Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-04
Ind. Meanwhile the conversation went

mind. Meanwhile the conversation went
on, l60 4lEF0 U10ygr express deter
u(patioh ID have done with him, after he
svA~~shsd cleaned Inn out. ~
e lis decIafrton filed him with secret
as in61esation, md yct Il was only what he
nntrht have known before.7 But the land
lords manner had been so smooth and
polite that he never suspected the opinion
baa which ne had entertained Of him.
sis t His first impulse was 10 leave the room,
q "a but something restrained him. Without
IS appearing, therefore, to have heard what
had been said, he continued to lie quiet for
~ few moments, then yawning naturally.
70 be staggered slowly to his feet,
,s.s il.GoingP" inquired the landlord. in his
:, = usual smooth tone and his hypocrilical
smile. gs.
zi--i1s"Yes, n is getting lste,sn said Walter.
49, y i ssYou won't take another glass. for a
! q night-cap, you know P"a
q ossT mo, won't take anything more to-
. +. night, Z and Walter slowly walked out of
the room. He did not hear the landlords
sneer. g.
-5..sa 1.-The first time lever knew Gordon to
decline drinking. He must have taken an
overdose to night"
Out In the fresh air o new spirit seemed
- to possess Walter Gordon. Reflection had
ss completely sobered him. lie looked back
at the building from which he had just
emerged, and exclaimed in low but res
ia olute voice: az +t
a''d II viii never drink another drop of
.sK liquor in that room nor in any other place,
"a, 20 help me God!n
It did him good to make that resolution.
Y He felt instantly, he know not how, Il con-
viction that Gsd would help him; and in
spite of his ragged clnthes, his destitute
W family and miserable prospects. he was
vGheered by hope of: better things. esl-
His wife was waiting for him, not with
reproaches, for these she felt would only
make matters worse; but with an air of
depression which panied him to witness.
He wanted to tell her of his new resolu-
tion, but decided not to do so, till he could
give her some decisive proof that 1t would
Be carried out in practice She for her
part. did not perceive much difference in
az his demeanor from that which she usually
observed. En- 5.a5 80
The next morning early, Walter Gordon
awoke. and left the house, for the tavern,
as his wife supposed.
5 III She was mistaken He bent his steps
, N !. to the house Of Deacon Holmes.
q lsoh The Deacon was considerably surprised
= 'n to see him at the early hour.
u. .asif"Deacon Holiness" said Gordon, Il
have heard that You intend building a
+ 81 barn. saa &
:ao< ssYes,n the deacon replied. 81 think OF
doing So
.sHaye yoa engaged any one to build
It so-a< s9}@
se' "No.' said the deacon hesitatingly He
Is anticipated what was coming next, and
IL embarrassed him. go
4, y y. am in want of work, and will do ii
i il6l. as cheap as any one.
i-sa1 THE deacon looked down. He was evi
- $ IDENTIFY trying to frame a refusal,
asla '.Yes. am aware that you are n goo(
workman but"
sss ..But my intemperance is an objcctio,
sits the only one have--but as you vii
& admit, think, weighty one?s ~
& ut is, freely acknowledge it. But
-. Deacon Holmes, made resolution las
~ night, never to touch Intoxicating liquor
ss~ from henceforth.n' ~ as 90 -4gg
81 IL s.Aud do you think yop shall hav,
8i% strength TO abide by that resolution
: ssA saidthc deacon, eagerly "Are you will
ing to sign the temperance pledgeP"
sssf 81 am not DESTROYS of doing SOL sal
What, may ask led you to form, ,hi
resolution <1tsaf .a.,
In answer to this question. Walter Col
don. detailed to the deacon the particular
n. with which the reader is already familiar
"And now, do you think" he sal
y In Conclusion, "that you are willing I
trust me with this jobP" 1@
sazE,"I will trust you,' he said, heartily eS
tending his hand to Walter. "God forb
that should discourage you in Your res
~ x alution by a refusal. Perhaps. however
:. it will be better for me TO employ you b
the day, trusting to you to make the job
short one, since you might find it Difficult
to- get trusted for the timber, if you al
tempt to procure it on your own respor
sibility" -
Thank you, Deacon, for your consid
Grafton. ! have, ! am aware, destroys
my credit. ! shall be glad to take it o
- your tsrns. z When shall begin p
.vrs-. II swilL order some timber to day, $
that it may be on the ground Tomorrow
Meanwhile, have little jobs around til
Z house sufficient to occupy you to-day?"
That evening Walter Gordon came HON
at six o'clock, somewhat to his wife's sun
How much greater was her surpris
when he took from his vest pocket tw,
dollar bill saying kindly:
'Clara, you must need some money fol
household expenses" r..
ssOh, Walter she said, with "A tremulou:
hope at this unwonted action, can it be
w THAT have reformed? With Gods
help, l think | have Clara | shall try
to make you better husband for the fu-
tnre.n
.es There was joy in the humble home Of
Waller Gordon that nighl-the joy of Il
nsT wife who had found her husband. and OF
a man who had found himself
30 When John Glover heard of Walter
Gordon's reformation, he laughed incred-
4 = 4 IU II A