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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/6907-0.txt b/6907-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee0dc79 --- /dev/null +++ b/6907-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9246 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of From Wealth to Poverty, by Austin Potter + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: From Wealth to Poverty + +Author: Austin Potter + +Posting Date: October 31, 2014 [EBook #6907] +Release Date: November, 2004 +First Posted: February 10, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY *** + + + + +Produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. This file +was produced from images generously made available by the +Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions. + + + + + + + + + + +FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY; + +OR, + +THE TRICKS OF THE TRAFFIC. + +A Story of the Drink Curse + + +BY THE REV. AUSTIN POTTER. + + +"I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard. +Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. +To be now a sensible man, by-and-bye a fool, and presently a beast" +--Othello, Act II. + + +TO THE FRIENDS OF PROHIBITION THE WORLD OVER THIS BOOK IS +RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED + +BY THE AUTHOR. + + + +PREFACE + +My reasons for writing this story were principally two. The first +was my undying hatred of the rum traffic, which, in the days of +the long ago, caused me and those dear to me to endure intense +hardship and suffering; and the second was my desire to expose the +unprincipled measures which were employed by the liquor party in +order to render the Dunkin Act non-effective, and thus bring it +into disrepute. + +What I have written has been taken from personal experience and +observation; and as I have resided in three counties where the Act +was in force, and have since visited several others, the data, +which served as a foundation for what follows, was not gleaned +from any particular locality. + +The picture I herein present of the plottings of the liquor party, +and the cruel treachery to which they resorted in order to bring +their conspiracy to defeat the law to a successful issue, is not +overdrawn; and, let me ask, can there be any doubt but there are +in existence at the present time plots similar to the one laid +bare in this book, which have for their object the obstruction of +the Scott Act in the counties where it has been or may be carried, +thus if possible to bring it into such contempt among the +unthoughtful, who will not examine back of the effect for the +cause, as to finally secure its repeal. Of one thing we may be +certain, if an unscrupulous use of money and the resorting to +"ways that are dark" will accomplish their purpose, these +conspirators will not fail of success. + +It has been my aim in this book to help educate public sentiment, +so that if the same tactics are resorted to as were in the places +where the Dunkin Act was in force, my readers will not aid the +violators of the law by joining in the senseless cry, "the Scott +Act is a failure," but that they will, to the extent of their +ability, assist those who are determined that it, like every law +which has been placed on our statute books for the protection of +the subject, must and shall be respected, and that the violators +of its enactments shall be brought to summary and condign +punishment: for except it is backed by public sentiment it, though +much superior to the Dunkin Act, will fail just as signally. + +In regard to the principal characters who appear in these pages, +they are not mere creations of my imagination; for Richard and +Ruth Ashton were real personages, with whom I was well acquainted, +as were all the prominent individuals of this story. + +The descriptions given of the murders and suicides, also of Morris +throwing the tumbler at his son, and of the scene when Allie +Ashton was insulted by Joe Porter and the latter was knocked down +by Frank Congdon, are all taken from events which really occurred. + +For what I have written I offer no apology, but will simply state +that I have only been animated with a sincere desire to do my +little all to sweep the drink curse from our country and the +world. + +A. P. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +CHAPTER I. A Departure. + +CHAPTER II. Richard and Ruth Ashton. + +CHAPTER III. On the down grade. + +CHAPTER IV. Sail for America and meet a kindly welcome. + +CHAPTER V. Good resolution--A tempter and a fall. + +CHAPTER VI. Arrival in Canada--A friendly host--Applies for a + situation. + +CHAPTER VII. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. + +CHAPTER VIII. Ashton meets with friends and secures a situation. + +CHAPTER IX. Ruth's misgivings and mental agony. + +CHAPTER X. All in Canada. + +CHAPTER XI. Aunt Debie and her friends. + +CHAPTER XII. A worthy Sheriff and Judge--Dr. Dalton. + +CHAPTER XIII. Ruth Ashton's introduction to Aunt Debie--Ruth's + dilemma. + +CHAPTER XIV. A happy home. + +CHAPTER XV. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney's satisfaction with Ashton-- + Mutual congratulations. + +CHAPTER XVI. Ashton revisits old scenes. + +CHAPTER XVII. Mr. Howe gives his views in regard to Canada. + +CHAPTER XVIII. The banquet, and what followed. + +CHAPTER XIX. A startling newspaper item to Mr. and Mrs. Reid. + +CHAPTER XX. A base plot, and what it led to. + +CHAPTER XXI. Utterly broken--Blasted hopes. + +CHAPTER XXII. The Dunkin Act--A discussion in which strong + language is used. + +CHAPTER XXIII. The conspirators formulating their scheme. + +CHAPTER XXIV. Alderman Toper's flattering opinion of the "Dodger". + +CHAPTER XXV. The friends of temperance rejoicing over their + victory. + +CHAPTER XXVI. In which the reader listens to a _tete-a-tete_ + between mother and daughter. + +CHAPTER XXVII. Barton's despair, and what it led to. + +CHAPTER XXVIII. The conspirators perfecting the details of their + conspiracy. + +CHAPTER XXIX. Mr. Brown's opinion of the trial, and the presiding + magistrates. + +CHAPTER XXX. The insult to Allie Ashton--Her gallant defender. + +CHAPTER XXXI. Richard Ashton and little Mamie--Mamie's dream. + +CHAPTER XXXII. A bar-room settlement of a misunderstanding. + +CHAPTER XXXIII. The home and family of Morris--He nearly kills + little Harry. + +CHAPTER XXXIV. Tom Flatt's hut--A description of the scene in + which he murders his wife. + +CHAPTER XXXV. John, jun.'s wedding--Barton's murder--Luella + Sealy's suicide and Ginsling's tragical death. + +CHAPTER XXXVI. Some of the characters who helped the repeal-- + A hoodlum's victory. + +CHAPTER XXXVII. Death of little Mamie--A promise. + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. Richard Ashton murderously attacked--His death. + +CHAPTER XXXIX. Mr. Gurney speaks his mind--Death of Dr. Dalton + And Aunt Debie. + +CHAPTER XL. Conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A DEPARTURE. + + +"Richard, you will keep from drink, will you not, dear?" and the +speaker, in order to make her pleading irresistible, kissed the +one to whom these words were addressed again and again; and, as +with a hand upon each shoulder, she looked lovingly into his eyes, +there was an added pathos which, to a man of Richard Ashton's +sympathetic and sensitive nature, was all powerful. + +"Well, Ruth, dear, God helping me, I will again be a man, and when +I am tempted I will think of my dear little wife and my darling +children at home; and remembering how they love me, though I have +been such an indifferent husband and father to them, I will not +touch nor taste the cursed stuff." + +The tears gleamed in his eyes as he thus spoke, but feeling his +manhood was being compromised he endeavored to suppress them, the +effort, however, was in vain, for the deepest depths of a noble, +sensitive nature had been wrought upon by the loving appeal of his +wife and the pent-up feeling, gathering force by the very effort +which he had made to suppress it, manifested itself in a series of +short, choking sobs. He returned the kisses of his wife, clasped +her convulsively to him, and, as he looked down into the upturned +face, his eyes manifested an affection which found no expression +in speech. He stooped down and fondly kissed his children and then +opening the door, with satchel in hand, he darted out, only +looking back when his wife called to him, as she stood with her +three little ones on the threshold-- + +"Remember, Richard, your wife and children will pray for you, that +our Father in heaven may preserve you from danger, give you +strength to resist temptation, and bring you back in safety to +those who love you better than their own lives." + +He stood looking back for a moment, and as he saw his wife and +children still gazing intently after him, he murmured, "God bless +you, my darlings;" and turning again, walked rapidly on until he +was lost to view. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +RICHARD AND RUTH ASHTON. + + +Richard Ashton was a native of the town of G----, in the county +of B----, England. His father, who was a draper in good +circumstances, had given his son a liberal education and had +brought him up to his own calling. The son, a young man of quick +parts, took advantage of the opportunities so generously offered +to him and prosecuted his studies with commendable success, and by +the time he was a stripling of sixteen was possessed of knowledge +that few of his years could boast. + +Richard was also an omniverous reader, and, as his father +possessed a good library, he, from a very early period had +literally devoured the contents of the books which lined its +shelves, and thus became well versed in history, both ancient and +modern, in the biographies of most of the celebrated men of all +ages, and was also well acquainted with the most eminent poets, +from Chaucer to Tennyson, ever having an apt quotation at his +command to fasten home a maxim or make more pungent a witticism. +In fact he had further developed a mind naturally broad by making +his own the best thoughts of the ages, and his sensitive nature +could not, knowingly, have given pain to a worm--no one that was +worthy appealed in vain to his generosity, and it seemed to be the +endeavor of his life to gain happiness by making those with whom +he associated happy. With his genial disposition, sparkling wit, +skill at repartee, and brilliant conversational powers, it was not +at all surprising, with such a nature and such accomplishments, +joined to an exceedingly handsome person he should have been voted +a good fellow by the men and a "catch" by the young ladies who had +entered that interesting period when they are considered eligible +candidates for matrimony. And as he had, over and above his +accomplishments, good prospects for the future, the mammas of the +aforementioned young ladies should not receive severe censure if +they did each exercise the utmost skill to secure for a son-in-law +the coveted prize. But these delicate manifestations were not +productive of the results which, it was whispered by the Mrs. +Grundies of the neighborhood, would have been most agreeable to +the parties interested, for his heart had long been given to one +who was in all respects worthy of its best affections. It afforded +him, however, no little amusement to find himself the object of so +much attention, and he quietly enjoyed the situation, while the +parties in question endeavored to out-manoeuvre each other, as +they strove, as they supposed without appearing to strive, to +capture the object of their ambition. There was such subtle tact +exhibited and such powers of delicate blandishment displayed that +he was convinced women were born diplomatists, and he now had some +conception of how it was that in a broader field some of the sex +had wielded such an influence over kings and statesmen as to be +the powers behind the throne which ruled empires and kingdoms for +their benison or their bane. He certainly would have possessed +extraordinary attributes if his vanity had not been flattered, by +being conscious he was thought worthy of such flattering +attention; though his thoughts were tinged with cynicism when +exhibitions of selfishness were not wanting in his fair friends, +and as, sometimes, delicate hints were faintly outlined which +darkened character, and inuendoes were whispered to the detriment +of rivals, by lips that seemed moulded only to breathe blessings +or whisper love. + +As we have previously stated, Richard Ashton had met his fate +years before, when, as a young man of eighteen, he attended a +social party given by a Mrs. Edmunds, whose husband was a great +friend of his father's, and a member of the same guild. He was +there introduced to a modest, unpretentious, but yet cultivated +and refined country maiden, Ruth Hamilton by name, who was a niece +of his host. We will not say it was a case of love at first sight, +though they certainly were, from the first, mutually attracted +each to the other, for, when he entered into conversation, he +found her so modest and unaffected, yet with a mind so well +furnished--seeming to have an intelligent conception of every +topic upon which they touched, as they ranged at will in their +conversation, evincing such acumen of intellect and such practical +comprehension of subjects of which many of her sex, who made much +greater pretentious, were entirely ignorant, that Ashton, +concluded she was a treasure, indeed, which he would make his own, +if possible. + +She might not by some be called a beauty, for she could not boast +of classic regularity of feature; but no one could be long in her +presence without yielding the tribute which, at first sight, he +was chary of giving. She was fair of complexion--not of a pallid +hue, but tenderly tinted, like a peach blossom, and so transparent +that the blue veins could be plainly discerned as they made their +delicate tracery across her low, broad brow. Her mouth was small, +but expressive, and her lips red and fresh as a rosebud. She had +glorious gray eyes, large and expressive, luminous and deep, which +in repose spoke of peace and calm, but which, when excited by +mirth or by a witticism, glowed and scintillated like wavelets in +the golden light of the sun. + +Two such spirits, so alike in taste and yet so opposite in +temperament and complexion, could scarcely fail to be mutually +attractive; for he was dark and she fair; his temper was as the +forked lightning's flash, quick and sometimes destructive, while +she was ever calm, gentle, and self-possessed. In fact, they were +the complement each of the other, and it was not long ere he had +wooed and won her, and obtained the consent of her guardians to +make her his wife. + +They were married one beautiful day in the bright Spring-time, +when nature had donned her loveliest dress, and the air was +fragrant with the breath of flowers and vocal with the songs of +birds. As they stood together at the altar--he with his wavy raven +locks swept back from his broad brow, with his dark eyes flashing +with intelligence; she with a face that rivalled in fairness the +wreath of orange blossoms that crowned her luxuriant tresses of +gold--they presented a picture of manly strength and sweet, +womanly beauty that is seldom equalled and scarcely ever excelled. + +As the guests congratulated them upon the happy consummation of +their ardent desires, and expressed the hope that life would be to +them as a summer's day with few clouds, they had every reason to +believe their most sanguine hopes would be realized. Alas! many a +day that has had a rosy morn, sweet with the breath of flowers and +jocund with the voice of birds, has been dark with clouds and +flashing angry lightnings ere noon. What a blessing it is that God +in His mercy allows us to revel in the sunshine of the present, +and does not darken our clear sky with the clouds of coming woe. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ON THE DOWN GRADE. + + +A short time after their marriage Richard inherited the business +and property of his father, whose health had been failing for +years, and who died quite unexpectedly. His mother never recovered +from the shock, but in a short time followed her loved husband to +the grave. So the son was left with a good business and ample +means, seeming to be on the road to opulence. + +As the years rolled on business prospered, and the prattle of +children's voices gladdened their home. First a boy came, with the +fair hair and large dreamy eyes of the mother; then, two years +later, a girl with the dark eyes and the raven black hair of the +father, and their cup of bliss seemed full to overflowing. + +Circumstances, however, had already occurred which caused Ruth +very much uneasiness of mind, and sometimes when a friend called +she had to absent herself for a short time until she had removed +the traces of her tears. + +Richard had joined the "Liberal Club," and as he threw his whole +soul into anything which he deemed worthy of his attention, his +wife soon had grave fears that it absorbed too much of his time. +Hours which should have been devoted to business were spent in +discussing the political issues of the day, and she felt they +suffered serious loss, for there were left to his employees +important transactions which should have had his undivided +attention; and the course he had pursued had alienated some of his +best customers. The Liberal Club of which he was a member was +composed of the most ultra of the Radicals in that section of +country--in fact a great many of its members had been participants +in the Chartist agitation, and, a short time after Ashton joined, +they invited Henry Vincent, the celebrated agitator, to deliver an +address, he, while he remained in town, being the guest of Ashton. +This gave great offence to many of his best customers--not only to +those who were ultratories, but also to the whigs, and, as a +consequence, many of them left him and gave their patronage to +rival establishments. + +This, however, was not the worst feature of the case; there was +another and a stronger motive power to accelerate his already +rapid descent. He, with many more of the prominent members of the +"Liberal Club," was also among those who are called liberals in +their religious views. This could not be tolerated for a moment by +those among his customers who were decided in their religious +convictions, for they were fully convinced that a person who held +such opinions was a dangerous man in any community. They therefore +withdrew their patronage, which completed the ruin of his formerly +prosperous business, for it did not afterwards pay running +expenses. + +This state of things greatly alarmed Ruth, and was the source of +much sorrow. But there were greater sorrows to follow. + +When we are struggling with difficulties and environed by +circumstances which have a tendency to make us miserable, we must +not imagine that we have sounded the deepest depths of the abyss +of woe, for if we do we may discover there are depths we have not +yet fathomed. This Ruth Ashton soon bitterly realized, for her +husband had of late frequently returned from the Club so much +under the influence of liquor as to be thick in his speech and +wild, extravagant and foolish in his actions, which caused her +many hours of unutterable anguish. + +When he first began to drink she was not seriously alarmed, it +being the custom in England, at their convivial parties, to pledge +each other in wine; and since on such occasions it frequently +happened that they imbibed, enough, not only to make them a little +exuberant but also quite intoxicated, she thought she must not +expect her husband to be different from other men in this respect, +as it was at most only a venial offence. But now when his troubles +thickened, and his friends one after another left him, and he +began to drink more deeply to drown his cares and to stimulate him +to meet his difficulties, her partial anxiety deepened into agony, +strong and intense. She made loving remonstrance, appealing to him +if he loved wife and children to leave the "Club," and not destroy +his business and thus involve them all in ruin. Also, frequently, +when the children were fast asleep in their little cot, as she +looked with a mother's tenderness and pride upon them, thinking +what a picture of innocence and beauty they presented as their +heads nestled lovingly together on the pillow--the raven-black and +gold mingling in beautiful confusion--she would kneel beside them, +and as the deepest, holiest feelings of her heart were stirred, +she would pray that the one who was so dear to them all might be +redeemed from evil and become again a loving husband, a kind +father, and a child of God. + +Richard at first received her gentle remonstrance with good-natured +banter, and generally turned it off with a playful witticism. He asked +her if she had not enough confidence in him to believe he was +sufficiently master of himself to take a glass with a friend without +degenerating into a sot, and he used very strong expletives when +speaking of those who were so weak as not to be able to take a glass +without making fools of themselves. + +But he would not allow even Ruth to influence him in regard to his +political predilections, for, when she tried to persuade him to +take a more moderate course, he sternly replied he would not +desist from exercising what he believed to be his right, not even +for her, much as he loved her. He said it was his proud boast that +he was a Briton, and as such he would be free--free not only to +hold his opinions, but to act upon his convictions, and any man +who would withdraw his support from him because he would not be a +slave was a petty tyrant, and if such an one was not a Nero it was +because he lacked the power, not the spirit. + +So matters went from bad to worse with Richard Ashton, not only in +regard to the moral, but, also, in the financial aspect of the +case. In fact he had soon to draw so largely on his banker that +the money his father had left him, outside of the business, began +to be seriously diminished. Josh Billings says, "When a man begins +to slide down hill he finds it greased for the occasion." And +certainly the case of Richard Ashton illustrated the truth of the +aphorism, for when he once began to go down hill his descent was +so rapid that he soon reached the bottom; and became bankrupt in +capital and character. He now began to talk of selling out and +going to America: "There," he said, with much emphasis, "I shall +be free." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +SAILS FOR AMERICA, AND MEETS A KINDLY WELCOME. + + +Ruth was now suffering keenly. She loved her husband with such an +intense passion that even his folly did not cool its ardor, and +when others denounced him in the harshest terms she spoke only in +tenderness. And when many of her friends went so far as to advise +her to leave him, and so save to herself and children some remnant +of her fortune, she indignantly protested against their giving her +any such advice. She said she would remain faithful to her +marriage vow, no matter what suffering and obloquy it might +involve. Not but her idol had fallen very low. She had been so +proud of him, proud of his manly bearing, his strength of +character. Proud of his ability, which, to her, seemed to enter +the regions of genius. "Oh!" she said, as she mourned over her +blasted hopes, her vanished dream of bliss, "I never expected +this." She suffered as only such a sensitive, noble, cultured +woman could suffer, and suffered the more because she would give +voice to no complaint. The heart was at high pressure, and the +valve was close shut. + +But she did not give up her endeavors to save him. She tried by +gentle endearing tenderness to win him from destruction; and when +she found this did not avail she passionately appealed to him to +stop ere he had involved them all in ruin. + +"Oh Richard!" she would say, "Why do you drink? You know your +business is now nearly ruined. Your friends have nearly all +deserted you. You are fast losing your self-respect, wrecking your +health, and dragging your wife and children down with you. +Consider, my darling, what you are sacrificing, and don't be +tempted to drink again!" + +She might have reminded him of how he formerly boasted of his +strength, and denounced the weakness of the habitual drunkard, but +she refrained from so doing. She determined, no matter what she +suffered, never to madden him by a taunt or unkind word, but to +save him if possible by love and gentleness. He as yet, though +harsh and peevish to others, had never spoken an unkind word to +her. He had once or twice been unnecessarily severe to the +children, which caused pain to her mother's heart, but she had by +a quiet word thrown oil upon the troubled waters of her husband's +soul, and applied a balm to the wounded hearts of her children. + +Sometimes, when she with tears in her eyes appealed to him, he +would promise not to drink again. There is no doubt but it was his +intention to keep his word, but yet it was invariably broken. The +fact was he had become a slave to drink, such a slave that neither +what he owed to wife, nor children, nor man, nor God, could +restrain him. His word was broken; his honor stained, his wife and +children ruined, his God sinned against, and he had become that +thing which formerly he so despised--a poor, miserable drunkard. + +His friends had seen this for some time, and now he himself could +not fail to recognize his awful situation; for his thirst for +spirituous liquor had become so strong that he would sacrifice +everything he held dear on earth to obtain it--in fact, it had +become a raging, burning fever, which nothing but rum could allay. + +Reader, do not be too strong in your words of scorn and +condemnation. You may never have been tried. People who boast of +their purity and strength may never have been environed by +temptation. "Let him that is without fault cast the first stone." + +A few weeks after he had expressed to his wife his determination +to sell out and go to America, two men, who were mutual friends of +his, and who were members of the "Liberal Club," casually met on +the street. After the usual compliments, one said to the other: +"By-the-bye, Saunders, did you hear that Ashton had sold out to +Adams and was going to sail for America next week?" + +"No; is that so? Well, I expected something would happen. The +poor fellow has been going to the bad very rapidly of late. Who +would have thought he was so weak? I take it that a man who +cannot drink a social glass with a friend without degenerating +into a sot has very little original strength of character." + +"It is all very well to talk, Bell; I have frequently heard Ashton +express himself in the same manner, and yet you see what he is +to-day. There was not a member of the Club his equal when it was +first formed. In fact, he was the master spirit of the society. +Not one of all the members could approach him in culture, in +brilliancy, or in legislative ability. You remember that in a +former conversation we thought it strange he should associate with +us, when he would be welcomed as a peer by those who, at least, +consider themselves our betters; and you expressed it as your +opinion that he, like Milton's Satan, would rather reign in hell +than serve in heaven." + +"But, Charley, is he completely bankrupt?" + +"Well, I guess I might almost say so, for it is reported he has +used up all the capital which was left him by his father and has +drawn heavily on his wife's means. From what I hear, I would +conclude he has but a few hundred pounds left to take him to +America. I pity his wife. She was a charming girl, so beautiful, +so clever, and yet so modest. Many a man envied Ashton his prize. +And you know that many an eligible girl would like to have stood +in her shoes and been the bride of Richard Ashton, for he was +considered one of the best catches in the matrimonial market. Such +is life; then it was high noon with him, and all smiled upon him; +now, none so poor as to do him reverence." + +This conversation gives a true outline of the actual state of +affairs. Richard Ashton, at the date of which we are speaking, +found absolute ruin staring him in the face, and he now knew he +must either sell or be sold out. He wisely chose the former +alternative, while there was some chance of saving a little for +himself. + +Poor Ruth, it almost broke her heart. Her guardian had died before +her husband had so utterly fallen, and his wife had preceded him +to the grave. She had now lost every near relative, with the +exception of her husband and children. But every one who had been +at all intimate with her was her friend, and ready to give +sympathy and help. She felt grateful for the many expressions of +kindness she had received, and it was a severe trial to sever the +cords which bound her to those whom she had known so long, and to +leave her dear native land and old home to go among strangers who +were thousands of miles away. But though it was hard to part, she +thought it would be for the best--it could scarcely be for the +worse. She was rashly advised by some not to go, as they said, +"there was no knowing how utterly he might fall, and then, if she +were among strangers, she and her children might be brought down +to the deepest depths of poverty and woe." But she nobly replied, +"he is my husband and the father of my children, and no matter how +he is despised by others he is inexpressibly dear to me, and I +will never forsake him 'till death do us part,' no matter what may +befall." + +Soon after the conversation I have just narrated ensued, Richard +Ashton settled up his business gathered the small remnant of his +fortune together, and he and his family set sail for that land of +promise--America. It was with sad forebodings that Ruth bade her +friends a long, and, as it proved to be, a final farewell. + +She stood upon the deck of the gallant vessel that bore them away, +and as she saw the land she loved so well slowly fade from view +and grow dimmer and dimmer as the distance lengthened, until it +seemed as a haze upon the dreary waste of waters, there was a +feeling of inexpressible sadness took possession of her. She +involuntarily drew closer to her husband, and gave expression to +the emotions of her soul by sobbing as though her heart would +break. He lovingly threw his arm around her waist and drew her +closely to him, soothing her sorrow by loving caresses. As the old +look shone in his eye, he gently whispered, "God helping me, my +darling, I will be a better man, and, as far as I can, I will +redeem the past." + +After landing in New York he remained there a short time to visit +some old friends, and then pushed through to the beautiful city of +Rochester, where a relative of his resided. Here he purchased an +unpretentious but cozy little cottage, situated not far from Mt. +Hope. It had a latticed porch, which was in summer-time covered +with honeysuckles; and the cottage was embosed in flowering trees +and morning glories. It had at the back a very fine garden, which +also contained numerous peach trees and a delightful snuggery of a +summer-house, whose sides were covered with lattice-work, over +which clambered the vine, and through whose interstices, in their +season, hung bunches of luscious grapes. In the front there was a +nice lawn, with circular flower beds; in attending to which Ruth +and her two children (Eddie and Allie) spent many happy hours. + +After a short delay, he, through the influence of his friends, +obtained employment as book-keeper for a large dry goods firm in +the city. When he first began his engagement, his salary was +comparatively small; but when his capabilities were recognized, +his employer, who was a man of gentlemanly instincts, and was also +generous in his dealings with those of his employees who were +capable and industrious, raised his salary to an amount which not +only enabled them to live respectably, but also to deposit +something in the savings-bank each week, preparatory for a rainy +day. + +Ruth's face began to wear the old radiant look of calm peace, if +not exuberant joy, which shone in her eye in the days of yore, and +she, for two years, was able to send home to her friends in the +old home land "glad tidings of great joy." But, alas! the dream +was short as it was blissful. He met one day an old companion of +his, with whom he had associated in his native town, and was +induced by him, after much persuasion, to join in a friendly glass +for the sake of "Auld Lang Syne." He met Ruth when she ran to the +gate to welcome him that night with what seemed to her loving +heart a cold repulse, for he was drunk--yes, my dear reader--crazily, +brutally drunk. His poor wife was as much stunned as if +he had been brought home dead. She stood pale as death, with lips +tightly pressed, with wide open eyes staring wildly. Poor little +Eddie and Allie ran to their mother and nestled close to her for +protection, as birdlings run to the cover of the mother in seasons +of danger. And even poor little Mamie, for they had been blessed +by a little girl, whom they had thus named, shortly after they +arrived in Rochester, cuddled her head more closely to her +mother's bosom, and clung to her as if in mortal terror of one +whom she usually greeted with the fondest tokens of welcome. + +From that time forward his descent to Avernus was very rapid. He +soon lost his situation and was unable to secure another. He also +became dissatisfied with the country. It is generally men who are +their own worst enemies, who become agitators against the existing +order of things. + +The time of which I am writing was immediately after the American +War, and, at that period, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction +felt and expressed against England, because there were so many +of her citizens who sympathized with the Southern cause. And if any +of the more ignorant discovered a man to be an Englishman, he was +almost certain to seize the opportunity to rail against his country. +Ashton had to endure a great deal of this; for, in the hotels he met +a great many returned soldiers, among whom there was a large +percentage of the Fenian element; for the majority of the rank and +file of these miscreants were tavern loafers. Their denunciation of +England was not only strong, but blatant and couched in language both +blasphemous and obscene. This Ashton felt he could not endure, +this land of freedom was far too free for him. He said he loved +liberty, but not license, and, therefore, stimulated by the spirit of +patriotism, and by another spirit, which in his case was far the more +potent, he resolved to move to Canada, to shelter again under the +protecting folds of the "Union Jack." I have already given the reader +to understand, in another chapter, that he acted upon that +resolution. