The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-09-20
drunken father would not give i1im il

|
lldlngs from Ernest, save that after thr
first one, and each quarter brought the
mother remittance, and each success.
slvo quarter one Of higher figure,
| Welcome, too, were they all; for, b,,t
for such generous aid the workhousc hoi
! claimed her and her children for d05n.
ward, still downward, went her husband
his absence no longer counted by hours
but weeks and months.
In bustlmg city, many miles from
his native town, stranger ono nigh'
found him in gutter, half rozen.
starved, weary and sick. Like good
Samaritan, be picked him up, AM as nc
WAS too weak tn walk, placed hia in q
conveyance and had him taken to his
owH home. A warm bath, Glen gar
ments, wholesome food and q stt bed
were freely offered him, and passio as n
ch!ld when worn a. ,anguid, b suf.
fcrcd them to deal with him a thcv
chose and soon sank into deo, re.
freshing slumber.
1t was hours ere he awoke, nnt then
he seemed rs in dream. ThGGlthv
gutter in which he had lost hi con
sclousncss was now exchanged for alowmJ
bed, with pillows white and soft assnow,
with snow-white counterpanc and dmasi
hangings. His rags had disapplrcd.
and in their stead he saw hir sol robed
in fine linen. The dirt v,Gs washd from
his face and hands, his hair was conhed,
and his tangled beard neatly shSn
Ho put back the curtains. Glad, &C. N
slnbcams were stealing throughhr
crimson drnpery of an allowed win6w,
and their brilliant light showed lStv
chamber, with frcscoed walls, n cnrrt
from Oriental looms, and furniture tina
a prince might cOvet. "It is q dream, "
brcathed he, and he closed his ewes.
Light footsteps aroused him soon, and
uncloslng them again he saw bending
over hlm noble-looking man in lifcs
early prime, and beside him n lovely
woman, and i'll tho eyes of both largo
tears were standing.
"Trll me-" aaid he, eagerly, edo 7
dream, or am I the poor drunkard Sc
greatly cared for?"
You are sick and we must minister tc
you," replied the lady.
"Sick ay, sin sick" he said. "Bu,
yCU do not know how vile l am, or Won
would cast mo out at once. Listen. ]
have broken the heart of nv wife. hayC
half killed him first; and have i'll treat
my other children TIL they fear M
more than the evil one. Will you care
for me now ?"
lie almost skricked out the question
ana IL seemed rs though life and deat
nung on the answer.
1--WE must forgive ever MS we wouh
he forgiven" said the master of the
house. "NVhile you can bo happy, Sta,
with u.s."
A week passed away, 2nd still the old
man tarried in that beautiful home, now
toying gently with Lily. tae wee, deli
cate babe, and then plnyi 6 gay pranks
with Harry, the pride of he household,
boy of four summers now dreaming
in the pleasant chamber where he first
awoke again to manhood, and then lolling
in an armchair in the prlor, tears and
smiles chasing each |thcr over his
wrinllled cheeks as the pvely lady OF the
mansion sang, now gay dltty and then
a solemn hymn. But he never olterco
to cross the threshold
81 dare not" he would say, when
asked to ride or walk there is danger
in the street: and thi' calm IS so very
sweet. If it could or y last" Ard then
he would sigh, and sometlmcs weep and
sob like child.
y
"Thcrc is to be grand rally of the
friends of tcmpcrm cc tonight-the new
Nn0 splendid hail is to be inauguratcd
Banners will waIe. music ring, and
ladies smile Stall I invite you, my
wife, to accompany me 2 said the mas
ter of the house,
"Of course, afer such programme,
said she, gayly, card you may depend
upon my going, 100. How soon must J
be ready?"
'In an hours time" ho replied. 81
will send carriage for you, and meet
You myself at the door of the hall. BE
sure that you are ready, for there will be
a tremendous crowd"
81 will be in time trust me for that. "
said she, and FASTENED to perform her
duties to the little ones; but what was
her astonishmcnt when sln returned to
the pnrlor, all bonnctcd ard cloaked, to
find her stangcr guest awaiting her.
''I cannot surely be tempted there, >
said he, in o low sad voice ''but if you
will suffer me to ride vii h you / will
| gladly go. 1t may bo thatI shall COM
| pleto there the salvation hero con-
mcnced.
Gladly did the lady acmicsce in the
I request, end they were son at the door
of the thronged. hall. Nd her husband.
but an intimate friend Of lis joined them
there, and led them to Dmo reserved
seats near the platform.
There had been stirrinj music by thc
band, feryent prayers blythe clergy and
thrilling speeches from tators from dis
tant parts of the countA the hearts OF
that vast multitude wcrcyrouscd as they
Had never been before tftho dangers of
The cup. Then, while Ut they were n,
'lvctcd to the subject, fc president an.
aomccd ga voice frcA our home >
Ehcro was n breathlest silence for n
moment, and then long nd loud ACCLAIM.
nations greeted the goEl Samaritan OF
Onr sketch as lie bowedto the waiting
throng. 1t had SCENE dto them as the
last speaker hushcd hiIyoice, that the
theme, world wide as its, was quite ex.
haustcd, but so impaji ioncd was the
aloquenco that now Tstered it, that
they hung upon every prd as if he haC
spoken of something firth from heaven
Where others had getraljzcd, he in
lividualized. He did 4t take the mas.
# drunkards, but only bne out of then