Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-07-29
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Reformed.

Reformed.
.Home. early tonight, am L, Mary?
Well. yes, most ten, amt it, dear:
An YOU have been waitin' my coming
As you've waited for many year:
For many night, lone and dreary,
When The tirV1iekered low in the CRATE,
You have waIte0 with heart sad and weary
For my faltering step at the gate.
pray. don't look so strange at me, idarln
With your wan face SO scsred-like and white,
| know what I'm sayin far better
Than I've known for many night
For never drop OF the poison
Has passed my lips all this eve:
Please God, am done with II always
Do You hear me- wife: Hear and believe.
There, there, don't cry, Mary. don't darlin.
Ii cuts TO my soul like knife.
SUI. a worthless husband as I've been
To the dearest. faithfulest wife;
Yes. rest your poor head in my arms, dear.
4 feeble support they have been.
For the woman promised TO cherish,
For the girl was happy TO win.
And IN tell YOU all of the story
You see was driftn' about.
With never d cent in nv pockets,
And folks has done trustln' me out,
A wi,hin' an wishin' that some un
Would happen along for TO treat,
When out of 4 near. open door WAY
\ gen'lman stepped into the street.
"A man with face like hero,
SO noble and fearless and grand.
And | couldn't breathe almost for a wonder
when he came up and held out his hand
Held out his hand like brother.
And asked me so kind and polite
Would Just step into the meetin'
The Reform Club were holdm' tonight
II tried 10 refuse. but couldn't.
What wanted TO say wouldn't come
lie was gentle and earnest
That. for once in my life, was dumb,
50 wcnt-and tell you Mary.
That SO long a. my life may be,
shall never forget what heard there,
shall never forget what see.
There was every kind and condition.
Every grade in the scale OF the LOT.
From the man who imbibes just little
Down 70 the verisst sot:
There was keene. who was once a lawyer
re member him handsome and smart
on case no opponent could beat him.
And a good honest fellow al heart.
Well he got mp and spoke. and tell YOU
Everything was still as a mouse.
And when b. had flushed there wasn't
Not many dry ewes in the house.
Thinks l-if old heen'es signed the paper,
Old keene, with his lonely life.
Can't do mech for my children,
Ny home. and my suffering wife:
and then, like fash. came picture.
or churchy ard. grey and messy with time
OF village street cool in the eVenin-
Village bells ringing out gay chime
OF Roses aboom at the altar.
\ >upwy-robed. sunny haired bride.
And was the groom, proud snd happy,
And. dArlin.' you stood at my side.
1T was only moment hut Mary.
| felt like a different man,
And rose up, calm-like and steady.
And | told 'em I'd make new stand.
That henceforth terrible battle
Ia night. if need be. with the foe,
But | d break. God helpin. the letters
That bound me TO shame and to Woe.
"Oh, well may we bless the Reform Club.
May its numbers increase DER and DER,
lis doin' more good in this city
Than ever was done here before;
For they know how il is, every one
The terrible. torturing thirst,
The burning shame and dishonor,
OF the letters awful TO burst.
AMI they hold out the hand OF friendship.
Not as if we were children. quite,
But brothers. in need OF assistance.
When we have bard battles 10 fight.
And 50 we have courage to struggle
Against strong temptations dark tides.
It'll into the haven Of safety
our sarque 80 peacefully glides.
Nay, say il is never too late. dear,
To turn from the dark paths Of sin.
If We're only sincere in repentance,
II is never too late to begin.
And. Mary, from out the dead ashes
Ofthe years | have squandered away.
Some PhTniX shall rise through Hopes prom
i>e.
To point out a future bright day.
Tonight I've begun a new chapter,
have turned over the last blotted page.
Though the years may be full of sharp strug'
giles.
And terrible warfare to rage.
Yet. trustin' above I'll press onward.
have taken the pledge 10 the end.
For the sake of nv wife and nv children
God help me 10 keep it. Amen Aub Urn
RcfOrmer