Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-06-11

low / have been biiiad-biind. t6ant
you, Joe Herney. for opening my. ewes. T
tbink i understand your game now. Buv Il
will youg We'll see. John Burns is nor
quite the poor sot you take him TO be-
he shook his clenehed fist after the retain.
ing isures aud took a step toward the gate as
though he would follow them. But detain.
ing hand was laid upon his shoulder and a
woman's voice spoke his name.
"Why, john. what is the matter Como
in out of the storm"
Aud she drew him, with gentle force, into
the cosy apartment
"0h, the scoupdrel and I thought him
my friend. 1t is his fault that am as am
Knight. should have kept my promise
but for him.
.'Bus for who, my dear ?''
Joe Herner. He enticed me into. Will
liams' tonight, or should have come home
sober. But it is the last time will never
touch another drop of strong drink while
live."
.'Oh. if 1 might believe it."
''Yon may. Jane, you may. II have broken
my promise, know, but this Twill keep with
Heavens help
"oh, thank Heaven for these blessed
Words
81 know. Jane, that you are surprised a.
this sndden resolve, but sit down here in your
old place on my knee aud will tell YOU, and
when you have heard the history of this
evening you will better understand me"
''Ihank you for the dry coat and slippers,
but supper can wait. Iwant to tell you now
Then followed an account of incidents of
the e'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 heard
those words saw my true position, as I never
saw 1t before. Yon had often reasoned with
mo, prayed for me, but never before realized
my danger. While Jos was speaking there.
came with the qui, kness' of lightning aud
with all its vIvidness, The vision OF ruin 10
myself aud family, aud | made a,rcsulve nat
moment, With Heavens help to reform 1sit
not strange that the word of an enemy should
have more influence than the prayers of
faithful loving wife I"
ut was the Lords chosen way of answering
my prayers, John. His ways are past finding
out"
June roses had twice bloomed and faded
since the opening of our st,ry, and now the
rose bushes are bereit of their leaves. and the,
vine over the door the russet hue of
autumn the little path is strewn with the fall.
len leaves as he again enters the hum BILE dwels
ling. 1t Is evening, the family are gathered
around the table to par,ake of the evening
meal john Burns, with bowed head askss
the blessings of the Almighty TO rest upon
the food ere they partuk cot the bouutifal sup
ply of good things.
The neat and cosy appearance of everything
withln and without the dwelling tell alta
glance that John Burns has kett his resolye.
The victory had not been an easy one. sSfnes
times it seemed that he warred with the pow
ers and principalitiss of darkness, hut early
in the struggle he had learned to look to the
right source for help. In the end he had
triumphed, and we iod him prosperous aud
happy. The debt that at one time threatened
to deprive him of his little home, by industry:
and strict economy, had been paid. and by
unswerving uprightness he had re e.established
his good name
How was it with Joe Herney? Things
had not seemed to prosper with him of late.
He had become frequent visitor of the dram-
shops, his property had fallen to rack, his
credit was impaired, and his family ill cared
for. 1t seemed as though the curse invoked
upon the man who putteth the bottle to his
neighbors lips had fallen upon him.