The Van Buren press., 1875-06-15

"ciN III "a
"You forget, old boy" said Hatton,
"that you are in the same boat. If we
took passage before you, it is no less
sure that our route is now the same.
Don't preach, Arthur Try bit Of hot
brandy"
There are moments in lfetime-great
crses-when the events of the past flash
before the mind as upon magic mirror
when a man in 4 brief instant, recalls
every salient point of his earthly career
Such moment was the present to Ar.
thur Gravely.
"Let it alone" he said solemnly. 81
tell you, Jack, and you Will, that you are
going down You can't last much long
er at this rate
"Well, retorted Roberts, with an at,
tempt to laugh, :" it appeats to me what
is sauce for the goose is sauce for the
gander. Had you not better try to let i
alone yourself?"
"If will try it, will you try it, he
asked
"Will you try p demanded Hatton.
II will, you will join me-"
"Donen'
And they did it, They joined hands,
aud promised one another that they would
be true and steadfast.
A new surprise was in store for Arthur
Gravely. He found, in cutting off his
spirituous liquors that his body weaken
ed. and that his hands shook as though
with palsy. He applied to aphysician for
help. Fortunately he applied to a man
of sense and understanding.
Can you give me something to re
store my appetite and steady my nerves ?"
asked Arthur, after having frankly stat
ed his case.
This shows you, my dear sir" said
the physician, "into what dangerous
state You have fallen. ! can give you
something to steady your nerves, but it
would not help you in the end If you
will he brave and true, You will come out
all right in very few days.
| Arthur said he should not 90 back.
of that.
| The trial was a severe one and it may
have been blessed thing for Arthur
Gravely that it was so. He felt more he.
rosm in the conquest, and he also saw
more clearly how deeply the evil habit
had become fixed upon him. On the
morning of the fourth day Of his trial he
awoke with an appetite for food, and able
to eat hearty breakfast. He was a new
man from this time forth. The physi-
clan had given him = certain hygenic di-
rcction which he followed implicitly, and
thus he held fast upon his health as it
came back to him.
And on this fourth day, Arthur saw
Hatton and Roberts. Icy had kept the
faith, and had bee" ,;-:arS5S. .esodly pros
porous An excellent opening in busi-
ness had been presented and accepted.
On the Gith day the business which had
brought Gravely from home was conclu'
ded, aud he set out on his return. And
the last strugsle had passed. His nerves
had become steady bis appetite had
started up as if by magic; his cheek had
grown fair. and the white of his eye was
growing clear and pearly again.
He reached his own city in the morn
ing, and went first to the bank and gave
in a return of his business. Mr. Wander
lain had glanced quickly and eagerly into
! his face, when he first entered, and won
derous change came upon the banker
manner, as the business proceeded
! Something outside the business in hand,
was evidently on his mind.
Arthur did not reach his home till time
for dinner; but he bad sent a boy from
the bank with word that he should be
there.
Fanny
Darling! Oh, I'm so glad to see
you back !"
Something made the wife even happier
than she thought as she rested within her
husbands embrace; but in the sudden
.oy she could not see it--she could only
'eel great warmth, like the glow OF
heaven, as Arthur's kiss came, sweet and
pure, to her lips
AS they entered the dining room, Ar
thur saw the dccagtcr Of wine near his
plate
"Tskc it away, Fanny" he said to hel
smiling; "if you want it hereafter as
medicine, keep it. For myself shall
not want it.
mot want it-Arthur"
" have done with it forever
lie spoke solemnly, and with manli
ness that was strong and reliant.
And the wife saw whence had come the
great warmth to her hcart--saw II in the
pure check, aud in the clear eye, as she
caught it in the sweet breath.
"Arthur, my husband" she whispered
as though hardly daring to trust her own
senses, ais it true1 Do you mean--for'
ever?'
"Whilc live. darling, God giving me
strength and reason"
Fanny was upon the opposite sido OF
the table She tried to speak, but hel
voice failed her She turned white--then
she pressed her hands for an instant uror
her heart-and then, az the crimson flood
once more bounded on its course she
covered her face, and sank down weeping
like a child. Arthur was by her side in
a moment.
Fanny my wife what is it.
She looked up and caught his startled
gaze through her tears. With quick
movement she threw her arms around his
neck and pllowed her head upon his bo
som
"Oh, Arthur bless you! bless you
could die for joy, if | did not feel thai
| could find more happiness in living nov
| for