Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-01-11

| many unwary young men-our sons and
brothers, and husbands it maybe-wil fall
into this pit ; and l do not see that you can
hope to escape the peril any more than the
rest OF us. I saw John Toland going in
there yesterday, and he is no older than
| your Henry
A sudden crimson, and then quick pale
ness overspread the face of Mrs. Bell
-Four hundred dollars year will be a
poor compensation for his ruin, I'm think
ing, Mrs. Bell and there is no more securi-
ty for him than for any of our children.
You have put US all in equal peril. But if
your Henry is enticed into this den now, or
in half dozen years hence, as doubt not
he will be, the boy will have our pity, but
not his mother. Good morning."
And the neighbor went away hastily and
in much excitement, leaving troubled
heart behind her.
Mrs. Bell had never thought of this. 4
few minutes after the neighbor left, her
son Henry came in from school He was
bright boy of thirteen. His face was ami =
mated, and he said with much interest in
his voice:
I've besn all over Mr. 1sett's saloon.
IL is fitted up elegantly.
why mother!" exclaimed the boy a
moment atterward, whats the matter, are
you sick ?''
Il did feel sick but it's over now" an
swered Mrs. Bell, in a choking voice.
r. 81 tha
taking up his theme. There are ever SO
many pictures, and mirrors"
Henry, my son!'' said Mrs. Bell, inter
rupting him-'.I don't want you to go to
Mr. Isett's It's no place for boys
Henry's countenauce fell. He looked at
his mother doubtfully.
It's our house, isn't it ?' he asked after
little while.
No matter if it is - replied bis mother,
speaking with some irritation. Its no
place for boys, and don't let me hear of your
being there again
Now mind, Henry, you are on no ac-
count to go near Isett's saloon.
Her anger pushed him away, and weak
ened her influence over him.
The neighbor had planted thorn in Mrs
Bells pillow, and it kept her awake for
most of the night that followed On the
next morning, as her son was leaving for
school, she went with him to the door, and
gave him this parting injunction:
Now mind, Henry, you are on no ac-
count, to go near Isett's saloon"
''No ma am" replied the boy. But the
very injunction proved temptation. The
serious way in which his mother treated the
matter, magn;fed it in his thoughts, and
kept it before him.
On his way home from school, one of his
companions said:
i've got some money; let's have glass
of beer at Isetts. It's splendid place -
Il can't go there" replied Henry.
"Why can you p
Mother won't let me-
'Pooh She'll never know anything about
it. Come along"
Henry still hesitated, but his companion
urged, and at length he weakly yielded.
The thought Of her son had not been ont
of Mrs. Bells mind all the morning. She
felt that he was in danger, and her heart
trembled for his safety. She noted the
hours as they passed, and after the clock
struck twelve waited in nervous impatience
for-Heury to come home. After ten or ff-
teen minutes had passed, she grew restless,
and feeling of vague concern crept into
her heart. What if he had djsobeyed her,
and gone to Isetts 5 saloonp
1t was half past twelve when Henry came
in, entering quietly by the back door, But
Mrs Bells ears were quick to detect the
sound of his feet.
Henry" she called from the sitting
room. He answered and came in where she
was. Mrs. Bells keen eyes detected some
thing wrong in his face.
'What has kept you so late? ?" she asked.
Il stopped at VIII Marshall's to look at
his rabbits" he answered, covering his dis
obedience with a falsehood.
As he said this, Mrs Bell caught the odor
of beer on his breath.
'You' We been at Isctt'sp she exclaimed
sharply, aud with such confidence in her ac-
cusation that the boys self control forsook
him, and he turned his crimsoning face and
guilty eyes away, not venturing to stammer
denial.
''And this, after what I said to you when
you started for school, said Mrs. Bell, in
mingled anger and distress.
John Toland coaxed me, murmured the
boy.
John Tuland Does he go to your school p
Eyes ina am. He sits next to me. -
a dark shadow, as OF some great impend-
Ing evil, fell over the mother. She Wa:
frightened.
Il shall tell your father of this, she said
in helpless kind of way
Father goes there himself; I've seen
him every day." replied the boy, gaining
some courage. Amy how he owns the house,
and let's Mr.. Isett have it ) and | don't see
that it can be such dreadful bad place. -
Mrs Rell WAS nonfoun6ad and SLANT The