Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20

Her husband did not return at noon-and,
indeed, she scarcely expected him, for he
was seldom with them at meals. She had
a lingering hope that he might come
in the evening; but even this was very
doubtful. Her heart beat quickly, when
Just after the sun had sank behind the
western hills, his step was heard at the
door. The little ones clung to her dress
as he entered, for they had learned to fear
mis- approach.
"Arc you not coming to sec fathcr?"
he said kindly "You arc not afraid of
me, Willie, my little man."
mot tonight, father" replied Willie,
boldly "Come, sister, come to father !;
he will not hurt u.s."
Lizzie trcmbled lest the reply should
irritate him; but he only sighed deeply,
and took the children in his arms without
speaking. With more cheerfulness than
she had felt for months, Lizzie busted her
self with preparations for the evening
meal.
Father tells me there is to be famous
lecturer in the village this evening"" said
William, as they took their seats at the
table. "Can you go with me to hear
him, Lizzie? Never mind the children" "
he added, as his wife glanced toward the
little ones. "Sister Jennie has promised
|
"Thcn l will 60 with pleasure, Viii" i"
replied Lizzie, and the untasted food stood
before her, for she felt too happy to eat
Take some supper, mamma" lisped
little Lizzie; and Willie seconded the peti-
ton by saying:
"Yes, mamma, take some supper. Don't
it make you glad to have farther home
with us? You always cry when he is
gone"
There were tears in Lizzie's eyes, now !;
but loving glance from her husband sent
a thrill of happiness through her heart, to
which it had long been a stranger.
1t seemed almost like dream to Lizzie,
when she found herself actually walking
through the little village of Rose Valley,
leaning upon her husbands 8 arm, for it was
long since they had been seen together.
She was silent, for her heart was too full
to speak, and her husband seemed busy
with his own thoughts.
found the subject was temperance; and
she wondered, and would have given much
to have known if William were aware of
this before he invited her to attend. The
speaker was an able one. Most eloquent
ly did he speak of the miseries Of intem-
perance, Of the perfect thraldom in which
it holds its victim. Admirably did he
portray the home of the drunkard The
wrctchcd wife and miserable, neglected
children. Then followed an cafnest appeal
to those he was addressing-tO those in
particular, who stood on the brink of
the fatal prccipice, but who had not yet
precipitated themselves into the gulf be-
low. Pause" he said, "wuse, and sotile
there IS get time, pledge yotrselces, scith the
help Of God, to sA0ke Oft the yoke that binds
you. Be true to yoetrselves, and to the dear
ones th0t gather around your household
heorths."
The pledge was produced, and old and
young pressed forward to enroll their
names, to he installed rs members Of the
infant lodge of Good Templars.
Are there not more who should come ?"
continued the speaker, as the last sigma
turc was signed. "Are there not those
who are still hesitating between life and
death? Remember, that this pledge binds
you not to slavery, but it is the token of
freedom"
Calmly and deliberately William James,
the Village Blacksmith, left his wifes
side and advanced to the table. There
was n general murmur Of pleasure through
out the assembly, but Lizzie spoke not,
and, to an Indifferent spectator, might
have appeared unmoved. The name of
"
written, the assembly dispersed, and each
took his way to his own home, or Joined
the numerous little groups who stood con-
vcrsing upon the topics of the evening.
AS Lizzie passed out, leaning on
the arm of her husband, many
a congratulatory smile or kind
shake of the hand was received, but
apparently they were almost unnoticed.
Not one word was spoken until they were
passing up the shady walk to the cottage
door, The sight of the house, with its
bright light within, broke the spell, full
realization Of the change which might
now take place came over her. The dark
cloud had passed away, and her husband,
the father of her children, was restored to
her.
"William! dear, dear William!' she
murmured, and burst into tears.
MY own Lizzie! my dear, true hearted
little wife!" he said, tenderly, as he en-
circled her with his arm.
No more passed between them, for Jen-
ME was watching for them ;and with many
assurances that she had been faithful to
her charge, said she must bid them good
night, without delay, for father and
mother would be weary with waiting for
her.
William and Lizzie stood watching her,
as with light steps she passed down the
walk, and across the field that led to the
"old place." and then entered the cot
tage.
The babies slept quietly; and side by
side, as in days gone by, they sat down
near the vine-covered easement, and talked
long and freely of the past, present and fu-
ture.
ut has been long night, dearest" he
said, " but with Gods help, the day will
now dawn upon you. You have ever been
you much suffering; but in future it shall
be my endeavor to be what ought to be,
both to you and my children"
Lizzie pressed closer to his side, and
looked confidingly in his face, but he made
no reply !. and after short pause, William
said, hesitatingly:
Perhaps, Lizzie, you are not aware that
We have still some trials to pass through.
We arc in debt, and unless I can make
some arrangements with nv creditors,
we must part with our pleasant home to
satisfy their claims"
"DO we owe 80 very much?' asked Liz
zie, shade of anxiety passing over her
countenancc.
"A mere triflc to those who have riches;
but large sum to those who have moth.
ing" was the reply. "About five hun
dred dollars, believe"
Lizzie gently discngagcd herself from
the arm which her husband had thrown
around her, and entered the little room
where the children were sleeping. In a
few minutes she returned, and placing a
small work-box in her husbands hand,
said, smi]ingly:
"IIere is gift for you, dear William"
"And a rather heavy one, for the size,
to say the least" he replied, as he raised
the lid. "Why, Lizzie!" was his aston
ished exclamation. "Whcre did this mon-
ey come frOm?'
Have you forgotten the three glasses a
day you indulged me in for so many years ~
replied Lizzie, smiling at the look of
amazement with which her husband sur
veyed the large collection Of foe, ten, aud
t.renty foe cent pieces which formed the
contents of the work box.
{" Is it possible that you treasured it up
in this manner, my little wife?'
g saved it against time of need, Will
liam dear; it is all yours now There is
more than foe hun'ired d0llgrs there. We
may keep our own dear home!"
"And / am a free man once more, thanks
to my own dear wife" exclaimed William,
as he claspcd her to his bosom. II accent
your GIFT, love, as freely as it is given.
Strange that both sorrow and gladnrss
should be caused by three glasses n dau p"
Years passed on. The busy sound Of
the blacksmith's 8 hammer was still heard
in the little shop. The gray haired gen
tlcman still smoked his pipe, as with
compacent air, he watched his industrious
con at hio ,uort hrtk Of thr all