The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-12

1t was the first time Donald had ask
ell her such question, and he watched
her face expectantly, thinking to hear
an answer pleasing to his self-love.
Mary's reply came upon him like a
thunderbolt in cloudleSs sky.
IN her embarrassment at having to
give utterance to the painful truth, she
unconsciously assumed the quaint
Quaker dialect
because love thee, Donald, and il
Is my wish that thou shoulG'st have
much comfort in this world; for surely
thou wilt have sorrow and tribulation
in the world TO come; for it is written
that no drunkard shall see Heaven"
Her words struck upon Donald like
conviction.
1t seemed as though subtle influence
vibrated through the truth which he
had evoked from the lips of his quiet
accomplishing wife.
Night after night rose accusingly in
his.memOrv, with visions of the gaming
table. and of the fiery soul-destroying
draughts which had stimulated him
from one mad excess to another.
He had surely hartered his hopes of
salvation for ''mess of pottage."
An interval of some moments elapsed.
1t seemed an eternity to Mary.
Love and obedience to her husband
had been her ruling passion. and she
feared the effect of her words upon him.
At last Donald rose to his feet. and
moved towards his wife.
Lawrie and James knew of his tenn
per, and fearing they knew not what,
rose also.
What was their surprise to soc Donald
put his arm about Mary's waist and
draw her to him.
''Is it so Molly? Then by Him who
made me, you shall have no more fears
for my soulr'
His solemn manner gave his words
the effect of more formal attestation,
and his really fine face Lit up with a
glow of enthusiasm as he looked from
one to the other.
What do you say, boysP Shall we
give happy heart to this kind little
woman, and sign the pledgeP Why not
be friends in amendment as we have
been in our wild frolics?"
No second appeal was necessary The
more enthusiastic Lawrie drew James
forward.
''Get the papers. Mrs. lie Brun. I'll
sign. and so will James, here, too. I'll
speak for him.
1t was enough. Mary LIE Bruu felt
lightness of heart to which she had long
been a stranger, as she went to the old
fashioned desk where Donald kept his
accounts. and brought from it writing
materials.
Donald singed his name in bold char
acters, then James, and lastly Lawrie.
Nov, Molly, pray for us, that we
may not fall into temptation and break
our promise"
Il will, Donald will Not a day
shall pass that 1 do not thank God for
this great happiness, and ask Him to
help you keep in the path of right"
1t proved to be, indeed, a turning
point in Donald's life. He had been
the leading spirit in drawing his friends
into following after the devices of the
great enepiy of souls, and he was the
chosen instrument with the blessing of
God, for their conversion.
They are now steady, well-to-do men,
with young families growing up like
olive-branches around them.
Their place at church is never vacant,
and no unanswered call is made upon
their plethoric purses.
Charity and religion go with them
hand-in-hand, and are the leading
principles of their lives.
As to Mary LIE Brun, husband and
children rise up and call her blessed,
and her earthly life is a foretaste, in its
calm happiness, of the joys which are
in store for those accounted worthy of
Heaven.