Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-07-02
HOW LITTLE Oracle CLOSED
A SALOON.


Oracle was very little girl, only six
years old, but beautiful and loving. She
was modest, thoughtful child, aud
when her father, who loved her very
much, wanted her to come into sa.
loon, that he might introduce her 10 the
men lounging there, and hear them
praise her beauty, she would say, NO,
papa, no, no; make the naughty men go
away, and then I'll come
There was = children's temperance
society in town, in charge of The Wo-
mans Temperance Union, and little
Oracle and her brother, still younger,
were invited 10 attend. The father
gladly consented, for he liked much TO
see Oracle dressed up and have people
notice her.
Everything was new and strange TO
Oracle She had never seen any one
pray before, aud when the leader talked
about the great God, and asked them
| all 10 bow their heads while he prayed,
Oracle bowed, awed into the most sol
emn reverence.
After the meeting she asked the teach
er what it meant, and il she would teach
/ her and her little brother how TO pray
The teacher took the little hands in her
own, and told the two children about
/ Jesus, aud how he loved little children
| and wanted them 10 be good, and would
| help them, if they asked him.
Months passed, Oracle had learned 10
} al. Il l., tot
about the Christ child, and wanted him
to pray, but he only laughed, aud called
her his little saint.
One day Oracle was taken very i'll,
/ the doctor was sent for, and when lie
saw her, he said she was very sick.
Will die doctUri
Il hope not
You needn't be afraid to tell me,
cause I'm ready; asked Jesus TO take
ne it lie wanted me.
The father, WHO stood at the foot Of
the bed, sobbed out, oh, Oracle! you
don't want to leave papa, do youH
Yes, ! do, if Jesus wants mo TO como
cause lie has the best right to me-
The customers came and went, bht
the saloon keeper needed them not; for
| bis dear Oracle was on her little bed
painting her HE away. What cared he
for money now, the light of his life was
going QUIT One day on his coming up
out of the saloon, Oracle opened her
eyes, and turning upon him an implor-
ing look, said, 'Oh papa is the saloon
open and are men there drinkingf
Yes, darling
DO close it, papa l know III feel
better if you will.
III do it darling-auything.to make
you feel better. The saloon Keepers
heart was almost breaking. The bar
keeper was ordered 10 clear the saloon
and close the doors.
Darling the saloon is closed, he said,
bending over her few minutes later.
Thank you, papa. 1t makes mo
happy and better already; and a glad
smile came into her suffering face. Ev.
cry few hours Oracle would ask, is tho
saloon closed nowi'
Yes, darling
'Are the shutters upf
yes, dear, they are up.
The leader OF the children's temper.
ance meeting had been sent for at Gra-
cie's request, and had been with her al
most constantly from the first, and now
sat chatting the hands that were grow
ing so cold in death.
oh, papa, wish you'd never open
the saloon again. Mamma, cant you
get papa TO promise Inc never 10 open
the saloon again.
'Ob, George, do promise yoUr dying
| child, sobbed the mother, who had ney-
er favored her husbands business.
The strong man shook like reed.
He could not speak for moment; then
coming and bending over her as she
tossed restlessly he said, in strange
and husky voice:
My darling Oracle, papa will. never
open the saloon again.
'Oh, papa, I'm so glad. Illiell Jesus
when get TO heaven that you have
closed the saloon. And now, papa, you
must be good. and He'll let you cone
TO that beautiful place too; aud mamma
and Alice can come.
There was a glad smile on the dying
childs face that soon faded out into
lines Of pain; but all at once, just at The
last her face frightened up with
strange, uDeartbly brightness, AID she
cried cut joyfully:
'Oh, mamma, look, lookl the room is
full of angels. Papa, don't you sec
them' They are all about yop!'
There was hush in the loom, for
the gates o. heaven were thrown open
10 let the pure, bright spirit pass
through. Only the body OF the little
Oracle was leit-ihe real Oracle had
gone 10 live with Jesus and The angels.
The father never opened the saloon;
the bar room shutters haye'never been
taken down. The saloon keeper has
not only signed the pledge, but has be-
come a christian, and expects 'ofollow
his GracIe TO heaven after awhile.
n9- A HARD LoT RoR FARNgRs
WIvEs-The farmers vile does not lie
-. xn,oa Har 80 ,-.uI,.