South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-09-13

est, and her large. dark eyes bright with
an eager purpose. She glanced neither
to the right nor the left, but walked %
to the landlord. lifted to him her sweet,
young face, and said, in tones that
thrilled every heart but HE:
"Please. Mr.. jerks, don't sell papa
any more liquori.'
"Of home with you. this instant r. cx.
claimed jerks, the crimson OF his face
deepening to q dark purple. As be
spoke. he advanced toward the child.
with his hand lifted in q threatning Mt.
titude.
"Please don't, Mr.. jerks" persisted
the Guild, not moving from where she
stood nor taking her eyes from the land.
lords countenance. Mother SAYS II
you wouldn't sell him liquor there'd be
no trouble. He's kind and good to Us
oil when lie doesn't drink"
"Of, say r. shouted jerks. now
maddened beyond selfcontrol; and his
hand was about descending upon the
little one. when the stranger caught her
In hrs arms. exclaiiuing. as he did 50,
with deep emotion:
God bless the child! No, no, pre-.
cious oner' he added "ion't fear him.
Plead for your home. Your petition
must prevail. He cannot say nay to one
OF the little ones, whose angels 10 nj.
ways behold the face Of their Father In
Heaven. God bless the child" added
the stranger. in a choking voice. 30,
that the father for whom she has come
on this touching GRAND, were present
now! If there were anything of man.
hood left In his nature. this would ava
ken it from its palsied sleep"
Papa, o, papa, now cried tho chili,
stretching forth her hands. In the
next moment she was clirgiDg to the
breast OF her father. WAC. with his arms
clasped tightly around her. stood weep.
ing and mingling his tears with those
now raining from the little ones eyes.
What an oppressive stiffness pervad.
ed the room jerks stood subdued and
bewildercd, his state Of mental confu.
sion scarcely enabled him to compre-
bend the full import Of the scene the
stranger looked on wonderingly, yet
deeply affected. Quietly. and with
moist eyes, the two or three drinking
customers, who had been lounging in
the bar. went stealthily out; and the
landlord, the stranger, and the father
and bis child. were left the only inmates
of the room.
Come, Lizzie dear! This Is no place
Tor U.s." said Leslie, breaking the deep
silence. Wen go home
And the unhappy inebriate took his
child by tho hand and led her toward
the door. But the little one held back
swat, papa. wait II she said. "He
hasn't promised yet. O,Iwish he would
PROMISE
Promise her, liz Heavens name,"
said the stranger.
Promise y said Leslie, in n stern,
yet solemn voice, rs be turned and fix
ed his eyes upon the landlord.
"If do promise, I'll keep It'll" re-.
turned jerks. In a threatening tone, AS
he returned the gaze of Leslie.
"rhen, for Gods sake Rromise7" ex.
claimed Leslie, in hslf-despairing voice,
promise and I'm SAFE
''Be it so! May be cursed. IL ever
l sell you drop of drink at this bar.
while am the landlord Of the Stag and
Hounds"
jerks spoke with an angry emphasis.
God be thanked !" murmured the
poor drunkard, rs he led his child away.
'"God be thanked There is hope for
me yet"
Hardly had the mother Of Lizzie miss.
ed her child. ere she entered, leading
her father by the hand.
20. mother" she exclaimed, with a
joy.lit countenanco. and in voice OF
cxultation, "Mr. jerks has promised I"
Promised whati'' Hope sprung up
in her heart OH wild and Tutoring wings.
her face flushed, and then grew deadly
pale. She sat painting for reply.
"That he would never sell me another
glass Of liquor" said her husband.
A pair of thin. white hands we're clasp
ed quickly together, an ashen face was
turned upward, fearless eyes looked
their thankfulness to Heaven.
There is hope yet, Ellen" said Les.
lie.
"Hope, hope! And o, Edward, you
have said the word"
"iIope, through our child. Innocence
has prevailed over vice aud cruelty
She came TO the strong. evil, passionate
man, and in her weakness and innocence
prevailed over him. God made her fear
less and eloquent"
A year afterward the stranger came
again that way, and stopped az the
Stag and Hounds. As before, jerks
was behind his well-flled bar, an
drinking customers came and went in
numbers. jerks did not recognize him
until he called for water, and drank a
full tumbler OF the pure liquor with
hearty zest. Then be knew him, but
feigned 10 be ignorant OF his identity.
The stranger made no reference to the
scene he had witnessed there a twelve.
month before, but fingered in the bar
for most Of the day. closely observing
every one that came 10 drink. Leslie
was not among the number.
What has become Of the man and
the little girl saw here, at my last Wis
it 20 Milanville?" said the stranger,
speaking at last 20 Jenks.
Come 70 tho demon for of 4 ooro ~