Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-06-16
DAUGHTERS STRATAGEM.
A FACT.

the banks of a greatrlver in the West.
Every year he went to Washington,
and his voice was often heard in the
halls of Congress. Yet, though he
was called great he was not good,
because he was very fond of drink
ing wine, brandy, etc, and frequent
ed the gambling rooms SO numerous
in that city. These habits gained
upon him daily, until they conquered
all his moral strength. His towns
men refused to send HIM as their del
egate any longer.
Judge Ross had an amiable wife
and three daughters. Mary, the ell
dest, was his special pet. He
thought more of her than he did of
himself, and no wish of hers went
ungratified. She was of sweet dis
position, and SO obedient and re-
spectful to him, and kind to every
one about her, and she was beloved
by everybody. And, although her
fathers dwelling was the most ele-
giant, and they had beautiful grounds
and servants and horses and carria-
ges, and fine clothes, she never put
on airs, as many do, but was modest
and retiring.
Mr.. Ross and his wife and three
daughters were all members of a
Christian church. He was often sus-
pended from its fellowship, and on
promises of repentance received
again. His influential position in
society; and the pious conduct of his
wife and daughters caused much pity
for them and elected much patience.
They hoped by love and forbearance
to restore him wholly. But all the
love of his family and Of the church
could not stop this erring man IN his
downward course.
At last so low did this man fall as
to lose all selfrespect, and frequent
the lowest whisky shops in the town.
Daily he went unshayed, unwashed,
ragged and almost naked, and when
drunk would sing some low song,
which would draw around him a
crowd of of boys to jeer and laugh
and scorn the once dlgnifed and re-
spected Judge. In personal appear
ance he was now the lowest Of the
low
1t is not to be supposed that Chris
tians and temperance men allowed
such man to ruin himself without
some efforts to save him. Earnest
and persevcring endeavors were put
forth, prayers offered up, and his
family left no avenue to his heart
unentered, but all were alike useless
and hopeless. His wife and daugh-
ters wept and prayed, but despaired
entirely.
Mary, his pet, often labored to
save her father from open disgrace,
if not from private sin. She became
very sad, and refused to attend church
or 60 into society. When her faith
er was sober, he had seen enough to
perceive the sorrowtul change in his
once happy Mary, and seemed to re-
pret his course more for her sake
than his own.
One morning he started as usual
for the drinking shop. He was ter
rible object, indecent to look at as
we'll as filthy. His wife tried to hold
him back and get him, at least, to get
on some decent clothing but he
would not yield. Mary made her
appearance by his side, clothed in
rags, low at the neck, bare armed and
bonnetless, with an old whisky bot
tie in her hand. Taking her fathers
arm, she said, "Come father, l'm go
ing too"
"Going where?" said he, staring at
her as if horror struck.
'''To the dram shop. What's good
for you is good for me-"
Then she began to flourish her bot
tie and sing the low songs she had
heard him sing on the streets.
$50 back, girl, you are crazy;
mother take her ill.,"
"But am going, father, with you
to ruin my soul and body. 1t is of
no use for me to be good, while you
are going to the bad place. You will
be lonely there without your Mary"
"Go away, girl, you'll drive me
mad"
"But you have been mad for a
long time, and am going mad too.
What do l care? My father is only
a poor, old and despised drunkard;
his daughter may as well get drunk
and lie in the gutter, too"
So Mary pulled away at her faith
er's arm, and went on to the gate
He drew back; she still hung on and
sung louder. A few boys began to
run towards them and then her faith
cr broke from her hold and went
into the house; there he sat down
and, putting his face in his hands,
wept and sobbed aloud. Still Mary
staid out.
"What's the matter?" said Mrs
Rose.
sMary is crazy, and l have made
her so. wish | was dead. Do GO
and get her in. won't go out to
day"
Mrs. Rose went out and told Mary
what her father had said, and then
she went in. She sat down with her
bottle in her hand, and all the day
she kept on her rags. Mr. Rose wa.
in a terrible state for want of his ac
customed stimulus, and frequently
would 60 to the door, but Mary was
ready at his side on every occasion
Mrs. Rose prepared the meals with
extra care, and gave her husband
cups of good strong coffee, and the
latter part of the day he lay down te
sleep. When he woke up, Mary was
still there in her rags, and her bottle
by her side.
With much trembling and shaking
he put on a good suit of clothes and
asked his wife for barber. Then
after supper he said, Il am going
out"
"Where?"
To Temperance Hall. Go with
me and see if 1 do not go there"
So Mrs. Rose went with him to
the door of the hall, Mary still say.
ing, 81 must follow for I'm afraid
he'll 90 to the whisky shop without