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +GOOD RESOLUTIONS; A TEMPTER, AND A FALL. + + +On the morning we introduced him to the reader he took the train +to Charlotte and secured a berth on the steamer _Corinthian_ +for a port on the Canadian side, and as it would not start for an +hour after he arrived, he thought he would endeavor to compose his +perturbed mind by a quiet walk up the river. For in his sober +moments he suffered intensely from the "pricks of an outraged +conscience," and more than once he had been tempted to take his +own life, but the thought of wife and children had restrained him +from the rash and cowardly act. It may be, there was intermingled +with that the thought, as Shakespeare says-- + + "Which makes cowards of us all, + And makes us rather bear those ills we have + Than fly to others that we know not of." + +He now resolved, God helping him, he would never drink again, but +he would establish a home in the strange land whither he was +journeying, and live a sober, industrious life. But even as he +made these resolves his craving, burning appetite came tempting +him; and as he strove against it, he shut his teeth and knit his +brow, and involuntarily clenched his hand as if about to struggle +with a mortal foe, and stamped his foot as he hissed through his +clenched teeth, "I will be free." Ah, Richard! don't begin to +boast before you have gained the victory, depend more upon God +than self, you surely need his aid, for here comes a tempter. + +"Hallo, Ashton, is that you? What is the matter with you? Why, one +would suppose you had an attack of the blues. At what were you +glaring so fiercely? You look as if you had a live Fenian before +you and was striking for the Old Land with a determination to give +no quarter. How came you here, and whither are you bound?" And the +speaker, with a quizzical smile upon his face, which half +concealed and half revealed an underplay of devilish mockery, put +his hand familiarly upon the shoulder of Ashton, and then grasped +him by the hand and gave it a hearty shake. But if a good judge of +human nature had been by, he would have concluded his manner was +assumed for the occasion--that he was simply acting, and was a +failure at the role he had assumed. + +I have not given to the reader the expletives with which he +adorned his conversation, nor do I intend to do so, for though he, +like others who indulge in the habit of swearing, may have thought +it was both ornamental and emphatic, I don't think so. Besides, I +have hopes that these pages may be read by the young, and I do not +wish to give, even in the conversations which I may transcribe, +anything that is profane or impure; for if I did I might inoculate +their young minds with an evil virus, which I would not knowingly +do. + +This person, who now accosted Ashton, was the one who acted imp to +his satanic majesty in leading him to his last fall, and here he +was again to tempt him. Well would it be for you, Richard Ashton, +if you would contemptuously spurn him as you would kick a rabid +dog from your path. + +I have noticed this person before in these pages but I will now +give him a more elaborate introduction to the reader; but as he is +an unsavory subject I will make the introduction as brief as +possible. + +His name was Stanley Ginsling, he was the youngest son of an +English gentleman, of considerable property, and of more pride, +whose estate lay in the vicinity of Ashton's native town. His +father intended him for the Church, not because there were any +manifestations that he was peculiarly qualified for holy orders, +either by mental or moral endowments, but because he did not know +what else to do with him, he concluded he would make him a parson. + +So, after he had gone through a certain course by private tuition +he was sent to Eton, preparatory to going to Oxford. + +He then got through his studies in some manner, though it was +generally understood by his mates that he was better acquainted +with the brands of his favorite liquors and cigars than he was +with the works of the authors which filled up the list of his +college curriculum. + +But when he entered Oxford he threw off all restraint and gave +himself up to a life of utter dissipation, and before long his +father received a polite note from the college authorities, +intimating that to save further disgrace he had better call his +worthy son home. + +After this he became a dissipated tavern lounger, a barnacle on +the good ship of society, a miserable sponge. + +He soon found, as he sententiously expressed it, that it was not +agreeable for him to remain under the kindly shelter of the +paternal mansion; so he, prodigal like, took the portion his +father gave him and spent it in riotous living. But he was +determined not to feed on husks, if unmitigated cheek and +unblushing effrontery could bring him better fare. + +It was while he was a gentleman lounger about town he first met +Richard Ashton, who, at that time, had become too much demoralized +to be very choice in the selection of his associates. And Ginsling +was rather intelligent--had a fine person and pleasing address, +and had it not been for his moral depravity and lack of every +noble instinct, he might have made his mark in society. + +So Ashton, the ultra radical, and Ginsling, the young scion of +extreme toryism, used to fraternize in their drinking bouts, and +though they would, when sufficiently stimulated, boozily wrangle +over their cups, there was in their common dissipation a ground +for mutual understanding. But in his sober moments the radical had +the most supreme contempt for his tory associate, and, sometimes, +could not suppress its manifestation. The other, however, was too +great a toady to be too thin skinned. It was not convenient for +him to be over-sensitive. In fact he was willing to swallow such +insults _ad infinitum_ if their donors would only furnish the +wherewithall to wash them down. + +After Ashton left England he felt somewhat lonely, and then his +father had become so utterly estranged from him because of his +conduct, that his situation became unpleasant even for him; so he +determined to sail for America. Learning that Ashton had settled +in Rochester, he made his way to that city. He arrived there at +the latter part of the year 1864, towards the close of the +American War; and shortly after his arrival, meeting with his old +comrade, as we have informed the reader, the latter, strange to +say, had power enough over him to seduce him to his fall. And now, +when Ashton was leaving Rochester in order to get away from his +old associates, and was making resolutions of reform, here he was +again as his tempter to lead him astray. + +At his salute Ashton looked up with a dazed, faraway look upon his +face, and then, as he slowly realized his position, he thought how +foolish he must have appeared to another who had witnessed his +fierce gesticulations and heard his wild and incoherent +murmurings. The thought covered him with confusion, and he did not +for a moment gain sufficient control of his faculties to answer +his interlocutor in a rational manner. + +The other, however, relieved his embarrassment by continuing in a +bantering tone: "Why, Ashton, one would suppose by your actions +you were the principal of some terrible tragedy, and that just now +you were suffering from the "pricks of an outraged conscience." I +declare you have mistaken your calling; you would have made your +fortune on the stage. Why, your looks just now would have done for +either Hamlet in the crazy scene, or Macbeth when talking to +Banquo's ghost. But if you are suffering I have something which +will reach the seat of the ailment; as the Scripture puts it, it +is "A balm for all our woes, and a cordial for our fears." Here +it is, Ashton. I have just been up to Charley's to have this dear +little friend of mine replenished. How do you like the looks of +it?" And suiting the action to the word he held up before him a +beautiful little brandy flask. Then detaching the silver cup from +the bottle it partially covered, he filled it full to the brim. +"Here, Ashton, take this potheen," he said, "it will settle your +perturbed spirits, comfort your soul, and drive dull care away." + +Ashton's hand shot forward mechanically to take the proffered +glass, and then he drew it hastily back. + +"No, Quisling," he said, "I will not touch it. Curse the stuff; +it has wrought enough ruin with mine and me. I was just swearing I +would never drink again, and I was in earnest. I know I must have +appeared to you as some gibbering maniac, but I was fighting my +craven appetite for strong drink. Oh how hard the struggle has +been; its fierceness is only known to God and myself. It comes +upon me when I am least prepared to defend myself, and tortures me +with the cruel malignity of a devil. And then I beat it back, and +it comes upon me again. But I must triumph or go under; for if it +is not liberty with me it will soon be death." + +He then turned fiercely upon Ginsling, and said-- + +"Why do you dog my footsteps like a shadow? Have you not wrought +ruin enough? Curse you; it was an evil day for me when you crossed +the Atlantic, for had you not done so, I would have been a +respectable and happy man to-day. It was you who urged me to +drink, and, listening to you, brought me down from the happy and +prosperous man that you found, to the miserable wreck you now look +upon! A thing for angels and good men to pity, and for devils and +evil men to despise. Leave me, if you have any pity, and do not +tempt me more." + +If there had been the slightest instinct of honor in the creature +to whom these words were addressed, the appeal would not have been +in vain. But his original stock of this attribute had been +limited, and he had long since disposed of the little he once +possessed. Such an attribute as honor or pity was viewed by him as +a useless incumbrance, for he was a miserable, heartless wretch, +seeking the gratification of his own depraved appetite, and +careless of who might suffer. + +He laughed with a seeming bluff heartiness when Ashton had +finished speaking, but the laugh sounded hollow and insincere. + +Novelists are ever introducing upon their pages, as the villain of +the story, the smooth, oily rogue: as if they considered such ones +were alone capable of cunning roguery and subtle diabolism. But +there is many a mean soul disguised by a bluff, hearty exterior, +and the mask is much the more difficult to penetrate. It is said +of such an one--"He says hard things, but you always see the +worst of him, for he puts his worst side out." Shakespeare's +rogue, honest Jack Falstaff, was brusk and blunt, but he carried a +rascal's heart, and there are many now living who are just as +great blusterers, and are equally as cowardly and as base. + +"Ha, ha! Ashton! this is too good to last! You know you have +assumed the role of the Prodigal Son before, but you have come +back to the riotous living again." Come, old fellow, take a +little; it will do you good. I believe you used to be an orthodox +Methodist, and, therefore, must be considerably versed in +Scripture, and you know that Paul advised Timothy to "take a +little wine for his stomach's sake, and for his oft infirmities." + +When Ginsling had finished speaking, a look of unutterable scorn +passed over the face of Ashton, and he glared at the former with +fierce contempt, and once or twice he seemed as if about to reply, +but, though his quivering lips and the contortions of his face +showed violent emotion, he for a time uttered no response, as if +he could not find words adequate to express his burning thoughts, +till suddenly starting he said--"Pshaw! you miserable rascal, it +was an evil day for me when I first met you. Have you not wrought +ruin enough? Why do you come again to tempt me? Leave me or I will +not be responsible for the consequences." And, turning upon his +heel, he abruptly left him. + +"Whew--but that's cool," whispered Ginsling, "but old fellow you +are not going to escape me that easily. I have come down here for +a purpose, and I am going to succeed in my undertaking, or my name +is not Stanley Ginsling." + +And I might here give the reader to understand that it was not +mere accident which brought Ginsling to Charlotte that day, he had +come with a fixed purpose of meeting Ashton, enticing him to +drink, and then accompanying him upon his journey and getting as +much out of him as possible. He had heard Ashton say it was his +intention to start for Canada, and he concluded that he was too +good a quarry for an old hunter like himself to lose. And as it +did not matter to him whether he spent the instalments, which were +regularly forwarded from home, in the United States or in Canada; +he resolved to meet Ashton at Charlotte, and be the companion of +his voyage. This accounts for his coming upon the latter as we +have just narrated. + +He did not allow Ashton, who was walking rapidly away after he had +done speaking, to proceed far before he called after him, "Stop!" + +The latter turned to learn what he wanted, for he began to have a +little compunction of conscience, because he had treated him so +rudely, and under the impulse of the new change of feeling waited +until Ginsling had caught up. + +"Now Ashton," he said, "I think you have treated me in a manner +which is very hard for a gentleman of spirit to endure." As he +said this he saw the faint outline of a sneer curling the lip of +his companion. But taking no notice he hastily continued, "But I +have known you too long to be over-sensitive at what you say or +do, I would endure more from you, old fellow, than from any man on +earth. Let us be friends, Ashton, for the sake of our friendship +in 'Merry England.'" + +"I am sure, Ginsling, I don't want to part with you in anger, and +if I have wounded your feelings you must remember it was under +strong provocation. Drink has been my ruin, and the ruin of those +I love best on earth. It has certainly been 'Our Curse,' and +through it I have been most cruel to those I love best and for +whom, when I am myself, I would sacrifice my life to defend from +evil or danger. This morning I promised my wife, as I have at +least a score of times before, that I would keep sober, and, while +struggling against my appetite, and determined to conquer, no +matter how much suffering the struggle might entail, you came up, +as my evil genius, to tempt me to my ruin, I could scarcely endure +your solicitations, but your rough banter drove me wild." + +"Well, old fellow, let it all pass, I was not aware of the mood +you were in, or I would have been more careful how I addressed +you. I am sure I would be the last man in the world who would +knowingly cause you pain. And to lead you astray, I can assure +you, is far from my purpose. I would rather do what I could to +help you. And, in my opinion, if I can prevail upon you to take a +few spoonfuls of brandy I will do this most effectively; why, man, +a glass is just what you want. A little, under certain circumstances, +will benefit any one who takes it; especially is this the case with +one who is as you are now. Why, you are all unnerved--see how your +hands tremble, and your whole system seems as if it wanted toning +up. Now if you break off too suddenly it may be serious for you, +while if you take a little, to brace you up, such disagreeable +consequences will not follow. I hate a man to drink too much, for, +if he does, he is sure to make a fool of himself, but a little will +do any man good." + +The tone and manner of Ginsling when he thus addressed Ashton was +subdued and gentlemanly, for he had not so far degenerated as to +have lost altogether the grace and polish which the refined +associations of his youth had given to him. His language, also, +sounded reasonable to the one to whom it was addressed, for, +though Ashton had become an awful example of the ultimate issue of +moderate drinking, at least in some cases, he would still argue in +its favor, and when the advocates of prohibition would point to +those who had fallen victims to the pernicious habit, he would +answer that it was the abuse and not the use of intoxicating +liquor which produces the evil. + +So Ginsling, who had frequently heard him thus argue, adroitly +stole an arrow out of his own quiver, and addressed him as he had +frequently heard him address others. And there was just enough +truth mixed with the sophistry of his argument to carry conviction +to the mind of one as unstable as Ashton; for he did feel all +unnerved. He had broken off suddenly from a long-continued drunken +spree, and was beginning to have premonitions of something which +he dreaded only second to death. He had already twice suffered the +horrors of delirium tremens, and he now had good cause for fearing +another attack. It was to this Ginsling referred when he said if +he broke off suddenly it might lead to serious consequences. So, +after what seemed to be a desperate struggle--the better instincts +of his nature endeavoring to overcome the craving of his appetite +and the sophistry of his tempter--he concluded he would just take +a little now to help him over this one trouble, and then he would +give it up forever. He argued to himself, "I could not live +through another attack, for I am sure the dreadful suffering is +akin to the horrors of the host." + +"Well, Ginsling," he said, "I think I will take your advice." He +was half ashamed thus to speak, because he was about to do +something for which his conscience strongly condemned him, and +also because he felt he was manifesting weakness and vacillation +in the presence of one whom he, in his heart, despised, and who, +after this, would hold similar sentiments in regard to himself. +"I do feel a little unlike myself this morning, and as the wind is +rather squally, and the captain says when we shoot out beyond the +point the lake will be wild, I need a little something to settle +my stomach; I have a fearful dread of sea-sickness." He said this +partly to justify his conduct to his companion, but more to +convince himself he was about to take a step which was not only +perfectly justifiable, but, under the circumstances, a manifestation +of wisdom. + +If a man is about to perform an action of doubtful propriety, he +is never at a loss to find arguments to defend the course he is +about to pursue, and though he may not be able to satisfy his +conscience, he can, at least to some extent, deaden the acuteness +of its pangs. Richard Ashton endeavored to justify his present +action to himself, in the moment which intervened between his +new-formed resolution and its consummation. The reader is no doubt +aware, from experience, that a great deal will pass through the +mind in the space of a single moment, and that sometimes a man's +weal or woe, for time, yea, and for eternity, depends upon a +decision which has to be thus hastily given. It was one of these +crucial moments which Ashton was now passing through. Alas! his +decision was far from being a wise one, and he could not deceive +himself so completely as not to partially feel this; for, try how +he would, he could not banish the thought that yielding to the +tempter might entail a train of misery horrible to contemplate. +Then Ruth's pale, pleading face, all suffused with tears, came up +vividly before him, as he last saw her, and as he remembered the +promise given, for a moment he hesitated, but finally he subdued +every better feeling, and reaching forth his hand, took the glass +which Ginsling temptingly offered, and drained it to the dregs. + +One glass such as he had thus taken was sufficient to make Ashton +regardless of consequences, and, therefore, it was not long before +it was followed by another and more copious one. In short, in half +an hour after he had met Ginsling he was wild and reckless, and +the latter had accomplished his purpose, for Ashton was spending +his money as freely as though he had the coffers of a Rothschild +or an Astor. In short, ere the steamboat had started he had to be +helped on board, for he was utterly helpless. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ARRIVAL IN CANADA: A FRIENDLY HOST APPLIES FOR A SITUATION. + + +It was a beautiful morning when the boat landed at the picturesque +little Canadian town of L----. The first that Ashton knew of the +arrival was when he was awakened from his drunken stupor by being +violently shaken by Ginsling; and, as he gained consciousness, he +heard that worthy saying, with a subdued voice: "Come, wake up, +Ashton, for we are again on British soil. Why, is not that strain +enough to cause any true Briton to rise from the dead?" + +He was at last aroused, and his first sensation was that he had a +terrible pain in his head, a horrible thirst, and a certain vague +realization that he heard the strains of "Rule Britannia." He +staggered out to the bar, for he felt he must soon have a drink, +or he could not live. Ginsling also stepped up without being +invited; for that worthy could not righteously be charged with too +much modesty, as he never was backward in helping himself at a +friend's expense. + +They immediately, after securing their luggage, stepped out upon +the wharf, where there was a large crowd gathered, listening to +the music of a band--each member of which was dressed in the garb +of a British soldier--as it played patriotic airs, such as "Rule +Britannia," "God Save the Queen," etc. The reason of this +manifestation of patriotism will be readily understood when we +inform the reader that it was the Queen's Birthday. + +Ashton, for a moment or two, almost thought he was back in Old +England again, and he was so carried away by the grand old airs +that if a recruiting sergeant had presented himself just then he +might have taken a step in haste of which he would have repented +at leisure. + +"Come, Ashton, don't stand there in that daft fashion, or the +Canucks will imagine you are one of the irresponsibles who lately +arrived in New York from Europe, and that the cute Yankees have +quietly shipped you over to John Bull's domains." + +He was aroused by the voice of Ginsling out of his day-dream to +realize that several cabbies were exerting the utmost of their +lung power in crying up the merits of their respective hotels. + +"British American, sir--the best house in town. Won't cost you a +cent to ride there, sir." + +"Don't you believe that fellow," shouted another. "Come to the +Tarlton; it is the only house in town which is fit to kape a +gentleman like you, sir." And then several others shouted out in +full chorus, each endeavoring to say something more witty than the +other; and if push, rough bantering wit, and imperturbable good +nature could secure success, certainly each would have had a bus +full. + +But Ashton had caught the name "British American," and as he, just +then, was feeling intensely loyal, he determined to put up there, +and he intimated to the runner his resolution. Ginsling, who was +waiting for him to decide, jumped aboard also, and they were soon +quartered at the aforementioned hotel, which they found, if not of +the very highest grade, at least eminently respectable. The +charges, also, were exceedingly moderate. + +The room he had given to him looked out upon the blue waters of +noble Ontario, which swept far away to the south, until it laved +the shores he had left but a few hours before--a land now +associated in his mind with so much of happiness and of misery, +and which yet contained those who were inexpressibly dear to him. + +He had no sooner secured a room than he sat down to write a note +to Ruth; for, demoralized as he was, he did not forget his +promise. He found, however, that his head was in a perfect whirl, +and that his hand was so unsteady as to make the accomplishment of +the task almost an impossibility; but he managed, in an almost +illegible scrawl, to inform her of his safe arrival. He asked her +to excuse the brevity of his communication, as he was still +suffering from the effects of his stormy voyage across the lake, +which had shattered, for the time being, his nervous system. He +ended by sending his love to her and the children, and asking her +to write immediately, as he was anxious to hear from his darlings +at home. + +The next two weeks were passed in continuous drunkenness. He would +awaken each morning feeling, as those who have passed through the +ordeal say has to be experienced in order to have the faintest +idea of what it is; his lips and throat were as dry as withered +leaves; his brain seemed on fire, and his bloodshot eyes, gleaming +out from his pale, emaciated face, appeared as though they might +have belonged to one of Canada's dark-visaged aborigines in the +savage state rather than to their present intellectual, though +dissipated, owner. + +In his sober moments he would think of his wife and children, and +there was in the thought a mingling of shame and agony which +almost drove him wild; then he would remember the purport of his +journey, for which he had not yet made the slightest endeavor; and +when, on examination, he found his stock of money was almost gone, +and that he would soon have either to secure a situation or be a +penniless vagrant in a strange land, it added to his despair. + +"I say, Mr. Ashton," said the polite landlord of the hotel one +morning, as he was about to take his first drink, "did you not +give me to understand you were looking for a situation in some dry +goods or clothing establishment?" + +"Yes, Mr. Rumsey, that is what I am after; but God knows how I +will succeed; for I have done nothing, nor am I, as I am now, in a +fit state to do anything; for who would engage such a wretch as I +am?" + +Rumsey pitied him; for he was a man who was too good for the +business in which he was engaged. + +"I will give you a light glass, Ashton," he said; "but you must +sober off. I like you, and therefore will not let you kill +yourself with drink at this establishment; so for your sake, and +also to keep up the reputation of my house, I must limit you to-day +to two more glasses. And if you will excuse me for presuming +to interfere with your business, I would advise you to cut the +acquaintance of that precious companion of yours. I gave him a bit +of my mind last night, and told him pretty emphatically what I +thought of him. Why, man, have you entirely lost possession of +your senses, to let a leech like that loafer drain you dry? I will +give you this drink now, one after breakfast, and one after +dinner; then you must eat something, for I do not believe that +during the last three days you have taken enough to keep a pigeon +alive. If you find that in trying to sober off you are likely to +be sick, I will send for the doctor, and he will help you through. +You told me you were a married man; for the sake of your wife and +children you must get over this spree." + +Ashton took the proffered glass with his hand shaking as if he had +the ague, and with the eagerness of one who was perishing for want +of a drink. + +"Oh, landlord," he said, "that was only a taste; I must have more. +Do, please, give me more." + +"No, sir, not a drop," said Mr. Rumsey, with considerable +sternness. "If you must have it, you will have to go to some other +house to get it. I am not willing to be in any way responsible for +what is sure to follow. Come, now, and have some breakfast--a bit +of toast, a poached egg--and be yourself; for I want to become +acquainted with the _bona fide_ Mr. Ashton. I have not met +him yet; you have not been sober since you came here." + +"Well, sir, I will take your advice; and there is one who, when I +tell her, will thank you, as I cannot. She has not a very high +opinion of your guild, and she has strong reason not to have. God +help me--how am I to get over this?" + +"Well, Mr. Ashton, if others would stop selling liquor, I would +willingly never sell another glass, for I could live comfortably +here on the income I derive from the travelling public and my +summer guests; for, to tell you the truth, I don't like the +business, especially when I see its effects as exhibited in cases +like your own; but while others sell I must, or I would lose my +business. It is a case of self-preservation, and you know that +'self-preservation is the first law of nature.'" + +"Or, in other words," said Ashton, "'every man for himself, and +Satan take the hindmost.'" + +Ashton made the trial, and, though he had to pass through the +fiery ordeal of intense suffering, yet, aided by the judicious +treatment of his host, he was brought safely through. + +He had, in the meantime, received a letter from his wife, and each +of his children, breathing out love to him. Each one expressing +the deepest anxiety as to the nature and result of his illness, +and praying that he would soon be back with those who loved him so +truly. + +"Ashton," said Mr. Rumsey, his host, one morning, "this is the +thing which will just suit you, if you can secure it," and he +handed a copy of the _Daily Globe_ to Ashton, at the same +time pointing to an advertisement which read as follows: "A good +managing clerk wanted for a dry goods and clothing establishment +in the town of Bayton. He must be a man of matured experience. +Apply Box 152, Post Office." + +"That will just suit me," said Ashton. "What is the distance to +Bayton?" + +"About ninety miles. I suppose you think of applying personally? I +should advise you by all means to do so." + +Ashton immediately set about making the necessary preparation, and +next morning started for the above-mentioned town, upon which +journey we will leave him for the present. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MR. AND MRS. GURNEY. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney sat in their cosy sitting-room, which was +plainly but tastefully furnished; but though quiet, one could not +fail to realize that it was the home of people of more than +ordinary intelligence and culture. They both had passed life's +meridian, and were, at the time we introduce them to our readers, +verging upon three score years. They were dressed in deep +mourning, and the look of subdued sadness which overcast their +thoughtful faces told they had lately "passed under the rod." But +suffering had not made them hard and cynical, but richer in grace +and goodness, riper, sweeter, mellower. Each had learned to say +with Asaph, "My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the +strength of my heart and my portion for ever." + +They certainly had reason to mourn. God had blessed them with four +children; children of whom they had just cause to be proud, for +they early displayed talents which marked them as above +mediocrity, but one after another, just after they had reached +manhood and womanhood, they had fallen victims to that insidious +disease, consumption, and the aged couple were left in their +declining years, sad and lonely, like two aged trunks stript of +their foliage, bare and alone. + +Mr. Gurney had been for years engaged in the dry goods and +clothing trade, and had intended his last surviving son should +take the business, but Providence had ordered otherwise, taking +him away just at the time when the father was about to carry out +his long cherished scheme. + +After they had laid in the grave the body of their beloved, for a +while a cloud of intense sorrow hung over their home, though they +had faith to believe it was lined with the silver of their +Father's love. + +They were too intelligent, and their grief was too intense for +much outward manifestation, but each knew the pregnancy of the +other's sorrow from their individual experiences; and by gentle +ministrations of love each endeavored to soothe and ease the +burdened heart of the other. + +Mrs. Gurney found some relief in attending to her household +duties--to the plants and flowers in the conservatory--for they +had one of considerable size. This latter had been the special +duty of her daughter who had preceded her brother by a few weeks +to the grave. And as the mother now engaged in this "labor of +love," each plant and flower that received her gentle attention +would suggest some tender recollection of the loved and lost. As +she trained them to their supports and trellises she would +remember that the white fingers which had so frequently and +lovingly performed the task were now cold in death. + +But there was one--a night blooming cereus--which was a particular +favorite of Grace's, and which, even after she knew she had not +long to live, she hoped she would be spared to see bloom. But when +she perceived she was failing so rapidly--quietly, peacefully, +sinking to rest--she said-- + +"Mamma, darling, I have looked forward with a great deal of +expectancy to the time when my cereus should bloom, I now know my +hope in this respect will not be realized, but I want you, mother, +when it opens out its pure white petals and its fragrance perfumes +the midnight air to remember I shall be in heaven--among fairer +flowers, with sweeter perfume; for they have not been cursed by +sin. And while you mourn at my absence remember I am with +Jesus--'Absent from the body, present with the Lord.'" + +And now as the mother tended these flowers, and lovingly lingered +near this special favorite, around which such tender memories +lingered, the flood-gates of her soul were mercifully lifted up +and she "eased her poor heart with tears." + +Thus the mother, who was constitutionally the frailer of the two, +and was the one from whom the children had inherited the tendency +to the disease which had carried them off so prematurely, seemed +to come back to herself, so to speak, and she soon manifested a +subdued cheerfulness as she set about managing the domestic +economy of her home. + +But Mr. Gurney did not recover so rapidly; there seemed to be no +outlet to his feelings--nothing to ease his burdened heart. + +He had given his business into the hands of his clerks, and had +concluded to sell out and permanently retire from active life. He +went with his wife on a journey to the seaside, to a quiet +watering-place, hoping that change of scene might divert his +attention from his sorrows and enable him, at least to some +extent, to recover his wonted health and spirits. But he returned +unbenefited, and his wife and friends began to have grave fears +for his life. They consulted an eminent physician, who advised him +not to give up his business, but to devote to it as much of his +attention as his strength would permit; and this advice coinciding +with his own judgment, he concluded to act upon it; but as none of +his employees hardly came up to his ideal of what a managing clerk +should be, he thought he had better advertise for a responsible +man, who thoroughly understood the business, and who could keep +the books, while he could do the buying and attend to the outlying +duties of the firm. + +It was in accordance with this idea that he inserted the +advertisement in the _Globe_ which brought Richard Ashton to +answer in person. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ASHTON MEETS WITH FRIENDS AND SECURES A SITUATION. + + +"Have you received any answer to your advertisement, dear?" asked +Mrs. Gurney of her husband. + +"Yes, dear, I received a telegram this morning from a man who +lives in L----, who said he thought he would suit me. He stated he +could give first-class references, and that he had been in the +business from a boy. He also stated he would make personal +application, and would take the next train for this place: so I am +expecting him on the 7 o'clock. I left word with Johnson to drive +him here, and he may arrive at any moment." + +"But, my dear," said his wife, "is it not rather risky for him to +come? You may not like his appearance, and if even in this respect +everything is satisfactory, his credentials may not be so." + +"I am sure I cannot help that," replied Mr. Gurney. "I did not +state in the advertisement that parties who wished to engage +should make personal application, and I have no doubt but I shall +receive applications by letter. If individuals come from a +distance to apply, it must be at their own risk." + +Their conversation was here interrupted by the ringing of the +door-bell, and in a moment after the servant reported that a Mr. +Ashton wished to see Mr. Gurney. + +"That is the name of the person in question," Mr. Gurney remarked. +"Show him in, Sarah;" and in a moment after Ashton was ushered +into their presence. + +"Mr. Gurney, I presume," he said, with that ease and grace that +good breeding and familiarity with good society alone gives to a +man. + +"I sent you a telegram," Ashton continued, "making application for +the situation, in answer to your advertisement; and I have now +come in person, as I stated I would." + +Mr. Gurney, who had risen, extended to him his hand--then +introduced him to his wife, and in a few moments, by his cordial +reception, made him completely at his ease. + +His appearance, and, still more, his manner, impressed Mr. and +Mrs. Gurney favorably, and they both concluded he was a very +intelligent person. + +He produced his credentials, which were highly satisfactory; but +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney were too keen observers not to notice the +marks of dissipation which his two weeks' debauch had stamped upon +his face. The former, however, possessed too much of the courtesy +which distinguishes the true gentleman to give utterance to a word +which would wound even the most sensitive person, if he could do +his duty and avoid it. Though, if it lay in the way of his duty, +he immediately entered into its performance, but in the least +offensive manner possible. + +He said to Richard Ashton, in his most kindly tone: "You will +pardon me, I am sure, for asking you another question. I would not +do so only it is necessary that I should exercise the utmost +caution in order that I may secure a person who has not only +ability and experience, but who also is a man of good character +and temperate habits--who, in short, would be every way reliable. +Pardon me if I ask, in all kindness, would you in every respect till +up my requirements?" + +This was a plain question, put with the most gentle courtesy, but +yet in a straightforward manner; and if Ashton had wished in any +way to equivocate, he felt he could not do so without utterly +destroying his chances of employment. To do him justice, however, +let us state he never, even for a moment, entertained a thought of +so doing. He felt he was being weighed in the balance, and would +probably be found wanting, but he resolved he would not endeavor +to bring down the scale in his favor, either by equivocation or +dealing in untruths. In fact, he immediately concluded to make a +clean breast of it, and give him, in as few words as possible, a +history of his life, and then leave him to deal with his case. +Acting upon this thought, he in a few moments graphically and +pathetically told his sad story. + +"I will not ask you to decide to-night," he said after he had +finished, "but if it is agreeable to you I will call in the +morning. I would like you would give me a decided answer by that +time if possible, and," he added, "if you conclude to engage me I +will endeavor so to devote myself to your interest as never to +give you cause to regret it." + +Mr. Gurney immediately agreed to this arrangement, as he thought +it would be better to have a few hours to carefully consider the +matter, and to talk it over with his wife. In fact, he had been so +much wrought upon by the sad recital, as to entirely unfit him for +a calm and judicious consideration of the business in hand. So, +making an appointment for the next day at 9 a.m., he saw Ashton to +the door, and bade him good night. + +Ashton, as he walked rapidly away, was very despondent. He had but +slight hope of securing the situation; for, he reasoned to +himself, had a person of similar character come to him seeking a +position, when he was in business, no matter how much he might +sympathise with him he never would have thought of engaging him. + +He wisely determined, however, to hope for the best. He was sure +he would like the situation, for he had formed a very high opinion +of Mr. Gurney. He considered him a very superior person--cultured, +but plain, and practical, and it was because he knew he possessed +the latter attribute he had no hopes of being engaged. + +But had he been capable of reading Mrs. Gurney's mind, and could +he also have known the influence she possessed over her husband, +he would not have been so despondent. His story had not been half +told before she had been so affected by its touching pathos as to +be unable to repress her tears, and before he had finished she had +resolved she would exert all the influence she possessed over her +husband to persuade him to take Ashton on trial; for she felt it +would be a noble thing to aim at the redemption of this man from +evil, and to give help, hope, and joy to his wife and children, of +whom he had spoken so tenderly. + +"Well, Martha," said Mr. Gurney, after Ashton had departed, "would +it be safe for us to employ him?" + +He asked this in all sincerity; for he was a man who consulted his +wife in relation to all his business affairs. He said, "he looked +upon marriage as a partnership, the wife being an interested +member of the firm." And as he firmly believed this, he made it a +rule never to enter into any business transaction without seeking +her counsel, in regard to it, and he boasted that some of the best +hits he had made in business had been the outcome of acting upon +her advice. + +"Well, my dear," she said in answer to his question, "I am +strongly in favor of giving him a chance. He is certainly a man of +more than ordinary intelligence, and he could not have that ease +and grace of manner which he possesses in so eminent a degree had +he not associated with the best society. It is certainly a great +pity he has become a victim of strong drink, but, then, if he had +not he would never have applied for the situation." + +"But, Martha," interjected Mr. Gurney, "do you think it would be +in conformity with sound wisdom to engage him after the confession +he has made?" + +"Yes, James, I really do, and one of the strongest reasons for my +thinking so is because of that confession. If he had protested he +had not been drinking, as most men in his circumstances would have +done, then I should have opposed your engaging him, but he was so +straightforward that he has certainly enlisted my sympathy in his +favor; and then I really think God guided him here. We have always +been advocates of temperance, and if there is one thing more than +any other for which I feel like praising Him, it is because he has +enabled us to deliver some of our fellow-mortals from lives of +intemperance, and it may be, some from drunkard's graves. But this +has been done without any great sacrifice upon our parts--that is, +we have not had to run any great risk. Now we are placed in +different circumstances, and we have an opportunity of possibly +saving one of our fellow-creatures if we are only willing to risk +a little trouble and loss in order to accomplish our object. Now, +don't you think, James, the Lord has sent him here just to try +us?" + +"It has not thus occurred to me," he answered; but he did not make +any further remark, wishing to hear all his wife had to say before +doing so. + +"I think, James," she continued, "the reason that the cause of +temperance has not gained greater triumphs, has been because its +advocates have not been willing to make sacrifices enough: let us +not fail in this respect. There is no doubt but you would employ +Mr. Ashton if you had no fear he would again fall, for he seems to +me in every way suited for the position--if we had any doubt in +this respect his credentials should remove it. But, unfortunately, +he has been a great drinker, and, therefore, if you employ him, it +may involve you in trouble, and in the end it may result in loss; +but if you do not employ him it will be because you are afraid of +these things, that is, it will be a matter of selfishness, and you +will practically say you are a friend of temperance until it +becomes a matter which may affect your interest, but when it +touches you there you will draw back and go no further, though by +being willing to risk a little you may be the means of saving this +man, and of giving succor to his wife and helpless children. I +think, James, looking at it in this light, you should give him a +trial for a month or two if you can agree as to terms." + +She had grown quite eloquent, ere she was through, for her heart +was enlisted, and she was determined, if possible, to save this +man. And, as she had listened to his description of his wife and +children, she felt as if she almost knew Mrs. Ashton, and was +certain she should esteem her very highly. So, she brought all her +powers of persuasion to bear upon her husband, that she might +persuade him to her way of thinking. + +Mr. Gurney had listened to his wife attentively until she waited +for an answer, and then he scarcely knew what to say in reply. He +had, in fact, as we have stated, been also touched by Ashton's +graphic story, and he felt he would be willing to sacrifice a +great deal to save him; he also felt the force of her logic when +she argued if he were a true temperance man he would be willing to +make great sacrifice in order to rescue one of the victims of the +rum traffic, but he thought he would be running almost too much +risk to employ him under the circumstances. It was under the +influence of these counter currents of thought he made his reply: + +"Well, Martha," he said, "I should like to engage the man, and I +have concluded, if he did not drink, he would just suit me, but, +according to his own statement, he has not only fallen once, but +several times, and we have no guarantee that he will not fall +again. The fact is, judging from almost universal experience, he +is more likely to fall than not, and if I should employ him, and +after he had charge of the business he should give way to his +besetting sin, he would not only cause me serious loss, but care +and worry, which, in my delicate state of health, I should, if +possible, avoid. Really, dear, I am in a strait betwixt two; I +should like very much to help him, for, I will candidly confess, +that no stranger, in so short a period of time, ever took hold of +my feelings as he has done, and yet to put him in charge of my +business, after the confession he has made, seems so contrary to +the dictates of sound judgment as, in fact, to be actually +courting trouble. But, my dear, let us not say anything more about +it to-night; we will pray over it, and, in the morning, we will +decide what to do. God will guide us in this as He has in all our +past transactions, when we have gone to Him for guidance." + +"I am perfectly content, dear, to leave it in His hands," said his +wife, "but I am nearly satisfied now that it is His will we should +employ Mr. Ashton. We will lay all the matter before him, and let +us also bring this poor victim of strong drink, and his wife and +children, before the Throne of Grace." + +Mr. Gurney, after praying for Divine direction, and seriously +considering the matter, concluded he would give Ashton a trial. He +saw his wife would be seriously disappointed if he did not do so, +and he wished to gratify her as far as he possibly could. He also +thought if he took him for a comparatively limited period, on +trial, there would be no great risk in it. He, however, determined +to give him to understand the retaining of his position entirely +depended upon his good behavior. + +Ashton, when he called in the morning, was agreeably surprised to +learn that Mr. Gurney had concluded to try him for a short period, +if they could agree as to salary, and as he was willing to accept +a very moderate one until he had satisfied his employer he was +worthy of something better, they were not long in coming to terms. + +So the matter was settled, and Ashton was able to write home to +his wife that he had secured a situation. + +"I think, my darling," he said, "I shall like the place very much. +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney (my employer and his wife) seem to be an +excellent couple. I should judge, from appearances, they are in +very easy circumstances, and very intelligent and cultured. + +"Bayton is a beautiful, cosy, old-fashioned town, containing, I +should think, about three thousand inhabitants, and there is a +fine river running through the centre of it, nearly, if not quite, +as large as the Genesee. Its houses are, most of them, embowered +in trees; in fact, it appears like an English town Americanized, +and its inhabitants seem to have more the characteristics of +Americans than Canadians. + +"The business of which I am to have the management is the best dry +goods and clothing establishment in the place. I am to remain on +trial for a month, and then, if I give satisfaction and like the +situation, I am to have a permanent engagement. + +"I hope, my dear, at least for once, that old Father Time will fly +with rapid wings. I do so long to see you all again. Tell Eddie +that this is a famous river for fish, and will furnish him with +rare sport. Also tell Allie that Bayton is a famous place for +flower culture, almost every house having a flower garden in front +of it to beautify it and to fill the air with fragrant perfumes. + +"I was glad to learn that papa's darling little Mamie was well; +and growing finely. You must not let her forget me. I hope Eddie +and Allie are paying strict attention to their studies; for if +they do, success is almost certain, and in after years they will +rejoice because of their present self-denial. + +"And now, my darling, good-bye for the present. Kiss all the +children for their papa. + +"Your affectionate husband, + +"RICHARD ASHTON." