The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-10-01

the tears and said, gently: Drink the
coffee; it will do you good" Not a word
OF reproach did she utter, and the cause
OF unhappiness was not alluded to by
either. Except for Slightly perceptible
| degree of constraint on both sides, things
were restored to their usual condition,
and all appeared to go on smoothly for
a few weeks. At the end of that lime,
| Mr.. Norton said he had invited several
! gentlemen to dine, for whom he wished
to have a very handsome dinner provided.
No objection was made, and, at the ap-
pointed time, the guests arrived, expect
ling to fare luXuriously and to be agree
ably entertained by their bright and
handsome hostess. But, to the sur
prise of all, and the dismay of her
husband, she came in at the same
moment with reeling steps and an undue
amount of foolish expression on her face.
She kept saying: PLEASED to see you,
! gemmens" Seated at the table, she or
dered a deeanter of wine to be placed
near her, poured out some, and, with n
| silly simper, said: Take drink, gem
mensn Then she began to sing: "Fill
high the Lowl." The servant in attend
ance looked on with astonishment. Mr..
| Norton, who had been hanging his head
with shame, rose presently, and, draw
| ing her arm within his, said: "You are
not well, my dear. You had better 90
to your room" She leaned upon him,
staggering, and laughed idiotically, say
ingt :.
II b'lieve Pm-tipsy--tipsyr'
Robert assisted bis wife to their bed
room and then returned to his friends,
who sooD after left, marveling much at
what thev had seen. The next morning
he met his wife at the breakfast table.
He'took his seat with an averted face.
Loolie smiled as she said 4
believe | was intoxicated last
night. Well, you must remember our
agreement was that every time you got
intoxicated EI should have a similar
privilege, and have only avafled my
self Of it. That is fair, is it notP"
The tears sprang into Roberts eyes as
he replied
"Ah! Loolie, / little thought that my
weakness would ever again overpower
me. And far less did think 1T would
also cause my brave little wife to STUN
ble."
"Since you have discovered my fond
ness for wine," she responded, there is
but one remedy. Keep all liquor out of
the house, and the temptation to drink
being removed, shall not be SO likely
to give way to it."
"But you know nearly every one here
drinks wine; and what shall say to my
| friends when / bring them to dinner,
and they find their customary beverage
conspicuous by its absence?"
Robert, you are brave man in most
things" she replied. '' Have you not the
courage to say, / am conscious of a weak
ness about wine, and | am resolved
neither to be tempted myself, nor to
tempt others, by having it aboutp 1t
seems to me that good men would re-
spect the manly frankness of such an
avowal; and as for those who seek your
company for the sake of your wine, the
loss of their intimacy would be rather a
gain. Nobody will suspect you of mig
gardly motives, for you are known to be
generous even to lavishness. Besides,
you can prove your hospitality in other
and better ways. And, Robert, by pur-
suing this course you may be the means
of saving others from the snare which
proves so dangerous to yourself. You
may not only save your own wife and
child from shame and ruin, but other
women and children may have reason to
bless you. Oh, Robert, only think how
dreadful it would be for our dear boy to
be ashamed of his father!"
She paused, and he said, with a good
deal of emotion, "Loolie, / have prom
ised you never to taste another drop;
and this time ! will keep my promise, SO
help me Godw
"He will be more sure to help you, if
you never have it in the house," she re-
Joined.
AS he remained silent and downcast,
she stopped and peeped up into his face,
as she said playfully, They will lay all
the blame on me, dear. They will say
that you are afraid to trust your wife in
the house with it; and am willing to
be the scape-goat."
He looked up with smile, as he an
swered, You have conquered. Every
thing that intoxicates shall henceforth
be banished from the house. But,
Loolie, that was dreadful lesson you
gave me. 1t would be awfully hazard
Gus for you to carry out that pledge of
yours" am glad you are aware the
hazard of beginnings" she replied " for
the hazard is much greater to you than
it would be to me; because you like the
mischieVous stuff, and do not" She
placed her hand affectionately on his
shoulder as she added: 81 was not so
much intoxicated as / seemed, dear. |
am so unused to wine that very little
upsets me. am something of an act
ress, you know; but if you keep your
promise, will never perform in that
character again"
He repeated his promise with kiss
and he never afterward broke his word.
u. MdrtG Child.