The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-20

n
need not detail to you my experience
during the war was twice wounded.
and when peace was declared was once
more pressed 10 the bosom of that
mother whose prayers 1 have often
thought were the cause Of the great
Commander above sparing my young
life. My father. too, was wouSaed,
and died shortly after tho war. lie
was taken away from the homo whcse
happiness his fatal appetite for strong
drink had wrecked, but we mourncd
his death with sincerity which could
not be questioned.
"'Just few months before father
died, mother was taken sick. and | felt
keen, cutting pain ut my heart rs |
saw her sick day by day. One day tho
doctor came from her room to where
was sitting respondent and weeping.
and said: Johnny. l have sad news
for you. but you must bear up under
the great sorrow as well rs you can.
your mother must soon leave you A
great fear came upon me, and l trcm-
bled in every limb.
"'Oh! DOCTOR cried, do not tell
me that. Do not give her up. Save
her! Save her! and l will be your slave
for life
/" The good, kind-hearted old man
placed his hand on my head and said:
MY dear boy, she is past all hu-
man aid. Calm yourself as much as
you can and come with rue. She
wishes to see you
4" He took my hand and led mo into
the chamber which already rested
under the sombre shadows of the dark
wings Of tho Angel of Death. My
poor. darling mother lay there pale as
the pillow upon which her dear. head
rested, upon her emaciated face n look
of calm sjgna,ion--such an express
sion as comes only 20 the lying Chris
tian whose hopes of immortality be-
yond the grave has been stamped with
the approving seal II tn" Almighty.
Weeping bitterly threw myself on
my knees ut her bedside. Placing Que
of her thin white hands In mine and
the other upon my head she said
johnny, my son, l must leave
you. The Saviour has called me home.
and | must obey. My dear boy. will
you make me one promise that can
take up to Heaven with me; it will
then not be so hard to leave you OH
this wicked earth?
"'Oh! mothcr! cried. darling, be-
loved mother, will promise you any
thing-any thing-any thing
"'God bless you for those sweet
words, my precious boy. for | know
your truthful nature, and l know you
will never break promise to your
dying mother. Promise me, my son.
that rs long rs you live drop Of
liquor shall never pass your lips.
"'Mother, promise it. Here on my
bending knees promise God and tho
angel He is soon to take from me that
/ will never, rs long rs | live, take one
drop Of Intoxicating liquor.
"My voice tremblcd, and paused
moment to wipe the tears from my
eyes, movement which / observed
was initiated by several Of those rough
frontersmen. then continued;
"Boys, to this day have faithfully
kept that promise, and know that
the spirit of my dear aged mother has
ever been with me to guide me and
shield me when temptation assailed me.
land now shall pain that good
angel. whose presence and gentle infiu-
encc | can almost feel here with me to-
night, by breaking that pledge? Shall
take drink with youP
"As l concluded extended my hand
toward the liquor, but ere | could
reach it pistol shot rang out upon the
air, and the jug was shattered into
many pieces. At the same instant an
old scout named Bill Reed sprang to
his feet with the smoking pistol still
grasped in his brawny hand and
shouted:
mo, thousand times. no; and I've
jist signed the pledge myself with that
ere pistol ball. had jist SIGH %
mother, Jack, an she talked 10 me jist
rs you'd did to you, but war wild
boy. pards, an soon forgot her teach
ms, although they come to me oil
sparkled with n mothers holy tears.
But look you var. boys. when the
noise o. that shot reaches her ears up
in Heaven the smile that orter to II
bin on her face when she died II git
thar; and the peace that her dear souls
bin a-longin' fur II snuggle down in
her breast. fur l b'licve God III give
her the power to realize that the shot
war her own Bits plcdpep"