The Portland daily press., 1884-01-12

think. Try good coffee, tea and milk for
drinks; give up pies and such stuff, Things
| OF that sort create bad taste for stimu-
lants. Have your bread good and serve up
simple, inviting meals every day, and John
will soon enjoy them too much to want any
thing poorer" answered Mrs. Gay, hood in
hand.
81 will try my best. / never thought
that FOOD made any difference. / can cook,
and I'il feed John as you advise, nicely aud
| wisely"
| My dear, half the drunkards we see are
LED to their bad ways by poor food, uncom-
| Portable homes, and wives who through ig-
ncrance, seltishness or neglect leave their
Husbands open to temptation. The poor
men want rest, comfort and cheerful soce-
| ty when the d sy's work is done, and home
| is the safest place to find them in. See that
| your John is Dol drive n away by any failure
ON Your part, then, if trouble comes, re-
morse won't add its bitterness to your share
oil sorrow. I hear the gaze creak good
night and God bless your' cried Mrs. Gay,
| cutting her lecture short and vanishing out
at the back door as Mr.. Merrill came in the
| 'front.'
His wife was so anxious to play her part
wei thatshe could only express her thanks
ny hasty band shake, aud then turn to
! greet her husband with smile he had not
seen for weeks.
'Hullo, how smart and cosy you are Is
1t anybody's hirthday?N he exclaimed,
pausiDg to look about with face ;hat sap
IDLY changed from weary indifference to
pleased surprise.
Mrs. Merrill meant to obey her friend and
say nothing of the fear which had led TO
lhls happy change, but her heart was so fud
II would overflow in spite of her, and run
Mug To her husband, she held him fast, saw
Ir.0 uyti u,.in ft,at a.. 4
hope and self-reprOach:
Il wanted to make home look pleasant to
you, John. I've been selfish, careless wife,
and don't wonder you like other places bet
Ter, put I'm going to Try TO do my duty, and
make you love to be here more than 10 the
tavern, before it is too late. Forgive me,
dear, and help me to keep father safe for
the babies sake and mint.''
Then she broke down and hid her face in
Johns wastcoat; but her tears said what
be dared only hint, and Merrill found it hard
to keep bis own voice steady for minute.
lie understood better than she knew what
danger menaced him, and blessed her for
opening this refuge from the temptation
which was just beginning TO make its power
felt.
81 wi |, please God!' he said manfally, as
be laid his hand on The esrnest little wom-
ans bent head. "Don't blame yourself,
AtlI1, Wu0H you nave L'lo hardest par TO
do. hope Pm man enough TO keep steady
and not disgrace my chi dren. Pll quit my
bad ways and stay with you, for Pm sick OF
them. ] &as tired of finding things in
muddle here, crying children, worried wife,
and all The rest of it, but ought TO have
lent hand and not run away
NO, it was my fault. l'on't say word
more, but come and have tea; it's all ready,
thanks to Mrs Gay, who came and cheered
;ne up and told me what to do" said Mrs.
Merrill. wisely leading her husband to his
easy-char and bustling about to bring in
supper, and prove her pentence by deeds
rather than by words.
''Ah, this is comfort! Beer be hanged!
Here's to Mrs. Gays health, and long life
10 her!' cried Merrill, hodiLg up his first
good cup of tea with nod and smile to
his wife.
They drank the toast and kept the pledge
they silently mad. tt
another to stand
temp ationse .Aane
home safe p...co lor both pa
rents and children.