The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-04-05


of you ?" cried Kassy, leading him joy
fully in; 1--WE thought you were
drowned"
al thought he hadn't died." said
Sylvia; knew he would come back,
and he looks weller, too"
"You've come back to be good,
havn't you, father?' asked Theo; "it
will be real nice il you are good, cause
Miss Miggs is SO kind, mother is getting
we'll. Kassy has been to see her, and
she says SO, too"
ayes, Theo, I've come back to be
good. l think God would have let me
drown in the river if he hadn't meant
that should be good man yet"
Praise the Lordv' calculated Miss
Miggs, who appeared in time to hear
the last sentence; "if He hasn't given
us back Joseph Burd, clothed and in
his right mind. Yes, yes, neighbor,
feel it in my bones that you have pulled
through and will make a strong man
yet; but you will have fierce tempta-
TONS"
81 know It," was the reply, "and
trembled to think of it. wish could
so away somewhere and get something
to do, where should be less tempted"
The very thing you ought to do.
Why not 60 out in the country There's
Mr.. Drayton wants some one right away
to take charge of his farm while he goes
. sea voyage for his health-the very
thing for YOU"
81 don't suppose he would take any
one with such a poor reputation as l
have, though used " be- good
farmer"
" There'll be no harm in trying, and
I'll run right over and see he's stop.
ping with his daughter, you know, Mrs.
Cline" And the good-hearted, ener-
getic neighbor, hastily throwing a shawl
on her head, departed on her charitable
errand.
Father" said Kassy, when they were
left alone in the Pickering fire light,
"why did you not let us know where
you were all these dreary weeks?'
"My child was in hell the greater
part of the time for surely no disem-
bodied spirit doomed to the horrors Of
remorse could suffer more than did, in
body and mind. But tell me, how is
your mother-did l ruin her too?'
81 hope not she is better now; was
quite rational when ] was to see her
yesterday. When | tell her you are
alive and doing SO well, she will almost
be well, too"
eff | could only give her back
Lenar he groaned.
"Don't talk about it father; she is
happy with the angels, and is better off;
you know there would have been so
many sorrows for her if she had staid
on the EARTH"
But twas killed her; that never,
never can forget. And did you know
Kassy, took her little gold ring of her
finger and sold it for rum?'
"Oh, father, how could your" cried |
Kassy, Mortified; ave missed it and |
thought some thief had stolen it away.
| did not think you could have taken
it, father"
You did not know then, how low
the devil could sink one, with his hate
ful servant rum but it is true; there is
nothing too contemplate for n man to
10 when under its influence"
Where is the ring, father?" asked
Kassy, after pause. Couldn't get
t back p
at may be at the pawn-shop we will
lee tomorrow. If had it for a tails
nan it might help me to keep my
pledge. j do not think ] could ever
ink so low as to sell it for drink again"
With the few dollars she had saved,
Aassy succeeded the next day in re-
the little ring and her fathers
liver watch. Returning she threw the
ilken cord round her fathers neck,
md fastening the ring tightly to it,
aid: "There, father, is your talisman.
;all it your Band Of Hope so that
vhen you are tempted it will remind
'ou of what you hope to be and what
We hope you'll be-"
"My band of hope is my children"
lie said, with grateful tears in his eyes
hough this little ring will ever remind
ne that it's broken band
Mrs. Miggs evidently said some good
hings for her neighbor, for she sue
eeded in securing the desired position,
nd it was soon arranged that they
hould start at once for the scene of his
lew labors.
The sympathy and encouragement of
lis wife, who was nearly convalescent,
ave him renewed strength and hope.
lie felt for her sake, with Gods help,
e could and would win the victory for
imself.