The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-09-16
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
ENSNAREO By RUM.
An ImperiIed Life saved by a Child.
Prattle.

sun ShOne with unusual fervency this
hot summer morning, there, on the
shady western side of the house the air
was still comparatively cool, and, oh,
so sweet
The yard was full OF old fashioned
flowers. Ragged robins gayly Haunted
their red tatters; spicy pinks and
southernwood, sweet Williams and
balm perfumed the air for rods around.
At each end of the high steps grew
huge punches of dark blue larkspur
covered with great buzzing, pollen
coated bees.
Two little girls came tripping
through the hall and out at the door.
Brown-haired Bessie's cheeks glowed
pinker than ever with the heat and
pleasure of whole days visit with
Libbie, who lived at grandpa's all the
time. A great contrast these little
cousins presented; but they were de-
voted friends, and Libbie's somewhat
reckless spirits were often tempered by
Bessie's more quiet thoughtfulness
just now they were brimful of delight
fui plans for the day. Each had wide
mouthed bottle and an old iron spoon.
You stay at one end of the steps and
III 90 to the other" whispered Libbie,
''anG Wen soon catch one"
What could they be after. The
bees? Yes; each little girl was intent
upon capturing one of those big, vel
low-banded honey seekers. First,
they put a few flowers in their bottles,
then, watching until, in his hunt for
honey, a big fellow had disappeared
within a flower, they held the mouth of
the bottle ready, and the spoon deity
applied sent INN into his prison where
he set mp tremendous buzzing in
futile efforts to get out.
Holding the spoons snugly over the
bottles, the little girls sat down on tn.
steps to enjoy good look at their pris-
oners, and discover, If possible, "how
they got honey" But the bees were
very pcrvcrse and seemed to have but
the one idea Of how to get away
Why, said Libbie, ''he acts Just like
a dIunken man stumbling along and
falling over: his wings don't seem to do
him a mite of good"
"Ob!" said Bessie, with frightened
look coming into her face. that re-
minds me of something to tell you
something awful. Dan Beckett hung
himself last night in his mothers
barni'
l4bbie uttered a little scream, and
the two children edged nearer together
as the awfulness of that act took form
in their quick imaginations. Bees and
bottles were forgotten as Bessie tried
10 tell what she knew of the dreadful
story.
Papa said it happened just before
he came by the house on his way home
from market, and that Dams poor old
mother was crying ana telling the peo-
pic how good her boy always was to
her. And papa said if Dan could have
let the drink alone he would have been
a good man. l suppose he got 'scour-
aged trying" continued Bessie, STUN
b.ine a little over the long word.
He was ever so good to poor folks
and little children, and was real funny
and pleasant. Sometimes I've heard
him singing nice songs when he went
by orr house on his way to work My
papa said the poor fellow couldn't get
past saloon, noway, and that Dan
said once he should be happy man if
there wasn't saloon to be found. Oh
] wish there wasn't one in the whole
worldi'
u wish that God would send His
lightning right out of the sky and tear
'em all to piecesr burst forth the ex-
cited Libbie.
And that every bit of money the
saloonkeepers get tor their whisky
would turn into great bum bic bees and
sting EN- Just awful added Bess, with
tears falling over her hot checks.
Then, reminded of their happy occu-
ration. the little girls turned to the
forgotten bottles and found that the
prisoners had escaped and were using
their wings again to some purpose
Somehow the children dimly real
lied the incongruity of the brightness
of the sweet old garden with the dark
story Just related, and could not con
time their play just then, so, with one
accord, they sought the loving arms Of
dear grandma, who would be sure to
Soothe and cheer the troubled little
hearts Gleeful laughs from the cool
bach; kitchen soon showed how well She
had succeeded
Sadness or gloom abide but momen-
tarilv in the heart of child. Not so
with those of mature years, and a young
man. resting or a lounge in the dark
upper hall, found it impossible for many
days to shake off the depression caused
bv Bessie's sad story. At first he had
listened in quiet enjoyment Of the chill
dren's unique play and talk-thcy
dreaming that jolly Uncle Ray was Sc
near 49, but the shocking story had
reached his car with startling distinct
ross and power
He sprang to mis- feet, horror-stricken.
Through his mind swept swift memories
OF Dan Beclet's careless. idle hoyhood
when he had known him well: the
wcaI-willed Young man: his love for
&c nor and spasmoaic efforts to CO.'S bat
it or the old mothers sake: the ftful
CLEANS of a nobler nature-aI these
passed in review through Rays mind
With a eroan he realized the utter
rrin Of another's life and the desolated
heart Of a feeble old mother. Then
4 r, H..