The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-06-28
A Fathers Martyrd0m.

"My son a saloon keeper! dealing out
draughts of poison, death and destruc-
ton TO his fellowmen! 0, that l have
lived to see this day"
The speaker was an old, gray-haired
man of eighty years, who had tried to
bring up his children to be respectable.
men and women; and to Il certain ex-
tent he had succeeded. But now when
he was so near life's setting sun, this
bitter knowledge must be thrust upon
him, to rob him of that calm content
which the aged alone can feel when all
is we'll The love of God was strong
within him, and he felt that there was
still work for him to do, so he hast
ened to Salem, where his son lived,
and tried by prayer and entreaty to turn
him from his shameful work. Although
the son seemed touched by his aged
fathers appeal, yet he went on with his
vile traffic as before. The old gentle
man now tried to buy his saloon, offer
ing him the sum of two thousand dol
lars, which was all the money he had in
the world.
"Gou don't want to run the thing
yourself do you, father?" said the son,
in mirthful tone.
Eyes, if you'll let me have it, I'll run
it off the face of the EARTH" was the old
gentleman ready reply. But the son
would not sell, and the old gentleman
next move was to follow his son up
town in the morning, aud when the sa-
loon door was unlocked, he stationed
himself, with cane in hand, in the door
way. The saloon was on the corner,
and men began to flock aroung it as
bees do around the hive; but the old
man who stood there, leaning heavily
on his cane, with sadness depicted on
every lineament of his kind old face, his
hair white as the snow, presented such
sad picture OF age and helplessness,
that the would-be tipplers turned away
in shame.
But there was another class of de-
bauchees who were not able to be out
so early in the morning as the former.
They came at last, with unsteady step
and blood-shot eyes. What did they
care for this little old man, who stood
as barrier between them and the sub
tie poison that robbed them of strength
and will?
Don't come herer' said the old
man, as they attempted to pass him.
"lt's the gateway to death and des-
truction; think
"Pm thinking of drink Just now"
yelled an old topper in an angry tone,
and as he said this, he caught the old
man by the arm, and threw him on the
pavement with great force.
Before the bartender could realize
what was being done, he saw his father
lying bleeding and senseless on the
sidewalk. He was over the counter
and out of the saloon in moment,
and, picking his father up, he carried
MIN tenderly across the street to a
doctors Office. Seeing that he would
receive proper attention, he rushed out
of the Office, like lion let loose in his
rage, hurrying hither and thither in
search of the villain who had com-
mitted the outrage; but this monsterin
human form was not to be found, and
it was well for him that he could nota
The old gentleman was soon restored
to consciousness. There was slight
cut on his temple. This, and the
shock that he sustained to his nervous
system, rendered him incapable for q
time. But, when he was again able to
be out, he took his stand in the saloon
door again, saying to his son:
al shall stand here until am again
thrust out, or, if need be, until l drop
dead in my tracks, if God so wills it"
1t is needless to say the saloon was
closed.-Lydia a. HeSket, IN Church
and Home.