Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-08-02
ALEXANDRIA, PARISH OF RAPDES, QAuo4, - ? I9f3

feebly gasped, "That ring-that ring!'
She drew from her finger the slender
twist OF gold with its pearl cross within
turquoise heart.
"My own mothers wedding ring,
she replied" John an Hannah john
1 SON"
Mary-my childp he said, 81 am
John johnson. We had little girl
Mary"
"It is melt is met" cried P6sy. 80,
knew God was a-leadin' o. me. His child
was to save him"
His own child,' murmured Jack.
perhaps this excitement has saved
him." the doctor said.
Quietly we watched him, and the cri-
| sis passed. He lived. Posy would not
allow me to touch the dear, faded face,
| nor scarcely to assist in any way. He
slowly improved, and in a month was
again ON the street. Every morning,
as he left the house with her sweet kiss
warm upon his lips, he promised to
taste no liquor. In a short time, he was
| able to resume his driving.
Isuggested to Posy that she and her
| father had better rent little cottage in
town, and keep house by themselves. So
they did.
Posy's eyes had new light, and
her life new interest and earnestness,
while jacks reformation was the COM
mon wonder. And, whether lightly
| driving her goats from the sunny hills, or
galloping after fathers stray horses" :" or
quietly sitting by his side at home, they
both daily grew in content, happiness,
and charity. Her Indians friends came,
cold and hungry, and always left warm
| and comfortable; while Jacks house was
always rendezvous for guides and driv-
ers ''Out of jOb"-a welcome haven for
the ''hard-up ones.'
Bill was frequently around, or "there-
abouts :" in fact, Posy liked him passing
well but when 1 teased her about him.
she said: "I'm nobody's gal but jist
fathers, an amt never a-goin to be. He
jist filled up every corner in my hungry
heartl"
The year sped by, and her careful
watch kept Jack straight. The holidays
were approaching, and was going to
San Francisco to arrange for the Sunday
school Christmas-trees, and, as she had
never been to the city, resolved to take
her with me. She was in ecstasy over the
prospect, but when ready to start. came
in and said: "Idon't reckon I'd better
go. hate to leave father. P'raps I'd
better not"
80. nonsense" replied l. "Your IA
ther can't have you present every minute,
| and young girls need change and pleas
ure. Come" urged, ''don't start off
with gloomy thoughts" So she kissed
him, and, as werode of, placed her finger
on her lips in warning.
"An right, Morning-glory," said he;
g0od-by, and God bless YOU"
We spent 3 glorious week, In which
Posy was wild with delight and in a land
of enchantment. Returning with our
supplies and gifts, we found Jack q ma
MAC from drink. His daughter's restrain
ing influence once withdrawn, he had
yielded to temptation.
She was overwhelmed with grief and
remorse. Men feared to 90 near him,
but she slipped up to his side, and softly
called, Fathef-father !" when he ceased
his rawlings, and, putting his arms around
her, said, why, it's daughter it's my
little sunshine come again !" "Come,
dear" said she, leading him to his room.
He went into fever, and sunk away to a
shadow.
One dawn she awoke me, saying,
"ComeIeome and pray he understands
now" Following her, l lifted the cur
window. The mountain-teps were glo-
rious In the morning-light. 1 knelt and
PRAYED, while she held his emaciated
hand.
"Will He forgive me, Golden-rod-
even me? ?' he feebly asked.
80, yes; for Christ's sake," she ear
nestly answered.
"For Christ's sake" he murmured
In prayer; then became again uncon-
sciOus.
The outbound stage, with its merry
making company, wound up the hill.
Jack aroused. and, springing up, cried,
Give me a-hold o. the lines ~ then sunk
back on his pillow.
"Come, darling" 1 sobbed, lifting the
sinking girl, kiss his eyes before close
them. He went to sleep in faith /; you
saved him r'-OrerIand Monthly for June.