Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-10-20
For the Gallipolis Journa
Not too Late,

" lClU BOOi AShhA-S - 49,
time in most miserable plight in
our last, but we will now look after
them little, and ascertain if it really
be too late for them to rise from the
low estate into which they have fallen.
The ignoramus walked Oh, lost in his
own sad reflections, until he turned
the next street corner, and as he
made that turn q new idea suggested
itself to his mind, and he resolved
that he would take up his long un
used school books, and spend his
every leisure moment in study-that
he would no longer be ignorant, but
would live q new life, and be at least
useful member of society. He
went home with q cheerful step and
a new light beaming in his eye. He
took the bible and opened to, and
read the Parable of the ten Virgins,
and resolved that he would not be as
one of the foolish five, who came and
knocked at the closed door, but were
too late for admission. He began his
studies in earnest, and light soon
began to dawn on his darkened in
tellect. He kept on rapidly improv
ing, and to day he is a genius. Ts
not too late for him
Let US see if it is TOO late fer ttc
coquette. She had spent the flower
of her youth in fashionable folly, and
when age began to creep on her, she
sat down utterly detected, and hope
lessly bewailed the prospect of the
lonely future life which doomed up
before her. She retired that night
with an earnestprayer on her lips that
God would change her heart, and
enable her to live henceforth a useful
earnest life That prayer was an
swered She was changed from the
gay and reckless belle of society, to
the calm, sensible. earnest woman.
She became a pattern of good works
and worthy examples MOI long
since a sensible middle aged gentle
man came that way, wooed and won
and married her; they are living
quietly and happily together. Now,
though she sometimes sighs as she
remembers her wasted life, hut goes
on in her quiet spher of usefulness:
and says, us not too late for me to re
deem my lost time.
That drunken wretch I tod YOU
abont, after he spent his last dollar
for drink and went reeling home
ward, he said 'twas too late. as he
fell into the gutter, and lay there in,
q state of beastlv intox;catio until
he was picked up by n couple of his
comrades, and carried tn his fathers
house. He retired that night insen-
sihly drunk. and awohe next morn
ing with a violent headache and brain
fever, through which be tossed about
and raved and moaned piteously for
weeks. In his delirium he would
talk incoherently of the drinking
saloon. where he had so often be-
come intoxicated of late, and of the
ruin and disgrace he had brought on
himself After a while the fearful
crisis passed, the fever slowly
and he began to recover
When reason returned once more, he
opened his eyes and looked about
him, in vacant manner, and the first
thing he remembered was his last
trip to the saloon. He put his hand |
to his forehead as the remembrance |
of his past life came rushing painful |
ly through his brain, he closed his
eyes, and With q moan fell into a
deep sleep, aud in that sleep he
and in that dream he sees
the angel of mercy smiling and ex-
tending a hand to raise him from the
deep chasm where he had fallen, and
pointing upward to lighted path
way, surrounded by his friends and
relatives. who we're weeping over his
and beckoning him back
from the depths of ruin and darkness,
into life and light. lie awoke from
this dream with reason wholly re-
turned. Then he clasped his hands
and raised his eyes and
voice in thanks to God. for thus
showing him vision of his misera-
ble self. And from that moment he
began to live a new life. lie has re-
covered his good name by his strict
adherence to the principles Of hon
esty and integrity, And me thinks
there was joy among the angels in
the great household of heaven, over
that drunkard's reformation. He
goes about with a genial smiling face
and cheerful air, which says plain
ly It's not too late.
MAGGIE MILES.
Eureka, Ohio.