Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-12-23

spent in the cell, the trial-and that,
too, was over, and he was condemned
to die
1t was the morning of his execution;
all night long he had been awake, lis
tening to the sound of hammers as the
carpenters went steadily on with their
ghastly task. He knew they were build
inE his gaIlows, and now he could see
it looming up in the gray morning light
outside his windows; lie thought Of his
poor children. left alone TO meet life 5
trials. with 10 help but the orphans
Cod he thought Of his murdered wife
then the sound Of footsteps were
heard coming nearer to his very door
They were coming to lead him to death,
Suddenly a great roaring filled his
ears and over all, the chime OF bells
rang loud and clear, and with a loud
cry for help the dreamer awoke. He
looked around the filthy groggery with
strongly sottened eyes.
How long have | been here? he
asked.
al! the evening" responded the Ii
quOr seller, and We must have had an
awful dream the way YOU have been
howlng Tor the last ten minutes. l
thought Id never get We woke up.
Take sutLin now my boy he inquired,
moving nearer the bar-tor mark YOU,
he had caught the chink Of coin in the
mans pocket.
"Whatll | take repeated the drum
kard, nothing never again will |
touch, taste or handle the accursed
poison that has robbed me Of manhood
i swear it T.
Something of bis oil nanncr-a rem
nant of the days when Herbert Lyle
had been 4 prince among men-awed
the rough group IS he lett that den Of
misery forever and free man, along
the dark alley with the sweet peal OF
bells, that had awakened him from that
fearful drcamringing out their message
of love and good will to his pcnitcnt
heart Only once he stopped, at a
small grocery, and when he came out
he carried huge basket laden with n
store for his loved ones.
He reached that same miserable gar
ret, and it seemed more wretched than
he had dreamed His wife was knecl-
ing beside the ragged bed, where lay
her two elder children, while the babe
at her bosom moaned low and piteously,
as she rockedit to and fro. She turned
as he entered the room, and showed him
her tear stained face.
Carrie, wife, he said tcnderly, set
ting down his basket 'hcrc are some
provisions for YOU well keep Christ
mas tomorrow. WIFE, | am sober; |
have sworn never to touch liquor again.
I've been 4 brute to you and the chl.-
dren, but heaven help me, I'll be what
| once was-a man again. Are you
content, Carrie 2
She had risen to her feet, still hold
ing her infant, and stood drinking in
his words as the parched earth drinks
in the dews of the evening, and as she
realized that it was once again the hus-
band OF her youth, spcaNihS OF lH'1'e
happiness. che sprang toward him and
lay soJbing on his breast. 80 the
depth Of womans love, who shall
fathom? g. Forgotten Was all the weary
past with its record of sin and shame,
and amid tears and sobs, they thanked
that tender Father who had at last
brought up 4 sonl out Of the depths.
a little later, when all gatheredround
4 cheerful fire, they heard the bells
ringing out in gladstone peals a wei
come to the new born day, and the
voices Of singers came family to their
ears, chanting Christmas carol
Good will ca earth, and peace to
men. Now and foreycrmore. Amen.