West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-28
THE MAN-TRAP AT ASHDALE.

Footsteps were hcartl2 form dark
ened the door-some one entered-but
Mrs Pratt did not look up, nor pause in
her work. The sun had gone down. and
twilight was gathering dimly, Mrs
Pratt leaned CLOSER To- the window. that
she might catch the fading rays aud a
little while Longer continue her work.
Well"' Mrs Pratt did not turn.
nor look toward the speaker Her voice
was a low sad murmur
Sarah" The hand of tlie sneaker
now rested lightly on her shoulder.
With'Ja quick movement, and with
some surprise in her manner, Mrs Pratt
turned herself from the window.
90, Edwards" Her yoiee ehoked.
and her eyes filed ith tears. m
Sarah.A Aud Mr. Pratt seated him
sell besides his Wife, pYacibee his hand
gently on hers as he did 90, and looking
earnestly and tenderly In her face.
Sarah, ] lave a little good news for
you; If good news can come in Just such
q shape. Old Killigrew Is dead .13.s,ssN
Dead " Llgh- and shadow were
blended on the face of Mrs. Pratt. Death
j. an awful thing, come in almost any
shape it will and in the case of man
like Killigrew, il was awful in the ex-
treme. Yet, the intelligence caused a
throb of pleasure in tine heart of Mrs.
Pratt.
No wonder'Mrs Pratt was overcome
by her feelings. Ten years before, as
he stood beside her young husband,
she had the proudest, happiest heart in
Ashdale. Since then, alas none was
30 humbled and grief stricken; for, in
that bar, her loved and lIonored husband
had trailed his manhood in the dust of a
debasing sensuality-fsfy q. zI-.coT 90
Than Edward Pratt, kinder hearted
man could not be found. But he had
neither a decided will or strength of
purpose. The current in which his life
boat happened TO be usually bore him
along; and even when conscious that
1t was gliding toward dangerous sea-
he opposed TO il only a slight resistance.
Very soon after their marriage Mrs.
Pratt discovered in heT husband Il fond
ness for stimulating drinks. "A prompt
yet gentle and loving remonstrance ac-
complished all she had hoped to gain for
time. Tire dangerous tempter was
banished from theif house All would
have been well, from that time forth.
had not the tavern OF old Kiiligrew, the
only one i'm Ashdale, stood directly on
the way along which Mr.. Pratt daily
went 70 the store where he was employed
as a clerk. 90 q lt ~ Il ~
At dinner time, both in coming home
and returning TO the store, nc succeeded
in getting past old Killgrew's man.
trap" without being hailed by the
watchfu1 landlord But his good reso-
lutions were not proof against the inhu-
ences that assaied him in the evening.
Later bhan usual he fingered at the
tore, in order to avoid the company OF
one or two young men who always
stopped To drink at Killigrew's. He
thought he had escaped them: but IL
was not so. They were in the tavern
porch as he came along, and, having
taken their cue from their landlord.
who was keen-sighted enough to zee
what had been passing In the mind OF
Pratt, and feared 60 lose p customer.
as4ailed him with influences that he had
not strength Of mind % resist. Just
TO satisfy them, as he said. he con
sented TO drink single glass. But
that did not satisfy either them or the
tavern keeper A second glass was also
forced upon him then followed a third
which, purpOsely made stronger than
usual completed the overthrow of his
reason
From that time the weak young man
topped almost daily at The tavern to
drink, The temptation was IN he wax
and he had not sufficient strength of
purpose to resist its ailbreuient This
was ooDtinued lor monthsguntH. under
the gentle yet often fearful solicitstion
of his wife, he again resolved to stand
mp firmly against the pressure of a cur
rent that was too steadily bearing him
onward to The sea of destruction.
And 20 the work went on There was
pitiall in Pratts way, and ever and
anon hc stumbled therein All If the
Wuali could only have been removed.
Why did not the people of Ashdale
cause the pitfall 10 be closed up2 Why
did they not remove this man.trapW
they had no power to do 90.
No pOwerp'
1'u may look surprised. hut it, /.