Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-07-20
She was startled With surprise when she

she wondered, and would have given much
to have known if William were aware of
this before ne 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
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, pause, and tohis
there is get time pledge youTselres, nth the
hep Of God, to shake of tie yoke that binds
you BE true to yourselres, and to the dear
ones that gather around your household
heartIs."
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
Are 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 general murmur of pleasure through
out the assembly, but Lizzie spoke not,
and, to an Indifferent spectator, might
have appeared unmoved. The name of
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
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.
civilian! 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 land with many
assurances that she had been faithful to
her charge, said she must bid them good
night, without delay, for father aud
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 flu
| ture.
1T has been long night, dearest" he
said, but with Gods help, the day will
now dawn upon you. You have ever been
a faithful wife and mother. have caused
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 are in debt, and unless l can make
some arrangements with my creditors,
we must part with our pleasant home to
satisfy their claims"
"DO we owe so very much ?" asked Liz
zie, shade of anxiety passing over her
countenance.
"a mere trifle to those who have riches :
but a large sum to those who have moth
ing" was the reply. About five hun
dred dollars, believe"
Lizzie gently disepgaged 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, smilingly:
"Here is gift for you, dear William"
And rather heavy one, for the size,
to say the least" he replied, as he raised
the lid. "Why. Lizzie!" was his aston
ished exclamation. "Where did this mon
ey come frOm?"
Have you forgotten the three glasses
day you INDUCED me in for so many years ?"
replied Lizzie, smiling at the look of
amazement with which her husband sur
veyed the large collection of flee, ten and
tuenty 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,"
81 saved it against time of need, Viii
liam dear; it is all yours now. There is
more than .fue hundred dollars there. We
may keep our own dear homer
And am a free man once more, thanks
to my own dear wife," exclaimed William,
as he clasped her to his bosom. II accept
your GIFT, love, as freely as it is given.
Strange that both sorrow and gladness
should be caused by three glasses day r"
Years passed on. The busy sound of
the blacksmith's hammer was still heard
in the little shop. The gray haired gen.
tleman still smoked his pipe, as, with a
complacent air, he watched his industrious
son at his work, and both at the old home.
stead and the cottage all was sunshine
and happiness. The dark cloud had in
deed passed away Woods Household Nag
dzine.
How to Keep Canary. Birds.