Year: 1859

what L SAID to your


Yes, yes, l heard. Leave me- she
muttered to herself. But raising her eyes
to mine she said:


will you do this, and may once more
breathe the pure, fresh air?'


She cast her eyes upon her garments,
and while blush suffused her death like
features she exclaimed


We were not always so poor, but lived
in neat little cottage which belonged to
my husband, and we were contented and
happy. He was thriving mechanic, and
fol few years all went well; but he was
often called 10 work with men of bad prin-
ciples, and in process of time he imbioed
their principles SO far that the money he
earned, and which had once made our
bone SO cheerful, was spent at the gaming
table and tavern. This was all the plotting
of poor workmen who envied him for his
superiority, and they swore that they
would be revenged. But the plot was art
fully laid and SO skillfully carried ont that
he did not suspect them, and my words
of warning were as empty air. About
this time our child, who had never been
healthy suddenly died. l did not mourn
for him as should in our more prosperous
days, for should be live to become such
miserable man as his father, it were better
that he died in infancy. And when God
took him to Himself | felt that He alone
knew what was best for his creatures. My
husband grew worse and worse; bis Gus
toners left him and we had nothing but
what earned by sewing, though some
times | would wash and iron for my neigh
bors, for which they paid me all they
could afford, and this scanty allowance
supported US, though sometimes scantily
enough. Sometimes he would return in
the middle of the night with his compan-
ions and devour the last mouthful of pro-
visions which [ had Obtained for my hard
days labor, and this failing to satisfy them
he would abuse me in the most shocking
manner, and then telling me to have more
when he returned, he would leave me and
again seek his place of amusement and de-
bauchery. But he was not himself, for
he was once so kind, and not want of
mine did he leave unsatisfied if it was in
his power. Never having been accustom
ed to hard labor my constitution failed da
ly, but | have kept about my work, some.
times for a few hours at a time, sometimes
for half day, till this spring. when | co d
not 60 out, and ali have had to eat has
been given to me by my poor neighbors,
who find it hard enough to support their
own families. He now seldom comes home
oftener than once in three or four DAYS,
and then he is SO changed fear his very
presence. Bat he was once the kindest of
men, and oh, loved him SO muchl


Here her voice broke and she could say
no more. | strove to comfort her by say
ing that she and her husband should be
cared for, and doubted not that he would
yet become a good man.


oh, sir, if you will see him l know
you can do something for him. | want
nothing. Care for him and | shall be hap
lpy.'


/ looked around on the miserable look
ing furniture, at the bare walls, then at
the suffering woman before me, and con
trasted her home with the sumptuous one
of my own wife and little ones, and | re-
solved TO be frimd TO the noble hearted
creature who still clung to the husband OF
her youth even in his degradation.
left the miserable hut and sought my
own home. AS its lofty structure loomed
up before me. thought how much the
owner of such mansion might do for his
suffering brothers. What is wealth that it
should be treasured to the exclusion of a
noble deed?


l soon learned that the woman's state
ment was correct, and that she was wor-
thy person and he once the first mechanic
in the place, but intemperanee had made
him the outcast he then was. 1 saw be-
fore me noble work, that of restoring the
inebriate again to the standard Of man
and his wife to peace and happiness. 1
Immediately set about preparing some ne
cessaries for the woman, in which my
good wife joined, and seeing them off &C
companied by her and her maid, who went
as she said to make things look more COM
Portable, | started in quest of Mr. S. /
had not long to search. l found him in
one of the lowest drinking rooms of the
place, surrounded by his vile associates.
They were the most forbidding set Of fel
lows l ever saw; literally clothed in rags
and filth. Their loud voices reached my
ear long before | entered. | hesikate1 at
the door, for | was unused to such scenes,
but remembering my object hesitated no
longer. They were seated around rude
table, on which lay the fragments of a
meal. They arose from their seats as |
| entered and demanded with an oath why
| intruded on their privacy. I requested
to speak with Mr.. S.


'lNr. So said he in an ironical tone.-
I'VE have no Misters here like your sort of
folk. We are honest, decent folks, and are
not ashamed to be called by our right
names. Here is Ned Smith, suppose he
is the Mister you want


approached him and extended my
hand. He looked into my face with puz-
zled air. and with a confused blush and
downcast eyes he accepted it. l saw by
his agitation that the sense of shame had
no: forsaken him, and felt that once in
my power he would never enter that vile
den again. l said:


sCtnpaa Mr. Smith I have n ioh for vol1