The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-07-11
TEMPERANCE READING.
OUT ON TRIAL.

Drunk
"They are alone together upstairs,
and perhaps they'll fix it up" said JUS
tice S, as | stopped, intending to
go up into his office. This remark
was addressed to Marshal Nj, a
burly German, in blue suit, with a
star on his breast.
whats up?" said 1. co." said the
Justice, cts the old story. Kate Flax
ton has brought complaint against
her husband for a beastly drunk, and
1 don't blame her. Still, if they can
manage to pull along together, it may
be better for the children. Well wait
till it is time to open the court and see
how they come out"
So we waited few minutes, discuss
ing the political situation, but thinking
all the while of the situation upstairs.
A man who gets so low down that his
wife will make complaint against him
is usually a dirty specimen. Alick
Flaxton, however, was an exception.
He was Just out of jail, to be sure, but
he was clean for all that. Both he and
his wife spoke with a strong Scotch &C
cent
Mrs. Kate had face that would have
done no discredit to some of the hum.
bier characters among the Scottish
women of the WaverleY novels.
What shall we do with you, Mr..
Flaxton?" said the Justice. You have
been drunk times without number. and
your wife has borne enough from you
to break her heart. But she has borne
it bravely for the sake of the children.
To fine you would be to take the bread
they need. What can l do but send
you up for ninety days?"
''Well, yer honor" said Alick, ''it's
pretty rough, l know. l didn't mean
to get drunk, but somehow I'm easy
tempted, and as soon as | get taste
of the liquor it's all day with me. Now
if yer honor would only let me off on
suspended sentence I'll consider it a
high compliment, indeed l would, and
promise you faithfully. yer honor,
swear won't drink again for twelve
month, sure"
"What do you say to that Mrs. Flax
ton? Would it do any good to try him
again? or can you do better without
himp" said the Justice. Indeed /
cam" said she, land can't let him off
any more"
Hooked at this honest woman's face
as she said this, aud | knew she would
let him off. knew she would try him
again, for her face gave the lie to her
words. That is the old story of wom-
ans love Alick knew it, too. He knew
that she would give him one more trial.
So, because her heart spoke in protest
against her better Judgment, Alick was
let off on suspended sentence with a
very forcible charge that his next APP
pearance before the court would send
him to the house of correction.
For several weeks after that l heard
nothing more about the FlaXtons,
though | drop in quite often to see what
is 90 NJ on in the Justices court
/ had almost forgotten the whole
matter when one day [ happened to
meet Mrs. Kate, and she looked so
bright and cheerful that [ could not
keep from asking her if suspended sen
tence had proved 4 success. S G was
in high spirits and So d ''he has kept
his word so far and begin to think he
does really mean to stick to it. If
can only keep him away from tempta-
ton Alck VIII do well enough"
Mrs Flaxton could turn her hand to
almost anything. Sometimes she took
in washing and ironing. Sometimes
she did house-clCaning, for she was a
resolute worker. She also knew how
/ to cook admirably, and whenever there
was fair or festival, or any public oc.
casion, at which refreshments were
served, she was invaluable, for she was
quite pleasing in her manners and could
wait on crowded tables nicely, and Their
she was a host in the art of putting
/ things to rights after the guests were
gone.
There's to be party tonight, sale
| she, cat Mrs. Newman S, and I'm going
there to help her. Alick will come
round and walk home with me after i
is all over, unless some vagabond get
| hold of him and prevails on him to taxi
drink. | wish he could be at Mrs
| Newman's with me and then | SHOULD
feel perfectly safe about him. l shall
earn a nice penny tonight, for Mrs
Newman hasn't q stingy hair in he
head"
"It's long road that never turns,
said /, "and I'm glad that Alick has 20
into the right track. l hope he won
get off the track.
The day but one after this casua
meeting | was in the Justices cour
again. and there, as sure as you live
was Alick in the custody of an officer
Tbs time he was lust sober enough t
be able TO talk intellg bly,. and to Civ,
clear account of himself. But tn
traces of a recent debauch were unm's
taxable. Mrs. Kate was not alone witt
him this time, Mrs. Newman was wit
her.
what do you know about the case
Mrs. Newman" said his honor
"Well," said Mrs. Newman, Il know
more about it than | wish | did. 1t
too bad; Mrs. FlaXtOn was half dispose
to keep away from here and let Alicl
keep on abusing her, Just as he ha
done for years. But the fact is, sh
has been working for me lately and
too good woman to be treated in tina
way, and so | insisted on her bringin!
the complaint
''Do you know under what circum
stances he came TO do this thing afte
keeping sober so long," sa d tn
~. an I I.