The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-08-17
aHaersnt1 ynteltigemeer.
Throwing Dice on a.Bible.

Throwing Dice on q bible.
Within sound of the chimes of Old
Trinity there stands a well.known liquor
saloon, whose grimy walls are so covered
with cobwebs as to give them the appear
ance of being festoonsd with black drap-
cry. Here gather night after night the
sons of toll to spend their hard earnipgs
in riotous living. A few evening since
the place was crowded, the usual num-
ber of FOUNDERS being supplemented by
large outside contingent drawn thither
blythe rather anomalous announcement
of edible Rafle."
/ The book was handsome one; and
had been placed there by person who
said be had no use for it, and would
rather have the money. As each Of the
bloar-eyed, dissipsted denizens went for.
ward to shake the dice box, there was
roar of laughter, followed by any amount
of chaff and blasphemous jesting. As
the contest st,wa1ed hotter, man, a.little
better dressed than the rest of them, was
awakened from his slumbers and told to
take sashand as ne was always lucky. He
staggered up to the counter, took the
dice-box and threw the highest number.
A shout went up from the boisterous
crowd that gathered around him, each
with jest and query as to what he was
going to do with it. Where would be
keep it7 How much would he take for
it Would he stand treats, etc?
The man seemed to become sober in q
minute, and without noticing their iibes,
took the holy book in his hands as ten
derly as he would have lifted an infant,
and said to the bartender, 'Please wrap
this in the cleanest piece of paper you
have, Jim, but don't let 1t have the
smell of whiskey about it." Then turn
ing to. the amazad group, who watched
with open. .mouthed astonisbments; be
said: "Good evening, gentlemen. It's
the last time we'll meet here. I'm going
home to make one Of the best wives in
the world the happiest woman in New
York to.night;;" and placing tho Bible
under his arm, he passed out of the
u
crowd, jeered by some, but Justify
cheered by others. a. M II
He walked rapidly in the direction Of
his squalid quarters, where from the
flicker of. dim light he knew that his
faithful wife awaited him, mounted the
|.rickety Stairs, and entering the room
walked straight mp to where she sat sew
ing by a few expiring Goals, and laid the
heavy parcel on herSlap. She started,
and looking up with faint semblauce of
the old and almost forgotten smile said,
aWhy, you are early tonight. john"
She saw that a change had come over
aim and. quietly opened the package,
while he stood watching her. AS the
blessed book was revealed to her uhe
burst into tears, and taking him by the
hand said, "John, I've been thinking
about you all day, and wondering If you
would ever be your own old self sgain,
when Icould feel proud of9you as used
70 land, while 1 was thinking little Ag.
mes came up, snd,putting her arms about
my neck, said, Mamma, why don't my
papa have prayers and read hrs Bible as
grandpa does when we 60 to see himir
I could not answer her, John, but now
you cam" l;1 I
"Yes, I'll answer her, wife; get me q
pen and some ink" ea :,
The wife rose as in trance, for it was
the first time in.weeks that be had come
home sober; then he opened the ay-leaf
and wrote upon it. "To my faithful wife
whom I shall never again voluntarily
cause q sorrow or blush of shame
john"
7 As she read it theirteara mingled, and
the bright lights of her far7aWay home
seemed to glimmeT in the distance. The
present was forgotten, aud they were
once more respecsad citizens where hi.
name had been a,synonym for all thas
was honorable and loyal. It was almost
morning when they retired, but new re-
solves had been taken, vows replightes!,
hopes revived. and ambition stimulated.
II firmly believe, Nellie,n said he, What
st IVES my sFatheras hand that guided
mine when I shook that dice.box. He
who had made the Bible his guide bot'k
knew the chord in: my hea,t to touch,
and that chord shall make the melody Of
my future life, and I shall never cease 70
bless the man who rallied that Bible. -
Mrs.E. q DeHbntainein Occident.
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