The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-03
SELECTED STORIES.
John Jarvis, the Halter
49, Or, Hope for the Hopeless.

ture, bloated and disfgured by intemperance
to a woman whose thin, pale face, and heart
broken look, told but too plainly that she
was the drunkard's wife.
: "Not shilling, John? Surely you will
not waste shilling of my hard earnings
when you know that l can scarcely get food
for the children?" ......
As the wife said this she looked up into
her husbands face, with sad, appealing ex-
preston.
81 must have shilling, Jane" was the
firm reply. ... ..
20, Johnl remember our little ones. The
cold weather will soon be here, and have
not yet been able to get them Shoes If you
will not do anything yourself, do not waste
the little my hard labor can procure Will
not sixpence do7 Surely that is enough
for you to spend for"
HNothing will do but a shilling, Jane, and
that must have ."was the prompt andssme-
what earnest reply. "a,
Mrs. Jarvis laid aside her work mechani-
cally, and rising, went to her drawer, and
from a cup containing four shillings, her little
all, took out one, and turning to her hus-
band said, as she handed it to him: O.
Remember, John, that you are taking
the bread out of your children's mouthsr'
% 'Not so bad as that, hope, Jane" the
drunkard replied as he clutched the money
eagerly, something like feeble smile fitting
across his disfgured and distorted counten-
ance.
"Yes, and worse !" was response, made
in sadder tone than that in which the wife
had at first spoken. .
allow worse, Jane?n
" John !" and the wife spoke with sud
den energy, while her countenance lighted
up with strange gleam-"Jo cannot
bear this much longer And you who pledg-
ed yourself"
Here the voice of the poor woman gave
way, and covering her face with her hands.
she bent her head upon her bosom and sob.
bed and wept Historically.
The drunkard looked at her for moment,
and then turning hurriedly, passed from the
room. For some moments after the door
had closed upon the husband, did Mrs. Jar
Wis stand, sobbing and weeping Then
slowly returning to her chair near the win
dow, she resumed her work, with an express
sion of countenance that was sad and hone
less. H.# Hs-
AA euS LuC pOOE WHO
had thus reduced his family to state of
painful destitution, after turning away from
his door, walked slowly along the street with
bis head bowed down, as if engaged in, to
him, altogether new employment, that of
self-communion. All at once, hand was
laid Familiarity upon his shoulder, and we'll
known voice said: "Come, John, let's have
drink" a
Jarvis looked up with q bewildered air.
and the first thing that caught his eve, after
it had glanced away from the face of one of
his drinking cronies, was sign with bright
gold letters, bearing the word sEagle.n That
sign was as familiar to him as the face of
one of his children. At the same moment
that his eye rested upon this, creating an in
voluntary impulse to move towards the tay
ern door, his old crony caught hold of his
coat collar, and gave him pull in the same
direction. But, much to the surprise of
the latter, Jarvis resisted this attempt IN
give his steps a direction that would lead
him into his old, accustomed haunt.
Won't you drink this bank, Jsrvis 2" ask
ed the other with look of surprise.
There was evidently powerful struggle
going on In the mind of the drunkard. This
lasted only moment or two, when he said |
loudly and mphatically-"Noln And in !
stantly broke from his old boon companion. |
and hurried on his way.
A loud laugh followed him, but he heed |
ed 1t not. Ten minutes walk brought him
to the store of a respectable tradesman.
us MIR. Robinson in 2" be asked as he en-.
tered. .r
Back at the desk" was the reply |
And Jarvis walked back with a resolute
air. u'e
aMr: Robinson, want to sign the
pledge" W
"You, Jarvis?" Mr.. Robinson said in
tones of gratifed surprise.
Yes, me, Mr. Robinson. It's almost a
hopeless case with me, know. but really
wish to do better"
Are you fully sensible of what you are
about doing, Jarvisl"
Il think am, Mr.. Robinson: I've drank
nothing since Yesterday morning. and with
the help OF Him above, am determined
never to drink another drop as long as |
llvel So let me sign
MIR. Robinson turned at once to the do
slaratlon of the Washington Temperance
Society, and read:
NE the undersigned, do pledge ourselves
% each other, as gentlemen, that we will
lot, hereafter, drink any spirituous LIQUORS,
vine, malt, or cider, unless in sickness. and
lnder the prescription of physician
jarvis took the pen in his hand, that
rembled SO he could scarcely make
tralght mark on the paper, and enrolled
is name among the hundreds of those who |
Ike him, had resolved to be men once more
his done he laid down the shilling which
e had obtained from his wife. As he turn.
i away, his step was frmer, and his head |
lore erect than, in sober state, be had
arried it for many a day. He proceeded to
hatter's shop. 'r
"Well, Jarvis" was uttered in rather
'ol, repulsiye tone, as he entered.
Are you in want of ajourneyman, Mr..
Tarren 2" .sra .. = - t
= don't want you, Jarvis"
IF you will give me work, will never
It drunk again, Mr.. Warren"
" You have said that so many times, Jar S
8. The last time you went off was hur t
ID with work, and caused me to disap- S
INT customer. / determined never to
We anything more to do with YOU" 81
but / will never disappoint you again
yed the poor man earnestly. fc
4ttsssy-~ forye<> " tsli- L. -aA ,Iar-,;. | m
u and have done with each other. r 81
we made up my mind never again to have b
man in my shop who drinks" c.
but I've Joined the Temperance Society s,
r. Warren" a
Il don't care if you have; in two weeks o
'u'll be lying in the gutter" fl
"Look here, you drunken vagabond.n b
led the master halter, in angry tones, COM d
g from behind the counter, and STANDING c.
front of the individual he was addressino Il
."if you are not out OF this shop in two y
inutes by the watch, I'll kick you into the a
rect 30 there now-take your choice to n
} out or to be kicked out" h
Jarvis turned away without reply, and C
Issed out of the door through which he
ID entered with heart full Of hope, now b
lined, and almost ready to recede from his e
rnest resolution and pledge to become a n
Der man, and better husband and father. |
e felt utterly discouraged. As he walked | e
owly along the street, the fumes of dram |,
lop which he passing unconsciously struck n
pom his senses, and Immediately came an al b
ost overpowering desire for his rotation. s
e paused
"Now that 1 try to reform. thew turn h
yainst me,n he said bitterly. at is
D use, Pm gone past hope" mi h
One step was taken towards the tayern | >
DOR when it seemed as if strong hand {
cid him back. "No-no," he murmnreJ e
have taken the pledge, and will stand G
J it if die" ''i-.7 VI