Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-10-28

been in easy circumstances but Tor John
INDULGENCE in drink. And what WAS
worse than all, he was becoming more
n slave TO his appetite every day
Mrs Hanson looked upon her three
children. scantily and poorly clothed,
aud her thoughts took n new turn. She
could not see them so ragged and hun
gy while their father spent his earnings
for LIQUOR. Now; she had entreated and
legged long enough; n0'0 she would
try some other course. With look oil
determination upon her face she arose,
and going to a small closet, took there
from a well worn bonnet and shawl.
These she has hastily put Oh, and bid
ding the children 60 to bed, she opened
the door aud went out. The clock struck
twelve as she closed the door after her
Midnight, and her husband not at home.
WAS il not time she went after him :
she asked herself, as she hurried along
in the darkness.
Alter a hurried walk of iiiten minutes.
she arrived in front OF the store, where
she knew her husband WAS spending the
evening in company with the vile and
degraged. She could hear their loud
laughter, and their maudlin songs, as she
stood outside moment, trying to sum
mon courage to enter. She expected IL
be iecIed at and hootcd. and she shrgnk
in womanly delicacy from entering into
such 4 company; she almost determined
To return home ss she came, but
at that moment her husbands voice,
loud aud excited. reached her ear.
II must make one effort 10 save him ~
She murmured. aud hesilaIing no longer,
she opened the door and entered.
What u sight met her gaze. There,
surrounded by dozen neu, all more OF
les intoxicated, stood her husband,
With a glass OF sparkling liquor raised
to his lips.
Without word, she advanced until
she stood beside him; then. raising her
hand, she dashed the trimming glaSs IL
the floor. and it was shiverrd into a
thousand atoms. AsioniShment was lie
picted upon all laces. but no one uttered
word Turning to Deacan Andrews,
who stood glass in hand. behind The
counter she gave vent to her just indis'
nation.
And this is the way you serve your
Master" she cried, scUrchingly. deal
ing out poison to your fellow linen, and
taking in return that which should 20 to
the support OF their families But
there is a day OF reckoning coming.
when You viii have to confront yo"r VIC
TINS before bar more righteous than
this. and uoi these alone. but the suffer
ing wives and little children who have
been seat supperless 10 bed. while you
have put the price OF their supPers into
Your ill. TO swell your boarded treasure.
Look to il that il does net prove 10 be The
damna,ion of your soul Come. John, "
turning to her husband, and speaking
auihOriiatively. but kindly, "come home
with me. This i no place for YOU.
Verify, Wine is mocker. strong drink
Is raging, and whosoever is deceived
thereby is not wise : aud AT the last it
bile,h like a serpent, and slingeth like an
adder"
John Hanson turned and followed his
wife ike one ia a dream. Not one word
was spoken. but the poor, deluded vic
Tins OF the destroyer, ium. looked on in
mute establishment, and when John Han
son and his wife had gone. each took his
way to their respective homes in silence.
As soon as John Hanson and his wife
emerged into the open air, and his be-
clouded senses became clearer, he felt
surprised at the daring spirit which the
usually meek and retiring Sarah had
shown.
.'Do you think YOU have done right?'
lie questioned, humbly, after walking
quite distance in silence.
Right, Aud il haven't have yOu7'
his wife returned, speaking more bitterly
than he had ever heard her before in all
their married life.
No, Sarah, / don't pretend that have,
but then, to have it said that you drove
me home--how will il sound ?"
And so you are ashamed to have ii
said YOUR wife went TO bring you home
when you didn't know enough 10 so
yourself, are you ?" she cried sharply
.You are ashamed 10 10 right tor once ?
John Hanson, I'm ashamed Of you, and
il you'd half the self.respect YOU ought
TO have. you'd be ashamed of YOURSELF"
Il am. Sarah. ana heartily ashamed
Of myself" he replied. brokenly.
The rest Of the distance was trayersed
in silence. When they arrived home, the
house was in darkness; the children were
in bed sleeping soundly. Without word
John Hanson followed his wife to their
sleeping room. Throughout the remain
der of the night he lay thinking of the
past with sorrow and regret; and he
resolved that never should another drop
OF liquor pass his lips. No matter who
leered-no matter how strong the temp
tatiou-he vowed solemnly to resist the
empter. Never again should his wife
behold him in that disgraeelul situation he