The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-04-05

little cottage, made him cup OF strong
coffee, babe him battle his bloated face
and throbbing head, and left him to
rest to try to sleep. But there was no
rest. Memory was stirred he thought
of his lonely, wretched children, and
longed to see them once more, 10 tell
them he was sorry, and was going to
free them forever from the curse of his
sight. Then the awful thirst grew
strong again, and from his heart he
cried like Dives, "Oh for drop to cool
my parched tonge for | am tormented
in this flame" Yes, that was his con-
dition, and rising, he crept silently out
into the street. The darkness was last
gathering. lie would 20 round past his
home, and see what was likely to be
come of his little ones. With slow and
feeble step he at last reached the cur
tainless window and looked in. There
was Kassy, on the hearth before the
fire, with Theo and Sylvia nestled beside
her. The freight danced on their
sad, wan faces, and gave them strange,
CHASTITY look. He turned away with
sickening heart and passed into the
other room across the entry. There the
moon looked in too, with clear, calm
light, and Joseph Burd saw a tiny pine
coffin, and Lena lying peaceably in it a.
If sleeping. The folds of muslin hid
the dreadful scar on neck and chest,
and the fire had spared her sweet face
and golden hair. Her thin, white hands
were folded, and on one Of the tiny
fingers showed small gold ring. He
when it was given to her.
and how pleased she was but she
would not want it any more, and it
would bring him what he so terribly
craved-a glass of brandy. He shrank
at first from robbing his dead child, but
that soon passed away with the desire
that was stronger than love or honor.
He crept silently into the room, drew
the ring off the little dead finger, and
hurried with il to the pawnbroker's.
Now he could drink deep draughts, and
it would be easier TO plunge into the
cold, black waters. Making no effort
to resist the oyerpowering temptation,
he did not leave the bright counter till
his money was al gone, and then sank
down beside the stove in drunken
stupor. As the clock tolled the mid
night hour Ne was aroused by a shout
from the rumseller, who babe him be-
gone. He crawled out and down the
steps, and moved toward the river. 1t
was slow work, staggering or creeping
along the filthy street, and he had to
pause frequently TO rest. At last, when
ne had almost reached the wharf, his
loot slipped, and he went SPRAYING into
.he gutter, when a Waterman, attracted
by his groans, rescued and sent hun to
he police station.
CHAPTER III.
The next day he was sentenced, in
default of bail, to n months imprison-
nent for drunkenness. The first four
lays ere passed in his cell in dreary
ethargy of body and soul, void of re-
morse or feeling of any kind, except
hc thirst which gradually grew less in
olerable, rs no liquor was given him.
When the cloud OF drunkness wore
way, thought and memory grew clear.
lis past life lay before him with all the
dreadful experiences lie saw that rum
lad been the cause of his wreck and ruin.
/ was possessed with the devil" he
yroaned. " Would that they had locked
ne up in a mad house before ] wrought
uch desolation." Once he had been
beloved, useful and happy, but yielding
title 10y little, the demon had at last
ull possession Of his soul Now all was
family, his honor, self-respect
md confidence nothing remained but
emorse, grief, and q sense of deep
degradation. He cursed strong drink.
md the people who sold it to him.
For a long time, broken.hearted and
asst down IN spirit, it seemed to Mr..
5urd that he could never rise above his !
miserable condition, but at last thoughts |
If his children filled his IN ind, and the
lesire TO redeem what he had lost in
heir sight possessed him. The arousing
# love and self-respect in his heart was
dawn of light, which grew stronger
nd stronger. There was no drink to
Iuench the tiny sparkle of hope that
lad been born, and so it lived and |
rev and when the day of release came
lie felt strong enough to take up his |
ife and battle for the right With |
his resolve he went at once 10 his old !
ZONE; but strangers responded to his |
mock. The house, heavily mortgaged, |
lad been sold and in Miss Migg's poor
cottage he found his children.
"Oh, father, father, what did become
# your" cried Kassy, leading him joy
ully in; 1--WE thought you were
81 thought he hadn't died." said
sylvia; " | knew he would come back,
nd he looks weller, too"
You've come back to be good,
lavn't you, iather?' asked Thee; :" it
viii be real nice if you are good, cause
Hiss Miggs is so kind, mother is getting
veil. Kassy has been to see her, and
he says so, too"
Yes, Theo, I've come back to be
God. | think God would have let me
Irown in the river if he hadn't meant
hat should be a good man yet"
I" Praise the Lord ~ calculated Miss
liggs, who appeared in time to hear
he last sentence; "if He hasn't given
is back Joseph Burd, clothed and in
lis right mind. Yes, yes, neighbor, |
eel it in my bones that you have pulled
Trough and will make strong man
ct; but you will have fierce tempta-
IONS
q know IT," was the reply, "and / |
to think of it. | wish | could |
o away somewhere and get something