St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-03-16
Only Ale.

We had moved three times in ten
years. Emma, our little daughter, was
nine years old, Il pretty child, and
great favorite with everybody. Willy
was boy of three, and we had always
been happy and united family. When
we were married, the world was pros
pering with us. Then Charley took a
partner, who proved dishonest and
nearly ruined him. Our handsome
house was given up for little cottage
in the suburbs, and we consoled our
selves for the loss of our indoor splen-
dors by the variety and beauty of our
outdoor wealth. The children had
room to grow in. Everything was novel
and beautiful to them-a new Eden.
Then came success again then a wide
spread series of commercial troubles
that again involved Charley, so that he
lost everything, and we 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 ourselves in our dismay, and
live close.
The 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
necessaries of flife-coffee, tea and sugar,
Charley's cheeks grew thin and eyes
sunken. He worked with might and
main to stave off ruin, but the evil day
came.
1t is very hard for a man to bring
such news to his wife and children.
But in how many homes the unhappy
story has been repeated of late! How
eagerly | looked for his return from
day to day, sure to hear the same
spiritless words, "NOthing to do as
yet"
Ore night Charley came home with a
flushed face. His eyes glittered he
was not like himself, but like a man
under the influence of a 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 n
terrible one, but why attempt to dis
guise it Emma looked at me like one
horror stricken | shall never forget
the anguish in her face. She knew the
extent of our disgrace, for she had been
brought up a strict teetOtaler.
"Go into the next room, dear, and
take your little brother" said 'Papa
is not we'll" Willy, who had been sit
ting half asleep by my side, went will
ingly to bed. For 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
reinstate us in our old style of living
And if succeed, as | have no doubt |
shall, Pm made mana rich man."
81 am very glad" l said; but, in
deed, so saddened was | at this first
revelation of weakness that | could not
speak with my usual heartiness, and he
noticed it.
"You ought to be. In these times a
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 prejudices. Pm sick
of poverty; l won't delve like clOd-
hopper, 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" l 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. | have made up my
mind"
''What is the business ?" l asked,
sudden terror catching my heart.
"Well, Steinburger has offered me an
agency. It's not as if it were wines and
liquors. Pm to sell at wholesale-that
is, by the bottle and cask. You've
heard of Steinburger's ale? Well, you
needn't look like ghost at that. It's
respectable business"
Just then there came sob, and out
of the shadow Emma stole towards us.
Never can forget the look of horror in
her face-the eyes so mOurnful, the
down-streaming tears, the beseeching
attitude. On she moved till she gained
her fathers side, and there she dropped
down on her knees.
so papa ! if you do that, if you go
into that awful business, how will you
meet the ruined souls of poor drunk
ards Oh papa if you do that, l can
never look anybody in the face again.
Indeed, indeed, dear papa, l would ask
God to take me to heaven, and know
He would"
1t was a singular scene. Opposition
came from a source he was not pre-
pared for, and Emma was his idol. He
drew long breath, and his face
changed.
"Get up, child" he said, gently
though his voice trembled.
80 dearest papa you won't become
a drunkard maker?" she pleaded; and
thought that, with her floating hair
heightened color, and streaming eyes
she looked like some sorrOwful angel.
Another long breath-he pressed hi.
lips together.
"Get up, my child you have con
quered," he said, softly. "No, by the
grace of God, won't be drunkarC
MAKER" he said, solemnly. 81 tried tt
harden my heart, but we'd better bt
poor" Then she sprang into his arms
and hid her joyful face in his bosom
and we all wept together; but the,
were blessed tears.
Little by little we have managed t,
regain our old position; but no ruinet
souls can point to us, no children or,
for blood-stained money with whicl
the father and husband purchased th
poison of the still. Do you say it wa
only ale7 Then answer, Goods ours
is on it all."-Temperance Banner.