Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-07-25
A WOMAN'S COURAGE.

THE blood-red light of sunset was mir
roring itself in crimson splashes in the
turbid tides of the great Western river
the blackbird was sounding its sweet
whistle through the old primeYal forests
and Jonathan Beers, sitting by his cabin
door, smoked his solitary evening pipe,
and thought vaguely of the church-b ellis
that used to ring at evening time in
the far-off Eastern village where he had
been born and brought up, with the roar
of Penobscot Bay in his ears.
"I'd like to hear them bells once again
afore l die" mused old Jonathan. But
it amt likely I'll ever go back now"
Even while these disjointed meditations
passed through his mind there was a
light step on the cabin threshold, and the
rustic of stiffly starched pink calico, and
his niece Dorothy came to the door.
TEAS ready, uncle dear" said she.
"And I've baked a real New England
corn-bread, and some ginger-snaps, such
as grandmamma used to make. And see,
uncle, I've sliced up the little red peaches
from the tree you planted yourself on the
south side of the hill. Israel Esmayne
said it wouldn't grow, but it has Imean
to keep a saucerful and little cream for
Israel tonight, just to sh0o him."
Old Jonathan laid down his knife and
fork
"Do you mean that Israel Esmayne is
coming here tonight"
"Yes, uncle" said Dorothy STOPPING
TO recover teaspoon she had dropped
a spoon with an antique silver shell carv-
cd on its handle-and coming up very
rosy from the search. "Why not?"
"Take care, Dotty. That's ALL"
"Uncle, what do you mean?"
II mean, child, that I'd rather lay you
in your grave in the new burying-gro
where there's only one mound yet in the
shadow of the church spire, than to see
you married to a man who drinks! That's
what l mean, Dotty"
Dorothy's head dropped over her plate.
Uncle, that is hardly fair. Because a
man had bad habit once"
"And has it nolo!"
The soft eyes glittered sinto defiant
fash.
"You are mistaken, uncle. Israel Es
mayne has not touched drop of ardent
spirits in a year. He has promised mt
never to touch it againw
81 hope he never will, my girl" sait
Jonathan Beers, although his tone betray
ed no very sanguine feeling. "But it ain
safe thing to do. It's madness, love o
liquor is, and nothing short. It's liable
to break out at any time. Israel Els
maynes good fellow enough. | hahn
anything agin him-but it amt safe"
Dorothy was silent. Why was it, sh,
asked herself, that men were so severe il
judging one another? Why did they al
ways look at the blackest and least prom
ising side of everything? Israel had prom
ised her, She believed him. And tina
was enough.
And while she tripped lightly bacl
and forth about her household duties, he
mind was full of the underlined future
She could see herself shadowy and unde
fined as in mirror, moving about
bright little home where flowers bloomet
in the easements, and birds sang, and
clock ticked, HE is coming! he is com
ingw
zone of these daysw said Dorothy t
herself, as she put away the saucer G
peaches and little pitcher of thicI
cream on whitely-scoured pantry shelf
zone of these daysl'
She was thinking of the future. And oil
Jonathan, smoking his pipe, was livin
in the past
"You'ye somethin' to do with the raj
road, stranger, haven't your
81 reckon | have, " said Israel EsmaynC
indiflerently. I'm switchman."
ut don't take up much of your time,
guessY"
"Irs got to be looked after just th
same though" said the tall Westerner, a
he lifted the last monster log from the cal
he was unloading to the thrifty pile at th
north end of his house.
"What time does the way train com
byY"
"At nine o'clock"
ado you suppose l could go TO Mellel
Vile and see The lumber dealers there, an
get back to the station again by th'
timer"
Israel looked reflecIively at the othC
shore of the river.
"Well, you might," said he; "but
would be pretty tight squeeze"
Pm good walker" said the stranger
and as he spoke he drew flat p0cke
mask nom his pocket, uncorked il wit
his teeth, and drank a oopious draugh
Israel Esmayne watched him with cage
glitlering eyes, like those of some famisl
ed wild animal that scents blood.
"Ilaye drink, friend gn said th
stranger, proiiering the flask. Isra,
Esmayne shook his head, with set teet
and lividly pale cheek.
D ~ never drink" said he, hoarsely.
. a- avon wOnld / quegs IL Won pOi1ld o.,