Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-08-30

| things WOtllu 20.
| The bright morning sun streaming il
at the window awakened him. II
sprang up, and the first sound that fel
| blacksmitli's hammer He listened il
surprise; Rich WAS not wont To go t,
work without orders. Hastily dressing
himself, he left the cottage ana sough
Ehis shop. Pride, shame, and self-re
proach struggled in his mind, as IA.
watched his aged father steadily pursu
ing his unwonted task. The latter feel
inss at length gained the mastery.
Crest yourself, now, father" he said
as the old gentleman paused from very
exhaustion. "Fear neither for my fami.
ly nor my good name; for, with Gods
help, both shall be cared for"
'sBless you, my boy. bless your was
the agitated reply. Your words give
me new life. Be yourself again, Billy.
The dark cloud is passing away"
AT the little cottage nothing was
known OF what had taken place. With
her mind filled with her ossh thoughts
sad as they were, Iizz5a noticed not the
sounds that showed all were actively
engaged at the shop. Her husband did
not return at noon. anu, indeed, she
scarcely expected him, for he was sell
dom with them at meals. She had a
lingering hope that he would come in
the evening: but even this was very
doubtful. Her heart beat quickly, when
just after the sun had sank behind the
western hills, his step was heard at the
door. The little ones clung to her dress
as he entered, for they had learned to
fear mis- approach.
care you not coming to see faith
er?'' he said kindly. lyon are not
afraid of me, Willie, my little man?
"Not tonight, father" replied Willie
boldly. "Come, sister, come to father ;
he will not hurt us''
Lizzie trembled lest the reply should
irritate him; but he only sighed deeply
and took the children in his arms with
out speaking. With more cheerfulness
than she had felt for months, Lizzie
busted herself with preparations for the
evening meal
Gather tells me there is to be fam
Gus lecturer in The village this evening"
said William, as they took their seats at
the table. ''Can you go with me to hear
him, Lizzie? Never mind the children, ~
he added, as his wife glanced towards
the little ones. ''Sister Jennie has
promised to come round and stay with
them.''
'"rhen will go with pleasure, WILL
replied Lizzie, and the untasted food
stood before her, for she was too happy
to eat.
"Take some supper, mamma" lisped
little Lizzie; and Willie seconded the
petition by saying: e
Eyes, mamma, take some supper
Don't it make you glad to have father
home with us? You always cry when
he is gone"
There were tears in Lizzie's eyes now
but loving glance from her husband
sent thrill of happiness through hel
heart, to which it had long been strang
er. - r.-ss... +
1t seemed almost like dream to Liz
zie, when she found herself actually
walking through the village of Rose
Valley, leaning upon her husbands
arm, for it was long since they had
been seen together. She was silent, fol
her heart was too full to speak, and hel
husband seemed busy with his OWL
thoughts.
She was startled with surprise wher
she found that the subject was temper.
ance; and she wondered. and woalt
have given much to know if William was
aware of this before he invited her t.
attend. The speaker was an able one
Most eloqnently did he speak of thu
thraldom in which it'holds it's victim
Admirably did he portray the home o
! the drunkard. The wretched wife an(
miserable, neglected children. Ther
| followed an earnest appeal to those h,
was addressing-to those in particular
| who stood OIL the brink of the fearful
| preciIice, but who had not yet precipi
tated themselves into the gulf below.
"Pause," he said, 'spause, and Will,
there is yet time, pledge yourselves witt
| the help of God, to shake off the yok,
| that binds you. Be true to yourselves
and to the dear ones that gather arount
| your household heafths."
| The pledge was produced and old ant
| young pressed forward to sign iG and b.
| installed as members of the infant lodg
of Good Templars-
care there not more who should
come?'' Continued the speaker. as th
last signature was signed. care ther
not those who are still hesitating be
tween life and death? Remember, tha
this pledge binis you not to slavery
| but it is the token OF freedom
| Calmly and deliberately, William ia
mes, the Village Blacksmith, left hi
| wife's side and advanced to the table
| There was a general murmur of applaus
throughout the assembly, but Lizzi
spoke not, and to an Indifferent specta
tor, might have seemed unmoved. Th
name Of William james was plainly an
legibly written, the assembly dispersed
and each took his way to his own home
or joined the numerous little group
who stood conyersing upon the topic
of the evening.
As Lizzie passed out leaning on til
arm of her husband, many u congratu
hnl Of ha bo,
was received. but apparently they wer
almost unnoticed. Not one word wa
spoken until they were passing up tn
shady walk to the cottage door, Th
sight of the house, with its bright 1igf
within, full realization of the chang
which might now take place came owe
her. The dark cloud had passed away
and her husband, the father of her ch
, dren was restored to her.
civilian! dear, dear William!' sll
murmured, and burst into tears
!, "My own Lizzie ! my dear, true-hear
: ed little swife!" he said tenderly, as h
) encircled her with his brawny arm.
No more passed between them, ft
: Jenny was watching for them and wit
many rs surances .. that she had bee
) faithful to her charge, said she must bi
/ them goodnight, without delay, for f;
. bIicE NOuIu Dc weary VIII
5 waiting for her.
II William aud Lizzie stood watchin
, her, as with light steps she passed dow
) down the walk. and across the field TIL
E led to the cold place." and then entere
the cottage.
The babies slept quietly; and side /
!. side, as in days gone by, they sat dow
:, near the vine-covered easement, al
r talked long and freely of the past, pre-
l ent, and future.
e '.It has been a long night, dearest"
said, s'but with Gods help, the day wi
!, now dawn upon you. You have ev
: been faithful wife and mother. ha'
S caused you much suffering; but in f
Ell ture it shall be my endeavor to be VIII
d ought to be, both to you and my chill
l. REM
IL Lizzie pressed closer to his side, al
d looked confidingly in his face, but
d made no reply; and after short pau
If he said hesitatingly: s.E
"Perhaps. Lizzie, you are not ava
1t that we have still some trials to ps
is through. We are in debt, and unles
re can make some arrangements with 1
creditors, we must part with our pie
E. ant home to satisfy their claims"
Ill "Do we owe SO very much ?" asked
r; wife, shade of anxiety passing o,
tn her countenance