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +RUTH'S MISGIVINGS AND MENTAL AGONY. + + +It is now time that we should return to Ruth and her children. + +After her husband had left her, as we narrated in the first +chapter, she was very sad, almost desolate, and she felt she must +retire to hold communion with Him who promised to give rest to the +weary soul who came to Him; so, leaving little Mamie in care of +Eddie and Allie, she retired to her room to weep and also to pray. +She was literally following the injunction of her Saviour--praying +to her Father in secret that He might reward her openly. The +reward she longed for was that He would protect her husband and +influence him to walk aright. + +As she was thus alone--and yet not alone, for God was with her--her +memory took her back to the sunny days of her girlhood. How +bright those halcyon days appeared! She was in fancy again walking +amid the green fields and by the hedgerows of dear old England, +plucking the daisies from the meadows and listening to the sweet +strains of the lark as it carolled its lay to the morning. Sunny +visions of the past, with loved faces wandering in their golden light, +flitted before her; and her heart was filled with sadness as she +remembered the breaks that Time, with his relentless hand, had made +in that once happy number. She found herself unconsciously repeating-- + + "Friend after friend departs-- + Who hath not lost a friend? + There is no union here of hearts + That hath not here an end." + +Then the thoughts of the days when Richard Ashton came wooing, +of moonlight walks, of music and literature--these incidents of joyful +days flitted before her, each for a moment, and then vanished +away, like dissolving views. Some who sought her then were now +opulent, filling positions of honor and great responsibility; and some +of her associates who then envied her, because she was more +sought after than they, were now presiding over palatial homes. + +As these visions of the happy days of yore passed like fairy +dreams before her she heaved an involuntary sigh as she +passionately exclaimed: "Oh drink, thou hast been our curse; +turning our happiness into misery; our Eden of bliss into a waste, +weary wilderness of poverty and woe!" + +"Mamma, mamma, may I tum, I have such a petty flower to show oo." + +It was the voice of little Mamie, and, as her mother opened the +door, she came in, an almost perfect picture of innocent beauty; +as with eyes sparkling with delight she held up to her mother a +large and beautiful pansy. + +"Isn't that petty, mamma? and wasn't Eddie a dood boy to get it +for me? Now, mamma, I'm dust going to save it for papa. Will you +put it up for him?" + +Mrs. Ashton hastily turned away her head, and wiped her eyes, so +that her child might not see traces of her recent tears. She then +turned, and taking Mamie in her arms brushed her golden curls, +which, young as she was, hung down her back, falling in rippling +waves of sunlight over her fair young form, and assured her she +would put away the flower for dear papa. + +Little Mary, or as they called her Mamie, was born, as we have +already noticed, a short time after they came to Rochester. She +was a beautiful child, and in some respects seemed to resemble +each of her parents; for she had the complexion and large, dreamy +eyes of her mother and the features of her father. And in +disposition and mental characteristics she also inherited +qualities from both father and mother; for she possessed the +sprightly animation of the former which ever and anon bubbled over +in gentle, kindly mischief. While she, also, possessed the +guileless trustfulness of the latter, and seemed never so happy as +when she nestled peacefully in the arms of one she loved, and +listened to a simple story of the good in other days, or was +charmed by some beautiful song or hymn, which it was her delight +to help sing. + +As one looked at her fair young face--her sunny curls and regular +classic features--either sparkling with animation or melting with +tenderness, they wondered not that she was the pet of home, and +generally beloved, for with such beauty and such gentle witcheries +she could not fail to win hearts. + +"Mamma," she said, after her mother had kissed her, "Why has papa +don away? I 'ove my papa ever so much, and I asked him, before he +went away, if he 'oved oo and Eddie and Allie, and he taid he did, +and that he 'oved me, his 'ittle sunbeam, too, and ett he has don +and left us all. I am so sorry papa has don." + +As Mamie said this the tears began to glisten in her eyes, and +then sparkling for a moment, in their blue settings, ran in pearly +drops down over her cheeks. Her mother snatched her closely to her +to quiet her sobbings; but, in a moment or two, was weeping in +sympathy with her child. + +"My darling," she said, "papa has gone away to find another home +for us all, and after awhile he will come back for us, then my +little Mamie will be her papa's sunbeam again." + +"But, mamma, I don't want to go, I dust want to 'top where we are +now, for Eddie was saying, yesterday, that papa was in Tanada, and +that he was coming over after us. And he taid, mamma that Tanada +was so cold we would not have any petty flowers there, and I don't +want to leave all my petty flowers. I dust want to stay here in +our nice home." + +"Eddie should not talk so to his little sister," said her mother, +"and I do not think we will find Canada much colder than this +country. God will take care of us there, Mamie, if we are good and +pray to Him, and He will also take care of papa if we ask Him to +do so." + +"Will He, mamma?" said Mamie, "den I will ask Him." + +She knelt down, and clasping her tiny hands looked heavenward with +sweet trustfulness as she murmured: "Dod bless my papa, and take +care of him." And then she added--the thought seeming to come +intuitively to her mind. "O, Dod, don't let my papa drink, taus +den he is tross to my dear mamma and to Eddie and Allie; and he +don't 'ove mamma den. Dust let him come home nice.--Amen." + +Her mother was strangely moved at her child's prayer and murmured, +Amen. And as the little innocent knelt there, a perfect picture of +seraphic beauty, purity, innocence and faith, the thought of the +poet came to her mind-- + + "O man, could thou in spirit kneel beside that little child; + As fondly pray, as purely feel, with heart as undefiled; + That moment would encircle thee with light and love divine, + Thy soul might rest on Deity, and heaven itself be thine." + +And she prayed that God might ever keep her as innocent and pure. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ALL IN CANADA. + + +Time seemed to creep along very slowly for the next two days to +Ruth Ashton. She sent Eddie to the Post Office, and when he came +without a letter she was terribly disappointed. She exclaimed: +"Oh, I am afraid he has broken his promise and is drinking again; +for he certainly would have written if he were not!" + +If those Christians and respectable members of society, who favor +the drinking usages and oppose with all the power of their +intellect the passing of a law to do away with its sale, only +experienced for one short day the agony which wrung the heart of +that sensitive, loving woman, that experience would do what the +tongue of the most eloquent pleader would utterly fail to +accomplish; that is, turn them to hate the traffic as they hate +the father of evil. + +Her mind was preyed upon by doubt, fear, terrible anxiety. "If he +were drinking, in a strange country, what would become of him? She +remembered he had considerable money with him; also, when he was +intoxicated he always became reckless, and would be almost certain +to display it, and thus, probably, tempt some hard character to +rob or murder him. + +"Oh, my Father, protect him!" she exclaimed in her anguish, as she +knelt before Him who was her only help and consolation in such +times of trouble. + +The next morning Eddie was again sent for a letter, and as he came +with one in his hand, the mother grasped it impulsively. But, a +moment after, thinking her action might appear strange to Eddie, +she kissed him affectionately, and said: "Excuse your mamma; my +boy, I was so anxious to read papa's letter that I forgot myself." + +The reader has already been made acquainted with the contents of +that letter, and when Ruth had read it her worse fears were not +allayed--rather, confirmed. + +She wrote to him immediately--not expressing her fears, but filling +her letter with words of love and confidence, thinking that by +thus doing it would influence him, at least to some extent, to +endeavor to prove to her that her confidence had not been +misplaced. + +She did not hear from him again for more than two weeks, though +either she or the children wrote him several letters in the +meantime. The agony she endured during that period I will allow +the reader to imagine. + +At length Eddie brought home the letter, the contents of which I +have given in a former chapter. It relieved her heart of a great +burden. In fact, she felt some compunctions of conscience--she +thought she must have judged him wrongfully, for it hardly seemed +possible to her that a stranger to her husband would have engaged +him, if he had presented himself immediately after a long +continued debauch. + +That night, as she knelt by her bedside, she thanked God for His +loving-kindness to her, in her hour of great trial. But, after she +had retired and began to think over what the letter contained, she +found that while, on the whole, its contents gave her great cause +for thankfulness, yet, that it made her feel inexpressibly +sad--sad, because she would have again to part with tried and true +friends and go among strangers. + +Never in her life had she been the recipient of more gentle +attentions and delicate expressions of kindness than since she had +resided in Rochester. True, some of her neighbors were more +curious in regard to her affairs than she thought was consistent +with good breeding, and sometimes they made inquiries which she +did not wish to answer, but which she did not know how to evade +without giving offence. However, this trait of a certain class of +her American friends--and which, by-the-bye, has furnished a fund +for humorists the world over--was more than redeemed by their +genuine kindness and willingness to help upon every possible +occasion. And some, she thought, were noble examples of what men +and women are when in them natural goodness is joined with +intelligence and culture; for they seemed to divine her wants like +a quick-witted person will catch at a hint, and any service +rendered was so delicately tendered that it almost left the +impression upon the mind of the recipient that a favor had been +granted in its acceptance. In fact, she had been favorably +impressed with her acquaintances in Rochester from the first, and +now she was about to leave, their kindly attentions endeared them +to her so as to make it very hard for her to separate from them; +for, day after day, they vied with each other in doing everything +which kindness could suggest to prepare her for her anticipated +journey. + +And Ruth herself was employing every moment, for she never doubted +her husband would have a permanent engagement. She had clothes to +provide for the children, and her own wardrobe to replenish, so +that all might be well prepared to go among strangers. + +Eddie and Allie, also, had their own sorrows and trials. At first +they said they would not leave their old home. Child-like, they +thought Rochester was the only place in the wide, wide world where +they could live and find pleasure; and as they had but dim +recollections of England, and all the persons, objects, and scenes +which they loved, and around which their memories lingered, were +centred there, it is not surprising it was the dearest spot on +earth to them, nor that it seemed very hard to leave their school +and school-mates, their trees and flowers, and the many and varied +objects which had been familiar to them for so many years. + +"I do wish mamma would coax father not to move among strangers, +especially when it is a cold country like Canada he is going to. I +declare, it is too bad to leave everything we like behind, and go +among those we won't care for, and who will not care for us." + +As Eddie spoke, the tears began to glimmer in his eyes, for he +certainly thought their lot was a hard one. + +Allie agreed to use all her powers of persuasion to prevail upon +their mother to influence their father not to take them from +Rochester. + +It was at one of these little indignation meetings they had given +expression to the speeches which had been reported to their mother +by Mamie. This called forth a remonstrance from her, and she +pointed out to them how selfish and sinful it was to talk as they +had been doing. This had the desired effect, and they promised not +to murmur again, and the promise was kept; for they truly loved +their mother, and would not do anything which they thought would +grieve her. + +"I tell you, Allie," said Eddie, one day, "it won't be so bad +after all; for if we are lonesome, when we are not helping father +and mother, you can be working in your flower garden, and I can +help you; and if the fishing is as good as father thinks it is, +won't I enjoy it? I tell you it will be jolly, and if I catch some +big ones I will be able to write back and tell Harry Wilson and +Jim Williams about it." + +The eyes of Eddie sparkled with animation as he was looking +forward and by anticipation enjoying these pleasures--forgetting, +for the time being, the hardships which a short period before had +stirred up such rebellious feelings; and then they settled into a +more thoughtful expression as he continued: "Father says there is +a good high school there, and I will, if I can, be the best in my +class there, as I have been here." + +"Well," said Allie, "I think we were naughty to speak as we did, +and we caused mamma to grieve. She says God knows what is best, +and that we should be satisfied to leave everything in His hands. +I am sure I shall enjoy myself helping mamma and attending to my +flower garden; for I know you will help me to make the beds, and +we will also make a nice tiny one for Mamie, too. O! won't that be +splendid?" + +"I hope," continued Eddie, "that father will keep from drink +there. I am sure mamma thinks he has been drinking since he has +been away, and she is almost grieving herself to death about it. +Oh, I don't see how it is that he don't leave whiskey alone!" + +"I do wish he would," said Allie; "for sometimes, when I see mamma +looking so sad, I go to my room and cry, and, Eddie, I often pray +to God to keep papa from drink. Do you think He will hear and +answer me, Eddie?" + +"I guess He will," said Eddie. "Mamma says so, and she knows. I +always say my prayers, Allie, but I don't do much more praying. I +think you girls are better than we boys, anyway." + +"I don't know," replied his sister; "I think I am bad enough, and +I pray to God to make me better. I think the girls quarrel just as +much the boys, and though they may not swear and talk so roughly, +yet I think they speak far more spitefully." + +"I never thought so," said Eddie. + +"Well, they do. Why, just yesterday, Sarah Stewart, because I got +ahead of her in our spelling class, twitted me about father's +drinking, and said 'a girl who had an old drunkard for a father +need not put on such airs.' And, Eddie, I did not say anything to +her to make her speak so, only teacher put me up because I knew my +lesson better." + +"If a boy, had twitted me like that I would have knocked him +down." And he clenched his teeth and doubled up his fist as he +spoke, which left no doubt in the mind of his sister that he would +have tried his best to have done as he said. + +"Well, Eddie, that would have been wicked; it would have grieved +mamma, and, besides, it would have brought you to the level of the +one who insulted you. I was very angry at first, and almost felt +like slapping her, but then I thought how low it would be. When I +cried, the other girls, who heard what she said, shamed her. I +stopped them, for I pitied her. I would pity any girl, Eddie, who +could do so low a thing, and every night since then I have prayed +for her." + +"You are a good little puss," said Eddie, as he kissed her. + +"Not very good," she answered, "for I am sometimes quick-tempered +and hateful, but I do try to be good." + +Richard Ashton gave good satisfaction, and was hired for a year +with a salary that exceeded his expectations. He rented a suitable +house, filling up in every respect the promises made in his +letter. Then, getting leave of absence for a week, he came over +for his wife and family. + +He found a purchaser for his property in his next door neighbor, +who paid half down and gave him his note for the remainder, which +would expire a year from date. + +He could not, try how he would, keep from feeling sad at leaving +his American home and many friends: for Richard was himself again, +and now saw, in its true light, his former foolishness. In his +heart he sincerely liked the Americans, and left them with regret. + +The hearts of Ruth and her children were almost too full for +utterance, and when the time of parting came they did not attempt +to give expression to their sorrow in words. They parted with many +regrets from the dear old home that had sheltered them so long, +and that would be hallowed in their memory forever more; and from +the many friends who had treated them so kindly, some of whom they +would never meet again. In a few days they were kindly welcomed +and settled in their new home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +AUNT DEBIE AND HER FRIENDS. + + +"Did I not tell thee, Phoebe, that I was sartan there was going to +be a death, and like enough more than one? Does thee not remember +I told thee that on the first day, just before William Gurney +died? And thee sees now that what I said has come troo, for both +William and Annie have died since." + +"Yes," said the person addressed as Phoebe, "thee then said thee +had warning of death and knoo some one was going to die, and that +thee thought there was going to be more than one. I remember just +as plainly as if thee had said it not more'n a minute ago." + +"I thought thee'd mind it," said the first speaker, and there was +an accent of triumph in the tone of her voice as she spoke. + +"I have known thee to tell before of things that jest happened as +thee said they would. Why, thee told there was going to be a death +just before Martha Foxe's child died; and whenever thee has told +me that such was to be the case, I ain't never known it to fail. +Tell us, Aunt Debie, how thee is able to foretell things as thee +does." + +"Well, Phoebe, there is more ways than one that I get warnings. If +in the night I hear three loud raps, one after the other, I am +then sartan there is goen to be a death; and if there is more than +three then I knows there is goen to be more'n one death. If the +raps are loud and sharp, then I know the death or deaths are to be +right away; but if they be kind of easy like, I then know it will +be quite a while. Now, I hearn three raps last night. I was +awakened about one o'clock. I knoo it was one, 'cause I had the +rheumatiz so bad I couldn't sleep, and so I got up and went to the +fire to keep warm. I thought I would put my horn to my ear, and I +jest caught the faintest sound of the roosters crowin'; so when I +hearn that I knoo what time it was. Jest a little after that I +went back to bed, and I hadn't been there more'n a minute of two +before I hearn a rap, and then, in a little, I hearn another, and +then another; they sounded far away like, and awfully solemn. Is +it not strange that I can hear these things, when I cannot hear +anything else?" + +"Yes," said Phoebe, "it is strange; but God's ways are mysterious +to us, and past finding out." + +"Well," continued Aunt Debie, "I am sartan there is goen to be +another death; for I never hear these things but some of our +friends die." + +"Oh," said Phoebe, solemnly, "I wonder who will be called for this +time." + +"God knows best," remarked Debie, "and he ain't going to do wrong; +we must larn to trust Him." + +"And then," she continued, "I have another way of knowing when +there is to be trouble, sickness, and death. If I dream of a +person walking through a corn or wheat field, I am then sartan +there is going to be trouble or sickness; if they are cutting the +wheat, or plucking the ears of corn, it is then sure to be +followed by a death. I suppose God reveals these things to me by +figures, the same as He did to Simon Peter in the long ago; for +ain't we all jest like wheat waiting for the sickle, or like corn +waiting till the time comes to be plucked by the Death Angel? I +suppose my heavenly Father reveals more to me than He does to +others, 'cause He, in His wisdom, has taken so much from me. He +has left me here a poor old woman, deaf, blind, and lame. I can't +see the faces of my friends through these poor sightless eyes, nor +the beauties of the fields and sky, nor the blossoms and fruit of +the trees, nor the flowers in the garden; neither can I hear the +sweet music of the birds, nor even the prattle of the dear little +children who come and kiss me, and let me play with their curls, +save through this horn. He only knows"--and Aunt Debie looked up +as she spoke--"how I long sometimes to see them. But, Father, Thou +knowest what is best: 'Though Thou slayest me, yet will I trust in +Thee.'" + +This conversation occurred in Mrs. Gurney's parlor; for both Mr. +and Mrs. Gurney were originally Quakers, but, settling in Bayton +in their early married life, they joined another body, though they +ever retained a profound respect for the Church of their +childhood. In fact a great many of their relatives, and a very +large circle of friends in the surrounding country, belonged to +that body; and, as they are a people who are especially noted for +their social qualities and for their warm attachment to kinsfolk +and friends, the Gurneys very frequently received visits from +them. + +The conversation, part of which I have given to my readers, took +place upon one of these visits. One of the parties present on this +occasion deserves more than a passing notice, as she was an +uncommon character. + +Deborah Donaldson, or, as she was always called, "Aunt Debie," +was, "after the strictest sect of her religion," a Quaker, and she +never quite forgave James and Martha Gurney for leaving the Church +of their fathers. She had been a widow for more than thirty years, +her husband having been killed by the falling of a limb from a +tree which he was chopping down, and she had been blind and deaf +for the greater part of that time. + +She had been a woman of very great energy, and there were some who +hinted that she was the controlling member of the matrimonial firm +when the now lamented Donaldson was living. Whether there was any +truth or not in that report it is not for the writer to say, but +she was certainly a woman of great force of character--a living +embodiment of the Scripture maxim, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to +do, do it with all thy might." And even now, in extreme old +age--for she was more than four score--though in many ways she +manifested she had entered her second childhood, she yet retained +a great deal of her original energy. As I have illustrated, though +she possessed genuine piety, it was so mingled with superstition +as to leave it difficult to decide which exerted the controlling +influence. + +If any of my readers have associated to any extent with the +people in the rural districts, especially those of American or +Dutch-American descent, they, no doubt, have observed that a great +many of the older and more illiterate ones among them are very +superstitious, being implicit believers in signs, charms, +apparitions, etc.; and most of them, also, entertain the opinion +that the moon exerts an occult influence over many things of vital +importance to the residents of this mundane sphere; and no power +that could be brought to bear could induce some of them to plant +corn, make soap, kill pigs, or perform many other important duties +in certain phases of the moon, for they would be positive if they +did it would result in dire disaster. + +There are also sounds and signs which are looked upon as warnings +of coming woe; for instance: three knocks in the still hours of +the night are considered a "death call," and when heard by them +they expect soon to learn of the decease of a friend. Dreams are +the certain presages of coming events--of prosperity and +happiness, of sorrow, disease, and death. + +Now, Aunt Debie and her friends were firm believers in these +things, and the former was looked upon as one who was favored with +receiving more signs, seeing more visions, and dreaming more +dreams, than any person in that section of country. She was also +viewed by her friends as an oracle, in interpreting these signs; +and she, having no doubt in regard to her own endowments, accepted +in perfect faith their eulogium of her power in this respect. + +Another present at the time to which we refer was a sister of Aunt +Debie's, some ten years younger than herself, Phoebe Barrett by +name. She was attended by her husband, whom she addressed as +Enoch. He certainly was not the predominant spirit of the family; +for he was so quiet and unobtrusive as to scarcely ever utter a +word, except it might be to make a remark in regard to the weather +or answer a question. There was also a young Quakeress by the name +of Rachel Stebbins, a distant relative of the others, and they +were all related to Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. + +"Did thee have any peculiar dreams lately, Aunt Debie?" asked +Rachel Stebbins. "I had a perfectly awful one the other night." + +"Doo tell. What was it, Rachel?" said Aunt Debie. + +"I dreamt," continued Rachel, "that I was standing by an open +grave; and it appeared to me, jest before they lowered the coffin +into it, they took the lid off from the coffin, and in it was the +corpse of a young girl, white as chalk, but she appeared as if she +must have been very pretty when she was living. There were orange +blossoms on her bosom and also in her hair. The features 'peared +familiar, but I could not, for the life of me, make out who she +was, nor can I yet, though I see her ghastly face ever before me, +and think I shall thus see it until the day I die. And what 'pears +to me as singular is, that I saw every one that is here now there, +and a great many more of our relatives and friends, and all were +weeping as if she were some one very near and dear to them. Now, +what does thee make of that dream?" + +"What did thee eat before thee went to bed, Rachel?" asked Mr. +Gurney, who came into the room while she was relating her dream. +He was by nature inclined to be reserved, but yet possessed a fund +of quiet humor, and he delighted to quiz Aunt Debie and her Quaker +friends in respect to their superstitious fancies. But Aunt Debie +could not look upon this levity with any degree of allowance, in +fact, she viewed it as little else than profanity. "Did thee eat +mince pie, dough nuts, or plum cake? If thee did, thee must be +more careful in thy diet, or thee may dream something even more +terrible the next time." + +Rachel Stebbins repeated to Aunt Debie what Mr. Gurney had said, +which so roused the old lady that she said to him, with +considerable asperity in the tone of her voice: + +"I know thee always laughs at these things, James; but thee may be +convinced some day in a manner that thee will not like, and then +thee will be sorry that thee made so light of it." + +And then addressing Rachel, she said, in answer to her question: +"Well, Rachel, when I dream of a death I always expects to hear of +a wedding. I have never known it to fail. And thee will see that +some friend of ours will be getting married soon, and then thee +will wonder how strangely contrary these kinds of dreams is. Why, +before Jonas Head was married to Prudence Leggit, I seed him laid +out in his shroud as plainly as I used to see thee; and a short +time after that I hearn that he was married. Now, thee just watch +if this dream don't end in the same way." + +"But, Debie," said Phoebe, "thee was telling me the other day +about dreaming of Charles Dalton walking through the cornfield. +Will thee tell it to us now?" + +This was a request that would yield a great amount of satisfaction +to Aunt Debie, for she was always delighted to be asked to relate +her dreams and the warnings she received of coming woe. Phoebe, of +course, was well aware of this, and it was partially because of it +that she asked the question; but the strongest motive power that +moved her was that she herself was a strong believer in the +supernatural. And though men will not acknowledge it, or rarely do +so, nevertheless all are more or less influenced by a certain +undefined and shadowy belief in the supernatural, even in this +grosser shape; and I believe most have a desire, though mixed with +a strange dread, to listen to its relation. + +"Well," began Aunt Debie, responding to Phoebe's request, "I +dreamt I saw before me a field of waving corn. It was nearly ready +to cut, and the wind moaned through it, as it bent and shook +before it, and the tassels glinted in the moonlight like ghosts +keeping watch. And then there seemed to be something gliding +through the corn; at first it was nothing but a shadow, but after +a little it 'peared more plain, and at last I could see the +features--it was the face of Charles Dalton. And then way down at +the other end of the field I could see men, though not very plain, +but just like shadows, and they were cutting the corn. I tell thee +there is going to be some terrible trouble come to him ere long, +and before many years he will die." + +Just after Phoebe had asked the question, Ruth Ashton came in and +was introduced to the company, with the exception of Aunt Debie, +Mrs. Gurney explaining that the latter was blind and deaf, and +telling Mrs. Ashton she would introduce her to the old lady when +she had finished relating and explaining her dream. + +Mrs. Ashton had been invited to spend the afternoon with them, and +had accepted the invitation. + +After Aunt Debie had finished relating her dream and giving her +interpretations of its meaning, Mr. Gurney moved his chair over +near her and asked: "Were you talking and thinking of Charles +Dalton, and of his unfortunate drinking habits, also of his being +nearly drowned, before you went to bed the night you dreamed that +dream?" + +"Ye-s," said Aunt Debie, "I--was." She made the admission very +reluctantly; for she immediately saw the inference Mr. Gurney +wished to draw. + +"And did thee not eat plum cake and cheese just before retiring?" +He knew the old lady was very partial to the edibles he mentioned, +and suspected that because she had yielded to her weakness she had +been disturbed by dreams. + +"Well," he said, "thee ate the cheese and plum cake, and these +indigestibles caused thee to dream; and thee believes that to +dream of persons walking in a cornfield and plucking ears of corn +is a sign of disease and death. You were talking of Charles Dalton +and of his unfortunate drinking habits, also of his being nearly +drowned lately. Now, what is more natural than that you should +dream of him of whom you were thinking just before you went to +sleep, and that your sleeping thoughts should be influenced by +your waking ones, and by your opinions in regard to such dreams?" + +"Thee can always explain things to suit thine own notion, James +Gurney. Does thee not believe that God can give warnings now the +same as He did in the days of old? Did He not give warnings to +Samuel of Eli's coming trouble? Likewise of Saul's? And to Nathan +of David's? And is there not many other places in the Bible where +it speaks of warnings given? Now let me ask, Is not God 'the same +yesterday, today, and forever,' and, if so, can He not do as well +now as He did then? _I wonder at thee, James Gurney_!"