The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-05-17
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
THE INNOCENT SUFFER.
Touching Little Story Illustrative of
Wrong Done Through Drink.

III iiNiNOSENi SOG En-
a Touching Little Story Illustrative of
Wrong Done Through Drink.
Hearing timid little knock upon the
door, it was opened, and we saw stand
ing there little girl, who said:
81 want to come in, please"
The face of the child was fair, with
large hazel eyes, which reminded me
Of a young tawn.
81 wanted to come in, cause Harry
said this was home where no one ever
was drunk. l wanted to know how it
would seem, please, cause papa always
gets drunk, and over at Tina's house
her papa does, too"
where is your other shoe, and what
is your name, little girl?" said to her
My name is Matte. Papa threw one
of my shoes in the fire last night. Oh,
1t was awful last night. Papa put the
baby up on high shelf, and said it
must learn to take care of its own self
And the dear little thing reached o;t
Its hands and made such a sorry cry for
some one to take it down. But papa
~|ould not let mamma when she wanted
to, and turned to push her away; while
his back was turned Harry took down
the baby and ran away. Papa started
after Harry, but was so drunk. he fell
down, so Harry got clear away"
What made your papa put baby up
on the shelf?" was asked
'Cause he cried when lie was hun
cry. He don't cry when he has enough
to eat, cause when Mrs. Barker gave
him some milk he never cried the least
est mite all day. Mamma tells me never
to cry, cause if l do I'll never grow to
be woman. 'spect baby will grow
TO be a man if he does cry. Don't you
think womens has harder time than
men?"
Could it be possible this mite of hui
mainly had been long enough in this
world to learn so much?
81 don't aoaat to grow to be woman,
thought and there came a pitiful little
sigh, and the small frame quivered.
Tell me why, dear?'
"'Cause womens has to marry men,
and they get drunk
On being told a woman did not have
to marry if she did not choose to-not
unless she loved some one better than
all the world beside-he was good, did
not drink, Matte looked up at me
with those large, questioning eyes and
said:
"Truly?"
Eyes, truly"
1t would have done one good to have
seen the pale little face grow luminous
as she said:
Then l do want to grow to be a
woman"
Matte was given all she wanted to
eat, another shoe was placed upon the
small foot, and the child went out from
us feeling comforted.
We left for the south soon afterward,
not returning until the end of the win
ter. Orr travelling garments had
scarcely been laid aside when Maties
brother, Harry, came over saying:
''Matie is dying, and wants to see
you"
dow did it happen? Has Matte
been ill?"
Father pushed her over, and she
was injured internally the doctor says.
When we arrived poor little Matte
was in great distress, yet she knew me,
and tried to speak.
Does Matte know she is dying?" her
mother was asked.
Il guess not. l hated to tell the poor
darling" and the mother burst out in
an agony of grief.
Leaning down close to Matte, said:
"'Do you wish to 60 to Heaven, dear?"
who said | was going away? l
wanted to grow to be woman-after
you told me-and now-l-never-"
and the large hazel eyes We're turned
upon her father, with a look of such
pitiful pleading it would have touched
a heart of stone.
"Oh, Matte, child, stay! Stay, and I
promise you upon my knees I'll never
touch drop of liquor again" and the
man was upon his knees with the deep
fountain of his heart broken up.
1t did seem as though Matte under
stood. For smile dawned upon her
face, although it might have been be-
cause of the knowledge of the glory
beyond.
Its always sou sobbed the man.
It lHnOCClt lOI IllC < ullbS.
From Calvary down it's always been
80"
Beside the body of little Matte, in
the marble-like repose of death, the
father signed the pledge.
The offering of her pure spirit had
breathed new life and earnestness of
purpose within her fathers heart
Mrs. S. Koralie Sill, in Union Signal.
. HE WOULDN'T TOUCH II.