Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-06-11
MIsc.ELLAREo
THE LAST TIME.
a Temperance Story.

tGOM in John, aud let us have something
t@ warming. There's nothing like it, after
a nard days work, to cheer IL man up."
Thank you. Joe, not to>night:"
dave you signed the p!edge-gone over
to the enemy r.
"No-not that, but, the truth is, Joe, l
promised that little womsn OF mine to be home
early to night, and-aud"
Tut, man, you're not going to allow YOUR
self to be tied by wnmau's apron strin., in
that style, are you? That will be good Joke
tn tell the boys. Come in aud take glass
or I'll blow
John Burns weakest point of character was
dread OF rldicule Tins his companion we'll
knew, and had chosen his weapons according
ly; aud now he stood holding the door halt
opeu, allowing the light and warmth. and
boon companions within to aid him in his pur
pose, forming, as they did a striking contrast
TO the wet, muddy street.
John Burns hesitItsd one moment before
he entered, while there arose before his mind's
eye pu!e pleading little face that had been
ilted to his that morning, aud sweet voice
hAd pleaded Come home early tl.uipEt
dear; shall have such nice supper. and
please DON let it spoil.''
Size had spoken pIaytuliy, without any alu
son TO his hesctt,ng stu yet he well under
stood the wisttui pleading Of the blue ewes.
the deep under>cnrrent Of feeling that caused
the tremOr III the nusical voice Kuuyinp
tn'S, he had promised, sealing the promise
with KISS, holy in its tenderness She was
waiting tor h'm now, lie knew; peeTing out
Into the storm TO it he was coming The
knowledge made him strong Love had nearly
gained HE victory; but the tenn ter was at
hand and the influences of the place were
HoH Il
he was in no haste to leave, for thought the
weight of u broken promise was upon him
and the thought of the cheerful home and the
patient wife that waited his coming. caused
h's conscience to upbraid him, he found it
hard to tear himself away from the CAV com.
pany and the light aud warmth of the place
t. go out into the dr'zzly rain aud cold, damp
streets, lor though the month was June the
day would have been more in place in No.
vember-oDe OF these cold, disayreeabIe DAYS
that our northern climate sometimes thrusts in
among the June roses.
John Burns aud Joe Herney were me.
chanics, working for the same employer and
receiving the same amount of wages ; but
their circumstances in life were very different.
John Burns was one OF those people of
whom we frequently hear it said "le is his
own worst enemy" He was kind and pener.
scter. With Herney everything seemed to
prosper, for though drinking glass occasion
ally, he never drank to excess. BY nature he
was graspng aud penurious.
Upon the evening in question, as soon as
the two men had received and drank the LIQUOR
they had called for, Joe Herney paid for his
glass and passed out but the TEN ptation of the
place was upon Burns, and he shades of twi
light had deepened into night ere he turned
his unsteady steps homeward A walk of half
an hour through the wet and gloom brought
him to small cottage III the suburbs of the
CITY pretty place, when seen in the sun.
SHINE, with IFS ciinging vines and she teriny
trees; but uttooking gloomy enough IN the dark
ness and storm, with the wind wsiline through
the trees and strewing the path with the
petals OF John Burns choicest rose
He paused under the vine. sheltered door.
way to gain courage to enter. How should
he meet those earnest blue eyes that had never
given him an unkind look, even when heavy
with the weight of unshed tears ? He knew
she was waiting for him. for out through the
halt-open shutter came a tide OF bright light.
and he could catch giimse Of The cosy home
scene. While he stood thus, the sound Of an
preaching footsteps and the ntterance of his
own name arrested his attention.
''ch, it is sure to be SOLD John Burns
will never pay off the mortgage"
He may get an extension of time, or bOr-
row the money"
No. Harciiff is not the man to wait for
his money. And who would lend mouey to a
man like Burns? lie spend. too much time
and money at the drinking saloons for his
credit to be good. You should have seen him
to night at Williams spending his money as
though there was no end to it,"
fellow"
"Yes, pity him, but it can't be helped.
And when the place is sold, as it is sure to be,
l have few hundreds laid by to invest in it.
1t will be sold cheap, aud shall make a good
thing of it"
The speaker had paused before the gate
while speaking and John. without being seen.
had heard all, and recognized in the would be
purchaser his fellow workman, Joe Herney.
Ii ia not the power of pen of mine TO de-
scribe the storm of emotions that shook his
frame as he heard these comments upon his
worldly affairs
Great Heaven ] have: 1 indeed sunk 50