--and +the old lady raised her voice as she uttered the last sentence. + +Mr. Gurney thought it better not to argue the point, so he put his +mouth to her horn and said: "Thee and I had better not argue any +further, Aunt Debie. Thee always gets the better of me anyway. But +were not Judge McGullett and Sheriff Bottlesby with Charles +Dalton, and were they not the ones who furnished him with the +liquor that intoxicated him?" + +"Yes, they were," said the old lady. But we will leave the +remainder of her reply to another chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +A WORTHY SHERIFF AND JUDGE--DR. DALTON. + + +Aunt Debie continued: "They were out shooting on the marsh, and +the jedge and the sheriff had whiskey with them, of which I guess +they drank as much as he did, but it 'pears they was able to stand +it better, for they did not get drunk. I think it is a disgrace to +this county to have a drunken jedge and sheriff. The idea of the +judge setting on the bench and trying men for breaking the law! +And yet he will intice other men to drink that which will fit them +to commit the crime which, if they come before him, he will punish +them for doing. And the sheriff will take them to jail when they +are condemned by the jedge, though he helped to prepare them for +the evil work they did." + +"I agree with you, Aunt Debie," said Mrs. Gurney, speaking for the +first time. "These two men being allowed to hold such high +positions is not only a disgrace to this county but also to +Canada. Men who hold offices of trust and grave responsibility +should be patterns to the community, and above reproach. +Especially should this be the case with a judge. He should be a +man not only of the highest legal talent, and with a broad, +judicial mind, but also of a pure and lofty character. How ever +they came to appoint a man with the loose habits of Judge +McGullett to the position is a mystery to me." + +"Why, my dear," said Mr. Gurney, "it was given him because he +worked for his party. He has ever been a man of low instincts and +loose habits, though he was considered what is called a smart +lawyer. In my opinion this did not qualify him for his position as +judge. A man may be cunning, and so is a fox. He may have the +qualities which enable him to browbeat a witness, and so has a +bully. He may have great volubility, and so has a Billingsgate +fishwife. He may even have considerable legal acumen, and yet be +narrow and coarse. A man to be a judge, as you just remarked, +should be of a broad, judicial mind, able to look at a case in all +its bearings, to sift evidence, balance probabilities, and, being +above prejudice and every outward influence, should decide a case +on its merits. And I believe with you and Aunt Debie, that he +should be as far above anything that is coarse or impure in his +private life as above suspicion in his public capacity. But I look +upon our present judge as the farthest remove from this; he was a +good party hack, and, to the shame of the government in power +when he was appointed be it said, he was rewarded for his +unscrupulousness by being elevated to the bench of our county. + +"In regard to Sheriff Bottlesby, he is a man who is almost beneath +contempt; he has neither the brains, dignity, nor character to fit +him for such a position. He cunningly worked to pack a caucus to +secure the choice of our present member as a candidate to the +local legislature, with the understanding, no doubt, if his +efforts were crowned with success, that he should receive his +reward. By low cunning, and resorting to means that no honorable +man could employ, he succeeded. The last occupant of the position +was found to be too old, and therefore asked to retire; and +Bottlesby was rewarded for his faithfulness by getting the vacant +position, though his predecessor was infinitely his superior in +every respect. + +"The fact is, everything that is pure and good in the government +of our country is being dragged through the mire of party +politics. If a measure is brought forward, I am afraid the +question is not, Will this be for the best interest of society or +the country? but, Will it help or hurt the party? If a public +position of great responsibility becomes vacant, they do not +appoint the man who is best qualified to fill it, but the one who +has done the most for his party. And in some instances when they +have not places for those who have been their subservient tools, +they make them by removing, on some trivial pretext, those who are +the occupants of the position, utterly regardless of the fact that +it may cause misery to the ones removed and their families. If +this evil is allowed to grow unchecked, our country will ere long +be cursed with a system similar to that introduced into the United +States by Burr and Jackson, and forcibly expressed by the words of +an unscrupulous politician, 'To the victor belongs the spoil.'" + +Mr. Gurney became quite excited while he was making this speech, +for it was a subject upon which he had often thought, and with a +great deal of solicitude. In fact, it was about the only topic which +could have inspired him to speak with so much bitterness, and it +was also the only time any of his friends had seen him so animated +since his great bereavement. He was a man too broad in his views +to make principle subservient to party. He had a party, and believed +that it was necessary in the government of a country that such +should exist; but he would not be a mere tool and follow his leaders, +even though he could not endorse their policy. He said he would +not vote for a man whom he believed was unprincipled, even if his +party, through the caucus system, did make him their standard-bearer. +He was strongly of the opinion that men who were not pure in private +life should not be entrusted to conduct public affairs; and if the +party to which he gave allegiance chose such a man as their candidate, +he would not so violate his conscience as to give him his support, +for he would not trample his honor and principle in the dust for any +party. + +As Mr. Gurney has given to my readers some idea of Judge McGullett +and Sheriff Bottlesby, I will give a sketch of Charles Dalton, the +one whose name had been associated with those two worthies. + +He was the only son of Aunt Debie's youngest sister. This sister +had not married a Quaker, and in this respect differed from the +rest of the family. Her husband was, however, a farmer in very +comfortable circumstances, and was chosen, because of his superior +intelligence, as reeve of the township in which he resided; but he +had become a poor, besotted victim of strong drink, and driving +home from Bayton one night, while in a helpless state of +intoxication, he was thrown from his buggy, being so injured by +the fall as never to recover consciousness, and died the following +day. He left his wife and only child--a son, three years old--ample means. + +Mrs. Dalton, much to the surprise of the Mrs. Grundys of the +neighborhood, never married again, but seemed to devote her life +to her son, whom she loved with a passionate tenderness. He, from +a very early age, manifested that he was a child of quick parts: +he seemed to master in a short time, with consummate ease, lessons +that would tax the brains of others for hours; and he had a +prodigious memory. He was also a general favorite, because of his +chivalrous character and amiable disposition. In fact, this last +element of character was his weakness, for he was so amiable as to +sometimes be persuaded to enter into engagements against the +dictates of his better judgment. + +When he reached the age necessary for him to decide as to his +future course of action, he chose medicine for his profession. He +first took an Arts course in Toronto University, and then entered +one of the Medical Schools of that city, in both institutions +taking front rank as a student. + +He had, previous to his entering the Medical School, neither +smoked nor drank, and even when there, though he was almost alone +in this respect, his companions found it impossible to tempt him. +His mother had suffered so much from drink that she had taught him +to shrink from even a glass that contained it as he would from a +rattlesnake. But visiting one day at an old friend of his +mother's, who was at that time residing in Toronto, a glass of +wine was placed before him; and as all the rest drank, he, through +fear of being laughed at for being singular, drank too. He would, +no doubt, have passed through the ordeal unscathed, had not the +eldest daughter of his host, a handsome young girl of eighteen, +said to him, when she saw he hesitated, "Take a glass, Charley; it +will do you good, and cannot possibly do you any harm." + +Now, he had conceived a warm attachment for her, and had every +reason to believe that his attentions were not distasteful to her; +so, when she made the remark, he no longer hesitated, but took the +fatal first glass. As he and a companion were on their way home +from Mr. Fulton's to their boarding-house, the companion said: +"Come, Charley, let us go into Frank's and take a glass of ale;" +and, since he had taken the wine, it strangely presented itself to +his consciousness as a reason why he should not refuse to take the +beer. Thus Satan leads us on by first tempting us to transgress, +then making our first sin an argument to sweep away all objections +in regard to committing others. Dalton took the ale; and the enemy +having broken down the barriers of his temperance principles, it +was not long ere he had full possession of the citadel. In fact, +in a short time after he had taken his first glass, he and several +of his fellow-students had, what they termed, "a regular spree." + +His mother, fortunately for her, did not live to hear of her son's +sad fall; for, as she was sitting in her easy chair one day, she +was suddenly seized with a pain near her heart, asked to be +assisted to bed, and before the doctor could arrive she was dead. + +"Died of heart disease," said the doctor; and then he added: +"There is no doubt it resulted from her husband's death. She has +never recovered from the shock; and though she has lived for +years, she might have dropped off at any moment if she had been +the least excited." + +But she received her call home while sitting in her chair reading +the 14th chapter of St. John's Gospel; asked to be carried to her +bed, and, after being propped up by pillows, she said to her +attendant, "Elizabeth, I think I am dying; tell Charley my last +thoughts were of him." And then, looking heavenward, she murmured, +"God bless and guard my own dear boy," and in another moment she +was dead. But "the silver cord was loosed" as if by seraph +fingers, and "the golden bowl was broken" so gently that she +scarcely felt the stroke of the Death Angel. They laid her to rest +while yet in her prime by the side of the husband of her youth. + +The son was sadly stricken by his mother's death, for he had a +very strong affection for her; and for a long time after his +return to the Medical College--in fact, until he had taken his +diploma--he remained perfectly sober; but in the banquet that he +and the rest of his class held to celebrate that event he again +fell, and ere he left was so intoxicated he had to be helped to +his lodgings. From that period he seemed to lose all power of +resistance and almost all sense of shame. + +He had been engaged to Mary Fulton, the young woman who, in her +innocence, first tempted him to drink, and who now bitterly +repented of her thoughtlessness; for she was a true woman, and +loved him with all the strength of her deep, sensitive nature. He, +after taking his medical degree, had started to practice in +Orchardton, a small and lovely village not far from Bayton, and +would have done exceedingly well had it not been for his drinking +propensities. + +It was about a year after he had begun to practice that he met +with the adventure of which Aunt Debie and her friends were +speaking. + +"God was merciful when He removed poor Rebecca before she had a +chance to hear of her boy's shameful conduct," said Aunt Debie. +"'Pears to me that the words of Scripter is come troo in his +case--'The sins of the parent has to be borne by the children to +the third and fourth generation.'" + +Aunt Debie endeavored to quote from memory, and so she is to be +excused if she did not render it according to the letter. + +"I believe with thee, Aunt Debie," said Mrs. Gurney. "It was a +blessed thing for Rebecca she died thinking her boy was pure; if +she had known how it was--and if she had lived a little longer she +would have been sure to have found out--it would have broken her +heart. Then she would have gone down to her grave in sorrow, and +Charles would have had his mother's death to answer for." + +"I believe," said Mr. Gurney, breaking in rather abruptly, "that a +tendency to drink is transmitted from father to son--that, in +fact, it is a disease, and in this respect is similar to +consumption or insanity. Because I take this view of the case, I +have a great deal of sympathy with Charley Dalton. I am determined +to do all I can to save the boy. I heard from a lady friend the +other day who is very intimate with Mary Fulton, and she said that +the latter was experiencing deep grief because of Charley's utter +fall; for she holds herself partially responsible, because she, in +her innocence and thoughtlessness, tempted him to take his first +glass of wine. Her friends have been endeavoring to influence her +to break the engagement, but she resolutely refuses to do so. She +says she will never marry him while he continues to drink as he +does, but breaking off the engagement will be the last report, and +she declares she will never marry another." + +"Well," said Phoebe, "I don't wonder she feels bad; 'pears to me I +should feel bad, too, if I had coaxed the man I thought more of +than any one else to drink, and then he went to the bad after it." + +"Thee must not be too severe in thy thoughts of poor Mary," said +Mrs. Gurney, "but when thee feels like censuring her, just remember +that she has been accustomed to see wine on her father's table +ever since she was a girl. It is the custom which should be +condemned, and not poor, foolish innocents like Mary Fulton." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +RUTH ASHTON'S INTRODUCTION TO AUNT DEBIE RUTH'S DILEMMA. + + +As there was a lull in the conversation which we reported in the +last chapter, after Mrs. Gurney had finished speaking, she thought +it would be a favorable opportunity to introduce Mrs. Ashton to +Aunt Debie; so she spoke to the former, and they walked over to +the old lady's chair. Mrs. Gurney then took Mrs. Ashton's hand and +placed it in the old lady's, saying, as she did so: "Aunt Debie, +this is Mrs. Ashton, of whom thee has heard us speak!" + +"Happy to meet with thee, I am sure." said Aunt Debie. + +"What is thy fust name?" + +"Ruth," answered Mrs. Ashton. + +"That is a good Script'al name. May thee, like thy namesake, be +worthy of the Lord's blessing." + +"What is thy husband's name?" + +"Richard," answered Mrs. Ashton. + +"And how many children has thee got?" + +"We have three, a boy and two girls," and then, as if in +anticipation of the old lady's next question, she added: "Their +names are Edward, Alice Maud, and Mary; Edward is fourteen, Alice +Maud is twelve, and Mary is four, she is our baby." + +"Thee had a long rest between thy second and third," remarked Aunt +Debie. "Did thee lose any?" + +Ruth Ashton's face flushed slightly, for Aunt Debie was like a new +revelation to her; she had never met anyone like her before, but +she good-naturedly answered "No" to her question. + +Mrs. Gurney now told Ruth she had better leave the old lady, for +she was very inquisitive, and added, by way of explanation: "She +has been blind and deaf so long that she seems to have forgotten +that some of her questions are hardly in keeping with good +manners;" and, she continued, "in her youth, where she was raised, +the habits and customs were not as they are here at the present. +Then, as she cannot see nor hear, she is naturally more +inquisitive." + +Mrs. Ashton, who began to be alarmed, would gladly have left the +old lady; but, as the latter held her by the hand, she thought it +would be rude to hastily withdraw. + +"It is a blessing thee has not had to pass through that sore +trial," she said. "I lost a little babe more than sixty years ago, +and I see its sweet little face now just as plainly as if it were +only yesterday that it was taken from me; and often in my dreams +it comes to me, and again I hear it prattle and crow as it did in +the days of the long, long ago. But God was good to me in taking +it away; for, while all the rest of my children are now getting +old and gray, in my memory that sweet little babe is ever young. +James and Sarah have had a harder trial. If God in His mercy, +wisdom, and love, had seen it was for the better to have taken +their children when they were young, it would not have been so +hard for them to bear; but when they were let to grow up and then +taken, leaving them alone in their age, the stroke is very hard +indeed. But they--thank God--know where to go for consolation, and +have learned to say: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; +blessed be the name of the Lord.'" And then, addressing Ruth, she +said: "Thee ought to be very thankful that God hath not made thee +to pass through this fire." + +"I am more thankful than I can find words to express," said Ruth, +as the tears streamed from her eyes, as they also did from the +eyes of every person in the room, for, they were all strangely +moved by Aunt Debie's pathos. + +"But thee has had thine own troubles, has thee not?" and Aunt +Debie asked the question significantly, as if she referred to a +particular trouble. + +Mrs. Gurney now saw what she feared was coming, and she told Ruth +it would be prudent to withdraw, quietly, but as quickly as +possible. + +Mrs. Gurney was secretly condemning herself for what she now felt +was to say the least, imprudence; for in a conversation she had +had with Aunt Debie she gave her an outline of the life of Richard +and Ruth Ashton, and she was now sure that the old lady was about +to refer to it. In fact, she had unfolded to her, almost in full, +the benevolent schemes they had formed for the purpose of +reforming Richard Ashton. + +Ruth, in answer to Aunt Debie's question, replied: "Yes, I have +had to pass through troubles. I suppose," she added, "God has seen +that it was better for me that I should have my share, the same as +others. It would not do for any of us to be basking always in the +sunlight and experiencing nothing but pleasure; so God takes us +down in the shadow and brings sorrow upon us, that we can more +fully sympathize with our suffering fellow-creatures, and also be +made riper for heaven." + +Ruth now gently withdrew her hand, and, bending down, said: +"Please excuse me, Aunt Debie, Mrs. Gurney has called me into the +conservatory." + +"'Pears to me Martha is in a hurry to get thee away"--and she spoke +with some asperity of tone. "But I was going to say that I heard +thee has passed through particular trouble--that thy husband had +been a drinker, and that he had brought thee and thy children to +poverty. This must have caused thee much sufferin'; and the wust +of it is, if a man becomes a drinker, though he does break off he +is almost sartan to begin again. He never abused thee and thy +children, did he, Ruth?" + +Ruth's pale face flushed red as she quickly withdrew. She did not +know what to say in the way of reply, and therefore left the room +as speedily as possible; but though she did, the tones of Aunt +Debie's voice fell distinctly upon her ear as, in her innocence, +she garrulously gave expression to her fears as to the woe that +was yet to come. "I pity the poor thing," she said; "for thee jest +mind if he does not take to drink again, such men scarcely ever +fail to do so. He will likely drink himself to death, and then she +will be a widow and her children orphans in a strange land. God +help the poor thing!'" + +Mrs. Gurney closed the door to shut out the sound, but Ruth had +heard the ominous words, and they made her feel wretched. She was +not angry with Aunt Debie, for she was broad enough to understand, +after Mrs. Gurney's explanation, that what would be inquisitive +rudeness in another was to be excused in her because of her early +environments and her latter afflictions. The major portion of her +life had been passed in a primitive community, where, though its +inhabitants were as pure as they were simple and unsophisticated, +they had no conception of that fine sense of delicacy which is the +product of higher culture, and keeps one from prying into the +affairs of others. She was, in fact, an exaggerated specimen of +those primitive times, for her afflictions had preserved her from +the influences which had wrought such a transformation on those +around her. Indeed, if she, at the time of which we are writing, +could have had her hearing and her sight restored, the world would +have appeared as strange to her as it did to Rip Van Winkle after +his twenty years' sleep. + +But though, as we have intimated, Ruth Ashton could, at least to +some extent, excuse the old lady, when she understood the +circumstances, this did not keep what she said from exerting such +an influence upon her, for the time being, as to entirely destroy +all peace of mind, and to cause the former to wish she had not +accepted Mrs. Gurney's invitation. + +In a short time after her interview with Aunt Debie, Enoch broke +his long silence by giving expression to the opinion that "it was +time to go hum." The female members of the party acquiescing, they +quietly departed. And as her husband called on his way home from +the shop to escort her, Ruth, shortly after, bade her kind host +and hostess good-night. + +Her first association with the rural inhabitants of Canada was +not of the most pleasing character, but yet they possessed +characteristics she could not help admiring; for, while there was +an entire absence of that delicate sensibility which would have +kept them from so rudely endeavoring to satisfy their curiosity, +there was exhibited, in the short time she was in their company, +so much shrewdness, common sense, and, added to this, such an +inherent hatred of shams, of vice and villany, and such a love for +the true, the pure, and the good, that she formed an opinion in +regard to them a narrower person, under the circumstances, would +be incapable of doing. + +That night she slept but little, and the little she did was +broken, fitful, and disturbed by hideous dreams, in which her +husband and children, Aunt Debie, and herself, were all mixed up +in horrible confusion; and when awake she found the couplet of the +poet Campbell running through her mind-- + + "The sunset of life gives me mystical lore, + And coming events cast their shadows before" + +the association of ideas in her mind quite involuntarily, as far +as her will-power was concerned, linking this creation of the poet +with Aunt Debie's ominous utterances. She finally quietly left the +side of her sleeping husband, and knelt before the Lord in prayer; +and then, returning to bed, soon fell into a peaceful slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A HAPPY HOME. + + +Richard Ashton had now settled down to business as vigorously and +keenly as in the days of the past, and he seemed not to have lost +any of his faculties by what he had passed through. And yet, +physically, a great change had come over him in the last few +years. He had aged very fast, his thick, wavy hair had lost its +glossy blackness, and was now shaded with grey and white. The hand +was not so steady as in the days of the past; the step had not so +firm a tread. + +Ruth saw this with loving apprehension, and while thanking God +that He had influenced her husband so that he was as of old in his +love and kindness to her and their children, and that they had +again a happy home, she prayed he might be kept from temptation; +for she was afraid, if he fell again, he would not be long with +them, as he was only now a wreck of his former self. + +And Ruth herself, though time had dealt more kindly with her than +with her husband, knew that the care and anxiety of the last ten +years had, to a serious extent, undermined her constitution and +made her prematurely old. She was now much more easily fatigued +than of yore, and there were those certain indications of time's +ravages, "busy wrinkles," forming around her eyes, though her fair +complexion was favorable to her. + +She was sitting at the window one beautiful summer evening, +listening to the carolling of a bird which was perched upon the +bough of a tree that shaded the house, and little Mamie was +playing at her feet, when Allie, who was in the parlor practising +on the piano, struck up with her full-toned soprano voice: + + "Darling, I am growing old + Silver threads among the gold + Shine upon my brow to-day; + Life is passing fast away." + +"Why, my mamma, dear, oo have silver threads among the gold," said +Mamie. "See dare," and she pointed to the shining silver threads +that were glimmering in the sunlight amid her mother's golden +hair. "I heard Eddie say to Allie that oo had." + +Allie, hearing her little sister's remarks, came out and kissed +her affectionately; then, sitting upon her mother's lap, she +lovingly entwined her right arm round her neck, while she caressed +and smoothed her hair with her left hand, and said: + +"Yes, mamma, dear, there are now a great many 'silver threads +among the gold,' and yet I don't think my own dear mamma is +growing old at all." And then, as the white tears glistened in her +dark eyes, she continued: "I hope my darling mamma's life is not +passing fast away, for Eddie was saying last night that he was +sure there never was another mother so patient, loving and good as +you are;" and she kissed her again and again. + +Ruth returned her child's caresses and said: "I am sure, Allie +darling, I am very happy to know my children love me so fondly; +but if God saw fit to take me, He would care for my motherless +children. He has promised to be a 'Father to the fatherless;' but +tell Eliza to hasten up tea, for here comes your pa." + +The conference between mother and daughter was suddenly broken up +by the husband and father's return to his tea. He was in high +spirits, and having brought home a beautiful gros grain silk dress +as a present to Ruth, he claimed a kiss as a bounty. He said to +her: "I want you to congratulate me, dear, for Mr. Gurney has been +so well pleased with me that he has raised my salary; so it will +be the same as what I received when in Rochester, and as our +living is much cheaper here, I consider it fully equal to a +hundred dollars a year more. I am sure, dear, you find the people +equally as considerate and kind as you did in your other home. Do +you not?" + +"Yes, dear, I have every cause to be thankful." She could truly +thus speak; for, with the exception of the interview with Aunt +Debie, her intercourse with her neighbors had been of the most +pleasing character. They could not, in fact, do otherwise than +treat Ruth Ashton with considerate kindness, as her amiable +disposition drew all hearts to her, and her intelligent culture +caused even the comparatively ignorant to respect her; for they +instinctively realized she was a lady. + +"I am sure, Richard, dear," she said, "that wherever you and our +children are, if we are enjoying health and comparative prosperity, +I cannot but feel contented. I should be very ungrateful, indeed, +if I did not do so. Have we not every reason to be thankful? We +are living in this delightful home, and is it not like Mount Zion, +beautiful for situation?" As she spoke she drew aside the curtain, +and looked out upon the flowers and gravelled walks which, +sweeping in a circle, enclosed a closely-cropped lawn, with +flower-beds on either side of and bordering them, and through +an opening they could see the broad river that gradually widened +until it entered the bay, which was dotted here and there with +white sails, and away in the dim distance they could just discern +the blue waters of the wide-sweeping Ontario. And, as she opened +the window the breeze came fresh from the bay, catching, as it +came, the fragrance of the clover and flowers, which had an +exhilarating effect upon those who inhaled its fragrance. In fact, +her words were emphasized by the silent but poetic eloquence +of the surroundings. + +Just then Eddie came in, bringing a fine string of fish. He had +been angling in a stream which flowed into the river, a little +more than a mile from the town, and had succeeded in capturing +some really fine trout. His father, as he looked at them, said +they were "speckled beauties," and they were; for, after counting +them and finding there were nineteen, the scales were brought in, +when they were found to weigh ten pounds. + +Eddie's eyes sparkled with triumph. He enjoyed his success all the +more because his father had indulged in a little good-natured +banter as he was starting away, asking him if he should send out a +cart to bring home what he would catch. He now felt he could turn +the laugh against his father. + +But who has ever yet caught a fine string of fish without being +proud of his success? Even my reader, who may have reached life's +summit, and is now on the steep decline, if he ever has indulged +in the "gentle art," so beautifully delineated by quaint old Izaac +Walton, will, I think, acknowledge that even yet he feels somewhat +elated when he is so fortunate as to bring home a nice basket of +the "speckled beauties," thus manifesting to all that his hand has +not lost its cunning; but his feelings are cold when compared to +the joy that animates the youthful heart under similar circumstances. + +Let any gentleman who may read these pages go back, in memory, to +the sunny days of boyhood, when he returned home with a "fine +string"--the result of a day's fishing--how enthusiastically he +entered into the description of the manner in which the big ones +were captured. And then, with a tinge of regret in the tones, how +graphically he related the escape of some monster of the stream, +which, probably, carried away the hook and part of the line. If +you can remember such episodes in your life, now, alas! in the +long ago--and if you cannot the author sincerely pities you--then +you can have some idea of the triumph of Eddie Ashton upon the +evening in question. He had fished on several occasions in the +river and bay, both with rod and with trolling line, and had been +moderately successful, catching some fine pike and bass--larger +indeed than he had ever seen before, even in the fish-market in +the city; but their capture did not animate him with pride like +this day's catch. He had often read of trout-fishing, and had +longed to participate in its exciting pleasures, thinking how +delighted he should be if he were ever so fortunate as to bring +home even a few; but never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate +anything like what he had now actually realized. That night he sat +down and wrote to Jim Williams, telling him of his success, and +then asking him if he thought Canada was such a slow place to live +in after all. + +As the Ashton family gathered round the tea board in their neat +cosy dining-room that beautiful summer evening they presented a +picture of true happiness. They had still many things left which +they had purchased in the days of their opulence. The silver tea +set was shining upon the board as brightly now as it did fifteen +years before. The table was spread with a snow-white cloth--one +that had been brought from over the sea. The silver spoons and +china tea set were also mementos of the dear old home land. The +fare was simple but ample, and there was so much of kindly mirth +and genial wit that each one was happy. + +Richard Ashton had not lost his fine sense of humor, and he dearly +loved to enjoy a joke with his wife and children, though he never +indulged in witticisms that would wound the feelings of the most +sensitive person; he was too much of a gentleman to thus torture +others. + +If a person could have been present that night, without +restraining their innocent mirth, and participated in the joy of +that happy family, he would never have dreamed that less than one +short year before there had been a dark cloud of sorrow lowering +over them, shutting out all the sunlight from their view. + +"Our business has been developing very rapidly lately," said Mr. +Ashton; "there has not been a period during the time in which Mr. +Gurney has been in business that the sales have equalled this +month. And this is the reason, I suppose, he has raised my salary +sooner than he promised. I think I have no cause to be discouraged +with the result." + +The dark eyes of Richard Ashton flashed pleasure as he thus spoke, +and the eyes of his wife and children caught and reflected back +the light. + +"Pa," said Allie, "my music teacher spoke very kindly to-day, and +said I had made much more advancement than any of his pupils. He +also said if I only had the opportunity I would be much above +mediocrity as a musician. I do wish, papa, that an opening might +occur. Ella Fair has been to Toronto for a year taking lessons +from one who is considered among the best teachers in Canada, and +yet my teacher told me to-day that neither her touch nor her +execution of difficult parts could be compared to my own." + +"I am afraid," said her father, "that Mr. Stevens is praising you +so much that he will make you vain. You must remember you are only +a little girl as yet, and have to finish your studies at the High +School. I think there is too much superficiality in the education +of the young in this country, especially in the education of young +girls. There seems to be a desire for what is named the +accomplishments, while even the rudiments of an English education +are to a great extent neglected. + +"Why, the young lady of whom you were speaking bought the material +for a silk dress from me to-day, and she undertook to make up the +bill, but failed to do so. I am certain I should have had no +difficulty in reckoning it when I was a mere child, eight years of +age; and though she appeared to be so estimable young lady, her +English was execrable and her slang phrases offensive to +cultivated ears. I concluded if she had only been thoroughly +taught in one of our common schools, she would have appeared to +much better advantage. + +"I hope, Allie, you will not become so entirely absorbed in your +music as to neglect those primary studies, which certainly are of +much greater importance. Pastry is all very well for dessert; it +is, however, a very poor substitute for bread. + +"But be diligent with your studies, dear, and then we will +probably, some day, see if something cannot be done. If you will +play a piece for me I shall be happy to listen to you after tea." + +"I tay, papa," said little Mamie, "I'se going to have a foochoo," +and she shook her head in coquettish consequence, till the curls +fell over her eyes and nearly hid them from view. + +"A foochoo? What is that, little sunbeam? Is it a Chinese doll, or +a doggie, or what is it?" + +Of course, by this time, the whole family had joined in a good-natured +laugh at little Mamie's expense. + +"No, no, papa, a foochoo--a pant dat will have a petty fower, I +mean. Mrs. Gurney was here, and she taid she ood div me a foochoo +in a petty 'ittle pot, and dat den I ood have my own fowers, and +tood water and tend 'em all myself." + +"Oh, it is a fuchsia that she is to give you! Well, I am sure papa +is glad that his little sunbeam is to have a pretty plant to tend; +and if she smiles as sweetly at it as she does at her papa, it +will be a very naughty plant indeed if it does not soon have a +great many beautiful flowers." + +"Do you know, papa," said Mrs. Ashton, "that your little daughter +has learned another hymn to sing for you, and she would like to +sing it to you before you return to the store, if it will not +detain you too long." + +"Is that so?" said Mr. Aston. "Then, by all means, papa must hear +it." + +"I 'earned it from Allie," said Mamie, "and she has been teaching +me this 'ong, 'ong time; but dey told me I was not to 'et papa +know till I had dot it dood." + +"Well, Allie," said her father, "you come and give me your piece, +and then I will hear my little Mamie." + +Allie sat down at the piano and played Thalberg's "Home, Sweet +Home," and as she rendered it its sweet pathos went to the heart +of her father, and he paid her the highest compliment possible; +for when she had finished she found him with his head turned away +to hide his emotion. + +It had brought back the dear old home of his boyhood, and the dear +ones who had made it so happy, but who had long, long ago gone to +the home above; and then his thoughts came back to his present +happy home, and he thought of the dear inmates who had been so +true to him when he had been so untrue to himself. The piece was, +in his estimation, the sweetest, the most thrilling, the most +delicately and tenderly touching of anything to which he had ever +listened. + +"It is certainly very fine, my darling," he said, as he stooped +and kissed Allie. "I never had music exercise such a power over +me; it was almost painful in its thrilling ecstasy." + +The fine dark eyes of Allie glowed with happiness as she listened +to the commendation of her father. Praise from any other lips +would be but as "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal" when +compared with his; for her love for him, under every circumstance, +through evil as well as good report, was so great that she would +have died for him; and his praise of her singing filled her with +inexpressible joy. + +"Now, little sunbeam," said Mr. Ashton, "I will hear you sing your +piece. Come, Allie, and play for her, for I must soon return to +the shop." + +Allie again took her place at the piano and played the prelude, +and then started little Mamie, who sang: + + "I am so glad that my Father in heaven + Tells of His love in the Book He has given. + Wonderful things in the Bible I see, + But this is the dearest--that Jesus loves me. + + "I am so glad that Jesus loves me-- + Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me; + I am so glad that Jesus loves me-- + Jesus loves even me." + +There was something in the singing of his little prattler which +filled Richard Ashton with strange awe. As she lisped out "I am so +glad," with note as clear as the carolling of a lark, the look of +seraphic rapture which overspread her face evinced that she had +entered into the spirit of the piece and that her little heart was +glad. As he looked into the face of his wife he saw, intuitively, +her thoughts were as his, and he whispered to her: "Ruth, dear, +she seems too fair, too sweet, too good for earth; I am sometimes +afraid that God will take her from us." + +Mrs. Ashton made no reply; her heart was too full for speech. But +as he looked at Allie he saw she had caught his whispered words, +and--it seemed almost in unconscious harmony with her thoughts--her +fingers struck the keys and her lips warbled forth in sweetest +pathos the simple but tenderly touching words: + + "Strange, we never prize the music + Till the sweet-voiced bird has flown! + Strange, that we should slight the violets + Till the lovely flowers are gone! + Strange, that summer skies and sunshine + Never seem one half so fair + As when winter's snowy pinions + Shake the white down in the air! + + "Then scatter seeds of kindness," etc. + +They each of them kissed the little one who was to them so dear. + +"My little girl sang that beautifully," said her father, "but she +must not sing too much; I am afraid, if she does, she will injure +her voice." + +"Call Eddie," he said; and Mamie ran out for him, for he had gone +out immediately after supper to exhibit his catch to the son of a +neighbor. Mamie met him, and told him that his father was waiting +to have prayer. + +It was now the custom of Richard Ashton to gather his wife and +children around him at the family altar, both morning and evening, +to sing a hymn and read a portion of Scripture; and then to +supplicate the Father in heaven for His benediction upon the +little group that were there assembled. + +He had commenced family worship when they were married, but as his +views changed he gradually desisted, and finally left off +entirely. This caused Ruth great grief, for she had ever been a +conscientious and consistent Christian. Since they came to Bayton +she had prevailed upon him to resume the custom that was such a +source of joy and comfort to them in the halcyon days of yore. He +always held the service in the morning before breakfast and just +after supper in the evening, as then all the children could be +present. + +When Eddie came his father took down the family Bible. They then +sang an appropriate hymn, and, after reading a chapter, he carried +them all to a throne of grace in prayer. + +The Bible from which he read the lesson had been in the family for +four generations, and in the family record there were the names of +some who had been gathered to their fathers for over a hundred +years. It had been left him by his mother, and almost her last +words were spoken as she presented it to him. She said: "Take +this, my son; it has been your mother's counsellor and guide +through life, and when other friends failed her it was true. Go to +it for counsel every day, my son; it will be better unto thee than +thousands of gold and silver." + +The son took it with a determination to guard it as a precious +treasure, and to leave it as an heirloom to his children. He +penned upon its flyleaf the beautiful words of the poet Morris, as +they so explicitly expressed the incidents which were associated +with his own experience: + + "This Book is all that's left me now; + Tears will unbidden start; + With faltering lip and throbbing brow + I press it to my heart. + For many generations past + Here is our family tree, + My mother's hand this Bible clasped, + She dying gave it me." + + +After prayer he went to his shop thanking God in his heart for His +mercy to him after all his lapses. And there was that glow of +happiness reigning in his soul which he only knows who has a happy +home. + +Never were truer words penned than those of the poor wanderer, +John Howard Payne: + + "Be it ever so humble, + There's no place like home." + +If a man has hearts that love him there, he is better prepared to +successfully meet and overcome life's difficulties and to endure +buffetings from the outside world. It seems eminently felicitous +that heaven should be called home; for the name is associated with +the sweetest, purest, holiest joys that are experienced in this +life. It raises our hopes, and fills us with a glorious +expectancy, when we think of that place of rest as "home, sweet +home." