The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-01-19
HOW CHARLEY BECAME A GOOD
TEMPLAR.

Charley Brown was drunk-not full" "
nor " lusby," but drunk" dead drunk, ="
and this is how it cane about. Charley
was accustomed to take " night. cap "
at Russe's. every evening on his way
home. He was not drinking man, oh !!
dear. no he would have scorned the in-
sinuation--he merely took a drink now
and then, to ba sociable, you know, with
the "fellows," and he took a "night.cap"
SO as to sleep we'll.
To be sure. LizIie--that was his little
blue. eyed wife-when she kissed him on
his return at night, had, ou two or three
occasions, remarked the odor of coffee
about Charley, but he told her he was 80
fond of coffee that he chewed the grain
in lieu OF taxing it 10 liquid form But
tonight Charley had fallen 10 with a
crowd of young "chums" and had drank
to excess He started ior home about
his usual time. and the first evidence Of
his po:ations was the fact that the side.
walk had tendency to start up 10 his
face while the houses we're engaged in a
crazy waltz, the brown stone pairing off
with two'story brick. and moving to n
lively measure. Drunk" muttered
Charley, at this evidence of his drunk.
eDness, drunk as lord, l wonder what
Lizzie (hic) will say when she sees me"
A pang of remorse shot through his
frame at the thought Of his dear little
blue.eyed wife, waiting patiently for his
return. Drunk as he was, he realized
her agony when she fully understood the
depth Of his degradation. In this train
Of thought he reached his house,
resting on the stoop for a few moments,in
order TO recover himself as much as pos.
sble. He arose TO his feet and fumbled
in his pockets for his night key, which,
after deal of searching, hc found, and
proceeded to endeavor to open the door.
Easier said than done. Tho key. hole,
acting probably on the example set by its
master, was on 'tare,' or tear and cut
up all kinds of monkey shines. After
repeated attempts he was forced to de
sist, and ring the bell. A blush of shame
spread over his face as he heard the pat.
ter Of his darling Lizzie's feet 10 TIE hall
10 moment tho door opened, aud me
ehanicslly he entered. "Well, Charley
this is nice!" was her exclamation.
Charley started 10 surprise at the riug
Ing sharpness of her voice, Hitherto
DER voice had been soft and low Iii.
amazencnt increased as he looked at her
her hair disheveled, her dress torn, hei
eyes like balls Of FIRE. 10 her hand sh'
held large knife whose blade was thicl
with blood.
Come with me-" she commanded will
q hoarse voice and seizing him by tn
arm. she fairly dragged him along, II,
followed unresisting, up the stairs AM
into his bed chamber, but as he entere,
the room he started in horror There up
oD the bed, bathed in gore, his throat Gu
from ear to ear lay his little child, hi
Willie, the darling Of his heart Cover
ing his face with bis hands the poor fel
low sank to the foor with 4 moan, com
pletely sobered,
A loud. hysterical, demouiac laugh q
reused him. He looked and saw bis vii
standing before him, the reeking knit
still 10 her hand,
"Murderess. he shri' ded this is you
work"
"HsI ha! dont try 10 deceive me. Yo
thought to conceal ,he run you dram
! with coffee, but it was vain, sir you coul
not blind me-"
Charley was horror-struek, bis limt
: refused to move, be could only gaze upo
the lifsless figure of his child, whose Ii
de lips bad so sweetly kissed him til
. morning Suddenly he felt touch, an
turning his eyes from the bed toward tb
door, be perceived a strange figure s'aut
{ log in the doorway. Now Charley bq
scen the opera Of Faust" often enoul
to know the Devil when be met him, au
Z the moment his eyes fell Oh the intrud,
he knew him. Good evening. my dea
SIR said the Devil. with profound bo,
and taking off his hat vi course Cha
ley bad to be equally polite, aud bowe
returning the salutation by saying goo
. evening" bat 10 q voice that quiver,
! considerably.
P "You need BOT fear" said the Dew
noticing the affrighted look. Il have Il
D come for you yet. am 10 no hurry, +
: l am sure of you, as | am of oil dra
. drinkers. have a little business wi
you though. But first let me feast u