Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-01

z, DESEMBE
off one by one, and he was alone He, too,
would have gone. had he not fallen into a
drunken stupor, which left him half insensi-
BILE to what was going on. Half insensible.
I say. for events proved that he was not
wholly so.
At this time stranger entered the room,
and wished to speak with the laudlord apart.
'sI have no fire elsewhere" said the land
lord ''You can speak freely here"
"But-" expostulated the stranger, point
Ing over his shoulder at Walter Gordon,
who was reclining on the settec.
''Oh, that will make no difference. He's
poor drunken fellow, and is far enough
over the bay not to comprehend anything
! that is going on"
sFaugh !" said the other, Il shouldn't
think you would harbor such miserable fel
lows as he -
"Ishan't much longer" said the land
lord, carelessly. ''Pve most cleaned him
out, and when I have, shall order him off y
With this they proceeded to business,
which was of a character not to require our
further attention.
The landlord supposed Walter Gordon
[ was too far gone to hear what he said Per-
haps it would not have troubled him much,
if he had known that this was mistake.
Walter Gordon did hear the last words
that were spoken, being as has been said,
only half unconscious He had still man.
hood enough 20 feel them acutely. He had
never before felt the full measure Of his
degradation. Now it was presented 10 him
in a way that was humiliating enongh-
Csc I'm poor drunken fellow ~
| thought he to himself. That's what the
landlord says, and he ought to know, for
he nude me a0hat am And yet cannot
say hat, for if I had not given my consent,
his efot is would have been poworless."
These thoughts ran through Walters
mind Meanwhile the conversation went
on, and he heard Glover express deter
mnation 10 have done with him, after he
had cleaned him out.
This declaration filed him with secret in
dignation, and yet it was Only what he
might have known before. But the land
lords manner had been so smooth and po-
lIIC, tndt lGNGi SucpCSeSN 'hS opiAiOh
which he entertained of him.
His first impulse was to leave the room,
but something restrained him. Without
appearing, therefore, to have heard what
had been said. he continued to lie quiet for
a few moments, then yawning naturally, he
staggered slowly to his feet.
"Going 2" inquired the landlord, in his
usual smooth tone, and with his hypooritical
smile.
/ eyes, it's getting late," said Walter.
''You won't take another glass, for a
night-cap, you know 2"
"No, I won't take anything more to-
night" and Walter slowly walked out Of
the room. He did not hear the landlord s
sheer.
"The first time I ever knew Gordon to
decline drinking He must have taken an
overdose tonight"
Out in the fresh air new spirit seemed
completely sobercd him. He looked back,
at the building from which he had just
emerged, and exclaimed, in low, but res
olute voice:
II will never drink another glass Of liq-
uor in that room, nor any other place, so
help me God p
Il did him good to make that resolution.
He felt Instantly, he knew not how con-
viction that God would help him and, in
spite of his ragged clothes, his destitute fam
lily, and miserable prospects, he was cheer
ed by hope Of better things.
His wife was awaiting him, not with re.
proaches, for these she felt would only make
matters worse but with an air of depression
which panied him to witness He wanted
to tell her of his new resolution, but deci-
ded not to do so. till he could give her some
decisive proof that it would be carried out
in practice. She, for her part, did not per.
that which she usually observed.
The next morning, early, Walter Gordon
woke, and left the house, for the tavern as
his wife supposed.
She was mistaken He bent his steps to
the house of Deacon Holmes.
The Deacon was considerably surprised
to see him at this early hour.
deacon Holiness said Walter Gordon
Il have heard that you are Intending te
build barn"
YES" the deacon replied. II ain think
ing Of doing so.''
Have you engaged any one to build it y
''No," said the deacon, hesitatingly. HI
anticipated what was coming next, and i
embarrassed him
Il am 10 want of work, and will do it al
cheap rs any one."
The deacon looked down. He was evi
, IDENTIFY trying to frame refusal.
Il would take care that the work wa
done WELL"
Eyes. | am aware that you are goot
workman, but ;"
"But my intemperance is on objection,
suppose you would say"
Frankly, now that you have mentioned
, it, that is an Objectionable only one hav
but as you will admit, [ think, weight
E one p
cit is. I freely acknowledge it. But
Deacon Holmes, | made resolution, las
night, never to touch intoxicating liquor
from henceforth."
Fl "And do you think you shall have strengt
to abide by that resolution ?" said the dea
! con, eagerly Are you willing to sign th
temperance pledge.
II am not DESTROYS Of doing so,'' sal
, Walter Gordon.
, What, may I ask, led you to form thi
resolution 2"
! In answer to this question, Walter Gol
q don detailed to the deacon the particular
with which the reader is already familiar
'sAnl now, do you think" he said, i