The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-02-07

tie breezes swept along heavily laden with
the sweet perfume of June roses, and oil
nature smiled. Little feet were heard
coming along the hallway, and entered
Grdndma's room.
so Grandma, dear Grandma, Come and
take frankie a walk, to see the beautiful
fiowers?'
Grandma was sitting in her easy chair,
busy with her mending, but when she
looked into the pleading face, she could
not find 1T in her heart to refuse. Look
upon the beautiful child, as he gazes into
his Grandma's face. Long golden curls,
eyes which the blue summer sky might
envy; read in their depth, i%nnocency, pur-
ity, intelligence and love. Here we have
the truth of the Inspired Word. God said,
"Let Us make man in Our image" and
we can see in this youthful soul, a faint
spark Divine.
Grandma laid aside her sewing, and
took Frank out for a pleasant stroll. At
noon when Mr.. Bird came home for dinner,
Frank had an enjoyable time telling his
papa about his walk. The family sat
down to a bountiful meal, and Frank oc-
cupied a seat beside papa. At the close
the wine glasses were passed, and as Mr..
Bird filed Franks, conscience whispered,
Don't you do it. Don't you do it, but
he laughed, and remarked: Il think if the
temperance women who go harping about
liquor, would only stay at home, they
could find profitable employment, instead
of minding other peoples business"
1t could be easily seen that the whole
family entertained the same sentiments as
the father. Frank drank his glass. and
said Papa, | think wine is good"
Years passed by, and Frank felt that he
was becoming a man. But no restraining
hand had ever been placed upon him, and
be chose wild and dissolute young men for
his associates. Why should he do other
wise? Had he not always been taught to
believe in the moderate use ofliquor, never
dreaming that there was a line that would
be crossed ooner or later, to return would
be exceedingly hard, and to the majority,
impossible. He spent his evenings in fash
ionable saloons playing pool and drinking.
1t did not take long for nature to show the
injustice that was being practiced upon
her. His eyes that were so bright and
clear began to be bloodshot; his face red
and swollen and the lips that once prattled
SO inn~oeently, became vile and p~rofane.
One night as Frank was leaving the sa-
loon, along with one of his companions, a
difficulty arose, and angry words gave
place to blows, and Frank drew a knife
and plunged it into his comrades heart
Frank was a murderer. He was arrested
and when his trial came off be was SEN
fenced to be hung Who can ever meas
ure the anguish that was endured by that
young heart? Shut away from the cursed
cup, his mind regained its natural activity,
and Oh! how different things looked to
poor Frank now. At first the love of
life and hope of acquittal sustained him,
although the bitter memory of the past,
and that be was a murderer, almost over
whelmed him at times. But when the
sentence of death was passed and the time
of execution set, all hope died within that
young heart, and the gloom of despair
settled there. Poor Frank. he was indeed
a youthful victim of King Alcohol, for he
had not yet reached his twenties.
The night before his execution Frank
said to the jailor: 80, Mr.. Horne! Please
send for my father and mother, and es-
pecially my dear grandma. / long to Lear
her kind voice and feel her gentle touch
before | de-
A messenger was sent to the parents and
out into the darkness three persons were
seen vending their way to the Jail.
All. Mr.. Bird, you said the Temper.
anee women should stay at home YOU
poor wife, now, like thousands of Others
in our land, is compelled by the whisky
traffic to take time to visit her loved boy
In Jail. How much better to take time and
labor for the closing upof the den ofdeath,
than to be necessitated to leave our homes
and visit our loved ones in criminal insti
buttons.
When the Jail was reached, the warder
conducted them to Franks cell. Wber
they entered-not a word was spoken-ths
meeting was too sad for expression,
each one stood in silence. Grandma nc
longer to able to stand, seated herself upor
the only chair in the cell. Father anG
mother sat down upon the cot. Frank
could 10 longer restrain his grief, fell up
on his knees and buried his face in hi;
mothers and cried out:
so mother. Did you ever think you
boy would bring you to this? o mother
do you think ] am the worst boy in th,
world? O mother. do you love me still?'
The mother, pale as death, took her boy's
npturned face in her hands, and tenderl!
kissed the feverish brow, and said: "Preci
GUS Frank. l love you with al unehangine
love. Had father and | guarded your boy
ish feet as we should. and never laugh
you to drink, you never would have beer
here. We nave come to realize the awfu
truth, too late. too late."
Frank then turned to his father, an,
said: Father did you ever think when