The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-12-16
SHE SAVED THE TOWN.
BY JAMES CLEMENT AMBROSE.


I write history-and its narrative sits heavily
on me- Why? That in its poison it has many
parallels; in its antidote, few. How the years
that whirl past US tangle our brains with wonder,
that men will so often forsake the better impulses
of human nature and cleave to the blasting pas
sions which make it their sport and Gods grief
Tomorrow, Agnes, the June term of court
opens Before it closes, shall be admitted to the
bar; the law student will become the lawyer; he
will put up his shingle, and sweep out office for
nobody but No. /. And then"
'rMay you never be admitted to any bar but
the symbol of your profession p' broke in Agnes.
''Nevery stoutly returned Arnold Wilmoth.
"Of course not Why, could 1 ever make such
hazard of your love and happiness? of health,
honor, prospects, and the mutual home we're to
have ~
81 hope not, Arnold but ever since the death
from drink of young Ellis, who, in betrothal days
protested total abstinence as loudly as you do
now, and meant it no less, have horror of these
saloons. They are snares set beside stores and
under offices to catch the innocent Through
their trapdOor Ellis fell into the pit his wife and
boy into hunger, rags, cold and shame"
SOP"
mo Of course you don't intend to do so. But
wish you felt little afraid of it not quite
so confident of strength to defy temptation think
fear of danger is near akin TO safety; one who
never ventures near the edge of Niagara never goes
over the rapids"
"You're good philosopher, love; and I love
you much for your thOughtfulness. But please
don't borrow trouble; let's talk of better things
You know, the best day of our lives is pledged t.
come soon after my settlement in business
The conversation turned to marriage. Witl6r
a month these young residents of an Illinois vii
lage were married. Love conquered even tn,
fear Of Agnes, in spite of her keen perception o
the danger which always sits at table with temp
tatiOn.
A barrel of cider stood on tap in the cellar o
Arnolds father. Agnes knew il. In the Viii
moth family even beer had not been reckOne,
among the internal spirits Agnes knew it. AnC
her fears were the fruit of knowledge; but sh
hoped. When did not young and loving woman
hope?
4 year of married life Good clients come t.
court with Arnold; prosperity salutes him; he i
proud of his success, and Agnes is proud of him
The man at the masthead seems to shout, "All i
well ~
Two years Of married life. A little lad in tn
likeness of Agnes has just spread his tiny sails
that perilOus voyage, from the cradle to the grave
and in the sweet and sacred mysteries Of earlies
motherhood, Agnes finds the supreme happines
Of the perfect woman.
Arnold is glad; but he is not gay. His success
at the bar has been such that business now seek
him he is crowded; he is under mental strain Il
"keep up" he is often at his office of nights pre-
pairing cases for trial the occasional" glass o
beer has become a steady habit
Another year is gone; and the grind for none,
increases Arnold stands in practice beside mel
twice his years at the bar He is thrown mucl
into the cOmpanionship of men long since weane'
from that hottest human anchorage, wife's affec
tions. He is a bright young orator, and politi
clans Of all grades in evil habits press upon him 4
plead the party's cause in the pending campaign
In such plague-breathing company he goes L
speak at night in a neighbOring town. Tn
people are pleased to admiration; but the leader
are bent on making a brother beast Of the maj
who has gratified them. To itreat'i to that whicl
''stingeth like adder" is their ideal method O
manifesting gratitude. Into the crossroads gro
Gerry, with saloon in jug under the counter
they persuaded Arnold to go after speaking ot
brace up" they said, 'for the cool ride home"
His companions were three professional mart
barnacles. They were used to being away fron
home used being away, to forget home to snee
at ii as good place TO go back TO only when the
could 90 nowhere else: to jest of woman's love a
q trife for men to trife with. In their phiIoso
ply, she had no right other than to minister Z
mans pleasure, and right to complain that hi
pleasure was of the brutes BRITISH at the cost :
her happiness H. home, life, good name HUSBAND
children Need i add, they were also used /
strong drink
With their philosophy, they ridculed tn
honest protests Of Arnold in favor of wife an
home TIL he took whisky into his stOmach-tb
devil into bis head. I cannot tell you how eve
after they had backguarded away respect fc
Agnes and fbe babe he, standing alone, consente
to be cursed in the cup. But he did IL is tn
mystery q Temptation. Is it lack of the courae
70 love Ourself better than ones companions?
When the quartette had driven into the street
Of their own village Arnold was lust sober enoug
20 know that be had been fool in the hands
false friends and crazy enough TO wish to drow
that knoH lei4e IN renewed folly. All places
moral business were closed, but up to an open 81
loon they drove, after eleven o'clock. They wer