The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-09-19
lrunken father would not give him in

u.
Welcome, too, were they all for, but
for such generous aid the workhouse had
claimed her and her children for down.
ward, still downward, went her husband
his absence no longer counted by hours.
but weeks and months.
In a bustling city, many miles from
his native town, stranger one nigh
found him in gutter, half frozen
starved, weary and sick. Like q good |
Samaritan, he picked him up, and as h
was too weak IN walk, placed him in |
conveyance and had him taken to hi
'wn home. A warm bath, clean pa,
ments, wholesome food and soft bed
we're freely offered him, and passive as 8
child when worn al. ,anguid, he suf
fered them to deal with him as the,
chose and soon sank into deep, re
freshing sMmber.
Itwas hours ere he awoke, and thci
ne seemed as in n dream. The filthy
gutter in which he had lost his con
sc:ousncss was now exchanged fora downN
bed, with pillows white and soft as snow,
with snow-white counterpane and damasL
hangings. His rags had disappeared,
and in their stead he saw himself robed
in fine linen. The dirt was washed from
his face and hands, his hair was combed,
and his tangled beard neatly shorn.
He put back the curtains. Glad, golden
5unbeams were stealing through tn,
crimson drapery of an allowed window,
and their brilliant light showed o lofty
chamber, with frescoed walls, n carpet
from Oriental looms, and furniture that
a prince might covet. 'It is dream"
breathed he, and he closed his eyes
Light footsteps aroused him soon, and
unclosing them again he saw bending
over him noble-l looking man in life's
early prime, and beside him n lovely
woman, and in the eyes of both large
tears were standing.
"Tell me-" said he, eagerly, edo
lream, or am l the poor drunkard Sc
greatly cared fnrp"
You are sick and we must minister tC
you," replied the lady.
"Sick ! ny, sin SICK" he said "Bu
you do not know how vile am, or you
would cast me out at once. Listen.
have broken the heart of my wife. have
driven my only son from home; ny, and
half killed him first; aud | have ill-treated
my other children till they fear M
more than the evil one. Will you Car,
for me now ?"
He almost skrieked out the question
and it seemed as though life and dealt
hung ON the answer.
1--WE must forgive even as we woul,
he forgiven" said the master of III,
house. "While you can be happy, sta.
with us" :.
A week passed away, and still the ole
man tarried in that beautiful home, nov
toying gently with Lily, the wee, deli
cate babe, and then playing gay prank'
with Harry, the pride of the household
q boy of four summers; now dreaming
in the pleasant chamber where he frs
awoke again to manhood, and then lollint
in an armchair in the parlor, tears ant
smiles chasing each other over hi
wrinkled cheeks as the lovely lady of tin
mansion sang, now gay diity and thel
solemn hymn. But he never oflere'
to cross the threshold.
81 dare not" he would say, whe
asked to ride or walk; "there Is DANCE
in the street. and this calm is so yer
sweet. If it could only last" Ard the
he would sigh, and sometimes weep an
sob like child.
,
"There is to be grand rally of tn
,, friends of temperance to-night-the ne
anG splendid hall is to be inauguratec
Banners will wave, music ring, an
) ladies smile! Shall l invite you, m
= wife, to accompany me?' said the maj
ter Of the house.
', "Of course, after such programme
! said she, gayly, "ard You may depen
"a upon my going, too. How soon must
i, be readyP" ...
:, "In an hours time" he replied.
- - will send carriage for you, and me-
% Q youmyself at the door of the hall. I!
N sure that you are ready, for there will
u tremendous crowd"
!. 81 will be in time - trust me for that
:, said she, and hastened to perform h
y duties to the little ones; but what W
~ ~ her astonishment when she returned
-, 10 the parlor, all bonneted and cloaked,
y find her stanger guest awaiting her.
~ ~ I cannot surely be tempted there
u said he, in low sad voice; "but IT y
as will suffer me to ride with you l W
IL gladly 90. 1t may be that shall Co
~ plete there the salvation hero co
menced.
M Gladly did the lady acquiesce in
NJ request, and they were soon at the dc
of the thronged hall. Not her husbal
% but an intimate friend of sjoined th'
OF there, and led them to some reserv
NE seats near the platform.
'e; There had been stirring music by
'n, band, fervent prayers by the clergy q
thrilling speeches from orators from
Sc tant parts of the country, the hearts
Ife that vast multitude were aroused as Il
= had never been before to the dangers
the cup. Then, while yet they were
DOR riyeted to the subject, the president
lad nounced "a voice from our HON
cry There was breathless silence fo
moment, and then long and loud accl'
d, nations greeted the good Samaritan
al our sketch as he bowed to the wait
cen throno It had seemed to them as
i've. last speaker hushed his voice, that
the theme. world wide as it is, was quite
tue hausted, but so impassioned was
rs nlonuence that now mastered it,
they hung upon every word'as if he
she spoken Of something fresh from hoa'
Where others had generalzed, he
God ,liyidualized. He did not take the I
here Of drunkards, but only one out of t
'rd's oll and he portrayed his course in
ne vivid colors that the audience see
lore, Gazing upon dissolving views rather
my listening to chosen words; and
lther wrought up were they that when he
tured that horrible scene in the ira
plead of drink. where the husband level
It she M the Aoor the wife which once sleI
snap- sv sweetly upon his bosom, the wife IL
Die in the mother Of his children, they W sex