The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-07-07
THE nARKEEpER's STORY.

When knowed him at first there was sushin
A sort OF general air
That was very particular pieasin
And what you might col. debonnaiT'
Pm aware the expression is frenchy
And rather high daddy perhaps,
which accounts that have the acquaintance
or several quickly chaps,
AND such is the way they converses,
But speaking OF this here young man
Apparently natur' had shaped him
on sort Of a liberal plan;
Yad guy him good locks and coed language
30 And manners eYpreSsin' with vim
Ills belief in hsself and that Others
Was Just as good fellers as him
He was most particularly pleasin
And neither stuck UP nor stuck down
and was thought te be jolly agreeao!e
Whenever he went around town.
Ecused to come in for his beverage
Quite regular every night.
And took considerable interest
In mixing the thing about right
3ut he took to increasing his doses,
And he took them more often, he did;
md IL rrewed on him faster and raster,
Till inter hummer he slid.
twas rrieyed to observe this young teller
q showing lisself down the grade,
and lectured him onto it sometimes,
st the risk OF its spIlin' the trade.
At last he got thunderin' seedy,
And he lost his respect for hisse!f
End all his high notions OF honor
Was bundled away on the shell.
But at times he was dreadful remorseiul
Whenever he'd stop for to think,
And he'd swear to reform hlsself frequent,
and end il by taking drink.
What saved that young fcller? A woman!
She done II in the singuarest way
He came into the bar-room one evening
(ue hadn't been drinking that Cay)
And sot hisself down to table
With a terrible sorrowful face,
And he sot there groanin' repeated,
and a calling hissef gone case
He was thinkln', and thnkin', and thnAin',
And cussin' hisself and his fate,
And ended his thinkin', as usual,
By orderin' Bourbon straight.
he was holding the glass in his fingers,
When into the place from the street
There came young gal like spirit,
With face that was powerful sweet
and she slided right up to the table
And took the glass gently away;
End she says to him, George, IL Is oyer
I'm only woman to-day!
J rejected you once in my anger,
But come to you lonely and meek,
gor can't live without you, my darling,
thought was strong, but I'm weak.
You are bound in terrible bondage
And come, love. to share II with you.
q there shame in the deed! can bear 1t;
For last to my love am true.
have turned from the home OF my childhood,
And come to Ivy loyer and friend,
Leaving comfort, contentment, and honor,
And III stay to the terrible end
Is there hunger and want in the futureg
III share them with you and not shrin6!
And together we'll join in the pleasures,
The woes and the dangers OF drink
Then she raised up the glass firm and steady,
But her face was as pale as the dead
Here's TO wine and the JOY OF carousals,
The songs, and the laughter" she said.
Then he rizup, his face like tempest,
and took the glass out of her hand,
and slung IL away, stern and savage
And Tell you his manner was grand!
and he says, ii have done with 1t, Nelly
And III turn from the ways thar have trod,
and I'll live to be worthy OF you, dear,
SO help me a mcrciful God.
lou have saved me, my love and my darling,
On noble and womanly plan;
90 back 10 your home till seek you
In the garb and strength OF man
saw tRat same Teller last Monday,
Lookin' nObby, and handsome, and game
lie was wheeling vehicle, gentlemen,
And a baby was into the same.