Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-09-27

81 kk II Is y Is s# ~
hut 1 couldn't turn him away. 1t is the
last time, however. He has made his
own bed, and he must lie in it. 1 am
done with him.
Il hope, Jonas, he has not been dis
honest again.
Il took good care that he had no chance
for that, said Mr.. Cheeryble, with a
smile.
/ Perhaps it would have been better if
you had placed little more confidence
in him, JONAS
Not bit of it, Mary. I tried that
once too often. No, no, Mary, it would
only have been putting temptation in
his way. 1t is no use. He is past re-
demption. All day yesterday he was
lying in the gutter, in state of beastly
intoxication. No use, Mary, no use.'
yet think / would give him another
Chance. Jonas.' Sn fsIE
NO! most emphatically MOI replied
Mr.. Cheeryble, with more vehemence
than he was wont to display. 'The mo-
ment he has money it goes for liquer.-
1 have done with him. / wash my hands
of him. it& - -
Mrs. Cheeryble was one of those quiet,
self-sustained women, who move so
gently through the world, leaving it the
better for living in it. During the years
of her married life, not harsh word or
look had lever passed between her and
her husband; yet she always had an
opinion of her own-often differing
from her liege lord-and always ex-
pressed it. 1t was done, however, in a
way that would give no offense, yet was
none the less positive. "a }tff
.IAnQS
the way she commenced her reply to his
last remark, sbut you must let me disa-
gree with you the least bit in the world.
think, perhaps, it will be as well for
me to study into this case little, before
make a final decision.' -
Jonas had not been hasty in his decis-
ion, or thought he had not, therefore he
did not feel the rebuke, if one were in
tended.
Il think you will agree with me then,
Mary he said.
Gods beautiful sun never shown upon
a more miserable being than Alfred
Blackmer. as he dragged his weary way
along toward Mr.. Jonas Cheeryble's Of
flee that pleasant spring morning; yet
| the fact that he was going there, made ii
teyideht that there was one spark OF hope
left. His shamed face and dropping
eyes, no less than his soiled clothes and
battered hat, bore witness against him as
he stepped up to Mr.. Cheeryble, stand
ing inthe door.
n could not help st. said Alfi ed, drop
| ping his head before the reproving gaze
of Mr.. Cheeryble. Il tried hard, but
nobody seemed to care anything about
me-
| Everybody cares said Mr.. CHEEKY
BILE. Everybody cares but your Owl
self. / am sorry for you, Alfred-very
1 sorry. But knew how it would be-
The temptation was too strong for you
1 advise you to go away into some
country place, where there are fewe
temptations. 1t is your only hope-'
Then you are not going to take M
back said Alfred with a sinking heart
Il did not touch a drop for almost
month
Take you back! How dare you asl
such a question? 1t would only be put
ting premium upon your mis-deeds.-
No, no, Alfred; l haye lost all hope o
you. Yet, Il am willing to furnish yo
the means to get away from your evil as
sociates. How much will you need?'
And Mr.. Cheeryble's eyes glistene
with moisture as he drew his ever read
wallet.
| Il don't think shall need any, than
4 You. - said Alfred, as he turned ava
d with weary smile. Il believe I vii
J try something else
Poor fellow!' murmured Cheeryblt
: Il would give thousand dollars thi
minute to see him q sober. industriou
man once more. But it is no use.
have done Everything / can do. Poo
: boy it makes my heart ache to think {
him.
Alfred's step was firmer as he left M
3 Oheeryble. He had purpose in view
He had lost ali hope for this world; an
) God have mercy upon all who ha,
= reached that point.
: Straight toward the river he pursue
( his way. The budding trees, the earl
= spring flowers, the bright sunshine, I'll
make his misery ten-fold more insuffe
;. able,
4 L Hesstoppef Ahe hardly knew why
g and leaned over the iron fence that Ell
: closed Jonas Cheeryble's splendi
J, grounds. He knew whose home that e
S egant mansion was. In that time, III
j long xago, before he became the loatl
4 some wretch he was then, he had softe
- been a guest there. And that lit
e cfild-that Alice Cheeryble, fathers p
e who was fitting from place to plac
e culling, the early flowers, he had know
n when she was a wee babe. Many al
Il many time he had tossed her upon h
knee, and called her his little Ally.
u nize him? tAh, no!' he murmure
g with sigh. So he stayed by the fen
v until she came to pluck flower that
could have reached with his hand.
oh, Mr.. Blackmer!' exclaimed Il
J, child, after a moments close scrutiny
l6 his face where haze you been so lon.
= I have been wondering to whom
1t should give this boquet and here Y,
come along just in the right time. Con
Il in the gate a minute, and will have
ready for you. But a shade of pc
.e plexity passed over her childish face
If the lilaes are SO high up! You'll G
me one, Mr.. Blackmer? I'll show yOl
He hesitated, for the bushes we
81 nearer the house than he wanted to g
S Come, they are just up here lit
n bito' ways
IS He allowed her to lead him up t
!? walk.
a sIt is little she asks of me, he though
is sbut she does not know that it is the IL
10 shall ever dor for her.
81! He broke off the cluster she point
Is out, and she took it from his hand wi
a demure thank you,' that pleased hi
20 'There, now, I'll have it ready in
re moment,' said Alice. ooh, 1 want
lg string! will you wait here while z
D. one? why, there is one hanging out
q. your pocket! But have it; thank yo
D, There, isn't that nice! When you Z
e. home please put it in water, to keep
m fresh.'
IN Alfred shuddered.
r. . bYes, Ally, 1 will put it in the waite
Ill he answered. Goodbye, little Ally.
In Goodbye, Mr.. Blackmer. If you
he como again tomorrow, I'll give y
or more 1lowers.'
J Perhaps he answered.
ed Was there doubt? Yes. He h
re half made up his mind to see Ally or
more. The world did not look quite
ed dark.
be He turned to go down the walk. a
wv met Mrs. Cheeryble's kindly face.
why, Alfred! You are such straT
er!' exclaimed Mrs. Cheeryble, reat
IN. ing forth her hand, which Alfred tim
a ly took.
ID The warm, friendly grasp was &C
ch for him. just as Mrs. Cheeryble hopet
'ut would be, when she offered her hand
1t seemed to draw him further from
cir brink of despair.
on You mnst have been away, Alfred.
hit sfhavesbe back to the city abou
h. | - 1.1, s4I