New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-04

like charger snufing the battle afar of.
But lmade him retreat from the enemy g
lines.
When the boy and were laid at night in
low tavern which was our only home, l
asked, with my face turned from him ::
BILLY, will you help your father to try
once more!' Upon which he bounded up
and familiarity that the street had put in
him.
"Yes-sir-ee! will that, you bet" vowed
Billy
very few minutes after he subsidized. l
heard his soft breath going in and out the
doors of his lips in regular cadences. While
he slept and started up to fight his Skin
mishes over, logged my weak brain to
work, and planned, and planned and
planned.
When I look back at that wretch in
soiled tavern sheets. glaring into darkness
with watery eyes, my legs tremble under
me, though they have gone stOutly these
many years. 1t was such very straight
path up from that place, and came so near
falling, time after time.
The next day got work on the railroad.
From the gutter l could not 60 directly
back to the bar since drunkenness is one
of the vices which is not tolerated in law
yers. 1t was hard to shovel dirt in the hot
sun. sat down half fainting. A good
natured Patrick came slyly with bottle,
and babe me 'whisht at it," which l put
forth the will to do-like weak beast
when Billy swooned down from a passing
freight and squared himself before that
Irlshman, while the very tatters at his ell
bow bristled with wrath.
Look here now :" threatened he, send
ing the bottle far over the track, If you
get my father to drinkin' again, Ill kick
YOU
1t would have been so very hard for the
boy to fulfill the threat will: his baby legs,
on Patricks high breeches, that my Irish
man took jolly compassion on him, and
roarcd a vow never more to put his Shiny
temptation to my face.
After had delved awhile. Billy had a
new suit, set of books and school privi-
leges. Then a situation as copyist was
opened to me. The boy and l fell into the
habit of striking hands and gong to church
on Sunday. Some of my old friends be-
gan to notice ne. Oh, l tell you, it makes
a mans heart swell like green bulb to
have an honest hand come seeking his.
Finally got into practice. Sometimes
thirst came on me and l stOrmed up and
down in my Office, and twisted out little
locks of hair, as if the curse hung to the
roots of that. Once locked the door and
threw out the key and was prisoner till
Passing a saloon one evil time. the clink
ing of glasses and the breath of mine enemy
penetrated my senses. That saloon door
sucked me just halfway in, when l was
shocked through my coat-skirts and quite
knocked into the street.
Here father" pleaded Billy, charging
me with second jerk, ''come out OF this
come out OF this, were agOing to make men
of ourselves, father
/ cr1h
didn't run int that side track, because l
had such faithful tender.
Coming up socially, often does much for
man morally. Cases multiplied. and l
seemed to grow with my trust. Th9 boy
and l had smart lodgings up town. He
rose in school. was SO proud of him.
I've heard how women love their children
with close. peculiar devotion. l think l
must have loved him with a mothers love.
There's no other way OF expressing how
near the boy is to me.
When he came from school and met me
on the streets, he was often carrying the
satchel of smOOth-haired, dark-eyed girl,
to whom he would exclaim. as he Loyalty
touched his cap, That's my father with
such proud accent that the blood leaped
in my veins.
Oh, my good fellow. it's glorious day for
You when your child is proud OF YOU.
We live all together now-B:lly. his dark
haired Nora. the little rOwdies and l, in
home with no end of verandas and vines.
The respectable handle of judge is set to
my name, but Bllly's children, who give
the echo to his former street training. stand
in no more awe of it than they do of the
venerable Roman handle to my counte-
nance. We tumble like wild colts in the
grass. But they have no idea that their
ancestor ever lay in a lower bed.
Blessed be enduring love.
think often l may be in my dOtage, or
quiet matron Nora often looks up from her
baby in surprise at my walking the veranda
and Numbering in a sort of ecstacy: "rhe
boy! the boy."-Nary Hmt,reA IN Woods
Household Magazine.