Year: 1859

anu Sliil cOnllnueO 10 converse.


You can commence this Immediately, | |
presume. or have you other engagements
which must be attended to first?' He ans
wered that he had none, and seemed little
inclined to converse


well, then, you may as well 90 direct
ly to my house and commence to-day. /
will pay you as soon as the work is done,
if your family require it 1 will advance
you months wages. 1t is all the same
to me-


AT mention of his family a visible tre-
NOR shook his frame. Ee looked up into
my face, and while the tears rolled silently
down his face he SAID:


You do not mock me? You will give
me work asyou say?'


TO be sure Twill


How strangely you talk. You have
been the first to speak kind words to me
for long, long time. l know not what
induced me to come with you, but there
was something in your face that told me
you would not lead me deeper into misery
have sought employment, but all turned
from me with contempt, and said they
wanted no vagabond drunkards about
them; there were decent men enough who
would be glad of the work, and who would
spend their earnings for their family and
not for drink. Oh. sir! if they had but
spoken kindly TO me then | might not have
fallen SO low. But their words stung my
heart. | knew had no friends, and with
out money, what could l do? Twas
wrong to go deeper into sin on this account
but when is the case different? | sought
tor employment but little after this, but
gave myself up to drink more fully than
before. Now have nothing to We with;
my tools, which cost me $500, are sold at
low price to the man who dealt out the
poison that has sunk me so low, and for
aught know, murdered my wife. have
not seen her for week. have no right
to ask anything of you. but if you will
60 to her and see that she does not suffer,
| will repay you some day for all you do


Do not be uneasy about your wife, she
is well and wants for nothing. | will sec
that your chest of tools are returned, and
if you can in future pay for them without
injuring yourself. You may do so, but dom.
trouble yourself about that now. You
may clear away this old rubbish, and from
this hour you will stay with me, and when
you find you are truly reformed man,
then visit your wife; in the meantime my
wife will see that she wants for nothing


He grasped my hand, but did not speak
His silence seemed to me more eloquent
than words.


AS day after day wore away, his coun-
tenance became haggard and death like
He missed his daily stimulant, and [ trem-
bled lest his good angel might desert him.
but there was light in his eye that could,
not be mistaken. | still fully believed
that my hopes would be realized, and
that lie would be restored to the world a
useful and honored citizen. His wife had
been apprized of the change in her hus
band, and the news seemed to produce a
greater effect than all my medicine. She
was soon to be able to be at work, and
looked forward to the nappy time when
she could again be united to the one she
truly loved and know that he was the same
as when he first called her his. He al
ways inquired for her when returned from
visiting her, and expressed much concern
for her health He had now been at work
for me over month; had purchased new
suit of clothes, and was TO appearance a
new nan. He had not lost a day since he
came to my house, and his evenings were
spent In my library or with my family. l
watched him narrowly, and thought that
| might now venture to let him sec his
wife. While he had been working for me
carpenters were busy repairing kis own
house, which now presented neat and
comfortable appearance. On my next Wis
it to his wife, told her che might expect
to sac her husband that evening She
grasped my hands and tears trickled fast
down her cheeks.


'How can we ever repay you for all your
kindness?'


4 am doubly repaid in seeing you hap
py; and if you feel greatful for the little
subject again


That night Mr.. Smith returned to his
home. His old friends seeing that he had
set about reform in earnest, were not
long in seeking him, and he was again fair
ly started in business. And with the evil
Of his passed life ever before him. there
was little danger of his seeking his old
ways. They lived for some years in their
old cottage, but at length bought the neat
house opposite my own; and even now as
l write lie s.ands by the open easement,
one arm thrown lovingly around the waist
of his wife, who, though the winds Of
many winters have kissed her cheeks since
first saw her. is still very pretty woman.
and as good as she is pretty. No one in
our village is more respected than Mr..
Smith; and though he may often think of
the dark days which were once his. yet he
blesses God for the light which brought
him forth from darkness. They are hap.
py; and II one exertion of mine has been of
benefit to them | am doubly rewarded
Boston Cultiudtor


EyA duck Of doctor : Generally a
quack.