The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-05-30
W oman's temperance Column
Ne Eofd of lHosfs q softh ~, tke 90
of Jacob is our refuge"
Only Ale.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.

BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.
We had moved three times in ten
years. Emma, our little daughter,
was nine yenrs old, a pretty child, and
a great fnvorite with everybody. Willy
was a boy of three, aud we had always
been happy and united family
When we were married, the worl,i
was prospecting withIls. Then Charley
took a partner, who proved dishonest
and nearly ruined him. Our handsome
house was given up for little cottage
in the suburbs, and we consoled our
selves for the loss of our indoor SPLEEN
doris by the variety and beauty of our
out door wealth. The children had
room to grown in. Everything was
novel and beautiful to them-a new
Eden. Then came success again; then
widespread series of commercial
troubles that again involved Charley.
so that he lost almost everything, and
we were literally poor. This time we
found refuge in the home of a friend,
who gave up to our use, two or three
rooms where we could hide ourselves
in our dismay, and live close.
The times grew no better, rather
worse. Our clothes became seedy,
the children's shoes grew red at tile
toes. We gave up what had been to
us tho necessaries of life-coffee, ten
and sugar. Charley's cheeks grew thin
and his eyes sunken. lie worked with
might and main to stave off ruin, but
the evil day came.
1t is very hard for man to bring
such news TO wife and children. But
in how many homes the unhappy story
has been repeated of late? How eager
ly looked for his return from day TO
day, sure to hear the same spiritless
words, "Nothing to day as yet"
One night Charley came in with a
flushed face. His eyes glittercd; he
was not like himself, but like "a man
under the influence of a fever. His
tongue was thick; for the first time in
his life he had returned to his little
ones and me7-drunk. The fact was q
terrible one, but why attempt to dis
guise it? Emma looked at me like one
horror-stricken. L shall never forget
the anguish in her face. She knew the
full extent of our disgrace, for she had
been brought up strict teetotaler.
$50 into the next room, dear, and
take your little brother" / said; "papa
is not we'll" Willy, who had been sit.
ting half asleep by my side, went will
ingly to bed. For while my husband
was garrulous and silly, but by degrees
The effect of the liquor grew less, and
he talked more like himself.
"Pve had an offer, EN- he said
"the business is good one, and will
reinstate us in our old style of living
And if succeed, as I've no doubt ]
shall, I'm made mana rich man."
81 am very glad" 1 said, but, indeed,
so saddened was at this first reyeJa.
ton of weakness that could not speak
with my usual heartiness, and he no
ticed it.
| "1ou ought to be. In these times a
man must turn his hand to anything
that pays. It's q sin to let good
chances slip through ones fingers on
account of ones notions or prejudice.
Pm sick of poverty; l wont delve like
a clodhopper, and then starve on dry
bread and Cruel; and l won't see my
children in rags"
| ''Thcy never have been in rags vet,
Charles" said.
"Well, mighty near It.; besides
there's no use in your obiecting, Won
know. You will, of course YOU will !:
but. understand me, it wont make a BIZ
of difference. have made ND nv
"What is the business?' | asked. a
sudden terror clutching at my heart.
swell, Steinburger has offered me
an agency. It's not as if il were wines
and liquors. I'm to sell at whole sale
that is, by the bottle and cask.
You've heard of Steinburger's ale?
Well, You needn't look like ghost at
that. It's respectable business"
Just then there came sob, and out
of the shadow Emma stole toward us.
Never can forget the look of horror
in her face; the eyes so mournful, the
down-streaming tears, the beseeching
attitude. On she moved till she gained
her fathers side, and then she dropped
down on her knees.
90, papa If you do that if you 90
into that awful business, how will Won
meet the ruined souls of poor drunk.
ards? o, papa! if You do that, | can
never look anybody in the face again,
Indeed, indeed, dear papa, l would ask
God to take me to heaven, and | know
he would"
1t was singular scene. Opposition
came from a source he was not prepar-
ed for, and Emma was his idol. He
drew a long breath, -and his face
changed.
"Get up child" he said gently,
though his voice trembled.
sob, dearest papa you won't be-
come drunkard-maker?" she pleaded;
and l thought that, with her flowing
hair, and streaming eyes she looked
like some sorrowful angel.
sect up, my child; you have con-
qnered," he said. "No by the grace Of
God, won't be drunkard-maEcr.
Little by littlo we have regained our
position. but no ruined souls can point
to us. DO you say it was only ale ?
Then answer, Goods curse is ON il
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