The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-15
.Don't take him away.n - sa,d Royer. r,tI

Don't take him away" said Roger, with
q slight choke in his voice
He held him on his knee and fed him with
tho choicest morsels from the meagre sup
per. 1t was his hand, too, that gently laid
the little fellow on the rags where he was
accustomed to Sleep
TITS 30 cold" murmurcd the child, half
asleep, as he turned over to draw tho poo,
coverlct over him. Roger laid his coat over
him, then coming to his wife, he took away
the coarse work over which she was strain
ing her sight.
"Put 1t up for to night" said he. almost
stcrnly.
Roger, lying on his pallet that night, was
praying for life for few years more, that
he might undo some OF his cruel work ere
he died.
He went early to work next day. MIR
Mark came in to see him, spoke to him with
evident increase of warmth, then waited te
see II Roger had aught to tell him.
''1t's that cellar, sir" said Roger. 81
want to get them out of it at the end Of this
week, il l could find decent place 1 could
rent.''
Every good" said Mr.. Mark. .I'll make
some inquiries as / go around today"
At the dinner hour, he came for Roger
and drove him out to q suburb, where 6
small cottage at low rental was wanting {
tenant There was small piece Of groune
attached to it, 80 that Molly could have 6
garden. This was palace 10 Roger, anc
he was quite excited over the opportunity
thus afforded him, Of living respectfully
again. He thanked Mr.. Mark, heartily, and
went home that day so full Of his new hopes
that he passed his old companions withou,
seeing them, and chcered Mollie's hear,
with money for another meal.
But the very next day, the men combined
and got hold of him. They dragged him tc
the bur, and poured raw liquor down his
throat. He stood there painting, white and
bloodless, like one who had suddenly fallen
from heaven to hell His companions ieered
ut him; he rubbed his rough hands across
his eyes, as il to clear his vision. 1t seemed
to him that voice from above spoke louder
than these tiends Of earth. ITO him that
overcometh"-was he to lose his home, his
wife and children for such as these! A
thousand times, no! Standing there amongs,
them all, he made deliberate choice.
"Good evening, mates," said he, shaking
himself Us one who awakes from a bad
dream, and, before they had rightly under.
stood his meaning, he was gone
But he had not left tho battle field with
out wound; he was terrified to think how
near he had been to falling AS he staeger.
ed along, he heard quick steps behind him.
Were tho fiends pursuing him! He turned
at bay with his back to the wall, and fists
clcnchcd to defend himself.
1t was Mr.. Mark
Lois wanted me to bring your little boy
some oranges, but, as I have met you, I'll
go no further tonight"
"Sir," said Roger, II thank you." He
was wondering If the rector could smell the
fumes Of the strong liquor the men had
forced upon him.
"Lois will come and see your little boy as
soon as you get to the cottage; they will be
friends nope" he said in friendly, kind
voice, different from anything Roger had
heard from him before. Then he was gone
Roger, the bag of oranges in his hand, stood
staring after him, strangely happy. He be-
gan to realize that he had fought a heavy
battle with self and had come of the con-
queror. Should he tell Mr. Mark!
He stumbled a little as he went down the
steps, and Molly bid the children hide; she
thought he had been drinking again. She
felt sure of this at his entrance as the heavy
smell Of the liquor burdened the air. But
the look on his face was new to her, certain
ly not an outcome Of drink.
s'You are tired, Roger,n .h. ..sa ,-s.>a,y.
'Mother," cricu little Charlie, emerging
from his dark corner, "he isn't drunk. 1
know he is not"
He limped forward eagerly to the out
stretched arms, with q sob Of joy.
"Father, you won't be drunk again."
Roger could not answer. Perhaps until
that moment he never truly realized what it
was to his children to have q drunken faith.
er.
When he went to Mr.. Mark next day with
the whole story, that gentleman listened
gravcly He said nothing. 1t was not for
him to meddlc with the battle which Roger
must fight alone. But as the man took his
leave, he gave his hand o warm, brotherly
grip which said all that was necessary.
So Roger worked on. How closely watch
cd by his friend he was never to know,
The cottage home was paradise TO Molly
and the children: but ere many years passed
away, Roger built home with every COM
fort and convenience for his wife and
family.
Lame Charlie and Lois became true
friends, and were very helpful to one an.
other.
Rogers history, his earnest desire to re
trieve the past helped many another weak
soul to live better life.
Mr. Mark works still in the same way
He is utterly intolerant of drunkards; but
the rare power is his of stirring up all the
manhood in fallen soul, and Of directing
HIM to lean, not on human aid, but on his
own will, by help of Almighty God.-Yan,
kee Blade.