Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-01-24

bitter was her cup OF sorrow than was
that of the half-fainting woman. who
would rather. far rather. her boy lad
died with the dew of babyhood upon his
brow than to have seen him thus dcbascd
and fallen.
The story was soon told. my uncle sup
plying all points which Anna could not.
1t seems that early in life Herbert had
acquired n love for the wine and porter
which daily graccd his mothers dinner
table. As he grew older his taste in
creased for something stronger, until now
nothing save brandy could satisfy the
cravings of his appetite. More than once
had Ne been brought home in state Of
entire unconsciousncss--it usually taking
but one glass to render him perfectly
foolish. while u second was generally sure
to finish the work These fits were al
ways followed by resolutions of amend
mcnt. and it was now so long since lie
had drunk that his mother began to have
strong hopes of his reform but these.
alas. were now dashed to the ground
Unfortunately. Uncle Jason had offered
the young man n glass of cider. which
Immediately awokc in its full vigor his
old love for ardent spirits. just across
the road. crcaking in the November wind.
hung the sign of the Golden Fleece
aud in that direction, soon after dinner.
Herbert bent his steps. taking down ut
one time a tumbcr two thirds full Of raw
brandy. This made him very tnlkative
and very affcctionntc. insomuch that he
kissed Aunt Bctscy. who. as soon ~ she
could. started him for home. When the
halfway housc--callcd. in opposition to
its ncighbor. ''Silvcr Skin"--was reached.
Herbert insisted upon stopping and TAX
ing another glass. which ere long render.
cd him so helpless that Anna was Obliged
to take charge of SOrrel herself. while
her companion fell asleep. leaning his
head upon her shoulder and gradually
sinking lower and lower until he rested
IN her lap.
All that night he remained In the sit
ting room. When fully restored to con-
sciousncss he seemed heartily ashamed
of himself. crying like girl. and wind.
ing his arms around his mothers neck
so atfectionately that l did not blame her
when she forgive him and wiped away
her tears.
She might not have had mucl, faith In
his sincerity could she have heard his
conversation with Anna, whom he inan.
aged to withdraw from the family, to the
recess Of distant window. Alone with
her, his manner changed. and with flash
ing eyes he charged It to his mother. who.
he said. first taught him to love 1t by
allowing him. when a little boy. to drink
the bottom of the wine glasses after
dinner.
And II I I'LL drunkard's grave" said
he. "she will be to blame; but" lie added,
m he saw Anna involuntarily sl,uddcr,
ut shall not he. ! can reform. I will
reform. and you must help me do it,
Anna looked wondcringly ut him, while
he continued, taking her hand and re-.
moving from II a plain gold ring. which
grandma had given her on her fifteenth
birthday. "You must let me wear this
as II talisman to protect me from evil.
Whenever l am tempted I shall look mt Il
and be saved"
Anna hcsitated awhile: but the soft.
handsome eyes Of Herbert Langley had
woven around her n spell she could not
break. and mt last she consented. rccciv.
ing from him In return a diamond ring,
which he told her wns worth two hun.
drcd dollars. When this became known
TO mother, she very wisely insisted on
Anna's returning II. and together with
the note explaining the why and the
wherefore. Il went bnck to Its owner. who
Immediately replied by letter. the ION.
tents Of which were carefully kept from
| us all. The effect, however. was plain.