Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-09-04
An Angel Of Mercy.

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Its such pity" said Mrs. Lee, and
she turned her eyes from the window
Kate, her little daughter, stood near her
looking out upon the road, Il small, blue
eyed. cherub-like creature. a man had
just passed, and it was of him the lady
said. Its such pity
a greater pity for his wife and chill
dren," said Mrs. Lees sister.
''Oh, dear! IT'S pity for all of them" !"
said Mrs. Lee, in quite a troubled voice.
t"Why doesn't the man drink cold water
when he is dry, and not pour burning Ii
quOr down his throat? I've thought
more than once of meeting him with a
cool glass of water as he came by, hop
ing he would turn back to his shop and
not keep on to Huber's tavern.
THAT would be too pointed" said the
sister.
at might do good" Mrs. Lee went on.
Suppose he did feel little annoyed, he
would hardly refuse the cool drink, and
once taken he might not feel 50 strongly
drawn toward Huber's tavern. The
next time | s;lw him coming I'd offer the
drink aagain, and with a pleasant word.
| could ask about his wife and children,
and show that | felt interested. I'm
sure, sister, good would come of it."
The sister did not feel as hopeful. at
will take more than glass of water to
satisfy his fiery thirst, and then, you
know, Barclay is easily offended. lie
would understand just what you meant,
fear, and grow angry and abusive"
Il don't believe it would make him
angry to offer him coo. .lrink of wa
ter" The child, who had Is n listening
to her mother and aunt, s.tid this quite
earnestly.
but did not answer her.
Mr. Barclay was carpenter. He had
been very well off, but would take a
glass of liquor now and then. This led
him into the company of those who Wis
it taverns, and by them he was often
drawn away from shop and home. So
neglect of business was added to the
vice of drinking, and the carpenters
way in the world turned downward.
Mr. Barclay had several children. The
youngest was named Fanny, and she
was Just four years old. He was very
fond of her, and often struggled with his
appetite on her account. Many times
had he gone backward and forward be-
fore the tavern door. Love for Fanny
pleading against love for rum, and urg-
ing him to spend the few pennies in his
pocket for Il toy, or some candies, instead
of for beer. For the dreadful thirst for
beer has always got the mastery. Poor
mani
On the morning after Mrs. Lee and
her sister were talking about him, 1t
happened that Mr.. Barclay was without
Il penny in his pocket. What was he to
do? Not Il single glass of liquor could
be had at Huber's tavern, for he was in
debt there, and they had refused to trust
him until the old score was paid. But
how was he to go through all that day
without drink? The very thought
quickened his craving thirst.
lie opened a bureau drawer to get a
handkerchief when something met his
eyes that made him pause with strange
expression of face. He stood gazing
with an irresolute air, and then shut
ting the drawer quickly turned away
to the other side of the room. For some
time he remained there, his back to the
drawer. A bitter struggle was going on
in his mind. Alas! he was not strong
enough for this conflict.
Slowly, step by step, listening, looking
just like thief, Mr.. Barclay returned
to the bureau, and opened the drawer.
What did he bring forth? 1t was
little wooden box, oDly a few inches
square he had made it himself of fine
dark wood for his dear little Fanny.
The pennies were few, but all she had
received for many months were in this
box. She was saving them to buy
present for her father at Christmas.
A desperate look was in Mr.. Barclays
face as he clutched the box. Hurriedly
he took from his pocket Il small screw
driver, and in a minute the lid was off.
Half the pennies were emptied into his
pocket, and then the lid replaced and the
box returned to the drawer.
He had scarcely taken breath while
the box was i'll his hand. Now he sat
down, like one suddenly robbed of
strength and painted. The dark flush
went off his face and he looked pale and
guilty.
"Papaw 1t was Fanny herself. The
loving child came in and put her arms
around his neck. 1t was as much rs he
could do to keep from pushing her with
strong arms away.
Are you sick, papa?" The child had
caught glimpse of his pale, disturbed
cOuntenance.
Il don't feel very WELL" he answered.
His voice had so strange sound to his
own ears that it seemed rs if some one
else were speaking.
I'm SO sOny," and Fanny drew her
arms tighter around his neck, kissing
him.
This was more than the wretched
man could bear. Rising hurriedly, and
almost shaking off his child, he left the
house and started for the shop. lie did
not go to work immediately but sat down
on his bench. He had no heart to work
just then.
"Oh, Jim Barclayw he cried ont at last,
in tone of mingled shame and anguish,
that you should come to this!
ITa unt nm and NynlEpl nhout like one