West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-12-07

ullapluated table, one or
two chairs, and a poor apology for
bed in one corner.
A man, who must have been fine.
looking before strong drink made
It's ravages upon him, was walking
up and down the room talkine
hereby to his wife who sat ween.
ing by the stove. He turned eager
ly as the door opened, but the look
on his face turned to one of surprise
as ne beheld his daughter accom-
panied by astrange gentleman. At
first, their would-be friend was at
loss what to say, but he finally
found words to explain the circum-
stances under which he found the
little girl, and heard her story and
how he had called to see if he
could be of some service to the fam
lily.
His unobtrusive sympathy won
the hearts of his new found acquain-
tances, and by means of a few
friendly questions, he succeeded in
winning their whole story from
them, and learned that their name
was Howard, that they had been
prosperous and happy until the
husband and father fell into the
clutches of the demon rum. Mr..
Howard was silversmith by trade.
and asuperior workman, who, when
sober, could command high wages,
but by degrees he had reached his
present position, and now he had
had no work for three months, ex-
cept a three days job upon the in
terror of an establishment where he
had been accustomed to get liquor
his work going to pay the bill he
owed there.
This last fact put thought into
Mr.. Stevens head, and he resolved
upon plan of action. First, he
inquired the address of the liquor
dealer, then turning to Oracle, his
little protege, he said, "Get your
hat and come with me, dear" The
child obeyed, wonderingly. He led
her directly to the saloon mention
ed by Mr.. Howard, and approach
ing the proprietor, related the cir
cumstances connected with the i'm
poverished family, and concluded
by demanding the seven dollars
Mr. Howard had earned there. Of
course the man refused to give the
money, whereupon Mr.. Stevens
pointed to the child's bare feet and
torn garments, and assured him
that if the money was not forth
coming he would be complained of
to the proper authorities without
delay. AT this the face of the dealer
of poison blanched, and thoroughly
frightened, he handed out the seven
dollars.
His object accomplished, Mr.
Stevens was not long in taking
Oracle to shoe store, and having
her fitted with pair of shoes, and
thence proceeding to grocer's, he
purchased tea, sugar, bread and
meat, which he carried with the
remainder of the money, to the
Towards. After their hunger was
appeased, long and serious talk
followed between the two men,
which resulted in the signing of
the pledge by Mr.. Howard, when,
with hearty clasp of the hand,
Mr.. Stevens left them to go to the
head of the firm where Mr.. Howard
was formerly employed, and in
duce him to re-instate him in his
old place.
That night after Mr.. Stevens had
returned to his home, and had his
tea, he said to his wife, 81 think,
Lavinia, that l will to bed early,
for I am very tired, and have a bad
headache"
And the good man went to bed,
not to rise from it for several weeks.
He was brought down to deaths
very door, but after many days the
fever spent itself, and left him pale
and weak.
1t was two months from the day
of the episode mentioned above be-
fore he was able to leave the house.
His determination to seek out the
family in which he had become SO
deeply interested, was interfered
with by pressing business cares,
L 4 Il Il