The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-23

was too far gone to hear what he said.
Perhaps it would not have troubled him
much, IL 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 to feel them acutely. He had
never before felt the full measure of his
degradation. Now it was presented to
him in way that was humiliating enough.
80 Pm poor drunken fellow ~
thought he to himself "That's what the
landlord.says and he ought to know, for
he made me aohdt am ! And yet, no, can
not say that, for If had not given my CON
sent his efforts would, have been power
| less"
These thoughts ran through Walters
mind. Meanwhile the conversation went
on, and he heard Glover express a determi-
nation to have done with him, after he
had cleaned him out.
This declaration filed him with secret
indignation, and yet it was only what he
httNO hHOWh ltuu-
lords manners had been so smooth and
polite, that he never suspected the opinion
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
few moments, then yawning naturally,
he staggered slowly to his feet.
"Going?" inquired the landlord, in his
usual smooth tone, and with his hypocriti-
cal smile.
eyes, it's getting late said Walters.
"You won't take another glass, for a
night-cap, you know?"
"No won't take anything more to-
night" and Walter slowly walked out of
the room He did not hear the landlord S
sneer.
"The first time ever knew Gordon to
decline drinking. He must hav Q taken an
overdose tonight"
Out in the fresh air new spirit seemed
to possess Walter Gordon. Reflection had
completely sobered him. He looked back
at the building from which he had Just
emerged, and exclaimed, in low, but res
Olute voice
al will never drink another drop of
liquorin that room; nor in any other place,
so help me Godv'
1t 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
family and miserable prospects, he was
cheered by hope of better things.
His wife was waiting him, not with re-
proaches, for these she felt would only
make the matters worse but with an air of
depression which panied him to witness.
He wanted to tell her of his new resolution,
but decided not to do so, till he could give her
some decisive proof that it would be car
ried out in practice. She, for her part, did
not preceive much difference in his de-
meanor from that which he usually OBJ
served.
The next morning early, Walter Gordon
| WOhO, ttiii biC AOuot, lOi ldNCIu DC
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 that early hour.
deacon Holiness" said Walter Gordon,
"I have heard that you are intending to
build barn"
eyes" the deacon replied. 81 am
thinking of doing so."
"Have you engaged any one to build
it? ?"
"No," said the deacon, hesitatingly.
He anticipated what was coming next, and
it embarrassed him.
g. am in want of work and will do it as
cheap as any one"
The deacon looked down. He was evil
IDENTITY trying to frame refusal.
eyes. am aware that, you are a good
workman but"
But my intemperance is an objection,
/ suppose you would say"
Frankly, now that you have mentioned
it, that is an Objectionable only one
havo--but as you will admit, weighty
one?"
at is, ] freely acknowledge it. But,
Deacon Holmes, made resolution last
night, never to touch Intoxicating liquors
from henceforth."
"And do you think you shall have
strength to abide by that resolution?" said