The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1890-01-31
Written for tho Marlboro Democrat
GRANNY MAPS 5 PRODIGAL
a Temperance Story.
, by "DILSEY DINKS."
a!a copyright, 1890
CHAPTER III.
GRANNY MAPS RELEASE.

"A lit3t dRANNY NAP S NEAEASE! WI Y. Il
was getting worse daily.
Intemperance with its mighty oc-
topus-like claws huggcd him in
hdr ci SO embrace, and the result
was a man SO changed in disposi-
ton and manner, not to say per-
sonal appearance, that his best
friends would not have recognized
him had they not watched his
gradual descent, and forcseen that
this was the inevitable result.
The Bible truly says, GAS ye
sow, SO shall5ye reap" and Wal.
ter's life was no exception to this
great, majestic and universal law
Of God.
He was no louger the genial,
sunny-tempered young man he
once was, but was sullen and
morose. The shadows III his con
duct had now no bright, silvery
Innings of kindness and generosity
to relieve their sombre hue. A
His once firm, quick step had
changed to ~ Adc;ag gait his
form was nc, lohgs4 erect and man
.ly lis eyes were growing dull
and lustreless even his laughter
was forced and mirthlcss.
He had now begun to sadly neg
let his daily work, and his broth
crs felt that should he not soon
change for the better he would re-
ceiye his discharge from the foun-
dry-the only wonder was that he
had been retained 50 long. Once
each month, if not oftcner, he got
on a protracted "spree;' at other
times he seldom came home unti!
after midnight frequently in Il
state Of beastly intoxication --mak-
ing the night hidcons with his
drunken revelries. Yet, my reader,
"Rovilc him not-the Temptcr hath
snare for all;
And plying tears not scorn and wrath,
BcRt his fill
This sad, deplorablo state of
affairs existed long while-so
long in fact that, with the exec D.
ton Of Mrs. Harvest and "Granny
Nap the entire family became
disgusted with Walter.
Pat thought 4 Homeopathic
treatment of the case succeeded
by neat coat Of tar and feathers
might be beneficial )" Robert that
complete isolation with nothing
to read" would be better; what
William thought no one knew
he only grew graver and more pre-
occupied than was his wont
But it was as "Granny Nap
had SO often said, "In Gods own
time, and in Gods own way
In her humility, the thought
that she wonld bc the Instrument
Of arresting Walters crring feet,
and Of bringing him for the first
time to a realizing sense Of his
duty as q man, never entered her
thoughts.
She loved and prayed moro 81
that were possible, and 'swaitcd
on tile Lord"
y u
can angel visited the ccn
earth" and "Granny Maps" trust.
ing soul was borne on wings q
love to Him whom she had served
so long and SO faithfully.
Granny Nap dead % eyes 9
said Walters mother to him, as
she methim at the door about day
break in the morning, "And she
died, my precious son, praying 70,
you. Then she left him with his
dead.
lie looked at the calm, peaceful
face, tho meelSly-foldel hands
hands that always before this had
been stretched out to him in {
glad, loving welcome and he was
thoroughly sobercd.
Granny Nap dead W-ovcr ant
over again he repeated these
words, as ifto force tho sad trutl
home to his heart. How viyidl,
lie recalled her great. unsolfisl