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +MR. AND MRS. GURNEY'S SATISFACTION WITH ASHTON; MUTUAL +CONGRATULATIONS. + + +The next summer and winter passed away and there was nothing +transpired to cause sorrow to rest upon the home of Richard and +Ruth Ashton. They and their children were winning golden opinions +from all with whom they were associated; and as Mr. Gurney's +business prospered under the management of the former, who proved +himself to be reliable, Mr. Gurney felt very thankful that he had +secured so good a man. + +"I think, dear," he said to his wife one day, "we might have gone +farther and fared worse. I did not dream that I would be so +relieved from responsibility. Ashton is certainly one of the best +business men I have ever met." + +"True," interjected Mrs. Gurney, "I came to that conclusion from +almost the first; and his courteous, gentlemanly demeanour makes +him a general favorite." + +"Yes," continued Mr. Gurney, "and then he is so clear-sighted, +intelligent, and energetic; so conscientious in regard to what he +owes to his employer that he takes just as much interest in the +business as if it were his own." + +"I am sure, James," his wife replied, "we were divinely directed; +the clouds of our affliction were so dark they hid all the +sunlight from our view; but yet we can now see, can we not, dear, +that they were lined with silver?" + +"Yes," he replied; "God's ways are not our ways." + +"I hope," she said, "Mr. Ashton may continue as he has so far; but +if he were again to fall a victim to his old habit I should not, +even then, regret that we employed him." + +"How is that, my dear?" queried Mr. Gurney. + +"Why, because in so doing, James, we have kept him from sin for a +considerable period of time, and enabled him to sustain in +comparative comfort his wife and family. And then I esteem it a +great privilege to be intimately acquainted with such a family. +Mrs. Ashton is certainly one of the most estimable women with whom +I have ever associated; and their children are, to my mind, models +of what children should be--they are so bright and amiable, so +gentle to each other, and so obedient to their parents. Besides, +he has taken such an interest in your business, and has so won the +confidence of the public by his engaging manners and what seems to +be his intuitive insight into character; and his power to please +has helped your business so." + +"Yes, I think you are about right, dear. In fact, I know you are, +as far as what you said applies to myself, for I am certain I +would not have recuperated so soon had it not been that I was +relieved from a great deal of care and worry by my confidence in +him, while I have had enough to employ my mind to keep me from +brooding sorrow. I am now confident the doctor gave me the best +possible advice when he said, 'You had better not give up your +business.'" + +"I am certain, dear," his wife said, "that the course you adopted +was the very best under the circumstances; but, as you just +remarked, it would not have done to have tried if you had not had +a foreman to relieve you from all worry." + +"Well, my dear," he remarked, "if it has turned out well for all +parties concerned, it is you who deserves the credit. I believe a +woman's instinctive perception of character is keener and clearer +than that of a man's. And the heart of a true woman always beats +responsive to human woe. If charity depended entirely upon the +sterner sex, there would be many hearts which have been made happy +by the beneficent hand of charity still unrelieved, and many homes +which are now happy would be filled with misery--their inmates +almost shut out from hope and sinking in despair." + +"Thee mustn't flatter so, or I'll get vain," she said playfully, +at the same time going over to his chair and, kissing him lightly +on the forehead. She always spoke the plain language when she +wished to manifest her affection, for it was the language that +both of them spoke in their childhood. + +"I do not deserve any more credit than you do. You hesitated, in +order that you might look at the matter from all sides, and view +it in all its bearings; you wished to weigh it carefully in your +mind, and not come to a conclusion from the impulse of the moment. +You desired to do what was best for all concerned, and I have no +doubt but you would have concluded to do just what you did." + +"I might, or I might not," he said; "but thee seemed to conclude +at once that he would be just the man for me; and then thee pitied +him so that I think thee wanted to give him a chance under any +circumstances." + +"Well--yes, James, I will admit I did; but I must say that from +the very first I liked him, and thought he would be, if he kept +from drink, just the man for you. And I think you may be right in +your estimate of women; for I have no doubt they have an intuitive +perception of character that is, to a certain extent, lacking in +men; this, in many instances at least, takes the place of +reasoning with them. I also believe their hearts are more easily +influenced by the appeals of want or sorrow, and that therefore +they are more frequently found taking the initiative in matters +that appeal largely to the heart. Their nature and their position +alike fit them for this." + +"Let me see, Sarah!" said Mr. Gurney, jocosely. "You are among +those strong-minded women that believe in women being the equal of +man in every respect, and should have the same rights as men." + +"Now, James, thee knows better than that, and simply likes to +tease. I believe that women should have the same rights as men, in +their proper sphere; and I would like to see them have a right to +vote on this temperance question, for if they had they would soon +sweep the land clear of its most blighting curse; but except for +this purpose I think the right place for woman to exert an +influence is in the home circle: though, James, thee knows," she +said, "that 'George Eliot' and Elizabeth Barrett Browning are, in +their field, unexcelled--though I never think of the former +without sorrow and shame--and there are a great many more whom I +might mention. Then I often think, dear, there would be a much +larger proportion of eminent women if they had the same chances as +your sex; in their daily rounds of domestic duties they have not +the same opportunities of development. I think it may be better +that it is so; but yet, in making a comparison of the two sexes, +we should not overlook this fact. Gray's lines-- + + 'Full many a gem of purest ray serene + The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear; + Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, + And waste its sweetness on the desert air'-- + +"I think, are even more applicable to the women than to the men. +But I am talking too much. Does thee not feel tired, dear? If thee +does not, I do; come, let's make ready for bed." + +"Yes, dear, I do feel tired, for I have had rather a hard day; but +I am very thankful I can now go to bed and sleep. If I was not so +weary I would answer that long speech," he said, playfully: "Thee +may expect a crushing reply at some other time." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ASHTON RE-VISITS OLD SCENES. + + +A week or two after the conversation we recorded in the last +chapter, Richard Ashton spoke to Mr. Gurney in regard to his +contemplated journey to Rochester. He wished to go that he might +settle his business with the man who had purchased his place. + +Mr. Gurney was well aware that such a journey was contemplated, +and he was sincerely sorry that such was the case. + +Ashton, during the year that was passed, had never left the town +for any purpose whatever, and had kept so strictly to his business +as not to form any association with those who would be likely to +lead him astray. Mr. Gurney, therefore, was not altogether +satisfied that he would have strength enough to resist the +temptations to which he would be exposed when he met his old +associates in Rochester. He plainly told Ashton what his fear was, +but the latter assured him he would pass through the ordeal and +come out unscathed. So Mr. Gurney expressed the hope that he would +bring his business to a successful issue, and return with improved +health from his trip, and he then bade him a kindly good-bye. + +But it was his wife who experienced the greatest anxiety. Ruth had +from the beginning expressed her fears as to the result of the +voyage. It seemed to her like courting temptation. She thought the +business might have been settled through his solicitor without his +going in person. But, as he seemed bent on the journey, she did +not like to make many objections; she was afraid, by so doing, she +would wound his feelings, for he would be certain to interpret the +objections as inspired by her fears of his falling, and, strange +to say, that, like a great many others in similar circumstances, +he seemed to be very much hurt if anyone hinted to him that there +was any danger of his drinking again. + +She had, however, prevailed upon him to take Eddie along. She +thought his presence would have a restraining influence upon his +father, and she reasoned, if he should again fall, Eddie could, to +some extent, take care of him. + +The thought of this journey had so preyed upon her mind that it +robbed her of her sleep; and now, as the time more nearly +approached, her anxiety deepened into anguish which was all the +more acute because she dare not make a confident of him from whom +she kept no other secret. Only to Him from whom no thoughts are +hidden, did she go and tell her anguish, and pray for strength to +bear up under her great sorrow. She also prayed that God would +protect him who was dearer to her than her own life. + +It was nearly a year from the day in which they first landed in +Bayton, when Richard Ashton was again bidding his wife and +children an affectionate farewell, ere he departed on a journey to +another land. It was undertaken under much more favorable auspices +than when he started from Rochester to Canada; for in the first +instance he was journeying to a strange land on an errand of +doubtful success, while in the present instance he was going to a +place with which he was familiar, where he would have old friends +to bid him welcome, and kindly hearts to care for him. And yet, if +possible, there was greater dread entertained by his wife now than +there had been on the former occasion. Then he could scarcely make +his position worse, and there was a possibility of his bettering +it; now there was everything to lose and nothing to gain. + +True, he had assured her she had nothing to fear. Just the night +before he started he had said, as he lovingly threw his arms +around her and drew her to him:-- + +"I know, Ruth, darling, you are suffering anxiety upon my account, +and are fearing I shall not have strength to resist the temptation +to which I shall be exposed; but you need not fear, little wife, I +shall return as I leave you. I have made up my mind, God helping +me, I will never drink again." + +The tears started from Ruth's eyes as he spoke, and she threw her +arms around his neck as she clung to him, sobbing as she did so. +She spoke no word in denial of what he had stated concerning her +fears in his behalf, but simply murmured: "God bless you, my +darling; I know I am a poor, weak, foolish little thing to grieve +so at parting from you; but oh, Richard, I am afraid something +will happen you, and we are so happy now!" + +He endeavoured to calm her by loving caresses. He was not at all +surprised that his wife should be troubled with anxious fear. He +inwardly resolved he would so acquit himself this time that she +should ever after, in this as in other respects, repose the most +perfect confidence in him. + +As we said, on the morning in question he and Eddie kissed their +loved ones good-bye and took the seven o'clock train for the place +in which they had spent so many happy years. + +The wife and mother, with her two children who had accompanied +them to the station, looked at the receding train with tearful +eyes. + +It was a beautiful morning: the first beams of the slowly-rising +sun, stealing gently above the eastern hills, scattered the mist +of the morning and bathed the river and bay in its golden light. A +robin, which was perched upon a maple growing not far from where +Ruth and her children were standing, was singing its lay to the +morning, and the atmosphere was balmy with the breath of flowers. +It was a morning to charm the heart into joyousness, and yet the +heart of Ruth Ashton was filled with unutterable woe. The thoughts +which had borne so heavily upon her spirits for so long a period +of time now came with redoubled force, and dark, dreadful +forebodings and sorrowful memories assailed her soul and filled it +with unspeakable anguish. + +"Oh, my Father, help me to bear up!" she prayed. "Oh, why am I +filled with dread, with this awful fear?" + +Taking her children by the hand, she led them back to the house. +They uttered no word, even little Mamie seeming to understand that +her mother's heart was too full for words. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MR. HOWE GIVES HIS VIEWS IN REGARD TO CANADA. + + +Richard Ashton found many in Rochester who were glad to see him +again and extend to him a most cordial welcome. He soon had +completed his business with Mr. Howe, the gentleman who had +purchased his property, and was ready to return to Canada. + +"I suppose you are able to exist in that country, Ashton," said +Mr. Howe. "The climate must be somewhat healthy, or you and your +boy would not be so hearty. But, from what I hear, I would not +like to put in much of the time that may be allotted to me on this +terrestrial sphere in a land where the thermometer so assiduously +courts zero; and then the nature of the soil will keep it from +ever amounting to much. The fact is, Ashton, the only hope for +Canada is annexation to the United States." + +When Mr. Howe made these remarks he threw himself back in his +chair, elevated his feet on the back of another chair, took +another chew of his honey dew, and, as he whittled a stick, +consequentially shook his head, as much as to say, "I know what I +am talking about." + +"You are altogether mistaken, Mr. Howe, in almost everything about +Canada, as most of your countrymen are." + +"Well, I may be, but I would like to know in what particulars." + +"Well, in the first place, in regard to the climate. I suppose you +will be somewhat surprised when I inform you that it has not been +so cold this winter where I reside as it has been in Rochester; +for I have carefully noted what the thermometer registered in both +places, and we had the advantage of you in this respect. As to the +soil, there is no part of the world in which I have travelled, not +even your much-lauded and far-famed Genesee, has better land than +the country surrounding the town of Bayton, and I have been +informed from the most reliable sources that the major portion of +the land in Ontario is of a similar character." + +"I want to know!" ejaculated Mr. Howe. + +"And then we have the great North-West, that is just opening up, +which they say has as fine land as the world possesses, and to an +extent that is practically illimitable. This is settling rapidly, +and will be in some future day the home of countless millions." + +"I guess you are going to your imagination for your facts now, +Ashton. Why, man, the thermometer often sinks to forty below zero. +They'd freeze out; no white population can stand that." + +"But, my dear fellow, they have stood it, and 'facts are stubborn +things;' and you are well aware that at this present time the +northern nations are the ones that lead the world in skill, +enterprise, and deeds of daring. And then the atmosphere is so +clear and dry that those who have resided there for years say they +do not suffer from cold to the same extent as they did in +countries where it was not nearly so cold but where the atmosphere +was more humid." + +"Well, all I can say is, they may stay and shiver there for all +me. I wouldn't live there all my life if they'd give me the whole +concern. No, no, not for Joseph!" + +"I wouldn't trust you, sir, if you had the offer." + +"You might." + +"Then there is something else I wish to mention, and that is, our +Common School system is not surpassed in the world; and for +intelligent, healthy lads and lasses we will compare favorably +with any country under the sun. + +"The fact is, Mr. Howe, we like you as neighbors, but are too +loyal to our Queen and mother land ever to want to be united by +any closer ties." + +"Well, then, if Canada is the Eden you paint it how is it the +views of Canadian life and scenery are so wintry looking? Why, +sir, in the show rooms of the artists in this city--and you will +see the same in artists' rooms of England and even Europe--there +are sketches of Canadian scenes, and almost invariably something +wintry is suggested--men in great fur overcoats and caps, muffled +up to the eyes, and with capouches that seemed capacious enough to +carry a week's stock of provisions, and yet have spare room; the +men generally having on snow-shoes and accompanied with Indians to +wait on them, and dogs to drag their toboggans, while all around +them are heaps of snow piled up on huge rocks, and overtopping and +bearing down short scrubby pines and firs. If you have a good +country I calculate that such pictures as these, no matter what +may be their artistic merits, are poor advertisements, and will +not get you many immigrants." + +"I am well aware of this. But I suppose you know these scenes have +been got up, for effect, in the studios of enterprising +photographer; and though they may be very fair representations of +some parts of our Dominion in the depth of winter, they represent +the country, generally, about as faithfully as winter views from +the main lumber woods, or even from Alaska, would represent the +United States." + +At that moment Eddie, who had been enjoying himself with some of +his old friends, came in. He asked his father if he might go and +spend the afternoon and evening with his old and very particular +friend, Jim Williams; as there was yet two days ere the time +expired upon which he had decided to return home, he gave Eddie +permission to go and extend his visit until the next day. + +Eddie, during that afternoon, accompanied by his friend, visited +some of the old familiar places; they were dear to him, because +they were associated in his mind with some of the happiest hours +in his life; and he thought that, though in the land where it +seemed to be his destiny to reside in the future there were many +attractive spots which would, no doubt, in time be very dear to +him, he would never forget his old home nor the scenes where he +had played in childhood's happy hours. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE BANQUET, AND WHAT FOLLOWED. + + +Richard Ashton had been invited by some of his friends to a supper +at the Metropolitan Hotel, which had been specially got up for his +benefit. + +His first thought was that he would absolutely refuse to accept +the invitation--he was afraid he might be tempted to drink; but as +he concluded it would be considered ungracious on his part to +refuse he decided to go, but only on the understanding if there +was any toast-drinking he would be permitted to pledge them in +pure cold water. + +When the members of the committee who had been appointed to wait +upon him heard his decision, they said they certainly could not +object to his observing his own mind; that they had no desire to +cause him to violate his principles; in fact, they gave it as +their opinion that there would not be a person present who would +not respect him the more for proving that he had the courage of +his convictions. + +Upon the night appointed he went to the banquet, and it passed off +as such affairs usually do. Many very gracious and pleasant things +were said of the guest of the evening in the eulogistic strains +which generally characterize speeches made on such occasions. How +much of what was said was sincere, and how much mere complimentary +phraseology of the dental kind, I will allow those who are in the +habit of attending such parties to decide. + +The meeting at last ended, as all meetings on earth do. But this +differed in one respect from the great majority of such +gatherings--that is, those who attended it at least left the +banqueting room sober; though, as the sequel will show, one of +them was not so fortunate as to reach his lodgings in that +condition. + +"I will accompany you home, Ashton," said one who had taken a very +active part in the entertainment. + +"I am sure, Chappell, I should like very much to have your +company, but I could not think of allowing you to put yourself to +such trouble on my account; of course you are aware that I am well +acquainted with the city." + +"Oh, I am well aware of that, but you seem to forget that until we +cross the bridge my way home lies in the same direction as your +own; and then I can, after seeing you up the avenue, cross by the +way of Alexander or Jefferson Street to my own lodgings." + +"It is exceedingly kind of you, Chappell, to make the offer, and I +shall be thankful for your company as far as the bridge, but I +shall insist upon our separating there, as I will soon reach +Reid's after that." + +Chappell, after what seemed at least to be a vigorous protest, +finally yielded, and they started on their homeward journey. + +The night was dark and cold--one of those chilly nights which we +frequently experience in the first week of June--and they had to +walk along briskly to keep themselves warm. + +"Halloa, Chappell, is that you? Where are you going at this time +of night? It seems to me rather peculiar that a man who sits in +his pew every Sunday and listens to eloquent homilies on the evils +that result from the keeping of late hours and indulging in +bacchanalian revels should be wending his way home in the small +hours of the morning. Come, sir, give an account of yourself!" and +he slapped Chappell familiarly on the shoulder, and stood right in +his way, hindering his further progress. + +"Allow me, Lawrence," said Chappell, "before answering your +question, to introduce you to Mr. Ashton." + +"Oh, that is not necessary; we are old acquaintances, but I did +not expect to have the pleasure of meeting him to-night. I thought +he had migrated northward. I am happy to meet you again, Mr. +Ashton; but it is cold, let us step into Conglin's, he is open +yet. I want a few moments' conversation with you, Chappell." + +Chappell asked Ashton if he would have any objections, and he, in +reply, said if they would excuse him he'd journey homeward, for +his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Reid, with whom he was stopping, would +not go to bed until he returned, and he would be sinning against +their hospitality by remaining longer. + +"But a few moments will not make any particular difference," said +Lawrence, "and you will particularly oblige me if you step in for +a moment or two, as I should like to have your opinion in regard +to something of consequence." + +Ashton, who, as the reader has already discovered, had a facile +disposition, and was easily persuaded, yielded, and followed +Lawrence and Chappell into the cosy sitting-room of Conglin's +hotel. + +The fire was burning brightly, and the atmosphere of the room was +particularly warm and comfortable to men who had been out in the +chill night air as they had been, with clothing that was not heavy +enough to keep them warm. + +"Just remain here a moment or two, gentlemen," said Lawrence, "I +have a word or two to say to our mutual friend, Tom." + +According to his promise he soon returned, but the landlord +accompanied him carrying a tray, upon which there were three +steaming glasses of whiskey punch. + +"Gentlemen," said Lawrence, "it is not necessary for me to +introduce you to Tom Conglin, for you have both been acquainted +with him and his liquors in the long ago, and you know he always +kept the very best brands. But I think this old rye is better than +any he has ever had before. It is only, however, as the Scripture +says "darkening counsel by words," to tell either of you the +quality of liquor, for you have only to taste to immediately and +correctly pass judgment. It was in regard to this matter I asked +for your counsel. Come, gentlemen, after paying your respects to +our jolly host we will do honor to his liquor." + +They both shook hands with old Tom Conglin, a large, red-faced +individual, who, evidently, knew the flavor of his favorite +liquors. He expressed himself as particularly delighted to meet +Ashton, and said he was sorry that they lost him; which no doubt +was true, for Ashton had been one of his best customers, and had +left with him many a dollar. + +Chappell, who was standing near to Ashton, and was afraid he was +about to refuse, whispered to him not to do so. "It will give +offence," he said. "A glass will do you no harm, and may do you a +great deal of good." + +When the tray was presented he hesitated a moment, and then +stifling, as men will sometimes, every warning of conscience, he +took the fatal glass, and was again the foolish victim of his +facile disposition and his appetite for strong drink. + +He might, if he had watched the faces of Chappell and Lawrence, +have noticed that a significant look passed between them when he +took the glass, and that a gleam of hellish triumph shone in their +eyes. + +"Come, Tom, bring us some more liquor," said Chappell. "I will +have another glass of punch. What will you have, gentlemen?" + +"I will have the same," said Lawrence. + +"What will you have, Ashton?" and as Ashton hesitated a moment +before replying Chappell spoke for him: "Silence gives consent; he +will keep us company." + +"Of course you will bring one for yourself, Tom." + +"I never refuse to take a glass with a gentleman, especially in +such company as the present." + +They were soon engaged sipping their fuming punch, and in a very +short time Ashton seemed the gayest and most voluble of the +company. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A STARTLING NEWSPAPER ITEM TO MR. AND MRS. REID. + + +That night Mr. and Mrs. Reid waited long and anxiously for Ashton, +but as he did not return they concluded he must have decided to +remain at the Metropolitan, so at one o'clock in the morning they +retired, not, however, without misgivings that all was not right. + +They slept long that morning, and when they had completed their +toilets Mr. Reid found the Rochester _Democrat_ lying at the +door. He read it leisurely as he ate his toast and sipped his +coffee, now and then reading an item which he thought would be +particularly interesting to his wife. Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"My God, it is Ashton!" And in his excitement he sprang from his +seat, nearly upsetting the table and seriously frightening Mrs. +Reid. + +"What is it Robert?" she said. "Oh, read it please." + +In answer to her request he read the following:-- + +"As policeman Rogers was walking his beat about half-past one this +morning, he heard a cry for help, which was evidently stifled. He +ran towards the spot whence he thought the sound came, and as he +neared the bridge he saw three men apparently engaged in a +desperate struggle. He sounded his rattle for assistance; two of +them, who evidently had been garroting and robbing the third, ran, +leaving him lying motionless on the tow-path. He had either been +choked until he was insensible, or else he had been made so stupid +by drink as to be incapable of thought or action. Policeman +Johnson coming up, they gave chase to the other two who, however, +made good their escape. They carried the one who had been +assaulted to No. ---- Station, where he was recognized by Sergeant +Jameson as a man by the name of Ashton, who was once in the employ +of Robertson & Co., but had lately been residing in Canada. He +came over to settle his business with Mr. Howe, who purchased some +property from him. He evidently had been intoxicated, and while +thus was waylaid and robbed. He had not, up to the time of our +going to press, sufficiently recovered to be able to give an +account of the affair, so at present it remains a mystery." + +"Oh, Robert, you must go at once," said his wife; "the poor fellow +has fallen again. I am afraid some of the party have made a +pretence of doing him special honor in order that they might +entice him to drink, and then waylay and rob him. Do you know, +dear, whether he carried much money on his person?" + +"I don't think he had any but what he brought from Canada. I +remember hearing him say he had deposited what he had received +from Mr. Howe in the bank, but I have no doubt he had quite a sum +with him, and of course they would rob him of all he had." + +"I think he said Eddie was stopping with Mr. Williams. I will run +up and tell him, and then go to the police station and see what I +can do." + +"The poor boy will be nearly frightened to death," said Mrs. Reid; +"and if there is anything very serious comes from this, God help +Mrs. Ashton! The poor creature has had her own trouble." + +Mr. Reid found Eddie eating his breakfast, and in as quiet a +manner as possible broke the news, endeavoring to avoid every +expression that would cause unnecessary alarm. But at the first +hint every particle of color left the boy's face and he sprang to +his feet, saying: + +"Oh, Mr. Reid! what has happened to my father? Please tell me +quickly." + +Mr. Reid quietly handed him the paper, and as he took it, so great +was his agitation, his hand trembled like an aspen leaf; but when +he had read the paragraph which particularly interested him, it +had just the opposite effect upon him to what Mr. Reid expected; +for he seemed at once to become another person, and the boy of +fifteen was as if transformed by some cabalistic power into a man. + +"Let us go at once," he said with decision; and, as the tears +gushed from his eyes and streamed down over his cheek he murmured, +"Oh, my poor mother! if she hears of this it will break her +heart." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A BASE PLOT, AND WHAT IT LED TO. + + +"I say, Bill, I have a pretty good lay for you, and I think you +can work it without much risk." + +The speaker was Chappell, and the person whom he addressed was +Lawrence. + +We, in the preceding chapter, introduced these worthies into this +story, but as we wish our readers to become more thoroughly +acquainted with them, will now give them a more formal introduction. + +Moses Chappell was the son of highly respectable parents, and had +the advantages that are ever associated with a home where there is +comparative wealth, culture, and purity. He had a fair education, +possessed a fine person and a gracious, polished manner. + +When quite a young man he commenced the study of law with a firm +in the city, but he became so unsteady in his habits that it took +him a year or two longer to get through than the course required. +When he became an attorney,--it being immediately after the close +of the war,--he, through the influence of his friends, secured the +position of claim agent; and as there were a great many soldiers +who had claims for extra bounty and for pensions to prosecute, it +was not long before he secured a large share of this business. + +It was just after he had entered into business on his own +responsibility that he became acquainted with Ashton. At that time +he was simply looked upon as a rather fast young man, who would +take a glass with a friend, and, as the boys would say, "just once +in a while get a little 'O be joyful!'" But among this class he +passed as a "Jolly good fellow!" + +During the last year his degeneracy had been very rapid, and he +had become almost a confirmed drunkard, it being well known by the +initiated that he indulged in the passion of gambling, by which he +lost a great deal of money. + +A short time before Ashton's return to Rochester, Chappell's +losses were, for him, very large indeed; and as his income failed +to meet his liabilities, he took the money which he had collected +from the Government for his clients, to meet his gambling debts, +and also to make new ventures, with the hope that he would win +back all his losses. But, as he expressed it, luck seemed to have +turned against him, and he lost in one night, by wild, reckless +play, hundreds of dollars that he had drawn for poor, wounded, and +disabled men, many of whom had expended quite a sum in instituting +their claim, and sadly needed it, because they had undermined +their constitutions in the campaigns through which they had +passed; some of them having wives and children depending upon them +for support. In fact, no one knows what disappointment and misery +was caused by the dishonest and reckless conduct of this now +abandoned young man. + +He, however, though fallen, had not yet reached such a depth of +degradation as to be utterly careless of his reputation, or of the +suffering and shame he would entail upon his friends if his +wrong-doings were discovered, and he well knew that discovery was +inevitable if he did not in some manner recover the amount he had +lost. "Desperate diseases require desperate remedies;" and his +case was desperate indeed, and he was now in such a state of mind +that he was willing to resort to anything short of murder to +extricate himself. + +He was in this state of mind when Ashton again appeared in +Rochester, and when he learned the nature of his business he +resolved, if possible, to get possession of his money. He had, in +the gambling dens of the city, formed the acquaintance of some +hard characters, and resolved to use them as his tools in carrying +out his purpose. + +"Lawrence will do," he said, "and he can associate Dick Eagle with +him in the venture. Lawrence is acquainted with Ashton, as they +used to meet at old Tom's when on their drinking bouts. I will +sound him, and, if I find he is all serene on the matter, Ashton +must have become a more wary fly than he used to be if I do not +induce him to enter my spider's web." + +It was to further this scheme that he hinted to some mutual +friends it would be a gracious thing to give Ashton a supper, and +as they immediately entered with fervor into the idea, it was +agreed upon. When Ashton stipulated, if he accepted, it must be +understood he would not be asked to drink anything but water, it +looked as if his well-concerted scheme would be entirely frustrated. +And then, after thinking the matter over, he hit upon the plan which +he adopted, and which, alas, as we have already made known +to our readers, he carried to a successful accomplishment. + +Lawrence, the young ruffian whom he made his tool, had been +associated with him before, in some transactions that would not +bear the light of day, and when he unfolded the present scheme to +him he found him ready to be his pliant instrument--willing to +enter into any scheme, no matter how villainous its nature, if he +could be sure of making something by the venture. + +"I am pretty certain," said Chappell, "he will have by that time +some four or five hundred dollars in his possession; and if you +would meet us and persuade him to accompany us into Tom's, I +think, old boy, we can induce him to take a glass. If he takes +one, you know he is such a fool that we will soon have him +gloriously drunk. But to make certain we will fix his liquor, and +then by the time he gets to the bridge he will be completely at +your mercy." + +"Well, the question is, Chappell, what am I to get for the +venture? Of course, if there is any hard work to be done you will +expect me to do it, while you will play the role of gentleman." + +"I am willing to deal fairly with you, Bill." + +"But I want to have an understanding. I know you pretty +thoroughly, Mose, and I am not going to let you gull me as you +have on some former occasions. The question is what am I to get? +And if I can't get what's square, I will wash my hands of the +whole affair. 