The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-05-27
Jack soon, but I do want to take one

beside the curtained door.
"How light it is, and how they
laugh and talk. 1t must be very funny
in tacre." nioa-aQ3 10
A cold November blast swept around
the corner as he spoke, penetrating his
worn summer clothes, and causing his
flesh to culver and his teeth to chatter
~ don't believe they'd hurt me If ]
should 30 in while, I'm such a little
hoy, and I am so cold out here" he
said, as as ss pushed the door carefully
from him, slipping in and cs''''ns Il
without breath Of noise. Fora mo-
menth he was bewlldered with the light
and clatter, and wished he was away
But the warm mir was grateful to bis
chilled limbs, and finding no one seem
ed to notice him, he stole toward the
glowing CRATE, and spread out his pur-
pie palms before the blaze. The group
Of men that encircled the bar were
drinking when he entered. Soon, how
ever, they set down their glasses and
dispersed about the room.
"Hallo," said one in loud tone, as
going to the fire he spied little Willie.
what are you doing here, my little
fellow9 Who are you; what do you
want ?"
81 don't want anything, only to see
what you do here. Ny name is Willie
NJ. My papa loves to come here, and
it looked so pleasant through the win.
dows, I thought I'd like to But l
mustn't stay long, for I've left the baby
alone"
The mans tones were softenci as he
spoke again to him.
"And where is your mother, boyw
ooh, she's gone to take home the
wash, sir. Papa don't have so much
work as he used 10 once, and we're very
poor now, and she has to help him.
And does it look so pleasant in here
as you thought it would, my childY"
"Oh. yes. it does. l do not wonder
papa loves to come here so much, it's
80 cold and dark at home. But should
think lie would bring mamma and me
and little sis. How she would laugh to
see this fire and all those pretty bottles
and those flowers with lights in them.
Please sir" and he earnestly seized the
rough hands OF the listener, "please
sir, tell me why little b Us can't come
here with their fathers p
"For Gods sake dou't tell him, Bau.
croft" said.a deep anguished voice
"He deems me pure and holy. Heavens,
what wretch I am! My boy, my
boy"' and Willie was clasped in his
fathers arms, "you have saved me,
saved me from earths vilest he'll.
Here, with my hand upon thy sinlcss
brow, promise never again to touch
the cup ! have drank SO deep. And my
brothers in sin, as you value your souls
salvation, tempt me not to break my
vow, Help me Heaven--help me, men,
to live hereafter that papa may never
blush to take his boy along-that if
papa goes there, Willie msy go to-"
Silently the door closed after them,
and silence dwelt in the saloon behind
them. The preacher has been there in
cherub form, and crazy. unholy, loose
thought, or light and ribald jest was
hushed. One by one they stole away,
and many wife wore smiles that night,
nor did the old bar. tender, even, curse
the little one that robbed him of so
many dimes. Too deeply in his heart
had sunk the voice of the little cherub
preacher.
"Do you not lire me, papa? Are
YOU mad at meY" asked Willie, in q
hesitating tone, as they stood few
moments on the pavement, for the
scene in the bar room was an enigma
to the child, and be half feared reproof.
'Iwas thinking what mamma would
like best for supper" said tho father
"Oh, then, I know you amt mad
with me. I'll tell you. get oysters, and
crackers, and tea, papa, and candle,
too, cause there is only piece. And
please, papa, tell mamma not to be mai
at me, cause you know if hadn't
gone as did, you wouldn't lave come
home yet; and she does love to have
you come home so much. Oh, ] feel
just like crying, I am so glad"
"And l feel like crying, too," said
his father solemnly, and ere midnight
he did cry, and his wife too. but they
we're tears Of joy, washing his heart Of
the dust that had gathered on its
beauty, and hers Of the sorrow that
had draped it as q pail.
i IAa> 4.o. no~lx Ilafnae