The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-11-01

a
and fury. and led him To commit the
terrible crime with which our story
commences.
Mrs. Williams was greatly troubled
tack upon their innocent child. II was
the first time he had struck his daugh-
ter, and it registered another step in
bis drunken career. Her cup was in
deed a very bitter one. Now that she
had attended 10 the wants Of her little
one, she dropped upon her knees and
prayed earnestly that God would make
her faithful and help her 10 bear pa
iiently the sorrow and shame which
her husband. by his sins. was bringing
upon her. The prayer issuing from
that broken-hearted drunkard's wife
went straight to the Mercy Seat Of Je-
hoyah. and lie who answers prayers
regarded the petition Of His handmade.
Then she rose from her knees. tidied the
room. and took from her basket a loaf
OF bread which she had brought with
her and prepared tea. Just as this wa,
ready. the door opened and her hus
band staggered into the room.
Mrs. Williams poured some tea foi
her husband and handed il 10 him. She
did not even refer to what had hap
pened. and : he did not allude 10 II. not
one word was said on the subject. In
deed. the meal was partaken in silence
the child lying asleep on the bed. Will
liams ate but little-his appetite ha6
gone. and well il might. for he had
been drinking very heavily of late-anc
when the meal was over he again went
out. For once he had not asked his
wife for money to get drink, and as he
had none of his own. instead of re-
turning TO the public house he walked
about the streets. BY nine o'clock he
returned home practically sober. just
as he entered the door. Mrs. Williams
was bathing Mabels face. and the
knowledge of what he had done with
lightning-like rapidity pierced his sou
like two-edged sword. The sight that
greeted him was one that Will live in
his mind so long rs his memory retains
her seat. Tears glistened in the eyes
of his wife. and Mabel flashed upon him
a look of such tenderness and pity that
he fairly quailed before her. As he
gazed upon the child, her face deathly
pale, minus several front teeth. her
nose swollen beyond all proportion
and with terrible scar upon her
cheek which can never be erased, il
completely unnamed him. Falling
down before her he burst into tears.
and for long time sat with his face IN
his hands. sobbing like a child. Iii.
wife. seizing the opportunity. gently
placed Mabel upon his knee and quietly
Withdrew from the room.
Twining her arms around his neck
and kissing the tears from his face.
Mabel said: "Don't cry. father. don't
cry. 1t wasn't you that did IL, hut the
nasty drink. You won't drink any
more, father, will you?' John VIII
liams pressed his child 10 his bosom.
and with terrible anguish Of mind. eX.
claimed: God help me. God help me.
never thought IL would come To this"
He then placed her gently upon the
bed and commenced pacing 10 and fro
i'm the room. A great struggle was go
ing on in his mind Angels and devils
alike watched that struggle. which
lasted several minutes. At tlength came
the decision. STOPPING and kissing his
child. John Williams fell upon his
knees and prayed for deliverance. He
begged he pleaded. he promised; and
while still praying his wife returned.
A sudden bound OF JOY filed her soul
and. instantly kneeling beside her hus-
band. she mingled her prayers with his.
Half an hour passed. and still they
prayed. and then came the victory.
There was JOY in the presence Of the
angels over one sinner that had re-
pented. John Williams rose from his
knees a changed man. and in that hum
bic cellar dwelling that evening there
was born a new creature. The founda-
tion of useful career was laid. and
from that time to the present John
Williams has gone about doing good"
To-day he is very busy and happy
man. Prosperity has rewarded many
years of hard work to regain his
former position, and now he has
splendid home. His wife and daugh-
ter are very happy, and scores Of men
point their conversion 10 his earnest
and manly appeal. The scar upon his
daughters face is ever an incentive 10
her father TO work for the reclamation
Of drink victims. and THAT Hateful
Scar" has formed the theme of many
an eloquent appeal which has resulted
in many signing the temperance
pledge.-Fred Rodger. in National Ad-
vocate.