The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-10-28
Only Ale.

We had moved three times in ten years
Emma, our little daughter, was nine year,
old, pretty child, and great favorite
with everybody. Willy was boy o.
three, and we had always been happy
and united family. When we were mar.
ried the world was prosperous with us
Then Charley took partner. who proved
dishonest and nearly ruined him. Our
handsome house was given up for little
cottage in the suburbs, and We consoled
ourselves for the loss Of our indoor splen.
doris by tho variety and beauty Of oui
outdoor wealth. The children had room
to grow in. Everything was new and
beautiful to them-a new Eden. Then
came success again then widespread
series of commercial troubles that again
involved Charley, so that he lost almost
everything, and VIC were literally poor
This time we found refuge in the home
OF friend, who gave up to our use two
or three rooms where we could hide our
selves in our dismay, and live close.
Tho times grew no better, rather worse.
Our clothes became seedy, the children's
shoes grew red at the toes. We gave up
some OF what had been to us the necessa.
rles OF life-coffee, tea, and sugar, Char.
ley's checks grew thin and his eyes
sunken. He worked with might and main
to stave off ruin, but the evil day came.
1t is very hard for man to bring such
news to wife and children. But in how
many homes the unhappy story has been
repeated of late! How eagerly Isooked
for his return from day to day, sure to
hear the same spiritless words, "Nothipe
to do as yet" :
One night Charley came in with q
flushed face. His eyes glittered he was
not like himself, but like man under the
influence Of fever. His tongue was thick !;
for the first time in his life he had returned
to his little ones and to me-drunk. The
fact was a terrible one, but why attempt
to disguise it. Emma looked at me like
one horror.stricken. shall never forget
the anguish in her face. She knew the
full extent of our disgrace, for she had
been brought up strict teetotaller.
Go into the next room, dear,and take
your little BROTHER" said, "papa is not
we'll" Willy, who had been sitting half
asleep by my side, went willingly to bed.
For q while my husband was garrulous
and silly, but by degrees the effect of the
liquor grew less, and he talked more like
himself.
"I've had an offer, En-" he said the
business is good one, and will rcinstatc
us in our old style Of living. And if l
succeed, as I've no doubt l shall. I'm q
made mana rich man."
81 am very glad" | said but indeed,
SO saddened was | at this first revelation
OF weakness that l could not speak with
my usual heartiness, and he noticed it.
you ought to be. In these times
man must turn his hand to anything that
pays. It's sin to let good chances slip
through ones fingers on account of ones
notions or prejudiccs. I'm sick of pov.
erty; l won't delve like a clodhopper,
and then starve on dry bread and Cruel
and l won't see my children in rags"
"They have never been in rags yet,
Charles" said.
"Well, mighty near it, besides, there's
no use in your objccting, you know. You
will, of course you will but, understand
me, it won't make bit of difference. II
have made up my mind"
"What is the business ? | asked, a
sudden terror clutching at my heart.
"Well, Steinburger has offered me an
agency. It's not as if it were wines and
liquors, I'm to sell at wholesalo-that
is, by the bottle and cask. You've heard
of Steinburgcr's ale? Well, you needn't
look like ghost at that. It's q respecta.
bic business. t."
Just then there came a sob, and out of
the shadow Emma stole toward us. Never
can forget the look of horror in her
face. the eyes so mournfal, the down.
streaming tears, the beseeching attitude.
On she moved till she gained her fathers
side, and there she dropped down on her
knees.
20 pada if you do that if you 20 in.
to that awful business, how will you meet
the ruined souls Of poor drunkards ? Ol
papa if you do that, l can never look
anybody in the face again. Indeed, in.
deed, dear papa, l would ask God to take
me to heaven, and l know He would"
1t was singular scene. Opposition
came from a source he was not prepared
for, and Emma was his idol. He drew
a long breath, and hi, face changed.
"Get up, child he said gently though
his voice trembled.
40 dearest papa you won't become q
drunkard maker2' she pleaded; and l
thought that, with her flowing hair,
color, and streaming eyes, she
looked like some sorrowful angel.
Another long breath-he pressed his
lips together.
Get up. my child; you have con.
querod, he said softly. "No. by the grace
OF God, | won't be drunkard maker"
he said solemnly. Il tried to harden my
heart, but we'd better be poor" Then
she sprang into his arms, and hid her
joyful face in his bosom, ard we all wept
together; but they were blessed tears.
Little by little we have managed to
regain our old position, but no ruined
souls can point to us, no children cry for
bread while We live on the blood. stained
money with which the father and husband
purchased the poison of the STILL Do you
say it was only ale? Then l answer,
Goods curse is on it all. ."-Temperence