The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-12
Gbe Ginres, Ntm Bloon,telo, 1]d.

Great Heaven have l, indeed sunk 30
low? / have been blind--blind thank
you, Joe Herney, for opening my eyes. I
think understand your game now. Buy
it, will you9 Wen SEQ. John Burns is not
quite the poor sot you take him to be-"
! He shook his clenched fist after the re-
treating figures and took step toward the
gate as though he would follow them.
But detaining hand was laid upon his
shoulder and womans voice spoke his
name.
"Why, John, what is the natterP Come
in out of the storm"
And she drew him, with gentle force, in
to the cosy apartment.
"Oh, the scoundrel and thought him
my friend. 1t is his fault that am as
am tonight. should have kept my prom.
Use but for him."
But for who, my dear ?" ....
"Joe Herney. He enticed me into Will
liams' tonight, or should have come home
sober. But it is the last time-the last
time / will never touch another drop of
strong drink while live"
ooh, if might believe it,"
"You may Jane, you may. have
broken my promises, l know, but this
will keep with Heavens help
"Oh thank Heaven for these blessed
words"
81 know, Jane, that you are surprise d
at this sudden resolve; but sit down here in
your old place on my knee and l will tell
you, and when you have heard the history
of this evening you will better understand
me-"
First have off your wet coat and muddy
boots and eat your supper will you not?"
"Thank you for the dry coat and Slip
pers, but supper can wait. l want to tell
you now"
Then followed an account of incidents of
the evening, already known to the reader,
from the time he paused before the door of
the saloon to the conversation overheard at
the cottage gate.
"And Jane" he continued, "when l
heard those words saw my true position,
as never saw it before. You had often
reasoned with me, prayed for me, but
never before realized my danger. While
Joe was speaking there came with the
quickness of lightning and with all its viv-
idness, the vision of ruin to myself and fam
lily, and l made q resolve that moment,
with Heavens help, to reform. Is it not
strange that the word enemy of an should
have more influei &C than the prayers of o
faithful loving wife ?"
" 1t was the Lords chosen way of an
swering my prayers, John. His ways are
past finding out"
June roses had twice bloomed and faded
since the opening of our story, and now the
rose bushes are bereft of their leaves, and
the vine over the door wears the russet hue
of autumn, the little path is strewn with
the fallen leaves as we again enter the hum
BILE dwelling. 1t is evening, the family are
gathered around the table to partalIe of the
evening meal John Burns, with bowed
head, asks the blessings OF the Almighty
to rest upon the food ere they partake of
the bountiful supply of good things.
The neat and cosy appearance of every
thing within and without the dwelling tell
at glance John Burns has kept his resolve.
The victory had not been an easy one.
Sometimes it seemed that he warred with
the powers and principalites of darkness,
but early in the struggle he had learned to
look to the right source for help. In the
end he had triumphed, and we find him
prosperous and happy. The debt that at
one time threatened to deprive him of his
little home, 10y industry and strict economy,
had been paid, and by answering upright
ness he had re-estabished his good name.
How was it with Joe Herney? Things
had not seemed to prosper with him of late
He had become a frequent visitor of the
dramshop, his property had fallen to rack,
his credit was impaired, and his family i'll
cared for. 1t seemed as though the curse
invoked upon the man who putteth the
bottle to IFS neighbours lips had fallen upon
him.
Romance Boiled Down.