Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-07-13

i wis buC DuSN StIOhC VI tuO
hammer. He listened in surprise; Birch
was not wont 10 go to work without orders.
Hastily dressing himself, he left the cot
tage and sought his shop. Pride, shame,
and self-reproach, struggled in his mind,
as he watched his aged father steadily
| pursuing his unwonted task. The latter
! feelings at length gained the mastery.
"Rsst soHrself, now, father" he said, as
the old gentleman taused from very ex
haustion. Fear neither FOR fry family
nor my good name; for, with Gods help,
both shall be cared for"
BLESS you. my boy, bless your was
the agitated reply. "Yaur words give me
new life. Be yourself again, S,t,ri The
dark cloud is passing away"
At the little cottage nothing was known
of what had taken place. With her
mind filled with her own sad thoughts,
| Lizzie noticed not the sounds that showed
all were actively engaged at the shop.
| Her husband did not return at noon-and,
| indeed, she scarcely expected him, for he
was seldom with them at meals. She had
lingering hope that he might come
in the evening; but even this was very
doubtful. Her heart beat quickly, when
Just after the st1n had sank behind the
western hills, his step was heard ut the
door, The little ones clung to her dress
as he entered, for they had learned to fear
mis- approach.
care you not coming to see father?"
he said kindly. "You are 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 trembled lest the reply should
irritate him; but he only sighed deeply,
| iy,h htc orr,oc hnrt
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
to come round and stay with them"
Then will go with pleasure, Will" !"
replied Lizzie, and the untasted food stood
before her, for she felt too happy to eat.
"Take some supper, mamma" lisped
ton by saying:
Eyes, 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
thrill of happiness through her heart, to
which it had long been 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 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.
She was startled with surprise when she
found the subject was temperance; and
she wondered, and would have given much
this before he invited her to attend. The
| sneaker was an able one. Most eloquent
| ly did he speak of the miseries of intem-
peranoe, of the perfect thraldom in which
it holds its victim. Admirably did he
portray the home of the drunkard. The
wretched wife and miserable, neglected
children. Then followed an earnest appeal
to those he was addressing-to those in
particular, who stood ON the brink of
the fatal precipice, but who had not yet
precipitated themselves into the gulf be-
low. " Pause" he said, spouse, and Soltile
there is get time, pledge yourselves, 1otth the
help Of God, to shake of the yoke that binds
yOu Be true to y0urselUes, and to the dear
ones that gather around y0tr household
| hearths"
The pledge was produced, and old and
young pressed forward to enroll their
names, to be installed as members of the
infant lodge of Good Templars.
care there not more who should come ~
continued the speaker, as the last sigma
ture 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 wife's
side and advanced to the table. There
was a general murmur of pleasure through.
out the assembly, but Lizzie spoke not
and, to an Indifferent spectator, might
have appeared unmoved. The name oi
WILLIAM JAMES was plainly and legibly
written, the assembly dispersed, and each
took his way to his own home, or Joined
the numerous little groups who stood con-
versing upon the topics of the evening.
As Lizzie passed out, leaning on
the arm of her husband, many
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, a 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 tC
her.
"Williami dear, dear Williamr' She
murmured, and burst into tears.
"My own Lizzie my dear, true-hearteC
: 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 Il
her charge, said she must bid them good
night, without delay, for father anC
mother would be weary with waiting TO
, her.
William and Lizzie stood watching her
as with light steps she passed down tn
walk, and across the field that led to tn
"old place." and then entered the cot
, tage.
The babies slept quietly; and side b,
! side, as in days gone by, they sat dow
near the vine covered easement, and talket
!, long and freely of the past, present and fu
! ture.
at has been long night, dearest" h
said, but with Gods help, the day vii
! now dawn upon you. You have ever bee
! a faithful wife and mother. / have cause
f you much suffering; but in future it shal
! be my endeavor to be what / ought to bC
Q both to you and my children"
. Lizzie pressed closer to his side, an
t looked confdingly in his face, but he mad
( no reply; and after a short pause, William
e said, hesitatingly:
perhaps, Lizzie, you are not aware tina
: we have still some trials to pass through
/ We are in debt, and unless / can max
/: some arrangements with my creditors
b we must part with our pleasant home t
|. satisfy their claims"
ado we owe so very much?" asked LII
l., zie, shade of anxiety passing over he
e cOuntenance.
k "a mere trifie to those who have riches
d but large sum to those who have notl