The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-04-09


lest he should give offence, "that you are
drinking too much for your health?"
81 know am" said James Perkins, turn
ing away his head in shame.
"Then, said Frank, eagerly, "why don't
you give it up? know am only boy, and
ought not to advise one SO much older than l
am. But | can see that drinking always
brings sorrow and wretchedness with it,
That's very true, my lad, /" responded Per-
kins.
"Then won't you try to give it up?" asked
Frank.
"Tm afraid shouldn't succeed" said the
other, doubtfully. "You don't know how
hard it is to break off such habit as that. 1
hope you never will have it to do have
tried more than once and haven't succeeded"
"Think of your wife, Mr.. Perkins how
glad she would be-
Poor Maria / am afraid she has a hard
time of it," said Perkins, remorsefully.
Then there's johnny, too. At school yes
terday he cried half the forenoon, because
somebody called him drunkard's son.
"Did hep" asked the father, thoughtfully.
yes; Sam Trumbull got mad with him
for something, and pointed his finger at him,
and called him that
"Poor Johnny" murmured the father,
softly. eyes, it must be hard for him to be
drunkard's son."
Couldn't you break off for their sake, Mr..
Perkins9" asked Frank, persuasively. "Then
you would soon have nice, pleasant home,
and everybody would come to respect you
again.
James Perkins shook his head.
| ''No. I'm afraid they would never forget
what have been"
terday?"
eyes,
"He said that you were once one of the
most promising young mechanics in the place,
and but for your unfortunate habits, would
now be prominent citizen. He said it was
not yet too late, if You could only be persuaded
to leave off drinking
"Did Squire Reynolds say that ? - asked
James Perkins, eagerly.
eyes ; he said so to Mr.. Blunt, the minister -
"Then I'll try" exclaimed the drunkard,
with sudden energy .Fll see if can't make
good his words"
"You won't enter the tayern?"
"No; I'll steer clear of it, with Gods help.
But, Frank, want you to promise me one
thing"
"wbat is it, MI Perkinsa'
"Don't tell anybody of my resolution.
! IN hv
II won't tell anybody"
"Now l must go home. l hope it will be
the last time | have to go in such plight"
81 hope so, too"
"And I'm much obliged to you, Frank, for
your kind wishes and you plain speaking.
Give me your hand.'
The two joined hands, and like hope
filled the hearts of each.
James Perkins entered the house quietly.
His wife's eyes were red with weeping but
she uttered no reproachful word. She silently
busted herself in preparation for breakfast.
Little Johnny was quiet, and did not offer to
approach his father.
| No wonder. His eyes were bloodshot his
hair tangled, and his clothes bore the marks
of sleeping out He had never looked so
dissipated. AS he caught his own reflection
in the glass; it filled him with deep shame
He went to the sink, washed his face, and
combed his hair and brushing his clothes,
tried to make himself look as respectable as
possible. After breakfast he went out to work.
In the evening he passed resolutely by the
tavern. He did not care for the present that
his wife should know of his intended reforma-
ton. 1t was Wednesday evening, and he had
seen temperance lecture advertised in the
in his good resolution.
! At ten o'clock lie entered his house. His
wife looked up fearfully, expecting him to
stagger in. She concluded, however, that he
had only drank a little less than usual, and
her heart remained heavy.
The next day he went to work again, and
worked steadily the entire day. That even
ing he spent in calling upon an acquaintance,
but still avoided the tavern. He began to find
that it was possible to do without drinking
The third day he met Frank. In answer to
the boys inquiring look, he said, eve kept
my promise so far.'
The boys glad smile warmed his heart. 81
want to see Johnny smile like that" he said to
himself. l
Saturday night came, and thus far he kept
his promise. Fifteen dollars were placed in
his hands as the wages of his weeks labor.
lie stopped at the store, and invested them all
in groceries. Then he walked home, first re-
questing them to be sent that night.
Mrs. Perkins was surprised and pleased to
see him home at eight. Saturday nights he
had usually been late. He sat down, and
took up book. Ten minutes later wagon
drove up, and boy came in with some gro
ceries. Bundle after bundle was brought in.
Mrs. Perkins looked on in glad amazement.
She knew what must have happened.
When the boy had gone, her husband said
in low tone, "With Gods help, Maria,
better times are now in store. l have moi
tasted drop of liquor since Tuesday night. u
go, father, I'm so glad I" said little John.
ny, jumping up into his fathers lap.