South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-08-14

myself. FRED needs fathers hand
How long has ho been falling into this
habit 2
while in college, and this led your faith
or to bring him hcmo at the end of tho third
year.
Il am glad you told me that. It seem
ed so strange that father could so change
all his plans for FRED, aud dash all my
hopes of seeing him distinguished uan Of
letters
IL vas a great trial to your father bat
he hoped that au entire change Of scene
and associates might save him, but he has
found as bad at home as be left at college.
Have you never seen that BIO drank p
Yes, | have. But not more than 9th
ers. l thought gentleman might drink
some,and never for a moment dreamed that
he would even take enough to iuiure hiu,.
self in the least. Poor MARY.
yes, poor MARY"
Aud the while MARY slept or walked 70
gently sOothe her fragile restless sister, and
her sleeping dreams aud waking thoughts.
full Of hope and love and happiness, clus-
tered around FEED as a oeuire, and not Que
doubt or fear threw It's dark foreahadow on
the bright picture.
And a. breakfast the kind parents felt
sud aud anxious Cor the sweet, pale young
girl, go soon TO lie in her Saviour's arms
end hear the songs of praise ard Tyres a.
round the throne but felt 10 ca7c or fear
for that merry, healthy girl, 50 soon to lie
Ia Grunkard's arms, aud hear drunkatd's
oaths.
But not long wns that father to be at
case. Soon after he went 10 his Office, his
brother (whoso son was ono who helped
FRED home) came to him md told him Of
the last nights carouse. That father knew
that FRED was called East in college but
he knew, TOO, that ne was young man of
wealth, education aud good family, and
young folks will be youlg,' and wild oats
must be sown; aud so he gave him bis daugh-
ter, and then, like many another good Ia
iher, gave the lest of his time and thoughts
to his Office duties.
But now be went direct ts|soo FRED. and
see for himself how tSs4.S or false the story.
And that cal1 t1Iaa wspt with that eiriok-
en- woman OYER the hope, tho idol, the dis
I grace of three loving lsarts. And then he
turued sadly to his ogn home be heard
his child playing aud singing; he met her
! bright, happy smilo-aow could he dash
her hopes, darken her ldo He sank down
into the great chair always waiting for him;
but there was no ease to him in the soft
cushions, for tho strong mao was weary,
bearing for an hour tie groat weight OF
grief which that young girl must bear for
life
MARY saw the air aud look, aud ran to
him, and with quick, loving tone, cried OUT:
What has happcnad?'
Ho took her in his Up, and stocking her
blonde hair, said very gently;
/ 'iow much do you Owe FRED 2
with oil my heart Then, startled by
that cad face, she esked quickly, What has
happened to him 2
nothing that you foer, nay child, DID
you know that be dyiaks 2
PCS but all tho youug men of our set
do more or less. II does not drink any
more, if no does as much, % the rest Of
them, All gcaHcmoa have vine and drink
sometimes. There is not tho laas, danger
of his ever drinking enough to hurt him
Eyes, MARY, ihero Is danger Of bis drink
ing to excess, to drunkenness not al oie-
CANT, but the true word
why father! FeED never, pcuer did OF
will. Do not listen 10 any such stories.
It's beneath you to let people gossip 20 you
about him
4 have let myself feel tbat way too long.
1t is no idle gossip now. saw him my
self, MARY, this morning. saw That
young, strong man tho slave Of an appetite;
that brilliant, wide awake one, in dull,
drunken sleep that dainty In perfumes
bcfouliug the very Dir with bis breath "
Father, how eau you toll such horrible
stuff 2
Because it is horrible, disgusting, even
in kind words from uniaiDted lips What
must it DO thon in very truth You can
trust your fathers eyes, and may your Own
never look upon it,
There is some mistake, some ac5ilon.
about it, ] hao0 there IS. gc has been Iol
astray uuinteulionslly. il i5 che frs, tino,
and | kHoiy il will be the iqst'
q wish il might be-, bat I have no hope
that it will. 10 has been talked TO again
and again by his mother, sad yet no goes
steadily downward
And every one DOW will try 20 give BIN
a push j, for one will not As fi.ul
Of bis dead father and Of bis widowed m0.t-
CT, j should think you would wish .0 .a,.
me help win him back
Your life, your happiness, -lives Jet o.
be, ore too dear a price 10 pay i0r s.4'
that loves tiseiG yoa mt hlgrl, tts Lsa
tie 'oine cup
She burst into tears. 'Ob, father, yoa
do not know how much FgED loves m1.
and / should be unworthy Of Die love 30 /
could turn from him 90 his frst ofoueo ai.l.
ont SO mnnh "a naEinn fnr az L...-.-. -