Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-09

shall be the basis upon which their future
veal or woe must rest. Look at them
Oh think of them. Think Oft them doing
doing battle in the great struggle OF the
life before them. Shall they carry out
from their home our evil influences?
Shall they in time TO come fall by the way
side, cut down BY the demon. Of the .epr, !
and in their dying hour curse the exam
pie whence they derived the appetites
Oh for our children-for those two boys
for the men we hope to see them-for
the sweet memories we would have them
cherish OF their home-for the good old
age they may reap--let us cast this thing
out now and forevern
Cora kissed her husband rs she ceased
speaking and then he arose to his feet.
but he made her no reply.
Henry, you are not offended
No he said. He returned her kiss,
and without another word left the house
and went to the store.
How strangely did circumstances work
to keep the idea his wife had given him
alive in his mind! That very morning he
met a youth the son ofhis wealthy friends.
in state OF wild intoxication; and dur
ing the forenoon he heard that young
Aaron Chad died at sea. He knew
that Aaron had been sent away from
home ,hat he might be reclaimed.
After the bank was closed, and Is Hen
ry Seaburn was thinking of going to din
ner, he received note through the pen
nv post. Ii was from medical friend,
and contained a request that he would
call at the hospital on his way home.
This hospital was not much out oihis way,
and he stopped there.
There is man in the lower wards
who wishes TO see you,' said the doctor.
Does no know me?' asked Seaburn.
lie says he does
What is his name?'
He won't tell us. He goes by the
name of Smith; but am satisfied that
such is not is his true name. He is in
the last stage Of consumption and deliri'
um. He has lucid intervals, but they do
not last long. He has been here week.
lie was picked up in the street and
brought here He heard your name and
he knew YOU at once.
Mr.. Seaburn went to the room where
the patient lay, and looked at him. Sure
w he never knew that man! There must
bee some mistake. he said.
The invalid heard him, and opened his
eyes-such bloodshot, unearthly eyes
Harry he whispered trying to lift
himself on his Il :ow; is this Harry Sea-
burn p
That's my name
And don't you know me?'
Il am sure do not And he would
have said that he did not wish to, only the
man looked so utterly miserable that he
would not wound what little feeling there
might be left.
Have you forgotten your schoolmate
in boyhood. Ha-ry-your friend in other
years. yoor chum in college,
What gasped Seaburn. starting back
aghast, for n glimmer of the truth flashed
up on him. This is not Alec Lomberg"
All that isleit ofhim. my Hal, returned
the poor fellow, putting forth his waste.
skeleton, hand, and smiling faint, ,quiver-
ing, dying smile.
alexander Lombcrg?" said Henry.
gazing into the bloated, disfigured face
before him.
You wouldn't have known me, Hal'
Indeed, no.
Il know | am altered
But, Alec cried Seaburn, how is this?
Why are you here?'
Rum, my Hal--RUM! I'm about done
for. But wanted to see you. They told
me YOU lived not far away, and l would
look upon one friend before died.
But | heard you were practicing in
your profession, Alec, and doing we'll
so | did do well when Ipracticed, Hal.
| have made some pleas, but Ihave given
up all that
And your father-where is hep
Don't mention him; he taught me to
drink, Ay, he taugh: me! andthen turned
the cold shoulder upon me when l drank
too much. But I'm going. Hal-going,
goingn
Henry Seaburn gazed into that terrible
face, and remembered what its owner had
been-the son of wealthy parents; the
idol of a fond mother; the favorite at
school, at play and at college; light of
intellect and physical beauty, anda noble
generous friend. And now, alas! ALEC
can help you?'
Yes And the poor fellow started
higher up from his pillow, and something
of the old light struggled for a moment in
his eyes. Pray for me, Hal. Pray for
my soul! Pray that I may go where my
mother is. She won't disown her boy.
She could not have done it had she lived.
Oh! she was good mother, Hal. Thank
God she didn't live to see this! Pray for
me-pray-pray! Let me 60 to Herr
As the wasted man sank back he fell to
weeping, and in moment more. one Of
his paroxysms came on and he began to
rave. He thought Harry was his father.
and he cursed him: and cursed the habit