Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-22

ned fresh barrel of our best" so drawing a
glass and holding it to him she said, wish
your opinion of it"
"No, thank you, don't wish any" said
John, 81 want to pay what l owe you' how
much is it ?"
"Come," said Mrs. Bonifacc, " its all stuif,
take glass man, what's your hurry z
"No, not drop" said John, i want to
be of"
"Well, will you have glass of something
shorter" said the landlady.
"No, nor long either" said John.
"But," said the landlady, +" Tom Smith is
in the parlor, and Dick Bates will be here di-
rectly, you won't go just yet p
"Will you let me know how much owe
you ?" said John, getting impatient, " or shall
/ 60 without settling"
"Ahl / see now," said the landlady, that
| put my foot in it this afternoon and offended
you, but hope you won't mind few words
spoken IN haste, come let US be friends once
more"
"Not dram will take here or anywhere
else if know it." said John, " and as to Of
Tending me, that don't matter that see, so
long as you get your money"
But" said the landlady, while she was
looking over the P's and Q's (pints and quarts,)
al don't like to quarrel with any one, espe-
cially with you now do let us make it up,
and as for the cherries, have kept them for
you; see fetching them out Of the bar parlor,)
here they are"
"No, thank you,' said John, with smile,
al took your advice, and went and bought
some which were very delicious, and now take
what owe you out Of this sovereign, ! want
to be off. !"
81 don't like" said the landlady, really
to change this without your tasting something
what wiA you take" Throwing sprat tc
catch mackerel by-tbe-byD
Nothing, say again" said John, speak
ing impatiently and taking up his change, be
walked out and soon found his way home.
"Wel, have made nice mess this time !!
said the landlady, :" and if ever get caught
again losing my temper, I'll be bound it shall
not be over such a good customer; if It had
been one of those noisy fellows l shouldn't
have cared bit, but nice quiet fellow like
John, who takes his glasses so regularly and
paws up every week. However, III look out
and the first chance get to set him going
again | will He is not going to slip in thl'
way. | can assure him; he is to good to lose
without an effort, aud when once again have
him right, III keep him, warrant"
Willie she was thus svbernIng Johns future
capture, lie was hurrying home, and reached
much to the surprise of his wife, long before
his usual time; she, however, had only to put
the kettle on, and while preparing the tea
| things, the water boiled.
John sat almost in silence and took his tea
Mary was on the poiut Of asking him how II
was that he was home so soon, when all al
once he put his hand in his pocket, and taking
out some money threw it into her lap saying
al suppose you'll be going to market soon
Mary ?"
"Yes," said Mary, and she would have ad
ded, and ! shall be glad to 60 soon; but she
had learnt by past experience, that she must
not say too much on Saturday night; sot taking
up the money she went into the bedroom tC
Get her bonnet and shawl, and looking to see
how much he had given her, was surprised tC
find some three or four shilings more than she
usually received.
al wonder whether he knows how much ht
has given me" said Mary; but fearing if sht
returned to ask, lie might want it back, sh'
quickly passed down stairs and out into thu
street, afraid every moment he would be aftel
her for the extra shillings. She had not gone
far before she heard some one running fast be-
hind her, in moment she looked round, think
ing it was him, but it was only little boy
PLAYING; SO on she went, and quickly visited
the different shops, and being thrifty body
spent her money as wisely as possible, while
the extra amount enabled her to add to The
comforts of the family during the next week
When she returned laden from market, she
found from what the children told her, tha
father had been out almost all the time, anC
feared lest after all, he had gone in search o
her. However, when he came in soon after
nothing was said on either side, and thus th'
night was ended Ut is strange how the drink
chills the intercourse between man and wife
is it not?)
Sunday was spent in Johns usual manner
in the morning lie went out for walk, ant
after dinner stayed at home to read the paper
when the shades of evening gathered around
be strolIed out and did not return until afte>
10 o'clock. How many thus waste Gods
holy day through the cursed drink p Thi
being regular thing with him, no notice was
taken of it, yet Mary thought John quiet ant
dull and once asked him kindly whether b,
was well, but he said he was all right, so sh,
did not venture to question him again. al
the next week passed off at home without any
perceptible change; for John, not liking tc
return home sooner than usual, went on Mon
day night to Temperance meeting, and wal
so much interested, that when another meeting
was announced to be held not far from there
next evening, he decided to go, and from what
"a l-I Il ham