The Van Buren press., 1879-01-07
MISCELLANY.
FOR MOTHERS SAKE. "
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

I'm done with him. I've said SO,
and I'll stand to it. He's disgraccd
himself and my good name, and wash
my hands of him from henceforth and
forever"
Mrs. Arnold stood in the cottage door
way, the sweet bloom and yerdure Of
spring. time all about her. and listened to
her husbands angry words
"Oh, James, she cntreated, "remem.
ber, he is our son
81 shall make it my business to for
get it from this hour; he is no son OF
mine"
But, James, James, think what the
end may be. What if they send him to
the State Prison /"
"Let him go--he deserves ii F."
The anory fathe, strode away, q hard,
relentless look upon his face,
The mother stood there in the early
agony, her hands clutched hard togeth
er.
She could see the village spires from
the cottage porch, and in the village
prison her only son lay.
The trouble had come about after this
wise:
Dick Arnold was confidential clerk in
the hardware house Of Robinson Il Co.,
at very fair salary A promising
young fellow was Dick, bright, inteli
gent, and as shrewd and clever in busi.
ness matters as he was genial and win
ming in his social relations. But his
character had it's week points. In the
first place, he was fond Of strong drink ;
in the second, he had not the courage
to say No" when temptations assailed
him.
Many scrape poor Dick was luIed
into, many heartache he caused his
fond mother. many setting down he got
from his over.severe father bat he did
not mend his ways.
Nevertheless, his employers were fond
of him, and trusted him, aud winked at
his short. comings.
He's fine fellow he'll get his wild
oats in, and do better after awhile," they
said
One afternoon Dick was summoned in
to Mr.. Rohinsons private office.
Here, Dick said that gentleman,
putting sealed envelope into the young
mans hands I want you to take this,
and deliver it to Mr.. Selby, in Covington.
You know the place 2"
"Oh, yes, sir"
"Very well, mind you keep steady
on your legs, my boy, and deliver it
safely
Dick put the envelope in his breast
pocket, bowed himself out, and was
stcaming on his way to Covington in the
next train.
He reached the little town just before
nightfall, and feeling somewhat tired
and thirsty, he dropped in at a restau
rant for drink. Ah, me, if there were
no such places, how much misery, and
sin, and shame would be banished from
the world But they meet US at every
turn, ,beso DEVILS dens. wherein men
are despoiled Of their earnings and their
honor.
Dick went in, and stumbled right in
to the midst of some three or four old
cronies, They leaped up and welcomed
him with uproarious delight.
"Why, Dick, old fellow. haven't seen
you for an age! Well met, 'pon my soul !.
Here, landlord, brandy and scltzer for
four, and be spry at it."
The brandy and seltzer appeared and
vanished. A hroiled steak, and oysters
and crackers followed, and then came
rum grog to wash it all down.
BY sunset poor Dicks weak head
was in a whirl When darkness fell his
errand was still neglected, and he sat
in the little bar-paror, while his boon
companions played cards, a hot bloom
in his cheeks, an insane glitter in his
handsome eyes.
"Come up, Dick. and try your luck -
"Don't care If l do" said Dick, and
at it he went.
His own purse was soon emptied, and
then he never could recall how it all hap
pened, but insane from drink and deter
/ mined to retrieve his losses, he ventured
to open the sealed envelope and to bor-
row stake from the funds intrusted to
him by bis employer,
"I'll soon double it, he thought, sand
then I'll replace the amount
But he lost instead OF doubling, and
then swalloSed more bra dy IN his ex-