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

I
lay on Barclays work bench lie took
! them in his hand, turned them over, run
his eye along the edge, and then stood
hesitating what TO do. This shutter was
not the only job that should have been
ready, according To promise the day be-
fore. lie began To he worried just as ii
had been with him su many times. But
where 10 begin his days work--which of
his neglected customers TO serve first he
did not know. HIS hands were unsteady {;
Il sense of heaviness weighed down his
limbs; in body and mind he felt wretch.
cd. lIo thought oi Hubcr's, and II re-
freshing glass. Just one glass and his
nerves would be steader 'or the days
work. Then me thought of the pennies
in his pocket the carefully saved treas
ure OF his dear little Fannie, stolen from
her that morning; and such shame fell
upon his heart that he fell down upon his
workbench and groaned in pain.
"l'iI get one glass" he said, starting
up; "fOr must have something 10 put
life into me- Tho pennies are only bor-
rowed, and I'll return them two Dr one"
This thought. that he borrowed the
pennies. lesscned the pain at his heart.
Just one glass to make me all right"
and of he started Tor the tavern which
STOOD some distance away.
Between the shop and the tavern was
a pleasant cottage. Mr.. Barclay was
nearly opposite the cottage, when out
ran child. holding in her little hands u
small glass pitcner. full of water, her
golden hair tossing IN the wind. She
was about Fannys age and beautiful as
cherub.
Wont YOU have n cool drink. Mr.
Barclay ?' said the child, stopping before
him and Offering her picher. while her
earnest. tender eyes, blue rs yiole,s were
lifted To- his lace
Surprised aud startled by this sudden
vision ot lnnoccuno and beauty. Mr. Bar
clay li not hesitate Tor an instant, but
took the pitcher aud almost drank nj -
siug,c glass every drop OF the pure
water.
"'rhanN you, my dear" dropped from
his lips rs he handed back the empty
vessel and then hc stopped and kissed
III, child She djl not lnru away aud 20
bau., iun the house, pu, stood between
him aud The tavern, gazing up into his
face. lie took step forward. the child
caught his hand.
"Qh don't, Mr. Barclay |" sho cried
eagerly, and in such pleading voice
that her tones went farther down into hi5
heart than human tones had gone for u
long, long time
Don't what, little darling?n he asked,
bending toward her in new surprise.
Don't 90 to IIuber's any more an
Nhfi'N AIt GNU.
Mr. Barclay drew himself p,and stood
/ tor many seconds just as still as II statue.
The child looked at him with halt scar
4 ed expression on her countcnance but she
/ kept firmly hold OF his hand Suddenly
catching his breath like one who has
been deprived OF all. he stopped quickly
and touched the child's pure white fore
/ head with his lips He said not word
but stood up straight again, turned reso.
lulcIy, and went striding down the road
in The direction OF his shop.
From the window OF the cottage II 9th.
eI and aunt looked on in surprise. half
trembling in tear lest the man should do
some violence To The child. yet rebuked
for their own lack OF confidence in the
means her simple faith had made so
slrong lor good. The act was her own.
They had no hint OF her purpose until
/ they saw her crossing the road with u
pitcher OF water in her nand Her own
act did say Let me lift your thoughts
| higher, dear children. who read this.
Gods love and pity foI the poor drunk.
ard had flown into the ohild's heart and
moved her to do just what she did. So it
was God acting through her, just us he
acts through every one of us when We
Try TO do good to others. Think of this {;
God working through us making us the
agents OF his divine purpose-minister
of his loving Kindness angels of his
mercy.
MIR. Barclay returned TO his shop, took
of his coat and went TO work. The cool
water. but more the good resolutions the
child had awakened in his mind, gave
tone and refreshmen; to body and mind.
Ills nerves, all unstrung when he started
ior the tavern, were steady now. No
,remor Ian through his hand rs he grasp
ed chse, mallel or plane. He wrought
with sense OF pleasure in his work not
felt Tor long time.
After an hour this feeling began 10
wear of, and the old heayiness and thirst
for liquor returned. His thoughts went
to Huber's tavern and the tempting liquor
to be had there. But there was some
thing in the way he could not pass-nol
fierce lions such as frightened poor Chris.
tians, bat pure and innocent child He
felt sure when she saw him coming along
the road she would meet him with her
sweet pleading face and pitcher OF water,
and to pass by would be impossible.
go around by the old MILL said 9:
tempting spirit in his thoughts, land The