The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-03-30

I
any ordinary awakening processes
adopted by neighboring brethren to stir
him up; and when finally aroused at the
close of the meeting, he had shown a va
cancy of mind and superabundance of
spirits which gravely troubled the good
minister. On being challenged, Mr..
Merton, for the first time probably in his
manhood, prevaricated. know not how
| truly, but il is certainly affirmed by emil
nent medical authorities, and with rea-
sonable proof, that a constant habit of
heavy drinking will not only deteriorate
| the mind but, in doing that, hopelessly
degrade the moral principle. So Mrs.
Merton, watching her husband The
means OF grace" he once seemed to cher
| ish, not alone with reverence, but enjoy
ment, were gradually deserted. First on
the week nights, then on the Sunday.
At times it was perfectly clear that he
had begun to pass the limits Of sobriety.
Still, affection pleaded and hoped and
worked, with blood distilling the while
in great drops from the loving heart in
the agony of anticipated sorrow.
Two hopes the poor woman clung to:
one, a bold, brave boy, her eldest born,
who was away at sea. and kept sending
home CHEEKY prophecies of a successful
career; the other. her daughter Lucy,
apprenticed to Messrs. Cutter & Chet-
tam, the eminent" house of London
milliners who had ever so many hun
dred girls in their employment, and to
whom hard earned pile of money had
gone in consideration of their promise to
initiate her into the mysteries of their
art. Some day-so Ms. Merton DIRE am
ed-Lucy was to return to Cherry-Luton
a paragon of French taste, and to set up
a shop which would be the head quarters
of neighboring female fashion. These
two were the reserve anchors, if at any
time the best bower of the family ship
should give way.
One morning toward the end of Feb
ruary, the Merton family, too large to be
here described one by one, were seated
at breakfast, showing in tl9 dress of all,
and in that strangely true mirror of sor-
row, the mothers face, how poverty was
beginning to pinch them.
Mrs. Merton was looking out of the
window
Run, Johnny, she cried to one of the
boys. There's the postman. Some
thing from Lucy at last, l hope"
Johnny brought letter to his father
there was none for mother. Mr.. Mer-
tons face fell as he read it. He had
asked some accommodation of friend
whom he had once assisted. 1t was re-
fused and the friend, with most amia-
BILE frankness, told him that if the re-
ports about him were correct, he ought
to save his pocket at the expense of his
mouth vulgar and personal though |
shrewd advice. No man would like to |
show such a letter to his wife Merton |
crumpled it up. and thrust it into his |
trowsers pocket.
rs it anything about Lucy?' said the
anxious mother.
NO." he said, gruffly. "It's from Tox-
dale. He won't help me-"
But, father, what do you think can
be the matter with Lucy2
81 can't tell" he replied, peevishly.
He was angry that his wife for the mo-
ment overlooked his modification.
Father, there must be something
wrong" cried Mrs. Merton, anxiously
She always wrote at least once a week,
and now fortnight has passed without
a word"
stay" said Mr.. Merton, who had
turned his head to the window, heres
the postman coming back again with an
other letter"
1t was brought in; letter addressed
in a clerky hand, with the London post
mark, and for Mrs. Merton.
Let me open it, Elizabeth" said the
man, with a sudden touch of tenderness
IS he glanced from the letter in his hand
10 her face.
NO" she replied "If it is any thing
bad, let me find it out myself" And
with forced calmness she broke it OPEN
md read
"2s2 GREAT Bazaar STREET, LoSDOE,
"MDM,-Yrs OF 24th, making inquiries abt yr
lighter, Miss Lucy Merton, reed, and contents
awe regret to state that abt fortnight since
Miss Merton was intrusted with a commission
She did not return until the middle of next
lay, and, as we had reason to believe, had been
She was unwell at her lodgings for
some days, and as she gave no satisfactory acct
Of herself, except that she had bn taken i'll at
he dsy referred TO- tie yo1ne ladies Of our es-
Labt, who are all of the highest respectability,
declined her company. We were abt, In conse-
peared from her lodgings, and We concluded
had left for home. Otherwise shd have advised
Trusting that nothing serious may have oc-
Cured,
"YOurs obedy,
"CUTTER a CHETTAM.
"MRs. MERTON"
Mrs. Merton threw the letter over to
her husband and ran out of the room.
She could bear no witness to the storm
of her sorrow. As for him, his eyes were
too, and the sharpness of the
stroke reused his mind and heart to a
sadness keen enough.
By the evening he was ready for Lon.
don. Mrs. Merton pleaded hard to be
allowed to accompany him, but be would
not hear of it. He had succeeded in
borrowing from a sympathetic friend
twenty pounds FOR the journey. His
manner was little changed. But when
he took Mrs. Merton into his arms to
say good-by, she knew he had been seek
ing consolation at the wrong fountain.
For Gods sake" John. she whispered.
keep steady. 1t is life and death for US
all Good-by, dear"
"All right Lizzie" he said, the dew in
his eyes. Il shall restrain myself for
your sake and hers. God bless you, my
dear wifel'
She went in, and to her room, and on
her knees, and tried to get faith to be-
lieve that out of this darkness there
would come light.
He jumped into the omnibus which
was at the door, and ten minutes after
was taking glass of hot grog at the bar
in the railway station. The nights were
cold.
H.-INTo THE MAELsTRoN.
On London, from every quarter of Eng 1
IonJ oonvarpe the waifs of uoiaarv ain i