Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20

said; l am tired, and out Of sorts. To
tell you the truth, | was persuaded to take
an extra glass or two where have been
this afternoon, and it was a little too much
for me. My good supper has nearly sc,
me right, however, and good nights rest
will make all well. What IS the matter
now, little woman ~ he asked, as Lizzie
sat motionless, and made no response. 81
will treat you as well as have done my
self. Here is the price of six glasses!'
The money dropped upon the floor, al
with clasped hands she exclaimed:
"My dear husband, oh, my husband
will you not give it up altogethrry /
would be but little sacrifice now and
oh, believe me, it is the only safe course
Think of our dear children. Surely yo,
will do it for their sakcs!"
"No, no, foolish child, will not give il
up; but will take care to keep within
my allowance in future. Three glasses 1
day never harmed amy one.
Lizzie would have urged him still
further, but a look Of impatience checked
her, and with secret prayer that h
might never again be led into temptation
she locked her fears in her own bosom
Long after her husband slept, her tear
fell fast upon the pillow, rs she looked a
her little ones and remembered her owl
miserable childhood, and her poor mother
unhappy life and early death.
This was but the beginning Of sorrows
For another week all went we'll thc1
came second excess. There wa
still some good excuse-somc pecu
liar circumstances which he sale
might never occur again. But the patti
down a hill isa slippery Que, and of quicl
descent. Before another year had passe(
y his unsteady habits were known and com
mented upon by those who had once re
spccted him as a thriving, industrious man
Several times he had been seen in th'
street in a state little short Of absolute in
toxication, and his work was often neg
lected, even at the most busy season of tht
year. The parents had demonstrated, ant
his wife plead in vain. Opposition seemed
to serve but as fuel to the flames.
1--WE can but do our duty and trust il
God," said Lizzie, sadly, as, after the mos
trying scene that had yet occurred, she
took her children to her grandfather's fol
an hour or two, thinking that u change
would be useful to them and to herself
But tell me, my poor child" said the
mother, to whom the remark was address
ed, " is my son very unkind to you and
the little ones? Surely, he cannot forget
himself so far as to use personal violence
No, mother, he is rather more surly
than violent. At such times he dislikef
to be spoken to, and is angry if the chill
dren make noise. The poor babes used
to spring with delight when they heard
his steps. Now they shrink from him
Willie say his prayer for poor father be.
| l.x sinh 1itt1n fn11nOy Il
and said, Willie will say his prayer fol
poor father, but father don't love Willie
any more Tears fell fast from I4izzie's
eyes as she spoke, and the mother wept
also. William was her eldest born, and
had ever been her pride and delight II
was, indeed, hard to know that he had
thus gone astray.
"And is there no hope for the future p
she said, bitterly. "WiIl hc thus willful.
ly pursue the road to ruin, until it is too
late to retrace his steps?"
awe know not the end replied Lizzie,
"but fear that things will become worse.
May God help us!'
Lizzie's fears were but too well ground
ed The dark cloud about them became
more dense. Dissipation led to idlcness
work was neglected.; debts accumulated
and poverty stared them in the face.
Deeper grew the shadow on the brow OF
the old blacksmith, as he watched the
gradual decline from virtue of his son
For hours he would sit at the door of his
own cottage, apparently in a state Of moody
abstraction, and then mourniully shaking
his head, would say, as he aroused him.
self, "All is silent, now; the blacksmith
hammer is no more heard in the old shop
On, my boy, my boy! Would that could
Inn ~ 1>1,,iIo T had
thee thus!"
Suddenly he seemed to have formed
some new resolution. Rising one morning
earlier than had been his wont for years
he took the well-known cross path to the
shop 1t was closed, and the entrance
we'll secured. For moment he paused
irresOlutc, and then walked with quick
steps to q small house in the neighbOr.
hood.
els Mr. Birch in?" he inquired of the
little boy who answered his knock at the
| door.
The man in question, who had long
been in James employ, immediately
stepped forward.
"The shop is locked, sir" said the old
gentleman "Have you the key?'
II have," was the reply; "but Mr.. Will.
liam is so seldom at his work, now, that
never open without his orders. am about
seeking situation in Clyde. Working
one day in seven will not support a
family"
cit will not, indeed, Mr.. Birch; but il
you will rely upon me, will see that you
are paid as usual. Open the shop at once,
aud be ready for whatever may Offer
"But I do not feel myself quite compe.
tent to take the whole charge, Mr.. James,
am willing to work under orders"
II will be there myself" was the reply,
"and we will see whether Time has
robbed my arm of it's strength"
In half an hour all was hustle and activ.
ity at the old blacksmith shop The Won
dering neighbors- had for many
months past been obliged to 60 ten miles
to the next village when anything in that
line was required, heard with surprise the
busy strokes of the hammer.
Sam Jones almost rCjOicCd when his
horse lost shoe, because it gave him an
opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. lie
was a rough man, but his heart was
touched when he saw the old gentleman
hard at work, and it was with almost an
air ofdefcrence that he asked if his horse
could be shod Immediately, as he was in
haste to so to Clyde on important bust
ness.
Without delay, Sam. Here, Mr.. Birch,
will you attend to this Or, stay, will do
it myself. It is ten years or more since l
have shOd a horse; but / know tho right
way yet. if [ mistake not"
The Job was about half completed, and
the old blacksmith, with all tho interest
and activity of former wears, was bend
ing over the upIifted foot of the ami
NAL, when another person entered
tho shop. For moment he stood
unnoticed, but an attentive observer of
what was passing. The hand of the old
gentleman trenbled, as he performed the
unusual labor, and he paused, as if fatigued.
Father said 'Well-known voice at
his elbow, "what means this? This work
becomes not your gray hairs; give me the
hammer"
81 have vow, William" was the re-
ply, "that your wife and children shall
never want while | can raise u hammer ;
nor your good name be disgraccd with
debts if can earn the means to pay Them
God will give me strength"
More affected than he cared to own,
William walked to the farther part of the
shop, and busted himself with some work
that stood ready. For many days he had
been absent from homo, and had returned
at late hour on the previous evening
His feelings had been good deal sottcncd
by the appearance OF absolute poverty his
cottage had assumed. Something must be
done; and after an anxious and restless
night, he fell asleep just before the day
dawned, with the full resolution to work
steadily for three months, at least, and
then see how things would 90.
The bright morning sun streaming in at
the window awakened him. He sprang up,
and the first sound that fell upon his ears