Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1873-07-12
THE HOUSEHOLD
A WOMAN's COURAGE.

bv his cabin door. smoked his solitary evening
nine and thought vaguely Of the church bells
that used to ring At evening time in the far on
Eastern village where he had been born and
brought up, with the roar of the Penobscot Bay
in his ears. la 'lt
"Td like to hear them bella onoe again Afore
die" unused old Jonathan. But 1t Amt likely
M ever 10 back again
Even while these ,iiejointed meditations pass
ed through his mind there was light stop on
the cabin threshold, aud q o rustic of stffiy
starched pink calico, and his niece Dorothy came
Teas ready uncle DEAR" said She "And
I've baked real New England oorn-bread and
some glnger-snaps. such as grandmamma
uael to mtks. Aud ses, uncls rvs sliced up
the little red peaches FROM the tree you planted
Yourself on the south side OF tho hill. Israel
Esmayne said II wouldn't grow, but it has l
mean to keep aaucerful aud little cream for
Israel to night, just to shO,o him."
Old Jonathan laid down his knife and fork
DO you mean that Israel Esmayne Is coming
here tonight
'.Yes uncle" said Dorothy, STOPPING 10 recov-
or a teaspoon she had dropped-A slim teaspoon
with an sntlque silver shell carved on its handle
and coming up very rosy from the search.
"Why not?"
Take care, Dotty. That's all!
"Unole, what do you mean ~
81 nean child that I'D rather lay you in your
grave in the new buryiug-ground. where there's
only one mound yet In the shadow OF the church
drinks That's what mean, DottyW
Dorothy's head dropped over her plate.
Uncle that is hardly fair. Because a man
had a bad habit crce-"
And has II not1 :"
The soft eyes glittered into defiant fash.
'You are mistaken. uncle. Israel EsmAyne
has not touched a drop OF ardent spirits in
year. He has promised me never to touch IL
again.
Il hopo never will. my girl, !" said Jonathan
Beers. although his tone betrayed no very san
guine feeling. But it siut safe thing to do
It's madness. love of liquor is, and nothing
short. It's liable TO break out at any time.
Israel Esmaynes good fellow enough. Ihaint
any hing agin hm--but IL sin't safe !"
Dorothy was silent. Why was it, she asked
herself that men were so severe is Judging one
another? Why did they always look ut the black
est and least promising side OF every thing? l.
rael had promised her. She believed him. And
that was enough
And while size tripped lightly back and forth
about her household duties. her mind was full
of the underlined future. She could soc herself,
shadowy and underlined as in a mirror. moving
about bright littlehOme where flowers tloomed
in the easements. and birds sang, and clock
licked. He is coming he is oOmingl'
Zone OF these days !" said Dorothy to herself
as she put away the saucer Of peaches and the
little pitcher OF cream on Whitley secured PAN
try shelf-"one Of these days J"
She was thinking OF the future. AMI old
Jonathan, smoking hio pipe, was living in the
past
you've something to DO with the railroad,
stranger havn't you ~
II reckon have, said Israel Esmsyne, in
differently. I'm switchman"
at don't take up much OF your time, l
guess r.
ats got TO be looked after Just the same,
though" said the tall Westerner, as he lifted
the last monster log from the cart he was un-
loading to the thrifty pile at the north end Of
his house.
what time docs the way train come b. ?"
"At nine o'clock"
DO you suppose could go to Mellenve and
see the lumber dealers there, and get back to
the station again by that tine ?
Israel looked reflectivtlS at tho other shore OF
the river
well, YOU might" said he "but it would be
apretty tight squeeze
I'm agOed walker" said the stranger and
as he spoke he drew a fat pocket-hAsk from his
pocket uncorked it with bis teeth, and drank
copous draught. Israel Esmsyne watched him
with eager, gttering eyes, like those OF some
famished wild animal that scents blood
"llave a drink. fri6nd Z" said the stranger
prOferng the flask. Israel Esmayne shook his
head with set teeth and lividy pale cheek.
Il never drink, said he hoarsely.
You would guess, il you could get such
stun as this" said the mau soft Is oil aud
strong as fire. My father imported it, There's
not much like 1t III the country. Taste II you
don't believe me"
Israel stood for a moment. hesitating. Then
left, as IL half-fearful lest some one should see
him, and graspng at the bottle-drank,
The fevered blood mounted to his cheek; a
strange sparkle came into his eyes.
Have You got more like that, no whispered,
hoarsely, approaching his burning lips 70 close
ly the mans ear that he Inyoluntarily started.
more"
I've got another flask but"
'Will you leave it behind I'll pay you
good price for it,"
"WbAt for ?"
Israel's eyes fell gniltily. 'In-in case OF sick
ness, You know. We can't buy such liquor here
and it's a lonely spot"
You're right enough there" said the man.
laughing as he drew out another fiat flask, tho
mate to the first. ',IIere lake it. Pshaw. friend,
put up your purse. You're welcome to it as a
Gift.
And he was gone, plunging through the high
grass and bushes all fringed with scarlet cardi
nal flowers and nodding marigolds, before Israel
could stay him.
I-rael Esmayne crept back to his house, or
rather. the rude log cabin with sort Of hope
that one day q real home should rise ON its
foundations, holding the flat bottle close to him,
and giancing around with furtive, wandering
eyes.
=" needed it," he said to himself Eyes,
needed it. l didn't know how much until
tasted it, It slips over ones palate like glass; 80
smooth, 80 rich no full Of strength. Que more
taste and then"
When tho clock struck nine the whistle OF the
way trAin sounded faint and far of and Israel Es-
mayne rose uncertainty to his feet. The subtle
burning fumes of the luuId flame had entered