The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-04-09

little to warm and liven we up Iraisee
the glass and drank the contents; the
blood went like fire through my veins
Here, give me another, Bill; it'll keeI
me warm on the road l drank an.
other glassful. My boys face began to
swim, but could still feel the two big,
pleading eyes fixed upon my face. Glass
after glass followed, and 1 knew no
more"
John Adams stopped. Great drops OF
perspiration stood on his forehead,
Everyone knew they were caused by an
agony too deep for words.
"Oh, friends, how can 1 tell you the
rest? When l came to myself was al
home and bright fire was burning OF
the hearth. The kettle was singing in
the kitchen, but it seemed so still. ]
listened, and l could hear a low sobbins
from the next room. l arose and crept
to the door. There on the big lounge
was my boy, and kneeling by him was
his mother, and bending over him was
old DR.. Moore. / was too frightened to
speak, but heard distinctly every word
that was said.
is there no hope, doctor?' 1t was
my wife's voice; oh, how 1 listend to
catch the answer. 1t came at last:
L can do nothing more He is in Gods
hands, just then Johnny opened his
eyes. Mamma, oh, mamma he cried,
I did try to take care of him, but it
was so cold, SO awful cold, and the
sleet blinded me. l just knew he'd
freeze lying there so white and still,
and so l took off my overcoat and
spread that over him with the blankets,
but oh, it was so cold, and the wind blew
right through me, and it seemed as if
we'd never get home, but l held onto
the horses, and oh, mamma, I'm so
glad were here at last
"The voice stopped. never stirred
The doctor put his hands on my boys
heart; it was still beating. His mother
cried out in perfect agony of grief:
oh, Johnnie, darling, speak to mann
maj A great wave of joy came over
the little face that had been so full of
pain. oh, mamma, it's all so light,
so warm, so beautiful, and Jesus is
here. Oh, mamma, tell papa I'll al
ways take care of him now; God will
let me. Papa, papa, papa Not an
other word-he was dead"
The old mans voice broke down, and
sobs were heard all over the room.
Little Johnnie crept into his lap and
put his arms around his neck and
kissed him, saying, softly: Poor
grandpa, poor grandpa"
John Adams at last began again:
Il can't tell you all about it, just how
my boy gave his fresh young life, every
bit of it, to save his miserable, drunken
father; but this must tell you. TWEEN
ty-five years ago to-day 1 knelt by my
boys dead body and signed the pledge.
A silver wedding to-day? Yes, friends.
rs years ago to-day 1 gave my heart
and my hand to the temperance cause,
and I've been kept, kept safe by my
boy in Heaven.
But children and friends and neigh
bors, l asked you to come to-day be-
cause 1 saw there were some of you
standing just where 1 stood 25 years
ago, drinking an occasional glass,
thinking you're strong enough to do it
without any harm-too proud, some of
you, to be persuaded to stop alto
gether, too proud to sign the pledge.
But l want to ask you all, in my boys
name, to sign the pledge tonight. Oh,
friends, let this anniversary be the be-
ginning of stronger, truer life to
every one of you, and then unitedly we
may work for the redemption of the
world. Edith S. Davis, in Union Sig
nal.