The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-07-09
A PITCHER OF COLD wArER.

window. Kate, Ter little daughter,
STOOD near her looking out upon the
road, a small, blue-eyed. cherub-like
creature.
A man had Just passed, and it was
of him tie lady said, at was such a
pity" +.
"A greater pity for his wife aud
children" replied Mrs. Lees sister.
"Oh, learl It's a pity for all of
them,r said Mrs. Lee, in quite a
troubled voice.
"Why doesn't the man drink cold
water when he is dry, and Dot pour
burning liquor down his throat? I've
thought more than nee Of meeting
him with a cool glass of water as be
came by, hoping he would turn back
70 his shop and not keep on to HUI
ber's tavern"
THAT would be too pointel," said
the sister.
at might do good" Mrs. Lee went
on. Suppose be did feel a little an
moved. be would hardly refuse the
cool drink, and olce taken be might
not feel so strongly drawn toward
Huber's tavern. The next time 1
saw him coming I'd offer the drink
again, and with o pleasant word. /
could ask about bis wife and children,
and show that | felt interested. Pm
sure, sister, good would come from
it.r
The sister did not feel 50 hopeful.
1T will take more than a glass of
water 10 satisfy his fiery thirst, aud
then, you know, that Barclay is east
ly offended. He would understand
Just what you meant, | fear, and grow
angry and abusive
Il don't believe it would make him
angry to offer him q cool drink of wa
ter"
The child, who had been listening
to her mother aud aunt, said this
quite earnestly.
The two women looked at each
other but did not answer her.
Mr.. Barclay was a carpenter. He
had been very well of, but would
take a glass of liquor now and then.
This led him iato the company of
those who visit tayerns, and by them
be 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 seven 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 bad Re gone backward
and forward before the tavern door,
love for Fanny pleading against love
for rum, and urging him to spend the
few pennies in his pocket for q toy,
or some candies, Instead of beer. But
the dreadful thirst for drink had al
ways got the mastery. Poor man.
On the morning after Mrs. Lee and
her sister were talking about him, it
happened that Mr.. Barclay was with
out a penny in his pocket. What was
he to do? Not a single glass of Ii
quor 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 a
drink? The very thought ~quickened
his craving thirst.
lie opened a bureau drawer to get
q handkerchief, when something met
his eyes that made him pause with a
strange expression of face.
He stood gazing with an irresolute
air, and then shutting the drawer
quickly turned away and walked to
the other side of the room. Fol some
time be remained there, bis back to
the drawer.
A bitter struggle was going on in
his mind. Alas be was not strong
enough for this conflict.
Slowly, step by step, listening,
looking just like a thief, Mr.. Barclay
returned to the bureau, and opened
the drawer.
What did be bring forth I? 1t was
a little wooden box, only a few inches
square; be 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 a present for her father at Christ
mas.
A desperate look was 10 Mr.. Bar
clay's face as be clutched the box.
Hurriedly he took from his pocket a
small screw-driver, and in a minute
or two the lid was of.
Half the pennies were emptied in
TO his pocket, and her the lid replac-
ed and the box returned to the
drawer.
He had scarcely taken a breath
while the hox was in his hand. Now
he sat down, like one suddenly rob-
bed of strength, and painted. The
dark flush went off his face. and be
looked pale and guilty.
"Papa ~ 1t was Fanny herself.
The loving child came in and put her
arms around his neck. lie felt as
clasped in a vice. 1t was as much as
he could do to keep from pushing her
with strong arms away.
Are you sick, papa 2" The child
had caught a glimpse of bis pale, dis
turbed coantenance.
Il don't feel very WE'LL" be an
swered. His voice had so strange
q sound to his own ears that it SEEM
ed as If some one else were speak
ing.
I'm SO sorry" aud Fanny drew
her arms tighter around his neck,
kissing him.
This was more than the wretched
MAI could bear. Rising hurriedly.
and almost shaking of his child, be
left the house aud started for the
shop.
He did not go TO work immediate
IL, but sat down On his bench. He
had no heart for work just then.
'0h, Jim Barclay 90 be cried out
81 last, in a one of mingled shame
aud anguish, that you should come
TO this y
lie got up and walked about like
one bewildered. Just then q man
rode up TO the door of his shop SIS