The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-05-30

BY MRS. MARY r. P. HATCH.

nothing to drink ts-day; -L
You look surprised to hear me say no drink;
we'll, have your way, 8d
And fill it up, but let 1t set, for I've got a
yarn to tell; 4a
You know when I've been drinking, boys,
can't talk nigh so we'll.
you for quite spell; @ ~ -na
And the reason why haint is what I'm go
ing to tell a-se
can tell the time correct, twas week ago
tonight; .- r --.-.
The road was never crookeder, for I was
pretty tight. v9l
I fell into ditch or two, but managed to
get along r -l
The road hadn't no right nor left instead
twas right and ,orong.
left the right and took the wrong, and so
l lost my way
Never got home till brain and sky was clear
for another day. T-
Well, Ellen was up and watching, she hadn't
slept wink,
And faint the first night, neither, since the
time 1 took to drink; --, n
rs all beat out and wand'ring like; laid
down on the bed, .e .1rlr
And laid there like log for hours, jest as
though rs dead.
But long in the afternoon, boys, walked
up clear and bright, sG
/ looked out into the Kitchen it want no
pleasant sight;
The room was neat and clean, for Ellen was
always smart,
We might have been swell to do" If I'd only
done my part.
Ellen sat out by the window, in the only
chair we had,
Patching for me and the children, and look
ing so worn and sad.
Thought of the wreck I'd made her-they
called her "handsome Nell"
When L was a thriving farmer, and she the
village belle. .ln4
The children came from school, little Jenny
and manly Bert;
Bert was mad, and Jennie was crying as II
she was hurt.
80, mother" said Bert, 81 know, I'm sure
you1l say it's sin.
But doubled Joe right up for calling our
Jenny Gin
80, Mother, say we. amt to blame for father,
are we now?
Wouldn't drink if 1 was man, couldn't,
anyhow. lid
I can remember father when he was like
other men;
Folks wouldn't have called US 'drunkard's
brats;' say mother, would they them"
1 laid SO still and quite like they thought me
sound asleep,
The children kept a-talking,and their words
they sunk in deep.
l heard how little Jenny and my boy were
knocked about, t..~
And all because their father was drunken,
lazy lout.
didn't eat no supper, hadn't no appetite,
But l laid and thought 1t over, and tried to
do what's right;
At first / said I'd drown myself, then
thought of my poor wife;
She seemed to love me just as WELL though
I'd led her such a life.
SO l changed my mind again, and saw
things in clearer light
wouldn't throw my life away, but fix it
over right.
And soon as 1t was morning went to Par
son Ray,
And had him draw me up pledge, and
signed that very day.
You'd oughter seen my Nellie when told
her what I'd done.
The look that came upon her face was
brighter than the sun;
And then 1t faded right away, and left her
worn and pale,
read it jest as plain as day, she thought
I'd surely fail.
That look made me feel stronger, for it
somehow touched my pride,
I put out my hand for Ellen and drew her
to my side, -I
And said with Heaven to help me, and
those love SO dear, fT
I'd keep the pledge I'd taken, and she need
MT have fear. A
Its just week to-day since I've tasted
single drop, I......
And it makes me kinder weak like, it's
such a sudden stop,
So III take that glass you've mixed, Bill,
and-throw it in the fire.
Did you spose meant to kill my wife, and
make myself liar?
Jest see the blue flames flicker, and smell
D. the sickening smell, - TeI
You may say just what you please, no, put
it makes me think Orwell 4
I've drinked it with you often, but l never
will again; If- -A lats41 i o.
Say, boys, come sign the pledge with me.