Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-07-03
ROy's LifeWOrk.

A sad eyed mother stood over the bed of |
sleeping child of four summers. Ever aud anon |
the child turned restlessly On its bed, and the |
mothers heart almost stood ST i'll with fear she
watched, for the scarlet-tcver was raging in |
that neighburhood, and she thought she saw in |
It's restlessness all omen of the dread disease
Poor mother, well nigh. SHE tremble for this
lovely boy was all she had To love.
Her once idollzed husband had fallen into
the abyss of inteInperance. Only six short years
had elapsed since he took her To lovely cottage
in the town of Ii, and there she had lv-
cd two years in blissful love, hut at this time Il
cloud had appeared which small al first had since
darkened her life almost to despair.
A lovely girl was given them aftor q year but
when only one more year had passed they laid
her in the grave, and TO the mothers poignant
griefher husband took to the wine cup a
healer Of sorrow.
While yet the tired mother watched over her
boys bedside, shuinlng, uncertain steps were
heard on the street and the next moment the
door was pushed rudely open and Luther
Boyce stood at his wiies side, but instead of
the loving smile that had once greeted her
rough words were spoken and she was ordered
to get his supper. She silently placed scanty
meal before him, then once more went to her
child On his fair cheek the flush Of fever was
plainly apparent, and the poor mother wrlng
her hands in despair for it was showing heavily
and the wind was blowing tiercey. What could
she do? She stood irresoute moment then
snatcting her shawl from the bed WAS fastening
to the door when She was rudely caught by
the arm by her husband who harsuy ordered
her to sit down.
But Luther expostuated size, Biy boy is sick
and must go for the doctor
You'll do nothing OF the kind, here clear
away these things, win see about the boy
Poor Jennie did as she was bid with an ach-
ing heart.
Boyce went up to the child and shaking him,
grufly asked what was the matter.
The child thus so roughly Weakened stared at
his father for an instant, then said 'some water,
please father, am so hot
Hot are you, leered the drunken man then
l know what you want and before the mother
could interfere he had the stricken child out in
the snow.
With a cry Of horror the poor woman follow
ed, but her husband stronger than She, held,
the boy above his head for awhile then dropping
his arms, fell upon the ground too drunk to
rise.
Iaking little Roy in her arms Jennie hasten.
ed i'll and placed him once more in his little bed
she FASTENED to the doctors, which being only
short distance he was soon At the Chld's side
but it was too late to do any good; the exposure
proved fatal.
Little..RUy died the next dag. Ills now 50
her father stood over him while great crops o
agony Were on his brow
just before he died the buy l1used up ant
said:
Where is MOTHER in an instant She was be
side him. Father amt drunk now mother salt
he, kiss me good-n mother, and so sleepy
and without u sigh the little boys soul was will
God.
Over the coffin of his boy Luther Boyce mad
VOW which he has since kept sacred, never I
touch the poisonous liquor again in any shape
Other children now fill the mansion home O
Jennie with happy laughter, but none can eve
quite take the place OF her angel boy.
u Luther is now prosperous merchant and
is noticed that he helps the tempted ones mos
His once glossy locks are gray though his age
not forty. Jennie often tells him that She
happier than ever before, thaa in the long az,
when he told her he loved her and she a brigh
light hearted gIl shyy owned that she returne
his love, for then she knew that he did, once i
great while taste wine and even then feare
for. hlm,but now she knew nothing could tenn
him to ieopardze his happiness and even h
soul by eve IL drop Of the acursed stun.
In the pailor OF her house is n life size ri,
lure Of Jennie with Roy at her side while
would seem that an angel had transformed h
lovely face with seraphc beauty.
Often Luther and his wife gaze upon that pic
ture together and many are the prayers
thankfulness offered to God for What good Re
was allowed through his own blessing To a
c0mpllsh by his death. TEMPERANCE.