'Honor among thieves,' you know, Mose." + +Chappell, who winced at the epithet "thieves," shrugged his +shoulders, and a look of supreme disgust gleamed for a moment from +his eyes, which did not pass unnoticed by Lawrence. + +"Come now, Mose, no airs," he said; "if you don't like me just +keep away, and I'll not bother you with my company. When you force +yourself upon me you must be a little respectful, or, at least, +you must not be so open in your manifestations of disgust, as I am +somewhat sensitive and may resent it." + +"Who was showing any signs of being disgusted? Now, what is the +use of making a fool of yourself, Bill, because you know how; and +if I were you I would not speak of "putting on airs." When Bill +Lawrence talks of being sensitive, he of course means all he says: +the idea of 'Billy the Kid' being sensitive is certainly a new +wrinkle." + +"Well, Chappell, I know I am not as good as I might be; if I were +I would cut you dead, though you do wear kid gloves and move in +the so-called 'best society,' like many another scoundrel. But +this is neither here nor there; let's come to business. Before I +enter into this thing I want an understanding; you are not going +to come it over me as you have on former occasions." + +"Why, Lawrence, I don't want to come it over you. It seems to me +you are deuced suspicious, all at once. I'll tell you what I'll +do. I'll give you one half, to be divided between you and Dick +Eagle. And when you remember that I put up the job, and run just +as much risk as you do, I think you will conclude that I am quite +moderate." + +"Yes, 'quite moderate;' you are always 'moderate,' especially when +it comes to risks; but you don't come none of your moderate games +over me. If I get Dick Eagle to assist me in this job I will have +to go halves with him. I couldn't gull him if I were to try, and I +don't wish to try. I am not quite so mean as to cheat a comrade +who runs equal risks with myself, though some would-be gentlemen +of my acquaintance would. If we make anything by this venture it +must be equally divided, if it is not more than fifteen cents. If +you will not agree to this proposition I will wash my hands of the +whole affair." + +Chappell--after putting in several demurrers, at last, when he saw +that he could make no better terms--consented. + +It was arranged that Chappell should, if possible, induce Ashton +to drink at the supper; but if he could not accomplish that, he +was to accompany him up St. Paul street until he came in front of +Tom Conglin's, and then Lawrence was to meet them, and between +them they were to induce him to enter and, if possible, entice him +to drink. Chappell was, after this, to accompany him as far as the +bridge and leave him. And then Lawrence and Eagle were--to put it +in their classic language--"to go through him." + +The scheme was carried to a successful issue, though not with the +ease that was anticipated. The drug was not as effective as they +supposed it would be; for though, when they started, Ashton was in +such a complete state of intoxication as not to be able to walk +without the assistance of Chappell, as they continued on their +homeward journey, the further they went the stronger he became. +The cold morning air seemed to revive him. Chappell accompanied +him to the spot agreed upon, and then left him, though not without +making a show of wishing to see him all the way home. + +Ashton had not proceeded far on his uneven way before Lawrence, +who had gone by another route and got ahead of him and Chappell, +said to Eagle, who had waited for him near the appointed spot: +"Here he comes, and he don't seem to be very drunk either. We'll +have to make sure work, Dick. Now, go for him!" + +Eagle, with whom Ashton was not acquainted, sprang forward as +Lawrence spoke and struck him a terrible blow in the stomach; at +the same time, Lawrence from behind swiftly passed his arm around +his neck, then drew him across his back, lifting him entirely from +the ground and choking him so that he could not cry out. But +before Lawrence had succeeded in doing this an alarm had been +given; for, though Eagle had struck him a terrible blow, Ashton +gave a startled sound, something between a cry and a moan, but +afterwards was perfectly helpless in their hands. + +It was this sound which Constable Rogers heard, and, as we have +already informed our readers, he immediately hastened to the spot, +but arrived too late to rescue Ashton from his treacherous and +brutal assailants. + +All the three worthies secured as the result of their base +treachery and inhuman villainy was about twenty dollars; for this +was all that Ashton had upon his person at the time. + +As soon as the latter was able, he gave an account to a detective +of all that had transpired during the previous evening, which led +the latter strongly to suspect Chappell and Lawrence, as he was +well acquainted with them and knew their antecedents. He arrested +them both, but as nothing could be substantiated, though there +were strong grounds for believing they were the parties, they were +discharged. + +The Police Magistrate, however, gave them to understand that it +was simply a case of "not proven." And he added, if they were the +guilty parties, they deserved to be execrated by every good +citizen for their treachery. He admonished them to be cautious, as +a strict watch would be kept on their movements, and they would +not be able always to escape the punishment they so richly +deserved. + +It was not long after this before Chappell was called to give an +account of the money which he had collected for the soldiers who +had entrusted their cases to him. And as it was discovered he had +squandered it, the result was he was prosecuted and sent to jail +for defrauding his clients, and lay there for a considerable time. +Since that period he has been a moral leper, a disgrace to his +friends, and loathed and shunned by respectable society. + +Lawrence and Eagle, his companions in the nefarious transaction, +were soon after captured as they were burglarizing a store, and +sent to States Prison for five years. + +We will now let them pass from these pages, simply remarking if it +had not been for drink, which had made them its slaves and +corrupted their young lives, they might have had honorable careers +and been respectable and respected citizens; but rum was their +ruin, their curse, as it has been of millions of others, and +through it they are a disgrace to their friends and a curse to +society. Surely "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and +whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +UTTERLY BROKEN--BLASTED HOPES. + + +Ashton's constitution was so severely shaken by the treatment he +had received, and from the effects of his debauch, that the +physician Mr. Reid called in considered his condition really +critical. He said his nervous system had received such a shock +that he must have complete rest for a week or two, and then he +might possibly be so far recruited as to start for his home; but +he doubted if ever he would so recover as to be the same man he +was before. + +Eddie wrote home to his mother, telling her that "his father had +been taken ill, and therefore they would not be able to start for +home for a few days; but," he added, "he hoped their return would +not long be delayed." + +He was almost certain his mother would divine the cause, and that +her grief would be inexpressible. But as he did not know what the +issue might be, for his father was certainly very ill, he felt if +he did not partially reveal the truth to her, and anything serious +did happen, he never would forgive himself. + +The reader will remember that Eddie's letter was composed under +somewhat similar circumstances to those under which his father had +written his hurried note just after his arrival in Canada, and if +he recollects what the result was at that time he will be able, at +least partially, to understand what the effect was in the present +instance. + +When Allie returned from the post-office with the letter, Mrs. +Ashton found herself strangely excited, even before she had broken +the seal. She held it with nervous hand, and ere she had read the +first page sank pale and trembling into her chair, and gasped out, +rather than spoke: "Oh, Allie, my worst fears are more than +realized! Oh! what will become of us all?" + +Allie and Mamie were immediately by their mother's side, the face +of the former manifesting by its alarmed and saddened expression +that she divined, at least to some extent, what had happened. +While the face of innocent little Mamie wore a puzzled, troubled +look; and though she could not understand what had happened to +grieve her mother, tears glistened in her eyes in sympathy with +her grief. + +"What has happened to papa?" said Allie. "Is it anything very +serious?" and she looked anxiously up in her mother's face. + +The question was purely mechanical; she felt sure her father had +again fallen, and she also knew if her mother thought so she would +not give expression to her fears. + +"Eddie writes he is ill," said her mother; "but he says he has +hopes he will soon recover, and that their return will not long be +delayed." + +Allie sat down in her mother's lap, and, as she entwined her arms +round her neck and kissed her, she said, "Mamma, you must not give +way too much to trouble and sorrow, for God knows what is best, +and He will take care of papa and of us all." + +Little Mamie, who had been an attentive listener, now endeavored +to console her mother. + +"Mamma," she said, "you read me from the Bible the other day, that +Dod cared for the dood man, and sent the raven to feed him. And +you taid He would send His angel to care for me if I was a dood +dirl. Will not Dod care for papa and Eddie?" + +Mrs. Ashton returned Allie's caresses; and catching little Mamie +in her arms, and kissing the tears from her face, she said, +"Mamma's daughters are a great comfort to her. God will take care +of us all, my darling. He will send His angel down to care for +papa and Eddie, and to console us who are troubled and sorrowing +because of them. He will care for us all!" + +In a few days she received a letter from Eddie stating that, +though his father was still weak, the doctor thought he was so far +convalescent as to be able to start upon his journey, and +therefore they might expect them in a short time; and he mentioned +the day when he thought they would reach Bayton. + +Four days after they received the letter, Eddie and his father +arrived. But what was the grief and anguish of Mrs. Ashton, and +the sorrow of Mr. Gurney, who had accompanied her to the station, +to discover that even now, when they had come with hearts full of +sympathy to administer consolation to him in his hour of sickness +and suffering, he had been so far forgetful of what was due to +himself and to his friends, also of the anguish with which he would +wring the heart of his wife, as to be in a state of semi-intoxication. + +As they looked at him they were both terribly shocked at the +change which a few days had wrought in him. He did not appear like +the same person as the one who left them two short weeks before. +He was, in fact, only the dilapidated wreck of his former self. +His manhood, his self-respect, his glory had departed. + +His wife welcomed both him and Eddie with a kiss; but Mr. Gurney, +who was shocked beyond measure, coldly turned away--he could not +trust himself to speak, for, if he had, burning as he was with +indignation and a sense of violated trust, he would have given +utterance to words that would have caused him future regret. + +Mrs. Ashton had Eddie call a cab, and had her husband driven home, +and by the time he reached there he seemed to become so +intoxicated as to be almost helpless, having to be carried from +the cab into the house; and what added to the shame and anguish of +Mrs. Ashton was that there were a great many of the neighbors who +had gathered to welcome him who, of course, took in the situation, +though they were too well bred to give expression to their +astonishment. It caused her exquisite pain to think her husband +had again been degraded in the sight of the world, and that she +and her children shared with him that degradation. + +Richard Ashton, from that time, rapidly degenerated. He seemed to +be sapped of both physical and moral strength. His friends rallied +round and endeavored to induce him to reform. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney +used every art they could command to restore him, but though he +would promise to listen to their injunction, his promises were +never put in practice. He really meant to be as good as his word, +but he lacked the moral stamina, and the consequence was he sank +to a lower level every day. It at last became evident he wished to +avoid a meeting, and they therefore felt their endeavors in his +behalf were becoming distasteful to him. So with great sorrow of +heart, for they had become sincerely attached to him, they had, +for the time being, to desist from their benevolent attempts and +leave him to his fate. + +And just then, to make matters still worse, Stanley Ginsling +appeared upon the scene. Like the foul buzzard, he seemed to have +scented his quarry from afar. And to add to the intense pain of +Mrs. Ashton and her children, they were again boon companions. + +The strain was finally too great for poor Ruth. Like thousands of +other poor, heart-broken wives and mothers, she used every +endeavor to keep up her spirits and try and maintain her strength; +but her sensitive mind was daily tortured with the most exquisite +pain. + +Finally her strength gave way, and she was completely prostrated, +all the more completely because of the unequal struggle she had +been maintaining for the last few months. + +"A complete collapse of the system," said the doctor. "She must +have good nursing and rest; for without she has rest of mind and +body I cannot possibly bring her through." + +The doctor had a private interview with Ashton and told him, in +language we will not repeat, for it was more energetic than +select, that it was a shame for a man with his intelligence and +refinement to so degrade himself, and then he added: "You are +killing your wife, and if you do not desist from drinking it is +very little use for me to come." + +But his appetite seemed to have so gained the ascendancy that he +daily came home in a state of intoxication. He seemed to have lost +every vestige of his manhood's strength, and was such a vile slave +to his appetite as not to be able to restrain himself even to save +his wife. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE DUNKIN ACT.--A DISCUSSION IN WHICH STRONG LANGUAGE IS USED. + + +"I say, Judge, I hear they are about to try and carry the Dunkin +Act in this county, and I guess they will succeed, for I think +there are a sufficient number of fools and fanatical humbugs to +carry anything. What is your opinion in regard to it?" + +The speaker was Sheriff Bottlesby, and the question was asked in +one of the private rooms of the Bayton House--a house that was +kept by Charles Rivers, Esq., and it was looked upon as the most +respectable hotel in town. + +There were assembled there at this time Judge McGullet, Sheriff +Botttesby, Captain McWriggler, who was an aspirant for the +position of M.P., and whose only hope of success was in gaining +the whiskey vote. There were also present Charles Dalton, Charles +Sealey, Esq. (a prominent magistrate), Stanley Ginsling, and a +retired captain--late of the British service--who rejoiced in the +name of Timothy Flannigan. He kept a second-class tavern in +Bayton, which was known as the "Crown Hotel." + +"Well," said the judge, "you ask me a question which you should +not expect me, situated as I am, to answer. But," he continued +with a chuckle, "I will say it may, but if it succeeds here this +will be the first place it has ever done so." + +"Yes, it may," said Ginsling, "and elephants may fly, but they are +not likely-looking birds. I have too high an opinion of the men of +this county to believe they will give away their manhood. But if its +advocates do succeed in their fanatical endeavours it will be a +_brutem fulmen_. No true man will be weak enough to be bound +by it. No man, or set of men, has a right to dictate to me what I +shall eat or drink, and a man who would submit to it is a fool and +a slave." + +Dr. Dalton, who had been indulging very freely in drink, and had +arrived at that stage when men are generally demonstrative, +started up the refrain: + + "Britons never, never shall be slaves." + +"If any man could be a greater slave than you are, Dalton, his +condition would be worse than any nigger I ever came across in the +south. A fellow that can't take a glass of liquor with a friend, +without getting beastly drunk, is about the worst specimen of a +slave a man could even imagine. It is men like you that furnish +the teetotal fanatics with their strongest arguments, and because +of such fellows sensible men must suffer." + +The words of Bottlesby had a magical effect upon Dalton, and he +seemed to become sober in a moment. He sprang to his feet, his +eyes flashed fire, and cutting, stinging words came to his lips. + +"I am no greater slave than you are, Bottlesby," he said; "and, if +I were, you are the last man in the world should taunt me with the +fact. You know you drink twice the quantity of liquor that I do, +and if you don't get drunk, it is because it does not find any +brain to expend its strength upon. Whiskey attacks a man in his +most prominent point, which, in your case, is your stomach. Men of +genius like Savage, Goldsmith, Sheridan, Poe and others, it +attacked their brains and made madmen of them; but it always soaks +into a fool, because he is soft and porous like a sponge; and any +man at a look would place you among the latter. Why, sir, you are +at present full to the eyebrows, and your nose is a danger-signal +to warn all young men to keep out of your track. It would have +been well for me if I had heeded the warning." + +"Dalton," said Bottlesby, emphasizing his remarks with expletives +that can have no place here, "I want no more of your insults, and +if you don't shut up I'll make you. I won't be insulted by a +drunken blackguard like you, without resenting it. If it were not +that I don't wish to disgrace my office and the company I am in, I +would wring your neck." + +"It is a good thing for you," said Dalton sardonically, "that +those weighty considerations keep you from undertaking a contract +you might not successfully complete. The government must have lost +sight of the dignity of the office, or you would never have got +the appointment. Your consideration of your office and the company +you are in remind me of Pompey's, who, when he was asked why he +ran from a battle, gave as his reason 'that he knew the rebs too +well to have anything to do with such a pesky lot, and den,' he +added, 'back, of dis dare is a pusonal consideration.' I wouldn't +wonder if back of your other considerations there is one of a +personal nature. Why, man, if you were even to touch me with your +finger, in anger, I would leave you so you would have to employ a +sub to draw your pay and drink your whiskey, which is your +principal occupation at present." + +"Come now, Charley," said Rivers, coming in between the two, who +were standing in a threatening attitude and glaring at each other, +"don't be so fast and rash; and, Sheriff, there is no sense in +getting up, a row. How would it sound if it got out that there was +a fight at the Bayton House between Dr. Dalton and Sheriff +Bottlesby, and that Judge McGullet and Captain McWriggler were +there to see fair play. If you are both very desirous to have your +names figuring in the papers as participants in such a disgraceful +brawl, you had better retire to some other quarters, as I am +determined it shall not take place in my establishment, if I can +hinder it." + +"I'll be blowed! but it would be as good as a circus, wouldn't it +though?" observed Ginsling. "I wonder who would act as Her +Majesty's representative, to vindicate the honor of outraged +justice, if our sheriff happened to be the principal in a case of +aggravated assault, and our judge had to be subpoened as a witness +for the Crown!" + +"Be jabers, boys, go on!" said Captain Flannigan; "I havn't seen a +dacent fight for a twelvemonth, barring a skirmish in which I +meself was somewhat interested. You may desarn traces of it here." +And, suiting the action to the word, he pointed to his eye, which +was slightly discolored. "I had an argument with Bill Duffy +yesterday, and he became so excited he emphasized his remarks by +giving me a blow in the eye; but I soon demonstrated, to his +complate satisfaction, that if he came to that style of argument I +could make two points to his one, and put them in much more +emphatically. He has kept to his room since to ponder the matter +over. Now, boys, the best thing you can do is to take a walk out +of town, and settle the matter dacently; but don't stop here, +scolding like a couple of fishwives. Or put it off now and settle +it after--there would be no nade for it to go any farther." + +"As far as I am concerned, I am willing to settle it now or any +other time," said Dalton. + +Judge McGullet, who had been quietly listening, now spoke. + +"I should think," he said, "you fellows have exhibited enough +foolishness for one scene; it is about time for a change. I did +not think you were capable of making such asses of yourselves. You +were saying, Sheriff, before you entered into your extremely +interesting conversation with Dalton, that the teetotalers were +about to try and carry the Dunkin Act in this county. Well, if you +desire to ensure them complete success, just have a brawl, and +have the present company figuring in the papers as either +participating in the row or of being present when it took place. +You know they are extremely verdant, as well as what you term +fanatical, and they are not likely to make any capital out of such +a muss! Come, now, sit down, and act like rational beings." + +The two men sank into their seats, but grumbling as they did, and +each muttering he would yet have satisfaction. + +"Boys, will yez just kape quiet for a minute, until I sing a song? +and then the fellow that won't drink to the health of every man +present, and be willing to shake hands with each and every one in +this dacent company--well, then, Tim Flannigan will recognize him +as a friend no more for ever!" + +"Come, Rivers, fill up our glasses, and prove that your name is +not a misnomer, by furnishing this thirsty crowd with something to +drink." + +Rivers, after taking their orders, brought in the liquor, and then +they all clamored for Flannigan to give them his song. "And we +want you to give us one of your own, Captain." + +"Yes, yes, Captain," they all shouted; "give us a war song of your +own composition." + +Now this was something that would please Flannigan exceedingly, +for he imagined he was quite a poet. He had written some wretched +doggerel, in which he had endeavored to embody his thoughts of +persons and of personal experiences during the war. He actually +thought the wretched stuff was equal to the best efforts of "Tom" +Moore. And if any one wished especially to flatter him he would +best accomplish his purpose by asking him to sing one of his own +songs. Those who knew him were well aware of this, and often +enjoyed a good laugh at the expense of his vanity. This accounts +for the clamorous call he received to give them a song of his own +composition. + +Flannigan cleared his throat. "Ye do me honor," he said; "but I +shall be happy to plase ye. I will at this time give yez the song +I composed when I quit the sarvice and had made up my mind to come +to Canada." He then, in high cracked notes, sang: + + THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL! + + I'll put by my musket, + Also my red coat; + On war and its glory + I'll no longer gloat. + + CHO.--I'll go to the land + Of the green maple tree; + Whose emblem's the baver, + Whose paple are free. + + No thoughts of ambition + Inspires now my breast. + My solduring's o'er-- + In peace I'll now rest.--_Cho._ + + And now I heed not + The trumpet or drum. + My battles are ended-- + No more will now come.--_Cho._ + +They greeted his song with uproarious applause, which he drank in +as a genuine tribute to his genius as a poet, and also to his +power in the realm of song. + +It was really strange that a man with his, in some respects, sharp +intellect and native wit, should be so weak as to imagine the +trash he jumbled together was poetry, and thus leave himself open +to be laughed at by even his own cronies. But it is said we all +have a weak point--this was his. + +After the applause which greeted his song had somewhat subsided, +he said: "Come, now, each man of you saze his glass and let us +drink to the toast--'Prosperity to our cause, and bad luck to the +Dunkinites.'" After they had all drunk, he said: "Now, boys, let +us have a talk of these cold-water men." + +"If they are 'cold-water' men, as you contemptuously dub them, +you'll find they will fight like heroes for what they believe to +be right," remarked Dr. Dalton. + +"Well," answered Flannigan, "they may, Charley; but I am tould +they go in for petticoat government, for the best man among them +is a woman. If such be the case we are not worth much if we let +them bate us." + +They all joined in a laugh at Flannigan's Hibernianism. + +"That is a genuine Irish bull, Captain," said Sealy. "But as we +are here we may as well have an informal talk as to the best +course to pursue in the present contingency. In my opinion, it is +our best policy not to make a very strong fight this time. I would +be for almost letting them have a walk over. And then when they +think the victory is theirs, I would commence the real battle. +After it becomes law I would sell whiskey just the same as ever, +and entice all the bummers in the country to drink and have a +regular drunken carnival. You will not have to pay any license, so +you will be able to stand being fined a time or two. But I can +tell you what it is, boys, they will have a hard time to convict. +From my experience--and it has been considerable--I have learned +it is a pretty difficult thing to worm the truth out of unwilling +witnesses. Then there is another thing in your favor, the majority +of the magistrates have no sympathy with this movement. I would +therefore badger and bother them all I could, and have free trade +in whiskey; and after the people are thoroughly disgusted I would +go in for repeal. I saw Jobson, the President of the Licensed +Liquor Sellers' Association, the other day, and when I suggested +this course to him he said he thought it would be the wisest one +to pursue. Have you heard from him, Rivers?" + +"Yes, I received a letter yesterday," answered Rivers. "And I have +notified the members of the association in the county to meet here +on Saturday, when I shall use my influence to get them to play a +waiting game, and then, when the time comes, we will force the +fighting." + +"I think that will be the wisest policy," said the sheriff. + +"If the Act is carried, there will be whiskey enough drunk here to +satisfy Bacchus himself. We won't have to fight our battles +without assistance, as we have had promised to us all the money +that is really necessary from the outside. The Licensed Liquor +Sellers' Association will supply all the needful we want. And if +we don't flood this county with whiskey, then you may call Charley +Rivers a liar. They may have a chance to chuckle for a while, but +we'll be more than even with them yet." + +"Your craft is in danger," sneered Dalton, who, though he was such +a slave to liquor, sympathised with the temperance party and +constantly manifested his sympathy with them. "There is no doubt +but you will fight for your interest, no matter who suffers." + +"Now, Charley, don't be raising another row," said Ginsling. "You +are as prickly as a hedgehog." + +"What I say is the truth," he answered. "When the tavern-keepers +fight against the Dunkin Act they are fighting in company with +their father, the devil, and his angels, their brethren, against +the right. My sympathy is with the temperance party, for I know +that every one who really cares for me is among them, and my only +hope in this world and the world to come is in their success. If +there was no liquor to be got I might be a man yet." + +"Well, if you sympathise with them you had better associate with +them. We would manage to exist without you." + +Rivers spoke very angrily, for he was irritated almost beyond +endurance by the words and manner of Dr. Dalton. + +"It is my intention to join them; so you had better not concoct +any more schemes in my presence; but I promise what I have heard +to-night shall never be repeated outside. Yes, I will join them; +for if I continue as I am the end is not far off, and God only +knows what that end will be." + +"Come, Judge, let us go. I perceive you have about as large a +cargo as you can conveniently carry. You will not be fit for court +to-morrow, if you don't take time to sober off." + +The judge had not been in the room during the time they were doing +the greater part of their talking, as he had been called out just +after he had replied to the sheriff; for though he sympathised +with them they would not have talked quite so freely in his +presence. In answer to Dalton he said: + +"You will oblige me if you take care of yourself, Doctor, and +leave me to mind my own affairs. I--hic--hic--have an idea it is +just about as much as you can attend to, and I think I know what I +am doing." + +The worthy judge then turned to the company and said: "Good night, +gentlemen. Don't all get drunk, or some of you may be more +formally introduced to me. Come, Doctor, if I leave you here there +is sure to be a row." + +He then took the arm of Dalton, and bowed himself out, and as the +last bow he made was rather an elaborate effort, he lost his +equilibrium; and, if Dalton had not held him up, he might have +demonstrated that a judge could be lowly as well as learned. + +When they were out of hearing, Rivers said: "I am glad that +fellow, Dalton, has gone. If the judge had not been with him I +would have kicked him out long ago. He has a sharp, impudent +tongue, when he has a mind to be ugly." + +"Yes," said Sealy, "I am glad he has gone and taken the judge with +him; for, even though he was more than half-seas-over, he did not +wish to compromise himself by listening to our conversation upon +that subject. I think he was glad that Peters called him out." + +"He is on our side, though," said Rivers, "and will use every +technicality that the law furnishes to baulk the fanatics and make +their efforts fruitless." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE CONSPIRATORS FORMULATING THEIR SCHEME. + + +After the judge and Dr. Dalton had left, the worthies who remained +sat long in council concocting their Satanic schemes for the final +defeat of the Dunkinites. Each one who was present promised to +exert all his influence to make as many drunk as possible, after +the law was adopted in the county. + +"You, Bottlesby, will be able to give a good account of Dalton, +and you, Ginsling, can take care of Ashton," said Rivers. "I know +that old Gurney and his wife will be doing their level best with +them, but if you only work your cards for what they are worth they +will not succeed worth a cent, for if whiskey is put in their way +they are bound to drink." + +"But what about the fine, Rivers?" said Capt. Flannigan. "If we +sell liquor we will be fined, and if we have to pay a couple of +hundred dollars in this way, or kape company with the rats for five +or six months in jail, I guess we'll soon tire of that game. And +they say that ould nager of a service is a regular sleuth-hound +on the hunt. By St. Patrick! if he comes nosing round my place +I will bate him until his skin is blacker than it is at present, +and to do that I'll have to nearly murder him entirely." + +"Don't you do anything of the kind; for if you did you would be +putting your foot in it," said Rivers. "The Dunkinites would like +us to resort to that kind of thing that they might get up a howl +about ruffianism, brutality, etc. They well know this would enlist +the sympathy of the public to their side of the question; now this +would just defeat the object I have in view. What I intend to do +is to sell liquor as usual, and when I can't sell it I will give +it away, and make as many drunk as possible. If some of those to +whom I sell give me away, and I am hauled up, I will then show +what I can do on the fight." + +"You'll beat them every time," said Bottlesby, "for almost every +sensible magistrate in the county will sympathise with you." + +"Yes, I am counting on that, and those who are not on our side I +intend to employ a good sharp lawyer to badger and bother as much +as possible, and I guess you are aware that a great many of our +Justices of the Peace are as innocent of any knowledge of law as a +ten-year-old boy. I have no doubt but most of them can be so +frightened as to be afraid to convict. And you know most of the +witnesses will be our friends, and, as Seely has just remarked, it +will be pretty hard to worm the truth out of unwilling witnesses." + +"But supposing they do convict, what will you do then?" asked +Capt. Flannigan. + +"I will appeal, and if it is decided against me in the lower court +then I will appeal to a higher, and during the time it remains +_sub judice_ my friends and I will be flooding the county +with liquor." + +"But who will pay the piper?" asked Ginsling. + +"The Licensed Liquor Sellers' Association," answered Rivers. "The +Association is bound to beat if it costs them a hundred thousand +dollars. The hotel-keepers of this county will only have to pay +their fee into the society, and it won't cost them a cent more; so +you see we can afford to fight and be cheerful. And after we have +bothered them and kept them from carrying out the law for six or +seven months, having, in the meantime, deluged the county with +whiskey, we will then start the cry that the Act is a failure; and +any one who is at all acquainted with human nature knows that it +will not be long before we will have thousands to join in the +cry." + +"Of course they will," said Bottlesby, "the great majority of +those who vote for it will do so because it is fashionable. They +don't care a cent who gets drunk so long as they don't lose +anything. It happens that just now it is thought rather +respectable to be on the side of temperance, and so they are +voting for it; but in their hearts half of them hope it will fail, +and they will not turn their fingers to make it a success. And if +the plan which has been suggested by my friend, Rivers, is carried +out, that is, to badger and bother them in every way we can, and +at the same time to make this county, if possible, a perfect +pandemonium of drunkenness and revelry, these parties will then +eagerly join in the cry that the Act is a huge failure, and when +we try to have the thing repealed they will give us their active +support, because they will be able to assume the same role upon +our side they did on the other, that is, that they are philanthropic +citizens working on the side of morality and order. You mark my +words, in a year from the present we will carry the repeal with an +overwhelming majority." + +The party broke up in the small hours of the morning, and the only +one who was then sober was the landlord. In fact it was well +understood, even among his cronies, that he was too mean to drink +to any excess except he drank on the treats of his numerous +customers; and then he was careful not to be so much under its +influence as to neglect his business. He was one of those men of +whom, alas! the world has too many, who live to satisfy their own +selfish interest no matter who may be made to suffer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ALDERMAN TOPER'S FLATTERING OPINION OF THE "DODGER." + + +The next week the "Licensed Liquor Sellers' Association" of the +county held the meeting of which Rivers had spoken, and there were +also representatives present from Toronto and other places. They +all agreed that the plan outlined by Rivers would be the best to +adopt; that was, if the reader recollects, to play a waiting game, +and at the same time to treat the law with supreme contempt. + +"I tell you what it is," said Alderman Toper, who was one of the +representatives from the city--having been elected an alderman by +the whiskey interest, for He was proprietor of the "Toper House," +one of the largest second-class hotels in the city--"I will spend +a thousand dollars of my own money in order in the end to beat +them." + +"Don't you think, Toper," said Rivers, "it would pay us to +employ Gustavus Adolphus Dodger. I hear he is one of the best +stump-speakers in the country, and that he can do as he likes +with an average crowd What do you think? You know him better +than I do." + +"Yes," said Toper, in an undertone, "I know his face better than I +do his dimes, for I have had the former at my bar every day for +the last six months, though nary one of the latter have I seen. +But 'he is just the man for Galway,' for all that. He is the +aptest, smoothest, most oily rascal I have ever met, and there is +not a man in Canada that can hold a candle to him as a speaker in +his own line. Why, I remember at a certain meeting he addressed a +crowd who had been shouting themselves hoarse against the man in +whose behalf he was about to speak, but he pleaded so eloquently +and plausibly for his friend--and he was the man's friend, because +he had received a consideration--that, before he was through, they +shouted as loudly for the one whose cause he was advocating as +they had a few moments before for his opponent." + +"I suppose," said William Soker, one of the delegates from the +county, "there is no fear of the other side getting the start of +us and buying him up, for, from what you say, I should judge he +was in the market and ready to sell himself to the highest +bidder." + +"There is no danger of that," said Toper, "for he has committed +himself, soul and body, to the liquor interest, both upon the +stump and through the press; and, though a man may not be troubled +with that inconvenient article called principle, yet he has, to +secure success, to be somewhat consistent." + +"Oh, bosh about consistency," remarked Bottlesby; "I would not +trust the rascal if he could make more than he could with us." + +"Neither would I, if he had any chance to sell us, not a bit +quicker than I would a fox in a goose-pen or a monkey on a +peanut-stand, but there is no fear of the Dodger (that's what we +call him) in this case, because he has so far committed himself +to our side that the public would not believe him if he turned. But +if he were ever so willing, the teetotal party 'wouldn't touch him +with a ten-foot pole.'" + +That night, after they were through with the business part of +their programme, a supper was held by them at the Bayton House. +There were present Judge McGullett, Capt. McWriggler, Sheriff +Bottlesby, Capt. Flannigan, John Sealy, Esq., Stanley Ginsling, +and as many of the magistrates of the town and county as could be +induced to come. All were jubilant that so many of the latter +responded to their invitation; for they considered their presence +indicated their sympathy with them. Rivers, in a private +conversation that he managed to have with Sealy, said with a +chuckle: + +"We have them as good as beaten already, for we have here the +principal part of the men before whom the cases must be tried." + +"That's so," replied Sealy, "but we will have some hard fighting +to do first." + +The party broke up in the small hours of the morning. During the +course of their night's debauch there was a great deal of +speechifying, and the epithets fanatical, humbug, etc., were used +_ad infinitum_. Over the state of nearly every one of the +party it is well to cast the veil of oblivion. But what may be +expected of a town or a county that has such men to administer +justice and to hold its most responsible positions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE REJOICING OVER THE VICTORY. + + +"I am certain, friends, from my knowledge of the places from which +we have not yet received any returns, that our victory is assured; +for I think we may depend upon those we have received as being +correct, and those which are yet to be reported will help to swell +the majority. + +"We should be very thankful, as we are gaining a greater victory +than what was anticipated by even the most sanguine of us. Our +opponents seemed to have been paralysed, and were routed horse and +foot. + +"I am more thankful than I can find words to express that such is +the case. When I remember the many who are miserable, degraded +drunkards, without shame, and many of them without honor, who a +few years ago were respectable citizens and worthy of our esteem +and our confidence, but who have been thus degraded by the drink +traffic; when I remember the number of those we once knew, and +some of them amongst the most brilliant in intellect, the purest +in morals, and the best loved of our citizens, who were cut off in +their prime by this fell destroyer--who, if it had not been for +alcohol, might have been with their friends--their hope, their +joy, and their pride; when I think of the miserable, desolate +homes--the brokenhearted wives--the wretched, starving little +ones, whom rum has made so, then I thank God for this victory. + +"I have no children of my own. God, in His mercy, has taken them +'one by one.' They are now where no destroyer can enter; but my +friends and neighbours have children, and