The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-04-05

} that the mystery had never been satis-
factorily explained 10 such young la
dies as had become the wives Of men
who had been among Miss Esther's
admirers. But somehow young men
noticed first Of all Miss Esther's eyes,
and these, though neither of heavenly
blue, nor violet, nor the BROWNIES Of
nuts, nor large, nor melting, but only
plain grey, were SO honest in them
selss and SO sympathetic for others
that no one of any character cared to
gaze from them to any other of the
young woman's features.
| What Fred and Esther said to each
other during the first few minutes
after their meeting was of y nature
which never shows to full advantage
in print; besides, ii was in the nature
Of things that they should say very
little. In spite of the experience ac-
cumulated during u hundred or more
of just such meetings, it seemed neces-
sary that few minutes should be con-
sumed by Fred in assuring himself
that 1t really Esther who sat in the
rocking-chair In front Of him, and
the same time was used by the lady in
determining that the handsome, in
telligent face in front Of her was that
Of the only lover she had ever accept
Cd. Gradually, however, the ssn-
tencss spoken by the couple became
longer and any one would have sup
posed from the countenances Of both
Of these young people that in each Of
these topics there was some under
lying motive Of the most delightful
import, while their remarks seemed
to indicate that there was but one side
to either Of the subjects discussed and
that both Fred and Esther saw ii with
the extreme clearness Of earthly COM
prchension.
Then in a lull in the conversation
Fred asked, with courtesy and
miauteness inherited from aristscratic
parents, about Mr.. and Mrs. Wedge
well, and elected the information that
Esther's father was composing Sec
ond sermon on intemperancc.
"Your father undoubtedly is himself
the best Judge of the needs of his con-
gregation," said Fred, dropping his
eyes little and playing with a bit of
paper, "but can't help feeling that
he is wasting his abilities in preach
ing on intemperancs. II he could be
listened to and appreciated by the
proper person he might do great deal
Of good, but what drunkard goes to
church? Only moderate drinkers
and people who don't drink at all ever
hear your fathers sermons, and none
of them have any need for such in
structions."
Esther brushed an imaginary thread
or mote from her dress, and said with
some embarrassment,
Father believes that the moderate
drinkers are those who most need to
be warned"
"Why, Ettie!' exclaimed Fred,
'how can he believe that? He must
know that occasionally-that Is, he
knows that am not one Of the Sons
of Temperance, yet he gave me you"
here conversation ceased moment
as Fred stepped toward Esther, con-
veying unto that lady an affscti0nate
testimonial whose exact nature will be
understood-''andh he certainly would
not have done SO had he supposed ]
was in any danger of being injured by
liquor"
Esther did not wait even until she
had finished rearranging a disordered
tress or two to reply.
"He said yes only after told him
Of your promise to me that you would
not drink any more after we were
married. He said you were the best
born and best bred young man he had
ever met-as if l didn't already know
il, you dear boy-but that he would
rather bury ME than let me marry .
drinking man."
During the delivery OF this short
speech Fred looked by turns aston
ished, sober, fiattered, sullsn, indig-
nant, and finally business-liks and
judicial. Then he said:
Darling, you must let me believe
that your father il not fully. posted
about men who take an occasional
glass. It's no fault Of his; he proba-
bly, never tasted drop Of liquor in his
life-he may never have felt the need
oft. But believe me when l tell you
that many Of the smartest and best
men drink sometimes and are greatly
helped by it. A business man whose
daily life can't help being often ir-
regular sometimes finds he can't get
along without something to help him
through the day. Why, y few days
ago ! helped Sam Crayme, captain Of
the Excellence" you know, at q
difficult bit Of business; l worked
thirty-six hours Oh stretch, and made
fifty dollars by it. That's more money
sAAssas ehJ ~ yooA youn8
men Of Barton ever make in q month,
but never could have dsne it if it
hadn't been for an occasional drink"
But" said Esther, "you know /
don't say it by way Of complaint, Fred
dsar-but for week after that you
felt dull and didn't say much, and
didn't care to read, and one evening
when l expected you ysu didn't
Gomez
but think how tired man must
be after such = job, Ettie," pleaded
Fred in an injured tone.
"fou poor old fellow, ] know it,"
said Esther, "but you wouldn't have
been SO il you hadn't done the work,
and you yourself say you couldn't have
done the work if you hadn't drank the
liquor. and you know you didn't need
the money 20 badly as to have had to
do 80 much. Amy merchant in the
town would be glad to give you en-
ployment at which you would be your
own natural self"
lsD,,t I would ha n ,>oor