River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-11-18

''NhNi III To iAtIl dlls anu I'LL ,
voice " as tremulOus with grief and dis
appointment He bowed ais head on
has mothers shoulder and his tears
flowed freely.
The mother said nothing for a few
moments, though she put loving arm
about him and kissed him tenderly.
What cod +! she say to comfort him?
What could she say that would not re-
fleet blame on the boy father, and she
shrank from that.
Where did you get that orange?
she asked, presently, and Tim forgot
his tears for a moment.
"Mr. King gave it to me. Isn't it a
beauty he said.
"We'll keep it for tomorrow and
have it for our Thanksgiving, won't
We mother? | will hide it here 10 the
blanket where father will not see it,"
Now tell me what YOU learned at
school to-day said his mother, anx-
| ious to keep his thoughts from dwelling
on his disappointment.
''Oh, the teacher was talking to us
| about Thanksgiving" answered Tim.
''She was telling us all about what we
had to be thankful for. | am thankful
for you, mother, but do you know. and
Tim hesitated for a moment, 81 can {
help feeling sometimes as if We would
be happier without father.
"Hush, Tim, YOU must never say that,
nor even think it, F." answered his mother
Your father was one of the kindest
and best of men before he began to
drink. and some day he may be so
again. We must love him" but she
/ paused in dismay, for the man whom
| they had belleved to be lost in drunk
en- stupor. rose from the room.
| John Bell went out into the gather
ing darkness, slamming the door be-
hind him with such violence that the
walls shook
| lie had been Weakened by Tim when
| he first entered the room, and although
he had feigned slumber, he had heard
every word that had been uttered.
| The child's innocent words had awak-
eued his long slumbering conscience.
Not only the Thanksgiving dinner. and
! the warm clothes over which the boy
grieved so bitterly, but infinitely more
beside, had gone into that liquor sa-
! loon.
/ Only five years ago, he had neat,
comfortable home. wife and child for
whom his pride and love knew no
! bounds, and the respect of all who
| knew him. How straight had been
| his downward course ever since the
| day when he first yielded TO tempta-
ton! What was he now? A miserable
/ drunkard, who every one deSpiscd.
with shelter that was unworthy of
tae name of home, and wife whom
/ hn ha1 faIaRd nv ha1 Of cr4n aVit,er ht
4 a blow he dealt her in his drunken pas
= sion.
He had lost the love of his child even,
aud small wonder! Conscience point
ed her accusing finger at him, and he
stumbled on through the darkness,
| trying to escape from himself.
| He did not turn his steps toward that
part of the town where the streets We're
/ brilliantly lighted and people were
! hurrying to and fro with light hearts
and laden baskets-he had no place
! there He went to the rivers edge, all
unheeding the keen wind which was
uubroken here by any strucuOn, and
| threw himself prostra e on the wet
rocks. What could he do letter than
| to drown himself? He knew IN his in
most heart that Tins words Were true,
1--WE would be happier without father,
and he resolved that they should have
| the one cause for thanks giving which
/ he could give them by freeing them
I from a drunken father aud husband,
who had dragged them down with him.
| There was no chance now for him TO
free himself from his enemy. He was
/ bound hand and foot to the chariot
\ L ! ~. \ -
would be well-nigh impossible for him
to free himself from his bondage Bet
ter TO end it all by a plunge into the
dark water which ran swiftly at his
feet.
Then his good angel whispered in his
ear. mo, be a man, not coward.
You have fallen low it Is true. but by
God help you may rise again. Give
your wife and child a better cause for
thanksgiving than they would have in
your death. Resolve here and now
that you will become free man, that
YOU will conquer your appetite and
start a new life WI, back the love
and respect Won have su Justly fol felt
ed. You can do it if you Will. YOU can
make a happy home again if you will
but resolve to. >
As he lay there longing came over
him TO break his shackleS and begin
new life. Could he do it' At least he
could make the attempt.
lie knelt for moment, his whole
heart going upward to the agOuized
cry, God help me-" and then he ros
to his feet determined to fight bravely
against his enemy.
He turned his steps toward the house
of his old employer. who had done all
he could to restrain him from his down
ward course. aud had promised to lend
him 4 helping hand if he ever wished
10 reform
The gi!, who came to the door
showed nor surprise in her face when
John Boil asked to see her master. |
should think he would be ashamed to
show his drnaken face around here, ;"
wac her Inward comment rs she went
to summon her master.
Mr.. Leslie wondered within himself
why the man bad come. Was it posi-
BILE that he hai determined to break
away from his chains? With prayer
in his heart hat this might be the case,
he went To erect the man with an eX-
tended hand If welcome.
Come ia nj of the cold, John.
What can do for you?' he asked, rs
he drew him into the warm sitting
room aud gave him seat.
Il have come to my senses at last
was the answer. | have resolved to
give mp drink, and have come to ask
ofyou kindness viii you take me
back to work again?'
"With all my heart was the cor
dial answer; and in the warm clasp of
the hand that took his own John
realized that he had one friend who
would help him on the upward path.
He told Mr.. Leslie of all that had
passed that evening, and of his new
born desire to atone to his wife and
child for the misery he had brought
upon them.
"Will you sign a pledge, .IcAn:
asked Mr.. Leslie.
Yes, sir. | want to" ne answered,
eagerly. and with trembling hand
but firm resolve &c signed his name.
Before he weAt away Mr.. Leslie
brought him cup of hot coffee, which |
he hoped would take. in some measure. |
the place of the stimulant that the dis
ordered stomaC h would naturally crave. !
Then EnppIintr down by the Dpnitput |