I see, with alarm, that +some of them are being led to their ruin by those who frequent the +rum-shops in our town; for their sakes I rejoice that this +temptation is about to be removed. + +"As I was on my way to this meeting to-night, I called upon one +who was once a happy wife, but who now is a very wretched one, for +her husband has been nearly ruined by this awful curse; one who, +as those who know her best can testify, is a cultured lady, and +her husband was once every way worthy of her, but he is now a +poor, dilapidated wretch--a wreck, mentally, morally, and +physically; and she is now prostrated upon what, in all +probability, will be her death-bed, brought low by the hardship +and mental anguish she has endured; for she and her children--and +God never blessed a mother with better ones--have been reduced to +abject poverty through rum. As I was leaving, she grasped my +hand in both of her emaciated ones, and said, 'Oh, Mr. Gurney, may +God give you the victory to-day! and if the prayers of a wretched +wife and mother can affect the issue, He will. We are being +brought to utter ruin, and if liquor is not kept from my husband +we shall soon both be in our graves, and our children will be +orphans in a cold, cold world. Oh! tell them that a worse than +widowed wife, who is now very near the grave, but who was a happy +wife and mother until the drink-curse blighted her hopes and +destroyed her home, is now praying for the victory. May God bless +you!' + +"I am certain, friends," continued Mr. Gurney, "there are hundreds +of such wives in our town and county, and thousands within the +bounds of our fair Dominion who are praying for our success." + +When Mr. Gurney, who was chairman of the temperance meeting, which +was held in the Sons of Temperance Hall, in Bayton, on the evening +of the polling day, sat down, there was a lady arose to address +the meeting. When she stood up the audience was immediately hushed +into silence. She had a beautifully modulated voice, full and +round as the notes of a flute, over which she had perfect control, +and that could be heard to the furthest corner of the room. + +The speaker was Mrs. Holman, who has since been recognized as one +of the most able prohibition speakers in Canada. Her first +attempts at public speaking was when she addressed the Ladies' +Temperance Association of the town of Bayton, of which she was +president, and then she was inducted to talk to the Sunday-school +children upon the same topic. Her friends were so much impressed +with her ability as a speaker, they urged her to come out and +publicly address meetings upon this subject. At first she could +not be persuaded to do so; the ordeal was too severe, for she was +naturally sensitive, and her refined mind shrank from appearing +upon the platform, where she would be subjected to the taunts of +rough and vulgar men. But finally her sense of duty overcame every +restraining influence, and she came forward as the eloquent +pleader for the wretched drunkards and their wives and mothers, +and their poor, helpless children, the last mentioned of whom, as +she eloquently expressed it, were subjected to unmentionable and +almost unimagined indignities, and had to suffer untold, misery +through the curse of intoxicating liquor. + +She, upon the occasion to which we refer, said:--"Friends, we +have gained a great victory to-day. There has been in this +struggle, arrayed upon opposite sides, light against darkness, +philanthropy against, selfishness, virtue against vice, heaven +against hell; and I do thank God for the help He has given us. The +prayers of the vast majority of the great and good in our land, of +the poor, suffering and wretched wives and mothers, have been +ascending like an incense of a sweet-smelling savor in our behalf +to-day; from many a sad heart whose life has been made wretched +and whose home has been made desolate, has gone up the prayer, +'God help the Temperance Cause.' These prayers have been +answered." And she added, looking upward: "Not unto us, O Lord, +not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy." Her face +shone with a seraphic glow, as she thus offered the glory and +praise unto Him to whom all glory belongeth; and she seemed, like +one of old, to be holding intercourse with God. The impression +that these words, with their concomitant action, had upon the +meeting was indescribable. + +"But," she added, "something whispers to me that the hardest part +of our fighting is yet before us. Our victory has been secured in +a manner so easy that I think they intend to make the greatest +resistance now when we imagine we have nothing to do but enjoy its +triumph. I have been informed they intend to fight the Act in +every possible manner, and, as they are inspired by their +selfishness, you may rest assured they will not be very particular +as to the means employed to accomplish their end. I have reasons +for believing that the greater part of the hotels, and groggeries +in this county will not only be kept open to sell, in defiance of +the law, but also to give rum away, when they can in no other +manner accomplish their diabolical purpose of making men drunk. +This town and county is to be made a perfect saturnalia of +drunkenness, and the Licensed Victimizers--I cannot call them by +any other name--promise to pay all the cost, though it should +amount to a hundred thousand dollars. Friends! What care they for +the misery and crime this cruel, heartless course will entail upon +this country? They are utterly regardless of the men who are now +pure, who may be degraded and wrecked, both in soul and body, and +sent to drunkards' graves and a drunkard's eternity. They think +not of the poor wives who will be beaten and bruised, and it may +be murdered, by husbands who have become besotted and brutalized +by drink; nor of the poor, innocent little children who will be +neglected and have to endure barbarity and hunger because of this +course. Their traffic has entirely hardened their hearts; they +care not who suffer so they prosper. God will require a fearful +reckoning from them some day. + +"Now, friends, it is for us to do our duty--to work, to sacrifice, +to suffer, and, having done all, to stand. Let us each and every +one resolve that now we have carried this Act, that when the time +comes for it to become law it must and shall be respected; and +that those who violate it with impunity shall be punished. + +"I congratulate the men and women who have prayed and worked in +the good cause for the success which has crowned our efforts. Let +us be firm to our purpose, and let nothing daunt us or keep us +from performing our duty, and God will uphold and bless the +right." + +When Mrs. Holman sat down there was loud applause, and many were +the vows audibly registered that, God helping them, they would be +true. + +Just then an old lady, with hair of snowy whiteness and a face +which, though beautiful with the goodness and benevolence which it +expressed, was marked and seamed with care, arose. Her trembling +limbs had scarcely strength to sustain her body, emaciated though +it was with care and suffering. She attempted two or three times +to speak, but not a word escaped from her quivering lips; and the +tears gushing from her eyes followed each other in quick +succession down her cheeks; and, finally, her pent-up feelings +found expression in short, convulsive sobs. Her inability to speak +because of her emotion had a greater power to move the meeting +than the most fervid eloquence could have had. Soon there was +scarcely a dry eye in the room, and many were sobbing in sympathy +with her inexpressible woe. Her voice was finally heard, and +though low and quavering, the sweetly modulated tones indicated a +cultivated mind and loving nature: + +"I thank my heavenly Father," she murmured, "for this day's +victory. He only knows what I have suffered; Rum has blighted and +ruined my fondest anticipations. It has changed a life radiant +with joy into blackest desolation. It robbed me of peace in my +young womanhood. It made my middle age one terrible struggle with +poverty and despair, and has left me in my old age--bereft of all +my natural supports--like an aged tree in a desert; withered and +alone. + +"I had a husband, and God and my own heart know how pure and true +he was. It first robbed him of his manhood and his purity, and +then murdered him. No tongue can depict, no mind can imagine, the +torture, the agony I suffered during the years that he was +sinking deeper, deeper into the unholy abyss; nor my utter despair +when they brought him home to me dead, slain by rum, and I was +left with my helpless little ones to struggle on alone. And now my +only son, for whom I toiled, and wept, and prayed, and who was--as +many of you know--worthy of a mother's love, is a wretched +drunkard. Oh! I pray that this victory may be the means of his +salvation, that my grey hairs may not go down in sorrow to the +grave." + +When she took her seat there was not a person in the room but was +visibly affected. + +Several others made good speeches, but one of the most telling of +the evening was made by the Rev. J. H. Mason. He, though a young +man, had won for himself an enviable reputation as a brilliant +preacher and humble Christian worker. In fact, he had manifested, +by what he had accomplished and by the hold he had gained of his +people's affections, that he was eminently qualified for the +position he occupied. + +He was now pastor of the most influential church in Bayton, and +had thrown himself, heart and soul, into the campaign which was +now ended. He said he had borne calumny and insult in the cause, +and expected he would still have to endure it; but, God helping +him, he would, in the future as in the past, do his duty, and had +no doubt but every one who had worked for the end now accomplished +would do the same. + +They were about to close the meeting when a man arose and asked +permission to read a communication from the _Globe_. Permission +was given, and he read amid the profoundest silence, the following: + +"A BAYTON MAN KILLED ON THE RAILWAY TRACK! THE LAST +OF A WILFUL SON. + +"The engineer of the morning train from Belleville thought he +noticed something upon the track, shortly after leaving the city. +He whistled down brakes, and the train was stopped. Upon going +back the horrible discovery was made of the dead body of a man, +with both legs cut off just above the knee. + +"The body was lying on the south side of the track, face downward, +and the remnants of his legs on the inside between the rails. Upon +his head was a wound which may have rendered him senseless at the +moment of the fatal occurrence. The man was well dressed and +appeared to be respectable. It is supposed he fell from the train +which had immediately preceded the one by which he was found. The +coroner was sent for and, upon searching the dead man's pockets, +nothing was found but a letter, enclosed in a mourning envelope, +and addressed to Willie Fleming, Bayton. The letter reads as +follows, and founds the only clue to his person and character: + + "BAYTON, June 20th, 187--. + +"MY DEAR SON WILLIE,--"I received your letter last week, after I +had almost given up hope of hearing from you again. My son, +remember that 'hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' Please do not +cause your poor old mother again to suffer such pain and anguish. + +"My darling boy, you have had another warning not to indulge in +strong drink. I would to God, my son, you would take it. Your +course is cruel, and is slowly but surely killing me. God forgive +the man who first led you astray, and the men, some of them in +high position in this town, who have helped on the work. + +"Oh! my son, I long to see you, and my daily prayer to our +heavenly Father is that you may become--as you once were--pure and +good. I hope you are now steady and giving good satisfaction to +your employers. No more at present from your heart-broken + MOTHER. + +"P.S.--Write as soon as you receive this, and it will save me a +great deal of mental anguish. M. F." + +When the man had finished reading, he said: "Most of you know that +that communication brings me the news of the awful end of my only +brother. I am on my way to break it, as gently as possible, to my +mother, but I could not resist the impulse--even in this hour of +awful woe--to come in and read it to you all, that you might be +influenced to greater zeal and nobler sacrifices in the temperance +cause. You know how bright his prospects were a short time ago, +but he has been murdered in his prime by whiskey, and I have no +hesitancy in saying that the man who was the chief instrument in +his destruction is a hotel-keeper in this town who is the strongest +opponent of this prohibition movement. + +"Oh, friends! be true to your principles, that many may be saved +from a similar fate; and pray to God for my poor old mother, for I +am afraid this will break her heart." + +"I have one request to make," said the Rev. Mr. Mason, "before +this meeting breaks up: Let every person in this room who has +heard that communication read, which comes laden with anguish to a +broken-hearted mother, and sorrow to such a large circle of +relatives and friends, now enter a solemn vow before high heaven, +to do all they can to banish this our curse from this town and +country. All that will thus promise, please stand upon your feet." + +In an instant every person stood up. + +"My friends," said Mr. Mason, "remember your vow; and remember, +this sad case is only one of many thousands. Oh! what millions of +lives have been and are still being blighted! What hearts are +being blasted and broken by this fearful traffic! May God give us +all power to resist temptation, and throw all our soul into our +endeavors in this cause. Let us now sing, as we never sang before, + + "'Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.'" + +After singing, the benediction was pronounced and the meeting +broke up. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +IN WHICH THE READER LISTENS TO A TETE-A-TETE +BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. + + +A mother and daughter were conversing on what would appear, from +their earnestness, to be a very important subject, in a cosy +drawing-room of a beautiful brick villa, situated in the suburbs +of Bayton. Their surroundings would lead the careful observer to +the conclusion that they were in easy if not affluent circumstances. +Though the effect of the room's furnishing would cause one to be +possessed with the idea that there was more wealth than +refinement;--there was too much coloring, too much gauze and glitter, +to be reconciled with any considerable degree of aesthetic taste or +true culture. + +The elder of the two was dressed in a manner that would better +become a miss of twenty than a matron who was on the shady side of +fifty; and the young lady, though not displaying the ingrained +vulgarity of the mother, was not costumed with that simple +elegance that would indicate a refined taste. + +They were the wife and daughter of John Sealy, Esq., whom we have +already introduced to our fit readers. + +"I don't think, Luella," said the mother, "you should hesitate for +a moment in deciding between Bill Barton and Mr. Ginsling." + +"Neither do I, mother; but while I would prefer the former, I +should judge, from your accent on the 'Bill,' your preference +would be given to the latter." + +"It certainly would, Luella; for what has Barton to offer a young +lady of your wealth? He has neither looks, nor money, nor +position. I think he had a great deal of assurance to come to see +you, in the first place. He knows my opinion in regard to the +matter; and, if I am not mistaken, thinks about as much of me as I +do of him, and that is not saying a great deal." + +"What has Ginsling to offer, mother, besides his bloated face and +aristocratic airs? And then he looks nearly as old as pa." + +"He is a gentleman, Luella, and is from one of the most +aristocratic houses in England." Mrs. Sealy particularly +emphasized the fact of his being of an old family; for, like all +artificial and vulgar natures, she would have made any sacrifices +to be related in any way to those whom she endeavored, though +ineffectually, to copy. "As to age, Luella," she continued, +"though he may be a few years older, that does not signify. I +prefer to see a husband a few years older than his wife. Your +father is ten years older than I am, and yet, I am sure, the +difference is not particularly noticeable, though I do not think +time has been particularly severe upon me." And the lady viewed +her rather good-looking face in the glass, and, from the +complacent look that swept over it, one would be led to believe +the answer to her interrogation was to her eminently satisfactory. + +"Mother, all I have to say is, I love William Barton, while I +cannot help loathing Ginsling. You say the former has neither +money, nor position, nor beauty; though in regard to the latter +assertion, it will be sufficient for me to say we differ. But if +he has neither of these he has brains, and manhood, and purity." + +"I don't see anything particularly smart about him, Luella; and in +regard to purity he is, I suppose, on a level with, the average +young man about town." + +"Now, ma, it is not fair to speak of him in that manner; for I am +sure you know of nothing but what's to his credit, and if Ginsling +is what you term a gentleman by birth, he certainly is not one by +instinct; though no one can truthfully make such an assertion in +regard to William Barton." + +"As you just remarked, Luella, there may be difference of opinion +as to which is by nature the greater gentleman, but, as I said +before, I can't conceive how he had the audacity to come to see +you, in the first place." + +"I guess he wouldn't have come if he had not received some +encouragement; and I am sure, ma, he is not only my equal but my +superior in every respect." + +"You don't mean to say, Luella Sealy," said the mother, with what +seemed at least indignation, "that you were so unmaidenly as to +make the first advances to this young man. If I thought you were +capable of doing such a thing I should be ashamed of you. It would +be bad enough if he were your equal, and a gentleman, but when he +is a mere bank clerk and a person of no position, how you could +descend to do so is beyond my comprehension." + +"Mother," said the daughter, while a quizzical smile lit up her +face, "when pa came to see you did you not encourage him, or in +some manner give him to understand that his visits were not +altogether distasteful to you? From what I have heard pa say, I +should rather think you did. Now, ma, I rather liked William +Barton; and while I did not tell him so, he seemed in some manner +or other to find out my secret, and I have not tried to deceive +him." + +"But, Luella," said her mother,--not replying to her daughter's +mischievous reference to her days of romance and love, for, like +many other ambitious, scheming mothers, if she ever had such a +foolish emotion as love, she had forgotten it, or else she had +been led to believe it was all Moonshine; and if a girl only +married wealth and position, she thought love would come,--"what +is the use of acting so foolishly? If you marry William Barton you +will have to leave the set with which you are now associating, and +if you degrade yourself by a _mesalliance_ you will drag us +down with you." + +"You had better wait, mother, until he asks me to marry him." + +"No! I want to talk it over now, and then you will be prepared to +act like a sensible girl. If Barton wishes to marry you it is +because you have money, and he will bring you nothing in exchange +but degradation. How the McWrigglers will sneer if such a thing +happens! They schemed and plotted until they got Captain Merton to +marry that baby-faced Elaine; and because he is an officer in the +English army and the youngest son of a gentleman, they have been +putting on airs ever since; and they are now so stuck-up there is +scarcely any living for them." + +"I am sure, ma, they are welcome to him, for I hear he does not +use her very kindly when he is in liquor, which is most of the +time." + +"Oh! I guess that is like a great deal of what people +say--scandal. I am certain since that alliance they have moved in +society into which they could not gain entrance before. Now, if +you marry Stanley Ginsling, as he is first cousin to Lord +Fitzjinkins, we will have the _entree_ to society to which +they dare not aspire; and then the airs of superiority can be on +our side, not theirs." + +"So, ma, you would have me marry a sot, who is twice my age, and +whom I detest, in order that you may have a paltry advantage over +one who, when she calls, you kiss and use the most endearing +epithets in your vocabulary, in order to express your friendship +for her. To tell you the truth, I don't see much in what you call +'our set,' to encourage me to sacrifice myself in order to remain +in it. When you meet you are all honey, smiles, and kisses, and +you profess to be the dearest of friends; and yet you are +constantly endeavoring to gain some petty triumph at each other's +expense, and then to relate it in such a manner as to cut and +cause envy and jealousy. 'Our set,' ma, is too superficial and +spiteful for me to wish to remain in it." + +"Your remarks, Luella, are the reverse of complimentary; but I am +not going to be angry. If you don't like the set you are in get +above it. If you only become the wife of one who, some day, will +become the Hon. Stanley Ginsling, you will be lifted out of +anything of that kind." + +"You mean dragged beneath it, ma. It would be a nice thing to be a +drunkard's wife." + +"O there is no fear of that. The majority of men drink before they +are married. All they want is a good wife, and then they settle +down; and as to that, I have been told that Barton drinks. So +there is as, much danger with one as the other. You had better be +sensible, dear, for your father will feel like disowning you if +you marry Barton, and he has set his heart upon a match between +you and Mr. Ginsling." + +"Mother, I don't believe William Barton drinks; and it is wrong to +repeat as fact what is nothing but malicious scandal. I also think +it is very unkind of you to threaten me, and thus try and force me +to marry one I despise. Surely, since I will have to live with the +man I marry, I should have some choice in the matter." + +After she thus spoke she abruptly left the room in a passion of +tears. + +The mother did not introduce the subject again, but it was +constantly in her mind, and she knew Luella would not forget it. +She understood her daughter's weak points, and had no doubt if she +persevered she would gain her end. In fact, though Luella Sealy +was in every respect, except in narrow strength, her mother's +superior, yet her intellectual and moral nature was not all +golden--there were some parts of baser metal, and even of clay, in +her composition. As the reader will conclude from her conversation +with her mother, she possessed more than ordinary intelligence, +which was subdued and chastened by the emotions of a warm, loving +heart; and if uninfluenced she would have proved true to a friend, +even though it caused her self-sacrifice and suffering. But yet +she was not of the stuff of which martyrs are made, for she was +weak, being easily persuaded, and withal a little selfish; and +though she would endure a great deal for friendship's sake, yet +when the opposing forces came on thick and fast, and persevered in +their effort--when that opposition came which would have caused a +stronger nature to be all the more real--she would yield to the +opposing forces and desert the one who trusted her, leaving him to +endure scorn and contumely alone. + +She had met William Barton at a party, and, being introduced by a +mutual friend, was fascinated by his manly bearing and intelligent, +racy conversation. And he, as his blood tingled at coy cupid's +whisperings, soliloquized: "She is the most intelligent and charming +girl I ever saw." They met several times at parties during the +winter, and he became marked in his attentions, which she did not +discourage. And soon--at least on his part--the friendship ripened +into genuine love; and she, as the sequel will show, though for a +time carried down by the force of an opposing current, really +entertained for him an undying affection. + +William Barton was the son of respectable parents who resided in +Bayton. They were comparatively poor, but managed to give their +son a good business education. He had entered as a junior clerk in +one of the banks of the town, and, by strict attention to business +and a natural adaptation to the profession chosen, had risen to a +position of considerable responsibility. + +He was a young man of more than average ability, not strictly +handsome, but possessed a good figure and pleasant, intelligent +countenance, though the lower portion of the face was disappointing, +for it did not denote decision of character or massive strength. +And the face was an index of the man, for he was so intelligent, +kindly and gentle in his manner, that he was a favorite in society; +but he was volatile, and easily influenced for good or evil. + +As he was moving in the best society of the town when he met Miss +Sealy, her father and mother did not, at first, object to his keeping +company with their daughter, though his attentions were very marked +indeed. But when Stanley Ginsling appeared upon the scene, and they +learned he was the scion of an old and aristocratic family--a near +kin to a live lord--their vain, selfish, and artificial minds became +excited, and they determined, if possible, to have the latter allied +with the house of Sealy, then they turned against Barton. + +From this time Mrs. Sealy especially gave the latter to understand +his visits were simply tolerated, and Mr. Sealy took no pains to +conceal the fact that something had transpired to change his views +in regard to him. + +Barton went one evening determined, if possible, to discover the +cause of their coldness. He was received by Luella with her usual +cordiality, but by her mother with marked discourtesy bordering on +rudeness. He was scarcely seated when Mr. Sealy came in, +accompanied by Stanley Ginsling; and as Mrs. Sealy received the +latter with special attention, which, was all the more noticeable +because of her icy reserve in Barton's case, the latter thought he +understood the situation. + +"Can it be possible," he soliloquized, "they are anxious to get +rid of me that the coast may be clear for that drunken loafer?" +The thought at first could be scarcely entertained, it seemed so +monstrous; but before he left he had substantial reasons for +believing that Mr. and Mrs. Sealy were actually scheming to make a +match between Ginsling and Luella. + +Barton and Luella were both sitting on the sofa, when Mr. Sealy +and Stanley Ginsling came in, much to Mrs. Sealy's disgust, and +she managed to separate them several times during the evening by +resorting to the manoeuvres which never fail an accomplished +female tactician; but as her daughter invariably returned to her +seat near Barton, she was determined to make a final effort that +should not fail. + +"Luella," she said, "will you kindly favor us with a little music? +Give us that duet Mr. Ginsling and you rendered the other evening. +You have a magnificent bass voice, sir," she said to Mr. Ginsling, +in her most dulcet tones; "will you not kindly assist Miss Sealy?" + +"Your will is my pleasure," Ginsling replied, "though I would +rather sit and listen while Miss Sealy gives us a number of her +varied and delightful selections. The last time I was here I +thought her playing was exquisite." + +"Mr. Barton will excuse you," said Mrs. Sealy, after a significant +pause, and her tone conveyed the idea that the remark was merely a +cold conventionalism. + +"Certainly," he replied. + +Luella reluctantly left her seat on the sofa and took her position +at the piano. The mother had certainly manifested the astuteness +of an accomplished artist, for she had not only separated her +daughter and Barton, but by her manner wounded his sensitive +nature, and had also given Mr. Ginsling to understand that, if he +wished to pay his addresses to Miss Sealy, his doing so would be +eminently satisfactory to her parents. + +Barton's position, after what had occurred, was an unenviable one, +for he was placed in the cruel dilemma of either remaining in a +home where his presence was not agreeable to the host and hostess, +or abruptly leaving without having an understanding with the one +he so dearly loved. He chose the latter alternative, and burning +with indignation, but with cool exterior, he took advantage of the +pause which ensued after Miss Sealy and Ginsling had finished +their duet, and politely took his leave. Luella, though she knew +it was contrary to her mother's wishes, accompanied him to the +door and bade him an affectionate goodbye. + +These events transpired on the day previous to that on which the +mother and daughter engaged in the conversation which is related +in the commencement of this chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +BARTON'S DESPAIR, AND WHAT IT LED TO. + + +It would be impossible to give an analysis of William Barton's +feelings as he walked rapidly away from the Sealy residence upon +the night in question. + +In the evening he had gone to the home of one whom he had looked +upon as his betrothed bride, with calm confidence. True, he had +not as yet asked her to be his wife, though he had vowed again and +again he would do so; and had determined that very evening he +would get her to give the pledge that should bind them for ever. +He had no misgivings as to her answer. He had, however, lately +been somewhat pained by Mrs. Sealy's not receiving him with the +cordiality that she once did; but he had not thought there would +be serious opposition to his suit. He argued: "Luella certainly +loves me, and will be as true as the needle to the pole, and her +mother will give way when she is convinced that if she does not +she will be sacrificing her daughter's happiness." But when he +left, this calm assurance had been succeeded by positive fear; his +joy by agonizing doubt; and dread and disgust, jealousy and fierce +hatred, reigned supreme in his soul. + +"To think" he soliloquized, "they would bring her down to the +level of that disgusting brute; that they should actually scheme +to entrap him as a husband for Luella, while they have driven me +away from their home by slights so little concealed that I would +be a fool if I did not take them; and I have either to give her up +or else become the rival of that degraded being. I will never do +it. I will see Luella, and tell her she must decide at once +between us, and take a decisive stand in the matter. I saw a sneer +upon the licentious mouth and a leer in the bloodshot eye of the +reptile as he saw me treated so cavalierly. If I had him here for +about five minutes I would settle this matter with him. And then I +thought Luella's parting was not as warm as usual. Was it my +jealous fears, or has she really been influenced? Her failing is +that she is too easily persuaded; and if her father and mother +are very strong in their opposition to me, may she not yield? Oh, +this would be the crowning sorrow of all! How could I bear up +under it? How can a mother become so forgetful of her own bright +youth as to sacrifice a pure, lovely daughter on the altar of +brutal lust, in order to satisfy a shallow and selfish vanity?" + +William Barton's estimation of the woman whose daughter he +passionately loved, was anything but flattering to her. He did not +attach the same blame to Mr. Sealy, because he believed the latter +had been influenced by his wife, and in this he was correct; for +Mr. Sealy had no ambitious designs when he first introduced +Stanley Ginsling to his home; but after his wife had unfolded her +plans to him, he approved of them. What had considerable influence +with him was the fact that he had learned, through Ginsling's +lawyer, that the former had inherited a considerable fortune by +the death of a maiden aunt, and, therefore, was not only a +gentleman by birth, but would have the wealth to maintain a style +essential to that dignity. Neither of the worthy pair ever +considered for a moment the pain it would cause the young man whom +they had received, at least without disapproval, and had, by so +doing, to a certain extent encouraged. Nor did they even for a +moment consider that their daughter might also be involved in that +suffering. They only thought of working out their own selfish +schemes, as thousands of other selfish parents have done, and no +doubt are still doing. Mr. Sealy at first had some misgivings, as +he well knew Ginsling was, as he put it, "addicted to drink." "I +know," he said, "he is far from being perfect, yet he is much the +same as society men in general, and I am not a model of propriety +myself. No doubt but a few years will tone him down and make him a +model husband." + +Barton walked rapidly on, he scarcely knew or cared whither. The +excited state of his mind seemed to propel him to celerity of +flight. This quickness of movement acted as a safety-valve, and +let off some of the pressure. + +He came at last to a small hotel on the opposite side of the town +from whence he started. It was situated in a cosy little bower +in the outskirts, and was called "The Retreat." And rumor had it +that many of the so-called gentlemen of Bayton were wont to resort +thither to get on a genteel debauch, and to engage in the innocent +diversions of euchre, poker, and whist, and it was said a great +deal of money changed hands here on certain occasions. + +Barton was well acquainted with the proprietor--Joe Tims by name. +He certainly would not have been mistaken for a teetotaler. He +was, however, considered a model landlord, because he would not +sell liquor to a man after he was drunk; though he never hesitated +to furnish him with as much as he would pay for until that stage +was reached. Barton had frequently been there before; for he was a +young man who would take a glass with a friend, and had once or +twice in his life been intoxicated. In fact, he belonged to the +great army of moderate drinkers. + +When he came in front of the hotel he heard voices within, and +acting upon the impulse of the moment, he opened the door and +entered. + +As he stepped in he found several young men, with many of whom he +was well acquainted, standing in front of the bar, glasses in +hand, just about to drink. The one who was "standing treat" hailed +him with, "Come, Barton, take something," and, being in a reckless +mood, he said, "I will take brandy." The decanter was handed to +him, and he filled his glass more than half full, which was +noticed by the landlord and young men present, and thought for him +very singular. + +After he had drained his glass, he said, "Come, boys, it's my +treat now! What will you have?" + +They again stepped up to the bar and each took his glass. "I will +have some more brandy," he said, and he again took twice the +quantity that is usually taken. + +"Be careful, Barton, my boy," said Tims; "that brandy is 'the real +old stingo,' and will set you up before you know where you are. I +don't want you to think I care how much you take, but would not +like you to do something for which you will be sorry afterwards." + +"I guess his girl has gone back on him," remarked a young man by +the name of William Stewart. "I hear that English snob, Ginsling, +is now shining round there, and that pa' and ma' favor his +suit." + +Several of the others, with the same want of good taste as had +been manifested by Stewart, joined him in giving expression to a +number of coarse jokes and vulgar witticisms. + +Barton stood as if stunned for a moment, and then, with a frown, +said: "Gentlemen, you will oblige me by changing the subject." + +As he requested, the subject was allowed to drop by those present, +but not before they had stung poor Barton almost to madness. + +"My God," he thought, "then it has come to this, that she for whom +I would sacrifice my life, through the folly of her parents has +become the object of the coarse, vulgar witticisms of bar-room +loafers! The thought is almost unendurable." + +William Barton was too sensitively organized to pass through his +present fiery ordeal without terrible suffering. We have already +said he was kindly and gentle, but under this he had an intensely +passionate nature; which, combined with an extreme sensitiveness +and a rather weak will, constituted him, of all persons, less +calculated to endure the peculiar trial to which he was now +subjected. He was, in fact, one who, under such circumstances, +would display his weakness, and give a man with a cold, selfish, +unfeeling nature, every advantage over him. The night in question +he drank until Tims positively refused to give him any more. + +"No, Barton," he kindly said, when the former had taken his fifth +or sixth glass and asked for another; "no! you are not yourself +tonight, and have taken more than is good for you. I am now using +you as I would have another deal with my own son under similar +circumstances." + +Barton became wild and foolish; in fact, if he had carefully +thought out the best mode of procedure to give his enemies the +advantage over him, he could not have improved upon his present +course. + +He was assisted to his home that night in a state of maudlin +intoxication, to awaken next morning with an aching head and +remorse gnawing at his heart, for he had, to his other sorrows, +added the thought that he had disgraced his manhood and lost his +self-respect. