The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-02-09
SALVATION BY FIRE
\ TEMPERANCE STORY.

Frank. won't you stay at home with
baby and me tonight? I? said his little
wife, Nellie Foss, laying her hand on his
arm, and looking up with her brown eyes
full Of loving entreaty, as her young hus.
band was about leaving the house.
oh! won't stay long, Nellie dear !;
| only want to see Tom Kennard on
little business and will come home early"
ho replied, as he went cut quickly and
closed the door.
His wife went sadly into the little sit
ting-room and resumed her sewing.
Two years before, this young couple
bad begun life together, and oil was fair
to view and not cloud dimwed the
bright say but shortly the clouds begau
to gather slowly, and now was heard the
rumblimg of the approaching storm.
1t was the old story, which many wives
have learned the first glass INDUCED in
with no fear Of danger, and the gradual
strengthening Of the grasp Of the demon
upon the loved husband, which brings
him down to the lowest degradation and
vice, and the dependent wife and children
to most abject misery and poverty.
Frank was noble young man at heart
aud loved his wife and child but the
temptcr had come behind the mask Of
friendship. and despite the cniresty Of bis
wife, and warning Of friends, the young
man was yielding slowly but surely ev-
cry day getting further from all that was
good and pure in life.
Tom Kennard was reckless, uuprin
cipled man, and his influence over Frank
was nothing less than curse He was
one Of those pecnliarily fascinating agree.
able men whom it is so hard to be angry
with and to break away from, even when
one knows there is danger in their very
presence.
Mrs. Foss sat thinking mourniully of
her husband, and praying, oh, so earnest.
ly, for Heaven to save him, for could
there be any other hope
The bitter tears were still falling when
Joe Hardy came in unanuounced. and
found her.
Joe wes II staunch friend OF both hus.
band and wife, apd before Frank bad fal-
len among evil companions, had been his
nearest aud most intimate friend He
had done all that man could do to win
Frank from his sin. but without avail.
He needed not to ask the cause of the
tears did be not know Of old, tho whole
miserable story?
How the young mother sat weeping
night after night. Ms the hours dr. gged
slow y on, waiting Tor the return OF bin
who bad promised so many times to break
away from evil associations and the allure
ments of the fatal Gun how that husband
would come reeling home at the miduigh
Jr early morning hours, stupeGel by
drink, and singing foolish aud obscene
songs; now that husband had, when IL
aamed by the liquor, even raised his h4nt
against the loving wife he had promised
before God and man, to honor and cher
ish.
Mrs. toss looked up as the young mar
entered the room, but her only greeting
was fresh outburst of grief
Has be gone out again p he asket
compassionately.
Yes he said he must see Keanard o.
some business but am afraid of tha
man; Frank was good and noble until h
met him, and we would be so happy if b
would let drink alone. have pleade
with him, and he has promised again an
again. but he forgets when be gets ava
from homo with those wicked men, sh
said sobbingly
1t is hard, he replied, we must TT
in every way possible to win him back.
will go down town, and perhaps ma
him aud get him to come home with me
saying which he turned aud was gone be
fore she could thank him.
As he reached the street he found :hs
a storm was rising fast, the ominons grow
OF distant thunder coming family to b
ears, while an occasional fash OF lightniD
threw binding glaro over the house
and pavements as he hurried along
IN try Hollands frs he mu,'e,e,
aud was soou before that establishment
Going n he walked boldly up to III
bar and asked the man if Mr.. Foss vi
there.
He was here au hour ago, replied ii
person addressed. You won't get hon
with him tonight he replied with
tiendish grin. he and Tom are on joll
spree
Without word he turned away an
/ sought another saloon.
The storm vas now at its height, II
. rain beating down Hereby while the b,
Lightning flashed and quivered in the al
, and the terrific peals OF thunder seemed
shake the very ground. IIeedless of .
, Joe went back and forth searching in va
= for his friend, drenched through al
weary aud almost despairing
He visited saloon after salcoD, ru