Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-23

candies, instead OF Tor heer or spirits
But The dreadful thirst Tor drink almost
always got The mastery. Poor man lie
was in Il very sorrnwiUl condition.
On the morning after this day on which
Mrs. Lee aud her sister tere talking
about him, it happened that Mr.. Barclay
was without cent in his Pulse What
was he to do? Not single glass OF liz.
uor could be had ut IIuber's tavern. tei
he was already in debt there, and they
had refused to trust him until the old
score was paid OF. Ban how WAS he to
go through all that day without II single
drink oi beer OF whiskey? The very
thought made his lips lceI dry and quick
ened his craving thilsI.
lie opened the bureau drawer to get Il
haudkcl chief, when something met his
eyes that made him pause with eager,ye,
panied expression OF face. At first, a
lighl had flashed over his countenance,
but this faded ont quickly. lie stood
gazing nj the object with an irrcsoluts
air. aud then shutting the drawer quickly
and hard, he turned away and walked 10
the other side OF the room, For some
time he remained there quite still, his
back 10 Tho drawers. \ very bitter
Struggle was going Ola in his mind. Alas
he Was not slIon- enough Tor his conflict.
Slowly. step by step, listening ~ he
moved across the room. looking Just like
q lhirl, MI Barclay returned 10 tho bu-
rcau, and, opening the drawer he had
closed 50 quickly. Il liIlo while before,
thrust ~ his hand.
What did 1t bring lorth' I gricye to
-.,y, ii MAS i little wooden bos, only IA
lcw inche, square He had made it him
sell of line dark wood. tor his little Fan
ny. There Wa- u small hole cu IN the
lji. y hich wa> fastened nn with screws.
Fam, y mnro, boN Yes, even - II
WAS Fanny, moucN.OoN, The pennies
were very luW thal came into the chiid's
hand; bat all she aNd received for many
months. were ia lh, box. She was say.
ing them TO ouy 81 present lor her father
al Christmas.
! desperate laus "a> in Mr. B,rcluy'.
lscc a> 90 y.ucnr, thc box liurueilr
Bee too. from hi. pnyAcj a >mal screw
driver and ia moment lnc iid MAS on.
Halt tho pennies were cmpticd into hi,
pocket, aud then tao il replaced aud The
box returned 10 The drawer.
He had scarcely taken breath while
the box was in his hand Now lac sat
down, like one suddenly robbed ol
strength and painted The dark flush
went off hi. face, aud hc looked pale and
guilty.
Papa 1t was Fanny herself The
loving child came in and put her arms
about his neck. lie lelt rs il claSpcd in
: wise. 1t was rs much rs he could d0
TO keep from pushing her with his strong
arms away
Are YOU sick. papa ?" The child had
caught glimpse Of his pale, disturbed
couuicnarcc.
If don't feel very we'll" he answered.
Ills voice had 50 strange sound TO his
own ears that it seemed as if some one
else were speaking.
I'm so sorry" and Fanny drew heI
arm tighter about his neck kissing him
This WAS more than the wrctched man
could bear. Rising hurriedly, and al
most shaking of his child. he lett the
house aud started lor his shop, that stood
nearly q quarter of mile distant He
did not get to wolk immediately, but sal
down on his bench He hail no heart lr
work just then
"Oh jim Barclay, lie cried out at las,
in tones OF mingled shame and anguish
THAT you should come to this :"
lie got up and walked about like one
bewildered Just then man rode up to
the door OF his shop.
"Is that shutter ready Tor me ?" be
asked
1T will be done to- morrow" ," answered
the carpenter.
just what YOU told me YESTERDAY
said the man, roughly. The fact Is,
jim Barclay" he addetl. there's no de-
pendence in you any longer, and shall
take my work somewhere else
The carpenter Nas in no mood to bear
patiently hard speech from any one, 81
he replied ns roughly as he was spoken
to. and the customer rode of in anger.
Barclay stood lookiog after him as lie
moved down the road, his excitement
gradually cooling unit Iho blindness oI
passion was gone.
Fool, every way he muttered, turn
ing slowly to his work bench and taking
up plane. 1t wasn't so once. No de-
pendence in Jim Barclay"
He was hurt 10y the accusation. The
time was when no mechanic in the neigh
borhood could be more depended on. II
Barclay promised piece Of work, it was
sure to be ready. Alas. how changed
he was just as fair in promise now, just
as sincere, perhaps, whenever his word
was given but in performance how slow!
He would start in earnest every day, and
get on very well, until the desire for liq
uor grew strong enough 10 tempt him oil
lo Iluber's tavern for IL drink. After that
no one could count on him. When he
returned he would be changed man.-