Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-22


voice still rings in my ears, and every word
OF the song, as it dropped from her lips,
sunk deep into the hearts OF those gathered
around her. With her golden curls falling
carelessly around her little shoulders, her
face of almost ethereal beauty, and looking
so trustingly and confidently upon the men
around, her beautiful eyes lighted up with a
light that seemed not of this earth, formed
a picture worthy of the pen of poet or
painter, although statue of purity and in
uocence. The unfinished games of billiards
were laid by, the cards thrown aside, the un-
emptied glass remained upon the counter
and all pressed near, some with curiosity,
some with sadness, and some with pity
beaming from their eyes, entranced with the
musical voice and beanty of child who
seemed better fit to be with aagels aooyc
than in such place.
At the close of the song many were weep
ing-men who had not shed tear for years
now wept like child. One young man who
had resisted with scorn the pleaiings of a
loving mother and dear friends to lead bet
ter life, to desist from course that was
wasting his fortune and running his health,
now approached the child, ard taking her
hands while tears streamed down his pale
cheeks, exclaimed with deep emotion:
God bless you, my little angel, you have
saved me from ruin and disgrace-from pow
erty and drunkard grave. IF there ever
was an angel on earth yod are one. God
bless you, God bless you, and placing bill
in the hand of the mother. said, please ac-
cept this trihe as token of my regard and
esteem, for your little girl has done me a
kindness no wealth can ever repay. And
whenever you are in want you will ever find
me true friend, at the same time giving
her his name and address. Taking her child
by the and she turned to go, out pausing at
the door, said:
God bless you, gentlemen, and please
accept the heartfelt thanks of poor and
friendless woman for the kindness and cour-
tesy you have shown her, p" and before any
one could reply, she was gone.
4 silence of several minutes ensued which
was at last broken by the proprietor excla'm
ing:
Gentlemen. that lady is right; have
sold my last glass of whisky, and il' any ct
you want any more you will have to go else
where.
"And !. have drank my last glass OF whis-
ky said a young man VINO had long been
given up as utterly beyond the reach of those
who had deep interest in his welfare, that
he had sunk TOO low to everreforn. There
Is temperance organization in this city call
ed the Temple of Honor, and at their next
meeting shall send in my name to be ad-
mitted Who will go with me o.
Il !" Il !" and Il !" several exclaimed
in chorus, and fifteen names were added to
his. True to his word, the owner of the
saloon where this strange scene was enacted
disposed of his entire stock the next day,
and is now engaged in an honorable business.
Would to heaven that lady could have gone
into every hamlet ami town and city through
ont our country, and meet with the same
cheering result
Yes, it is the motherS and wives. and sis
teES pl Ine CfuuhatG AiitI eau ttiI u iIdL wills
ky has done and is doing. You need not
iolI5w hEn TO the sumptuous ana brilliant
palace erected by King Alcohol and his con
fsderate to lure him from the paths of vir-
tue and usefulness, to that of ruin and dis
grace. You need not follow him when his
money is gone and he is thrust from the
tnost fashionable resort to those less respec
table. You need not fellow him to the low
est dens of crime ard iniquity, as he daily
reels home or lies in the gutter in condition
lower than the trutes Of the field. No but
follow him to the place he calls home, and
the hollow cheeks, the dimmed eyes, the
tear that rolls down the patient, careworn
face of the forsaken wife, and the cries oi
the starving children. tell their own story in
a language inexpressible in words.