Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-10-28
MistelIanp,
THE LAST Up.
BY MRS. J. II. low.


land town, there dwell, forty years ago,
a family by the name of Hanson. John
Hanson, the husband and father, owned
the cottage and a few acres OF land
around il; and by dint OF hard labor, and
management, he succeeded, with the help
OF his wife, in making comfortable
living for his family. 1t is true they had
few Injuries; but they possessed what
was far better, good health aud conten!ed
dispositions.
There were three children; Mary, just
entering her fifteenth year, and George
and Clarence, aged respectively twelve
and thirteen. They were happy, or would
have bsen happy, but Tor one thing; John
Hanson was very fond OF his cup. Good
na,ured easy ned and Kind hearted,
the very man 10 make a woman happy,
he could not resist the temptation TO d'ink
when in company with bis friends in the
village store. where Deacon Andrews
dealt out 10 his ueighbors and brethren
-four. tea. snuff. tobacco. calico, New
Testamenis and New England rum. The
public mind. in those days was no. what
it's now As regards the selling and drink
ing OF liquor. and TO one 50 much as
thought CunlcSs it were the suffering
wives OF the poor drunSards) that there
was anything Inconsistent with his pro
fession in the business. ~ many and
many a dollar of hard earned money
wen, into his till for liquor, that should
have cone for food Tor little pover'y'
pinched children.
Many and many dollar OF John Ham
sons money went the same way, aud ms
m-eA. accomplishing wife enIreated and
begged and prayed. all 10 no purpose
lie would promise every day that nc
would never drink another drop, that he
meant 10 swear ofT-in fact. DO everything
she asked of him. And that very night. /
NAV be, he would not come home until
midnight, aud then in such a state that
he could hardly walk erect. Pen'ieot
enough would be DC in the morning.
II did no, mean to 30 80, indeed oid F.
not" he would say. but when they 81. .
laughed asd icered at me. and said was /
afraid TO take 4 glass. why. II was mere I
than / could Withstand. But 1 wont do (
50 again. 30, wont r he would con- /
cludc. cmpha,ically.
Don't say that again. John. You WILL /
and YOU know il, the frs, time You 50 to /
tue village his wife would return scr
lowsulv. Alas. Ifyou could perform
as well As YOU can promise"
And the poor woman's eyes would "'l /
with tears. and she would turn sadly /
away.
give me good beating. could bear 1t
better than can that sorrowiul look OF /
reproach-might do me more good too, /
dare say" he would muse to himself
grimly, as she left him.
Bu, it was not Sarah Hanson's nature
TO scold. She doubted if it would be
wisdom to DO so. even il she had felt /
Ike il.
III he cannot leave of drinking Tor
an afectionaie wife and loving children
henever will to please = Scold; and II |
quiet. happy home cannot keep him from
the grog shop. the 5cdlam that ! might
make /, never will" she unused. sadly.
"Ah it was not so once. l wonder II
il IL must always be the same p
One cool September evening the FAM
lis were gathered in the coy sitting |
room, and pretty picture the little
household made. The freight from The
open fireplace danced and hickeIed |
over the white walls. and lit the little |
room with pleasant glow. Mrs. Han
son sat at 4 small table, busily engaged T.
in sewing. MIR. Hanson sat opposite, /
absorbed in the contents OF newspaper, /
Stopping, now and then. TO remove the /
wick from the tallow candle which stood /
upon the table between them. George |
and Clarence were down upon the White /
floor. before the fire, engaged in the 10 /
them) exciting game OF Fox and Geese
Mary sat in one corner by the fire, hold
ing her knitting in her hands, gazing
dreamiy into the glowing embers. Take
i. altogether, the picture was very |
pleasant one to look upon. How great
pity that the beauty and the happiness
should lie m&rred
Mrs. Hanson glanced at the clock on /
the mantle every few minutes, Tearing |
10 see her husband arise to take his accus
toned evening walk 10 the village, yet |
hoping that the cheerful home-eircle
might tempt him 10 remain at home. !
Vain hope As soon as he had finished
reading. he arose. ard taking his hat
started lor the door, saying, as he went
out
Il am going 10 The village, Sarah; IS /
there anything you want at the store
shall no. be gone long. but you need not
81: up Tor me unless YOU choose
Ills wife made no reply-she could not.
Ot wha; use were words. when the
pleasant faces OF his wife and children
had no power to keep him at home II
he found the company Of the rude. igno-
rant men who eongregsted nightly at the
store, more agreeable than that OF bis
own family, Of what use would remon-