Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-04-21

lowed. In that state, / punished that
brave boy to make him tell what he had
His only words were piteous .sFath-
er. can't tell" i punished until he fell
/ fainting. ~ - -
My wife pleaded with me. Brutality 1
asked If she would make him more stub
corn. While / talked with him, he
| would cling around my neck and sob.
My wife, after In vain trying to dissuade
me. had gone away where she should
not hear the blows that fell upon her
boy.
When the dear little fellow tainted.
went TO the chamber where she was up
on the bed, and bright red spot was up
on the pillow where her head rested. A
sudden attack of hemOrrhage. I was
thoroughly sobered now. That night
she died. As / knelt by her bedside
that night, promised her and God that
would never drink again. And with a
smile OF joy, one white hand in mine, the
other resting gently upon my face, as it
rested near hers, she took my promise
up to God. fI xasi 81 CigI1sFsT fcF-
When little Robbie awoke the next
day from q troubled, feverish sleep, he
old not wake to consciousness. The de-
Irium OF fever was upon him, and from
that fever he never recovered. A short
time before he died, which was about one
week from his mothers death, he knew
me and could converse. He seemed TO
awake from that terrible night.
When he awOke in the quiet of the
night, with faint voice he called:
"Father!"
In an instant was by his side. Oh
that he might know me, that might
ask his pardon!
Father, forgive-me- for not telling
you"
o, my boy! How my heart yearned
toward him! wanted to take him i'm
my arms, and fold him close to my
heart.
After little he seemed to rally as
though for some great effort.
But. father, feel that must die
nOw,-and oh-forgive me,-but / must
tell you. He called you drunkard, and
I-couldn't bear that"
My noble, heroic boy Kneeling there
with him alone. with tears falling thick |
from my eyes, begged his forgiveness
told him my promise, and he knew
would keep it. But did not tell him |
how utterly alone l should be when he |
was gone.
Where is mother ?" 19 VIC
''She is asleep"
After this he slept little. Suddenly |
he awoke calling my name.
HAS mother been here?
"NO, dear" IL
IL dreamed she was here all radiant |
aud white, and she looked so happy"
Exhaustion followed this. and sleep |
again. did not leave his side. Soon |
again he awOke. Seeing that he was try
ing family to speak, 1 inclined my head
TO catch the words:
kiss me, papa" And his lite white
hands were placed by the sides of my
lace, as with catching breath he whls-
pered:
.Don't-father don't drink any more"
And then those white hands fell. l
buried him by his mother. ~
Soon after this my parents died, leav-
Ing their entire property To me. | sold
10, and my own home, --and have used my
life since as you know. 1t may seem
trivial to yOu,s but to me it is never for
gotten tragedy. And because want to
deepen your desire I'd save the fallen.
though it has torn my heart, have told |
you my story.
The old man had risen as he had fin
lshed. Without saying world extend
ell my hand. my eyes filling with tears,
surrounding his, white head with halo.
He tottered towards me, sunk by my side
with his face buried i'm his hands. He
seemed unlike himself. Like a tired
:hilI lie rested his face upon my should
rs. his whole form shaking cOnvulsively.
With one arm supported him With
lac other brushed his snowy white hair
,ack from his face. Only moment, and
hen he resumed his wOnted calmness and
And in that usual control,
Oined to that mOmentary weakness |
saw the key to character that needed
what God gave of discipline, to compel
that control.
When he died his property was ali
leo ted as he had used it. and is held i'm
trust, to be used judiciOusly in aiding
men who would break away from the
shares that drunkenness weaves. His
body rests besides his wife and little Rob-
bic. He suffered as few men have, and
be served more efficiently u good cause.
than most men can.