Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-02
LITTLE LIZZIE.

Mrs. Leslie, weeping. %, if they
wouldn't sell him liquor, there'd be no
trouble! Hes one Of the best Of men,
when he doesn't drink. He never brings
liquor into the house; and he tries hard
enough, know, to keep sober; but he
cannot pass jerks tavern
Mrs. Leslie was talking with a sym
pathizing neighbor; who responded by
saying that she wished the tavern woult
burn down, and that, for her part, she
didn't feel any too good TO apply fire tC
the place herself. Mrs Leslie sighed
and wiped away the tears with her check
ed apron.
IT'S hard. indeed. it is, she murmur
ed, to see man like jerks growing
richer and richer every day out OF th'
earnings OF poor working men, whos'
families are in want of bread. For ey
cry sixpence that goes over bis counte
some one is made poorer-tO some hear
is given a thio5 Of pain
It's downright shamen eXclaimoC
the neighbor, Indignantly. If l haC
my way with the lazy, good-ior-noih'
ingtfellow, I'dsee that he did some
thing use i'll If it was to break stone on
the road. Were it my husband instea(
Of yours that he enticed into his bar
depend ont he'd get bimseif INTO troub'
blc.'
While the conversation was going on
a little girl, not over ten years Of age,
sat listening a.tentiyely. After while
she went quietly from the room, an,
throwing her apron over her head. took
her way, unobserved BY her mother,
down the road.
Where was little Lizzie gong: There
was a purpose in her mind-she haC
started on a mission. oh, if they
wouldn't sell him liquor These ear
nest, fearful words Of her mother ha(
filed her thought. If Mr.. Jenk'
wouldn't sell her father anything tC
drink, there would be nomore trouble,
How simple. how direct the remedy
She would 90 to Mr.. jerks and ask hin
not to let her father have any more l.quo
and then all would be well again. Art
less. innocent child! And this was hel
m ssion.
The tavern kept by Senhs, the lazlos
man in Mlllanyille-he was too lazy tC
work, and therefore went to tavern
keeping-stood nearly a quarter Of
mile from the poor tenement occupied
by the Leslies. Toward this point, un
der hot, sultry sun, little Lizzie made
her way, her mind so filled with its pur
pose that was UNCONSCIOUS OF heat OF
fatigue.
Not long before, traveller alighteC
at the tavern. after giving directions
to have his horses fed, he entered tht
bar-room and went up to where Jenk'
stood behind the counter.
Have something to drink inquired
the landlord.
III take glass of water, if yol
please
jerks could not hide the indifference
at once felt toward the stranger. Very
deliberately he set a pitcher and glass
upon the counter, and then turned part
ly away. The stranger poured out
full tumbler of water. and drank 1t of
with an air Of satisfaction.
Good water that Of yours, landlord.
he said.
1T is:' was returned somewhat un
courteously.
Never drink water by itself A
jerks said this he winked to one Of hi
good customers, who was lounging il
the bar. In fact, it's so long since
drank any water, that forget how
tastes. Don't YOU Leslie =
The Man to whom this was address
ed was not so far lost to shame as Jenk
He blushed and looked confused, as n
replied
1T might be better for some Of us,
VIC had not lost our relish for pure wa
ter
"A true word spoken, my friend
said the stranger turning to the man
weose swollen visage patched, thread
bare garments too plainly told the stor
at his sad life. Water, pure water
bright watcr;' that is my motto. l
never swells the face, nor inAames tn
eye, nor mars the countenance. Its at
tendants are health, thrift and happi
ness. 1t takes not away the children
bread, nor the toiling wife's garments
Water 1T is one Of Gods chiefes
blessings Our friend, the landlord
here says he has forgotten how it tastes
and you haye lost all relish for the re
freshng draught! All, this is sa
confession-one which the angels nigh
weep to hear.
There were two or three customers i
the bar besides Leslie, to whom this wa
addressed; and all Of them-in spite
the landlords angry and sneerlng cour
tcnance-treated the stranger with al
tention and respect. Seeing this, Jenl
could not restrain himself; so, comm
from behind his bar, he advanced