The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-11-05

ANA was mid ana lovely,
Gentle as the summer breeze,
Pleasant as the air of evening
When it floats among the trees.
Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt had spared no pains
in educating Alma for q teacher. She
was skilled in all kinds of fancy work and
was an adept in homework Her mother felt
that in the ups and downs of life it might
be no disadvantage for her to know how
to earn livelihood by any kind of honest
labor. Alma was engaged in teaching in
large village in Massachusetts, for
number of years. and while teaching made
the acquaintance of a gentleman named
Mason. He was a man of high standing
and was considered a skillful physician.
He was an impressive man, graceful and
winning to an unusual degree. He was
an only son and was bereft of his parents
in early manhood. As time passed by
the doctor and Alma were engaged; and
not long after they We're united in marri-
age. Mr.. and Mrs. Leavitt were much
pleased with Dr. Mason and with Alma S
prospects. They felt that her happiness
was safe in his keeping. The doctor
and his youthful bride settled in his ma
tive village, where he had alarge practice.
Mrs. Mason had many warm friends, who
choice" The needy and feeble in the
village found substantial friends in the
doctor and his wife. In church work and
in the Sunday school Mrs. Mason was ever
ready to lend helping hand. Much of
her own happiness came by her helpful
| ness i'll making Others happy Often she
would ride out with the doctor when he
made professional calls and carry sun
shine to the sick and sorrowing AS the
years rolled round little daughter came
to gladden. their hearts. They named her
Lille. A more suitable name never was
given to a child. Little Lille was beau
tiful bud of promise. AS she twined
around her parents hearts the father
could hardly say that she was less beloved
than God alone. When the doctor was
be delighted to see him. When she was
was old enough the doctor took her to
ride when he visited his patients, and Lii
lie thought it was SO nice to 60 with papa.
When Lille was about four years old,
Mrs. Mason noticed a change in the doc
tor He was still and made but little talk.
At first she was puzzled; but soon her
worst fears We're realized. In a short time
she found he was INDUCING in strong
drink. She tried hard not to notice the
| change in his appearance. 1t was not
long before she found he was frequenting
the saloon in the village. Liquor did not
excite his combativeness or make him
| Silly, as it often does those who drink it,
| 1t made him stupid. Lille would often
say, ''mamma, why Isl papa glad to see
| Lille, as he used to be?'' Child as she
was she felt the change. 1t was with sor-
row, that the village people learned that
DR.. Mason was going wrong. They felt
that he was too noble man to fill a
drunkard's grave. 1t was not long before
his practice began to fall off. Much of
his time was passed at the saloon, when
he was not in stupid condition. Mrs.
| Mason tried to be cheerful when the doc
tor was at home, but when she was alone
the tears would fall Fervent prayers
from her lips assembled to heaven daily in
his behalf. She had faith to believe that
God would save him. Mrs Masons par
ents tried to influence the doctor to quit
strong drink, but their efforts seemed to
be unavailing. His downward course had
continued nearly three years. One even
ing after being in stupor a longer time
than usual he reused up and seemed to be
''clothed and in his right mind" Little
Lille was saying her prayers. The last
words were, ''dear God, bless papa and
mamma and make papa glad to see Lille. !"