The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-10-23

Christmas Evcs" SAYS he You didn't use
to say go home whcn came here with iull
pockets, Mr., Jones
"sWcll no, didn't said the man; but It
would have been better if mad. III ill yopf
bottle for you, Jack Barker
He filled it-gooIness knows with what
and Tie poor wretch staggered home. Oh,
the wre,ched ccllar-the miserable straw bed
in the corner; the wife lying sick upon II. |
remember them so well.
"Shc was very sick, and there wNsn Hue
baby beside her. Just think of another baby
there.
"IIappy Christmas! said he, as he stag
cereo in. Happy Christmas, old girl"
"'Happyr said She. ooh, this dreadful day
That bolllc came to us on Christmas
1T takes so little to put drunken man in "A
rage. He answered her with an oath.
"'Anyhcdy would think | was drunk to
hear you talk said he. And the poor won-
an am Wrrcd
ooh good heaven! are you ever sober?
Oh, Jack Jack!
"Apd then he flew at her. He took me by
neck and beat her over the head with me,
The cork fell out, and the liquor poured over
her breast, and over the face of the little ba-
By lying upon it. 1t mingled with her blood
AT first she screamed Then she lay still,
| Her iaCt ETtW NHitt' hhN" Vuo " i''''
dcrpr. oh, let me break! ! cried. Let me
be broken into fragments" But her fair flesh
was smashed TO pulp; her delicate bones bro.
ken; and | was sound as ever; when Jack, led
bv heaven knows what mad fancy, left his
victim ana staggered into the Street again.
The snow was falling. The air was white
with ii. lie staggered along. muttering to
himself At last he came to a wharf, and
stumbled across it. believe a boat lay there
on which he had been once before, and where
they mad given him drink.
"'Sea Bird, ahoy" cried he. Ilullo! hul,
| 10. Sea Bird, ahoy"
Nobody answered him.
I'm coming aboard he muttcred-Im
coming aboard. shant stay at home to be
preached to, I'm nay own master
"Then he took one step more. Splash
crash lie was through the thin ice, I'M
der the water
"'Thank heaven said |, my miserable ca
rcer is ended
Then turned cold as ice myself, and
there was a roaring in my neck.
Next thing knew it was broad day light,
and was floating on the water.
"'Theres bottle SAID some one. 1t was
barelegged boy. He stopped over the side
of boat, AID caught ne.
"'Therc was man drowned here last night,
said he to another boy at his side.
"'Dd you see him said this one.
"Yes, said the first. He was drunk, and,
killed his wife. They've got an inquest on
her, down in the cellar over there. Isay, I'm
going to sell this bottle to Bill, the junk man
so was saved, and, much against my will
stood in the junk.shop window for week.
The water had washed the blood off me. |
had no smell of liquor left, and along comes
your wife.
"'What nice fiat bother says she-just
what want How much for it.
"And Bill charged four cents, and home she
brought me-
"My career OF vice has begun again said
7. And expected nothing else; but, bless
the dear soul, she put vinegar in me-nlce,
sour, innocent, respectable vinegar-and I've
been good reformed bottle ever since. And
now you-you-you-her husband, are going
to put the devilish spirits into me again. For
heavens sake break me first | don't want
to destroy another household
"You shan't," said Tom Barnaby. Here,
YOU go back on your shelf | leave you to
| innocence and vinegar, and think L II make
cup of strong coffee
flight" SAID the bottle
| And so the bottle stands still beside the
cruet, on Mrs. Barnaby's dresser; and Tom
Barnaby is still sober man.