Middletown transcript., 1878-04-13
Original StorQ.
Written for the iiddletown Transcript
A TEMPERANCE SKETCH.
BY 5. L. F.

Fred Warner, young mechanic Of
twenty-five, had been married several
years and had been Il steady, indus
trious young man, but Of late he had
taken to drink, and his thoughtless
companions were dragging him down
to ruin.
1t was a stormy night in the month
Of March, and the rain dashed down
in torrents. Mrs. Warner was busily
preparing supper for her husband, but
she almost dreaded his coming, as she
feared to see him intoxicated, and be
was very often so now.
She paused in the act of putting a
plate Of bread on the table, for she
heard a footstep outside, and the door
was thrown rudely open, letting in a
gust Of wind and rain, and Fred War
ner Her heart sank as she saw the
handsome face so marred by the traces
that liquOr always leaves; she ad-
vanced toward him and inquired where
he had been.
"Oh, only down to Browns" he
answered impatiently, and seating him
self at the fable he ate his meal in
silence.
Erred, why will you not give up
drinking? Oh! if you knew the mis-
cry it caused me, you would give it
up" said Emma, tearfully.
He did not heed her remonstrance,
but presently arose and went to bed.
Emma caught her little child to her
bosom and sobbed out her grief. Little
May, who was their only child, wen
dered greatly but said nothing.
The next night it was the same, and
50 on, until at last it was useless to
expect to see him come home free from
the influence Of liquor.
But, one day Fred came home quite
sober and told his wife that Mr.. Nor
ton had discharged him, and they
would have to move to poorer quar-
ters, as they were behind with the
rent and the landlord had met him
that morning and demanded the rent
or the house.
Emma urged him to give up drink
ing and sign the pledge, but in vain
he was even worse now than before,
and was now seldom at home until a
late hour Of the night.
Mrs Warner took in sewing and
embroidery, and made sufficient to
supply them with the necessaries Of
life. But one day she fell i'll from ex-
haustion and sorrow, and what money
she had went to pay the doctors bill.
When she recovered, she found that
her husband had ceased to drink as
much as formerly.
One day Fred entered the tavern
and called for drink, after which he
seated himself in the bar-room. Pres
entity the landlord went out and before |
he returned his wife entered the room.
She was elegantly dressed and Fred
could not help admiring her appear
ance.
How do you do, Mrs Brown. You
are locking admirably. By the way,
where did you get such handsome
dress never saw one l liked so
much" exclaimed Fred.
The lady tossed her head and ans
wered grimly and pointedly:
"This dress was bought, Mr.. War
ner, with FOOLS dimes and wise mans
pennies" :" and she swept out Of the
room disdainfully.
Now, what did she mean by thatP'
exclaimed Fred, mentally; fools
dimes and wise mans pennies. All
yes; we shall see who is the fsol here
after. Yes, | am one; for l am
spending dimes that would bring many
to my wife and May. Dear
little May!" he seized his hat and
dashed out Of the place and hurried on
until he reached his home.
He opened the door, entered and
started back in surprise, for he had
never taken much notice of its bare
ness until now.
Such miserable home small !
'oom, bare floor, with round table !
spread with coarse but clean cloth
md a very scant meal upon it. On a
OUNCE in one corner Of the room. Law