriate. She came
close up to him, and as ne moonligh,
more clearly revealed his features she
started back with sorrow.
"0l mo,herl motherl exclaimed the
terrified girl
"Whail my daughterl Is he dead9"
mo, mol not dead, mother; but II II
Allen Winters, the young man who SC
generously paid our rent bill last fall
Oil mother, never could have believed
him capable Of such conduct he has such
u noble, good heart; am sure OF that"
and khe cast u troubled look upon her
mother, and then into the face Of the young
man. "What shall We do, moihor2' she
inquired, after few moments painful 81.
leuee; "it will not do for him 10 lie here;
ought We not to do something for him9"
II hardly know what we ought 10 do,
Mary returned her mother; perhaps IL
would be best 10 eal some one aud have
him taken csfe Of"
"0r mia hl we not get him into our own
house aud take care Of him till morning2"
asked Mary. There IL power In kind.
ness, aud by an net Of Kindness We may
influence him to desist from this terrible
habit, II indeed u be habit with him"
Poor Allen was too drunk TO understand
what they were talking about, but not too
drunk 70 hear, aud turning toward Mary
he stared wildly up into her face. She
bent over him aud inquired IL he wished
them TO do anything for him. lie nut.
tered something they could not under.
stand, aud turned his lead away. Whe,h-
or he recognized Mary or not, was uncer
tain but ono thing was quite evident. he
was still sufficiently conscious 10 know
something OF his condition, aud be could
not bear the Ruze, tender aud plying ~
II was, OF the sinless creature that beut
over him.
by the aid OF a very kind hearted nah,
with whom Mrs. Everton was acquainted,
aud who happened TO 30 passing, Allen
was sufficiently aroused 10 enable him,
with little help, TO walk few steps, aud
Mrs, Il = house being the nearest, he was
conducted into her dwelling. and tumbling
down on lounge shown him by the kind
lady, he soon fell into deep, heavy sleep
from which he did not awake ill the next
morning. Mary had been watching him
for some ,ime with painful interest
What u shame" she at length sohloqui-
zcd, "ihat such noble.lookiug aud noble
hearted young man should suffer himself
TO be disgraced aud ruined by that one
terrible habit that is bringing distress aud
misery upon so many thousands" At
ea,ly hour, however he awoke sober
man. About this time Mary again enter
ed the room, aud approaching him with a
smile, she said
MIR. Winters, breakfast is ready; will
you come and parlake Of some refresh.
ments with us p
mo, lady, thank you; am not hun.
CRY, aud do not iee like eating anything, +"
he answered, with downcast look then
looking the young girl full in the face, he
said PLEASE, miss, tell me where am
aud how | came here"
You are at Mrs. Everton's," she re-
piled IL am the girl you SO generously
aided last fall at Mr. Laugdon's store, and
| assure you, Mr.. Winters, We"
20 yes, Miss Eyerton, | remember you
now, he said. interrupting her; III thought
| had seen you somewhere. Alas Miss
Everlon, am conscious of my condition
now; have fallen into bad habit of late,
and Ol il you could do anything to save
me, should feel thousand times repaid
for the irifIug favor you speak Of A
strange request, you will say but past ex-
perience has taught me that | must have
the influence Of kind friend, or be ru
ined man." lie had raised himself up,
aud sat looking intently into the face Of
the young girl, who timidly replied
I'VE should be extremely happy, Mr..
Winters, TO exert any influence Ia favor Of
an object so desirable. I'hope you wont
drink any more; il is indeed u very bad
ard ruinous practice, and assure you it
was with painful surprise thai i found you
in that unhappy condition Ia<t evening
The earnestness with which she spoke,
and the gentle kindness Of her look and
manners deeply impressed him, and he
vowed that he never would yield to temp
tation again, if it was in his power to help
il. BY this time Mrs. Everton had enter
ed the room and seated herself in chair
opposite the lounge on which young Win
tiers was still sitting. Allen arose, and,
bowling politely, walked up to her and
said
you have been very kind to me, Mrs.
Everton, much more so than | have de-
served, and hope you will permit me to
leave this with you;' at the same time
dropping five dollar-bill into her lap.
20 no." she replied, I'VE don't particu-
larry need it now; besides we already owe
you ten dollars, which l hope we shall be
able TO pay very soon. l hope, Mr.. Win
ters, that you will have the kindness to
take this back, aud accept our thanks for
the kind offer, as well as for your former
kindness"