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE CONSPIRATORS PERFECTING THE DETAILS OF THEIR CONSPIRACY. + + +It was a month or two after the events narrated in the last +chapter when there was another meeting at the Bayton House of +those who were the principal opponents of the Dunkin Act. It was +an informal gathering, convened for the purpose of having an +exchange of views as to the best method to adopt to prevent the +Act from being successfully worked, and also to bring it into +general disrespect and contempt. Of course the proprietor, John +Rivers, was present; and beside him were Sealy, Townly, Sims, +Porter, Tims, Ginsling, McWriggler, Bottlesby, Flannigan, and a +disreputable lawyer by the name of Murdon. + +The Act had now been law for over a month. Some of the +hotel-keepers had desisted from selling for the time being, while +others sold as usual, and, as a consequence, had been informed +upon and were summoned for trial. They had to appear the day +following their present meeting. "I have been as good as my word," +remarked Rivers. "I said I would not quit selling for a single day, +nor have I. They are to have me up to-morrow. Let them do their +best. I'll give them all they make." + +"What will you do," said Tims, "if they fine you, as they are +likely to do?" + +"I am not fined yet, and will not be if my friend Murdon here can +prevent it; but if I am, I will appeal to the county court, and I +know the judge will postpone his decision as long as possible. +Then, if he decides against me, I will appeal to a superior court, +and, I can tell you, it will take time and money before the case +is settled. But we will talk this over after a while; let us now +attend to the business for which we have more particularly met +to-day; that is, how we can best turn public sympathy against the +Dunkinites." + +"I thought," remarked Sealy, "that was all settled at our last +meeting." + +"So the outlines were; but we have to-day to arrange in regard to +detail," said Bottlesby. + +"Well," said Ginsling, "I should say the best means to adopt to +accomplish our purpose is to consult as to the men in the +different localities whom we think can be approached. Then we +should consider how this is to be done, and who, in the several +cases, will be best to do it." + +"That's just it," said Townly; "I could influence a man that some +one else could not approach, while he would have power over +another where I would utterly fail." + +"I see," remarked Porter, while a cynical smile curled his sensual +lips; "we are to say to as many silly flies as possible, 'come, +walk into my parlor;' and if we cannot induce them to come +ourselves, we are to employ some of our imps to accomplish that +purpose; and, when we get them there, we are not to let them off +until they are thoroughly soaked. We are then to turn them out as +finished specimens, to illustrate to the public the efficacy of +the Dunkin Act. Is that your game, gentlemen?" + +"Yes; that's about the idea." answered Rivers. "I admit it seems +rather hard, and may involve some suffering, and I am sorry we +have to resort to such means to accomplish our ends; but the +temperance fanatics have driven us to this, and upon them rests +the responsibility." + +"If that is your game, gentlemen, you can count me out," remarked +Bill Tims. "I have been in business now for a great many years, +and I never have yet sold to a man when he was drunk. I don't +purpose to begin now. I can assure you, gentlemen, it means too +much suffering for women and children." + +"I have thought just as you do," said McWriggler, speaking for the +first time, "and must yet admit it seems rather hard; but, you +know, 'Violent diseases require violent remedies.' You are well +aware if the Dunkinites succeed, you and all your fellow hotel +keepers will be ruined. So it is a matter whether the ruin shall +come to your home or possibly to the homes of those to whom you +sell. In such a case I should not be long in coming to a decision. +In this world every man is for himself. It is for you to take care +of yourself, and let the Dunkinites take care of their _proteges_. +he fools are bound to drink anyway, and their wives and children +must suffer sometime, and it might just as well come now as in +a few months hence. If it becomes a matter whether my wife and +I shall suffer or somebody else and his wife, I can assure you I +am going to take care of myself and those belonging to me every +time." + +"Tims is wonderfully squeamish," sneered Rivers. "If we had been +permitted to do a legitimate trade, it would not have come to +this. I have invested every cent of my capital in the hotel +business in this town, and my place is not yet paid for; if this +Act is a success, my property will depreciate in value nearly +half, my trade will be ruined, and my wife and children will be +little better than paupers. Now, as Captain McWriggler has put it, +if I am to decide whether my family is to suffer or the family of +some other man, I take it, if I don't care for my own I am a +miserable fool. The one thing for us to consider is how we can +defeat the Dunkinites, and we must not be very particular +regarding the means we employ to accomplish our object." + +"The question for us to settle now," said Sealy, "for it is no use +wasting time in argument, is what individuals are there in the +different localities that can be made tools of for our purpose? +The best course, I think, to pursue is that suggested by Ginsling; +that is, to make a canvass of the different localities, and see +who can be influenced. To commence, who can be used for the +purpose in Bayton? Come, Rivers or Bottlesby, you are better +acquainted here than I am; name over a few." + +"You had better do it yourself, Sheriff," answered Rivers. + +"Well," said the sheriff, "if you are too modest to do it, here's +at it. There are Morris, Dr. Dalton, Ashton, Flatt, McDonald, +Smith, Murphy, McLaughlin, and Stewart." + +"You forget to mention the name of the would-be son-in-law of our +friend Sealy--Bill Barton." As he said this, he looked with a +quizzical sneer at Sealy and winked at Ginsling, but neither of +them appeared to notice the remark. + +"Who are there in your locality, Townly?" he asked. + +Townly mentioned several persons he thought might be approached, +and added: "I am certain, though some of them are keeping straight +at present, all that has to be done is to put liquor before them, +and they are bound to take it every time." + +"What I can learn by the inquiries I have made and by +observation," said Murdon, the lawyer, "is this: the temperance +party are having quite a jollification because a number of those +whose names have been mentioned have kept sober since the Act came +in force. I also learned that a great many who gave a reluctant +support to the Act are now pleased they did so, because, as they +say, it has been the means of keeping these men from drinking; and +they argue, if it has been effective in their cases it will be +just as effective if it is adopted all over the Province, or even +the Dominion. Now, if the men you have named are led to get on a +bender or two these very persons will be led to change their tune, +and will condemn it as a failure just as emphatically as they now +endorse it as a blessing." + +"That's just it," interjected Bottlesby. "Why, I was talking with +Old Gurney this morning, and the old fool at once mounted his +usual hobby. He pointed me to Ashton, Morris, and Dalton, who, he +said, were keeping sober since the Act came in force, though they +were going rapidly to destruction previous to that time. Now I +know, and so does every one that is not blinded by fanaticism, +that no power on earth will long be able to keep these fellows +from drinking, for if whiskey is to be had they are bound to have +it. If we use them as tools to accomplish our purpose we will only +be shortening the agony of both themselves and their friends." + +"Then, gentlemen," said Rivers, "let us now consider how we can +best accomplish our object. I suppose those who are most familiar +with the parties of whom we have spoken, had better be left to use +their own discretion as to how they shall bring about the desired +result." + +"Ginsling can give a good account of Ashton and Dr. Dalton. Can't +you?" said Bottlesby. + +"I'll try," he answered, with a diabolical leer. "All I can say is +this, in one of the cases I have frequently tried and never +failed, and I think I'll manage the other." + +We will not trouble our readers by repeating any more of their +very interesting and disinterested conversation. Before they +separated, every locality in the county was canvassed over, and +every man who had been an unfortunate victim of drink, but who had +kept sober since the Act came in force, was to be approached by +the one who would be the most likely to succeed in influencing him +to his fall. In fact, they concocted a scheme that night that was +worthy of Satan himself. They also had a special conference with +Murdon, the lawyer, so as to be prepared for the coming trials, +and several who had been subpoenaed were brought in and questioned +regarding what they actually knew, and also posted as to the +manner they could best evade the questions which would be put to +them, without swearing to that which was actually false. + +"If I cannot frighten them half out of their wits," said Murdon, +speaking of the magistrates who would try the cases, "then I will +miss my guess. The most of them know but very little of law, and +are easily bothered. It is my intention to browbeat them all I can +to-morrow, and then dare them to convict. You must be specially +frightened, Sealy." + +"I guess you'll find me equal to the occasion," he replied, with a +knowing wink. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +MR. BROWN'S OPINION OF THE TRIAL AND THE PRESIDING MAGISTRATES. + + +"I told you it would be a farce, did I not? How could it be +otherwise, when a man like Hubbard was the presiding magistrate? +His sympathies were entirely with those who had violated the law; +and though he made an effort to conceal his bias, the attempt was +a failure." + +"I agree with you, Mr. Gurney; the whole thing, to me, seemed like +a put-up job, and the bench were like children in the hands of +that crafty lawyer. I never witnessed a greater exhibition of +imbecility than was manifested by both Hubbard and Broban. They +appear to have studied law to about the same extent that Sealy has +the Bible, and you have an idea of about how much that is." + +"Yes, Mr. Brown, I have an idea! And I also have an idea there was +an understanding between Murdon and Sealy. The fact is, the bench +consisted of two old geese and a fox. Two of them were lukewarm +supporters, who would 'damn it with faint praise;' and the third +was a rabid opponent, and he was the only one who was qualified, +either by native or acquired ability, for the position." + +"But I thought, Mr. Gurney, that both Hubbard and Broban were +strong supporters of the bill. I know they voted for it. But I was +surprised that they were chosen to try these cases. I considered +them incompetent to do so. In fact, I have often wondered that men +so utterly unqualified were ever appointed to the position." + +"In regard to their being supporters of the Dunkin Act," said Mr. +Gurney, "they, like many others, voted for it because they found +it popular to do so; at the same time, I believe, they wished it +to fail, for their sympathies were entirely with the drinking +party, and if it is a success they will deserve no credit for it." + +"From what I saw yesterday, I must agree with you, Mr. Gurney. I +am sure they did not wish to convict. But how was it that Squires +Stebbins and Griffiths did not try these cases?" + +"In my opinion, Mr. Brown, they were afraid to act. They said +important business called them away; but I am almost certain they +made business in order to escape the duty. I understand they have +been subjected to a species of bull-dozing. Being both of them +merchants, they were threatened by the liquor party with a loss of +custom if they acted, and they had not enough backbone to stand +the pressure. I have also been informed that their wives, who were +in abject terror, met and had a consultation, and concluded it +would not be safe for their husbands to act, as there had been +threats of personal violence and of injury to property; so, under +these influences, 'important' business was manufactured for the +occasion. They have thus escaped the responsibility!" + +"Yes," said Mr. Brown, "and left those two non-entities to be +gulled by Sealy and bullied by Murdon. I must again express my +surprise that such incompetents should have been appointed to +their positions." + +"They are specimen bricks of the big batch the Government turned +out a year or two ago. Why, do you not know that they manufactured +magistrates by the wholesale? Many of them were appointed--not +because of their qualifications, for they were notoriously +ignorant--but because they wished to reward them for services to +the party, and to insure their loyalty in the future." + +"I am afraid," said Mr. Brown, "when you have to depend upon such +broken reeds, and have so many other obstacles to meet, you will +find it difficult to successfully work the Act." + +"Yes, we will have to meet and overcome difficulties; but we have +anticipated this from the first. I must confess, however, that I was +disappointed at the attitude of some who, I thought, would be its +strongest supporters. I find they are craven-hearted, weak-kneed, +and afraid to give active assistance. They say it will injure their +business; so it is a matter of selfishness with them. If it fails, +it will be because of the half-hearted support we receive from +so-called respectable temperance men and moderate drinkers. I know +the Act is far from perfect, because the liquor party in Parliament +succeeded in introducing clauses that somewhat weaken its +effectiveness, and they now attack it because of these very defects. +But with all its defects, we would succeed in working it if we had +the sympathy and hearty support of all its professed friends; without +this, though it came forth with the stamp of the Infinite, it would +fail." + +"You think we have too many of the genus mollusk in the temperance +ranks, Mr. Gurney? These creatures, with, no backbone, infest and +curse the Churches of to-day, and I have no doubt they will prove +the greatest curse to the temperance cause. A half-hearted friend +in the citadel is more to be dreaded than a foe without." + +"Yes, Mr. Brown; more to be dreaded, and generally more to be +despised." + +"I understand, Mr. Gurney, the liquor party are jubilant over the +result of the trial. I heard Captain McWriggler expatiating upon +it this morning, and he said the Act and all sumptuary laws of +similar character are a humbug." + +"I have no doubt he will say so," answered Mr. Gurney; "and so +will all unprincipled demagogues. They are willing to pander to +the liquor interests, or anything else--no matter how low and +demoralizing it may be--if it only helps them to power. I +understood what he was at. He said to Mr. Martin, 'I told you it +would end in a fizzle;' and then continued talking to him in a +similar strain for some time: and when he was through, the latter +said 'he thought he was about right.' But you know as well as I +do, Mr. Gurney, that Martin is weak, and easily influenced." + +"Yes, I know it, Mr. Brown; and all such men as he is will be +approached, and, if we keep them on our side, it will be by making +the Act a success from the first. In regard to yesterday's trial, +I am willing to admit it was a great failure of justice, or, to +use McWriggler's classic language, 'a fizzle.' But he knew, as +well as we do, what led to that result; for, as I remarked a few +moments ago, the whole proceedings were a farce. Between the +vexatious objections of Murdon, the pettifogger, who had charge of +the defence, and of Sealy, who, I believe, had entered into a +conspiracy with the former to defeat the ends of justice by +browbeating and cajoling the other two magistrates, the trial was +made a complete fiasco." + +"And there was some rather crooked swearing done there, was there +not, Mr. Gurney?" asked Mr. Brown. + +"Swearing! I should think there was! I shuddered as I listened to +the evidence of some of the hotel-keepers and the miserable +creatures they had degraded by their traffic. I was always aware +that whiskey was a fearful demoralizer, and I have seen some +striking illustrations of the fact before; but the swearing done +yesterday by men whose word a few years ago would not have been +questioned, has demonstrated, as nothing else could, its power to +deprave. Why, they twisted, and quibbled, and tried in every +possible manner to evade the questions put; they swore they were +not certain the liquor they drank was intoxicating, when it was +evident to all who heard them that the statements they were making +under oath were untrue." + +"Are you not now more dubious as to the result than you were +before the trial?" + +"Yes; I am willing to admit I am not so sanguine as I was," Mr. +Gurney replied. "What with weak or else utterly profligate and +unprincipled magistrates; with opponents of the lowest and most +vicious instincts, who have poor creatures that are completely +under their control, and seem so lost to every vestige of honor as +to be willing to swear to anything in order to screen those who +furnish them with liquor; with a large percentage of the press +prostituting its power in assisting our enemies; and with timid +and vacillating friends to help meet this determined and +unprincipled opposition, I must confess I am somewhat troubled. +But the thought of such men as Ashton, Morris, and Dr. Dalton, +with their stricken and despairing families and friends, nerves me +for the conflict, and makes me resolve that, trusting in God, I will +fight it as long as He gives me strength to do so; and, when I die, +God will raise up those who will take my place and the place of +those with whom I am associated. I am certain, in the end, our cause +will succeed. It may not be during my life. It may be long, long years +hence, when the cause of temperance shall ultimately prevail--but +it will prevail some time. We must remember that 'one day with the +Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;' and, +though this prevalence of evil and the triumphing of the vicious may +cause us to be impatient and cry out in our anguish, 'How long, O +Lord, how long?' yet God will sweep away the scourge from our +land, like He swept away slavery from our mother and sister lands. +It is for us to pray, and watch, and work, and leave the rest with +God; and some day there will be a great shout, and we will cry, +some on earth and some in heaven, 'God has gotten us the +victory?'" + +"Well, Mr. Gurney, I, like you, believe that temperance will +ultimately prevail; but I do not believe it will be in the near +future, and I am afraid this attempt will be a failure. If we try +to push legislation faster than public sentiment will warrant us +in doing, we will defeat our object and help the enemy. In my +opinion, there will have to be years of agitation; and the great +masses, who are either indifferent or antagonistic, will have to +be enlightened, and their sympathies enlisted, before a law like +the present can be run successfully. I have to-day conversed with +men who professed to favor our side, and yet they expressed great +sympathy for Rivers because he was fined, and some of them gave it +as their opinion that the Act would end in failure. I believe the +farmers are very much annoyed because the tavern-sheds are closed +against them; and some say, if they had to vote again it would be +to reverse their former one. The fact is, there must be a strong +public sentiment in our favor if we successfully cope with those +men who have their capital invested in the business, and who will +fight with the vigor that selfishness and desperation ever impart. +To-day's trial indicates we have desperate and unscrupulous foes +to meet, and that they can find miserable and degraded tools in +attendance to do their dirty work, and help them defeat the ends +of justice." + +"I am more sanguine than you are," said Mr. Gurney; "and while I +am willing to admit that the imbecility of the magistrates who +professed to be our friends, the coldness on the part of a great +many who, I expected, would give us enthusiastic assistance, and +'having done all, would still stand;' and the manner in which both +the tavern-keepers and their degraded tools, as I believe, +perjured themselves, have made me a little less confident than I +was before yesterday's exhibition. Yet I am still of the opinion +the Act can be made a success. I, at least, am determined to do +all I can to make it such." + +"I, like you, Mr. Gurney, was astonished at the reckless manner +with which some gave evidence yesterday, for while I was certain +the defendant in each case was equally as guilty as Rivers, he was +the only one who was fined, the others clearing themselves by +equivocation, and what, at least, appears to me very much like +perjury. And that miserable Grogson evidently was posted to swear +straight through. I was amazed at his flippancy and his evident +willingness to swear to anything that would screen those who had +received him." + +"I am not surprised that you were, Mr. Brown; for we know that Dr. +Dalton and Ashton had no reason to swear to anything that was +untrue, and we do not believe they would be capable of doing so, +if they had, and they both swore that Grogson, and, in fact, the +whole party, drank liquor on the night in question. So the latter +actually perjured himself to screen a man who has taken hundreds +of dollars from him, and is, more than any one else, responsible +for his being the degraded wretch he is at present, and for his +wife and children being in the most abject poverty." + +"I remember him when he was in comfortable circumstances and +considered a respectable man," said Mr. Brown, "and rather a +fine young fellow. He was illiterate, of course, but possessed +good native talent and a fund of humor which seemed almost +inexhaustible. He was a good business man for one whose early +opportunities were but limited; and his tact and shrewdness +largely compensated for what he lacked in other respects. He +married an estimable young girl from the neighborhood in which I +was raised; but he took to drinking, and from that time degenerated +very rapidly, until he is the degraded creature you saw yesterday. +His cronies have very appropriately given him the sobriquet of +'Whiskey Jemmie.' I understand his wife and children are existing +in utter poverty--brought, by his abuse, to be abject specimens of +squalor and rags." + +"Yes, Mrs. Holman and my wife were to his shanty the other day, +and found them actually in need of the necessaries of life; and +some time ago, when Mr. Mason took them some food, Grogson waited +until he was out of sight, and then meanly ate up what had been +brought for his starving wife and little ones, and though Mrs. +Grogson was ill at the time, and part of what was brought was +prepared especially for her; yet the brute devoured every morsel. +And I heard they were laughing at Porter's, because, as they put +it, he had 'sold the parson.'" + +"I believe Rivers has appealed, has he not, Mr. Gurney?" + +"Yes! on the ground that the law is _ultra vires_. It is +appealed until next month, when the case will come before Judge +McGullet, and, as he is entirely in sympathy with the antis, I +have no doubt he will decide in their favor. Then we will have to +carry it to a Court of Appeal, when we hope to obtain justice." + +"I have no doubt but you will," said Mr. Brown; "but, in the +meantime, they will continue selling liquor, and, having no +license to pay, they will endeavor to have a perfect carnival of +drunkenness. When they think it is time to strike, they will +circulate a petition to have the Act repealed, and the great +majority, who will only look at the effect without stopping to +consider the cause, will be in sympathy with them, and they will +carry the appeal by an immense majority. Do you not think so?" + +Mr. Gurney remained in an attitude of deep contemplation for a few +moments, and then answered: + +"Such may be the case; but we will have to throw our best energies +into the work, and leave the rest to God. If we do our part and +remain faithful to each other and the cause we have espoused, we +will have done what we could; and if our efforts are for the +present fruitless, we shall, at least, have no reason for regret." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE INSULT TO ALLIE ASHTON--HER GALLANT DEFENDER. + + +Six months have elapsed since Mr. Gurney and Mr. Brown engaged in +the conversation as presented in the last chapter. During that +period there had been a great many hotel-keepers tried and fined +for selling liquor, though numbers had escaped through the utter +depravity of both them and their miserable dupes; and also +because, in a great many instances the magistrates who presided +were utterly incompetent to try the cases. + +The hotel-keepers had pursued to the letter the diabolical policy +they had agreed upon; that is, they had defied the law, and sold +liquor with reckless impunity, having, when fined, appealed, and +then continued selling and giving it away until they had literally +accomplished their object, and flooded the country with liquor, +making a perfect carnival of drunkenness and debauchery. They +could afford to be lavish in their expenditure, as they had a +wealthy corporation to back them in their iniquity. + +Among those who had been enticed to fall was the unfortunate +personage who is the chief character in this story. Ginsling had +been successful, and Richard Ashton had once more been led astray. + +Ruth had scarcely become convalescent when this occurred, and was +again completely prostrated. The family were now only kept from +want by the earnings of Eddie and Allie, though Mr. Gurney and +other friends were exceedingly kind, and did everything they +could, without wounding the sensibilities of Mrs. Ashton, to help +her and her family. + +Ashton was now completely demoralized. He had become so depraved +by drink as to have lost all self-respect, and seemed to be +regardless of the condition of his family. He had not only +desisted from bringing anything in to help support them, but the +miserable man had, again and again, stealthily taken some souvenir +of other and happier days, and pawned it in order to procure +liquor. + +He had also become so completely transformed by drink that, in his +wild, drunken frenzy, he would be cross and even abusive to his +wife and children; and there was that shadow of a great sorrow +ever lowering over them, and that wearing unrest and fear that is +ever the patrimony of those who are the inmates of a drunkard's +home. + +It was now a providential thing for them that Eddie had procured a +situation with Mr. Gurney; and that Allie, though she was so +young, was able to turn her musical accomplishments to account, +and give instruction in music to several pupils. They, by their +united earnings, as we have before intimated, managed to keep the +wolf from the door. + +Ashton was now most of his time absent from home, drinking at some +of the hotels or groggeries, and he had become so utterly degraded +that even Ginsling, the man who had been the chief instrument of +his ruin, would avoid him; and Rivers and Porter, and the other +tavern-keepers, would turn him out on the street, as they did many +others, in order to demonstrate that the Dunkin Act was a failure. +At such times he would stagger home if he was able, which was not +always the case; and once or twice he nearly perished from cold +and exposure. Eddie frequently had to search through the +groggeries to find him and lead him home. + +One evening, just at twilight, as Allie was returning from giving +a lesson to one of her pupils, she had to pass by Porter's hotel +on her way home, and, when opposite the bar-room door, she heard +her father in loud conversation with some one inside. Impelled by +an impulse to rescue him from impending evil, she opened the door +and walked in. She found herself in the midst of a bar-room full +of drunken, ruffianly-looking men, a long row of whom were +standing at the bar, with glasses in hand, while one of their +number was proposing a toast of the grossest character. To her +dismay her father was among them. She stood for a moment or two +hesitating what to do, and she trembled violently, and experienced +a sinking sensation as she found every eye turned upon her. The +voice of him who was proposing the toast was instantly hushed, and +every glass was lowered and placed on the counter. There was a +dead silence for a few moments, as all seemed intuitively to +understand they were in the presence of innocence and refinement; +in fact, of a being superior to themselves, and one who was not +accustomed to such surroundings. + +"Do you wish to see me?" said Mr. Porter. + +After a moment's hesitation, in order to gain control of herself, +Allie answered his question in true Yankee style; that is, by +asking another. She asked, with great dignity--though she had to +assert all her will-power to conceal her agitation:-- + +"Are you the proprietor?" + +"I am," said Porter. "Will you not step into the sitting-room?" he +said, with rough kindness; for naturally brutal as he was, even he +for a moment was toned down by the presence of the fair young +girl. + +"No, thank you," she answered. "I came in to ask my father to come +home. I heard his voice as I was passing by, and thought if I +stepped in and asked him he would not refuse to accompany me." + +In a moment there was a marvellous change in the manner of Porter, +and he asked, in reply to Allie, in a coarse, ruffianly manner: + +"Are you Ashton's daughter?" + +"I am, sir," replied Allie, straightening herself up, the manner +of the question, more than the words, causing her cheeks to flush +and indignant fire to flash in her eyes. + +"I wish, then," he continued, "you would take the drunken fool +home, and keep him when you get him there. I have been bothered +enough with him lately." + +"Why, then, have you, and others in your business, enticed him to +drink? He would not have been in the sad state he is to-day, sir, +if he had not been tempted to do wrong. Would to God, for my poor +mother's sake" (and as she mentioned her mother's name her eyes +filled with tears), "he would never again put foot in this place. +Father!" she said, walking over to him, and putting her hand +affectionately on his arm, "you will come, will you not?" + +"Yes, my girl, I will," answered her father, who, though very much +under the influence of liquor when she so unexpectedly made her +appearance, seemed considerably sobered by what had transpired. He +also keenly felt the degradation of having his pure, gentle young +daughter in a place with such surroundings. + +"I will, my girl," he reiterated; "and what you said was true. I +was waylaid and tempted, and I believe it was all planned by him +and others of the same profession. Had it not been for this, you +would not have found me here to-day, and would also have been +spared this degradation. But if I and others had not been weak +their schemes would have failed." + +"If you or any one else say I enticed you, or employed any other +person to do so, I say, in reply, it is a lie!" said Porter; and +he not only looked at Ashton as he spoke, but also at his +daughter. + +Ashton was maddened by the insulting remarks which were evidently +intended for both. He turned almost savagely to Porter, and said: + +"You dastardly ruffian! if you were not a coward you would not +insult a young girl." As he said this, he struggled to get away +from Allie, as if he would fly at Porter; but she threw her arms +around him, and, crying piteously, begged him to come home. + +"Oh, father!" she said, "I want to leave this horrible place. Oh! +don't say anything, but come home." + +"You had better leave," said Porter; "and if you were not an old +man, and your daughter was where she should be--at home--I would +knock you down. I would allow no man who was able to defend +himself to say so much to me without making him sorry for it." + +"You wouldn't," said a tall, athletic young man, stepping forward +as he spoke. "Well, I will give you an opportunity to make good +your words. I say that the man who is contemptible enough to make +use of the language you have, in the presence of a young lady, is +a bully, a brute, and a miserable coward. Now, make good your +boast." + +Porter, stung by the epithets applied to him, sprang with the fury +of a tiger at the young man who thus defied him; but if he +expected to surprise him by the suddenness of his attack, or to +crash him with his vast bulk, he counted without his host, for the +young man, with the agility of a cat, stepped to one side, and, as +he did so, struck Porter such a blow that he fell to the floor as +one dead. He then turned to Allie as if nothing had happened, and +said, with gentle courtesy: + +"Miss Ashton, this is no place for you; if you will leave, I will +accompany Mr. Ashton and you home." + +"Oh! is he dead?" she said, as she viewed with anxiety and alarm +the prostrate form of the brutal ruffian. + +"You need not be in the least alarmed about that, miss," said one +who was bending over him; "Joe Porter ain't so easily killed as +that; though I tell you, that young fellow's blow is like a kick +from a boss. He did hit him a stunner, but I must say he just got +what he deserved." + +Just then Porter, in whose face they had been sprinkling water, +began to show signs of life and to mutter fearful oaths against +Ashton, Allie, and the young man who had so nobly championed their +cause. + +"Let us go," said Allie; "let us leave this awful place. Come, pa, +for he will soon be up. Oh, how can you frequent such a place as +this is?" + +When they stepped outside, they found the twilight was deepening +into darkness. Allie thanked the young man for his gallant +conduct, but would not accept his proffered escort: she said she +did not wish to trouble him further. As they parted she shook hands +with him, as did her father, and bade him a cordial good-bye. + +"I am very much obliged to you," said Mr. Ashton to him, "and +shall never forget your kindness; but I hope you may not get into +trouble for your valor in our behalf." + +"There is no danger of that," he said; "I am abundantly able to +take care of myself. But, sir," he continued, "if you will allow +one who is young enough to be your son to put in a word to you in +the way of advice, I would say, do not be found again as you were +to-night. My dear sir, you are altogether too good for such +company as that; and then, you involve others in your own +degradation." + +"I know it, sir; I know it too well. I take your advice as it is +intended, and hope I may yet receive strength to follow it; but I +have failed so often that I dare not make a promise. God bless you +sir! Good-bye." + +The young man stood looking after Ashton as he disappeared in the +darkness. Allie had started a little before her father, and had +not therefore been a listener to their conversation. She had to +call into a store to make a few purchases, her father promising to +meet her at the shop-door and accompany her home. + +"There," soliloquised the young man, "is another poor fool who, +possessing bright parts, is just about destroyed by drink. How +many thousands there are, even in this country, just like him--going +to ruin themselves at lightning speed, and dragging their +families with them! What a beautiful girl his daughter is! What a +figure! What eyes and hair, and what a beautiful complexion! How +cultured and intelligent she appeared! She cannot be more than +fourteen or fifteen, and yet she seemed to have the thoughtfulness +and self-possession of a woman. The idea of one possessing her +refinement being in the den of Old Joe Porter! I must endeavor to +be better acquainted if we establish a business here. It was +fortunate I went to make that enquiry. I guess Porter will not +forget me for some time." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +RICHARD ASHTON AND LITTLE MAMIE--MAMIE'S DREAM. + + +After Allie had left her father she hastened on, determined to get +through her shopping as quickly as possible, so as to be ready to +accompany him home. She now began to doubt if she did right to +leave him, even for a moment, for might he not now be led by his +appetite to some other groggery, and then what would be the +result! She hastened out, and rejoiced to find him waiting for +her, and together they silently wended their way home. + +It was not their old home, for they were forced some time previous +to this to remove from it to one that was much less pretentious; +for now they had to exercise the most rigid economy. + +Their present abode was a little rough-cast storey-and-a-half +house, consisting of a main building and an addition. The main +building contained three apartments down-stairs, one of which +served for dining-room and parlor, and the other two were +bedrooms. The up-stairs had not been finished, though they had +managed to fix it up so that Eddie could sleep there; and by the +mother's and sister's industry and skill it had been made quite +comfortable; but it was not to be compared to the beautiful room +which he possessed in his old home. + +The addition contained the kitchen and pantry; and though very +cold in severe weather, it served the purpose for which it was +intended. + +The principal apartment in the main building was very small; but +though such was the case, and Mrs. Ashton was still weak and +suffering, yet she and Allie had managed to give those little +touches in its arrangement which indicated a cultured taste and +made it snug and cozy. + +The night in question, when Allie and her father came in, Mrs. +Ashton was sitting in an easy chair, propped up by pillows. As she +sat there, one could see that sickness and worry had wrought +terrible ravages during the last year. Her thin, white face looked +all the more ghastly because of her large, dreamy eyes; and her +hands were so white and thin that they seemed as though +transparent. Her hair, which had once been so golden, was now +shimmering with silver; and no one who had known her a few years +previous would recognize her now as the same person. Surely she +had passed "under the rod." The suffering she had endured would +have turned the rich purple wine of some women's natures into +vinegar, and the drunkard's home would have been a miniature +pandemonium; but it had not been so in the present instance. Ruth +Ashton had borne her sorrows meekly; and, let me ask, what sorrow +is greater than that which she had to bear? She had seen the man +that she loved for his noble and manly attributes, ruined by +strong drink; his bright intellect robbed of its lustre, and his +loving heart made sluggish and cold. What shame she felt! For did +not she and the children share in his degradation? What +humiliation of spirit they endured! But she never spoke other than +kindly to her husband. He had not the trite excuse of thousands of +worthless husbands who are neglecting their homes and spending +their money in the groggery, while their families are existing in +squalor and famishing for bread. He could never say he was driven +to drink by the naggings of a querulous wife; for though tried +almost beyond human endurance--so tried, that the poor heart was +well-nigh broken, and her flesh had almost failed--she never +changed in her manner towards him, but was still the kind, loving +wife she had been from the first. + +When he and Allie came in, every eye was turned upon him to see if +he was, as usual, intoxicated; and when Mrs. Ashton saw that he +was almost as sober as when he left home, her heart was filled +with joy. + +"Hurry up, Mamie," she said, "and give your papa a seat. Take his +hat, dear, and get his slippers. If you are not too tired, Allie +dear, hurry up with the supper." + +Ashton was touched by the thoughtful kindness of his long-suffering +wife, and he went over to where she was sitting and tenderly kissed +er. "You have been a true, good wife to me," he said; "God never +blessed a man with a better one. So sinned against, and yet so +forgiving; so faithful, so loving." Tears were in his eyes as he spoke, +and then he gently kissed her again; but Ruth never uttered a word. +He sat down on a chair which was near the table, and, leaning his +head upon the latter, wept bitterly. + +Little Mamie, who had grown considerably during the last year, had +lost her baby manner, and possessed a mind much too mature for one +of her age. She now spoke quite plainly, and seemed to understand +the circumstances in which they were placed nearly as well as her +elder brother and sister. She had of late always waited until she +discovered what was her father's condition before she made any +advances. If he was intoxicated she would sit, mute as a mouse, in +the corner, with a look of thoughtful sorrow upon her face; but if +he were not, she would steal gently up to him, climb upon his +knee, and then, leaning her head upon his breast, kiss and fondle +him, and coax him to tell her a story, or sing her one of his +numerous hymns or songs. + +And he always seemed happy to be the slave of this his youngest +and frailest child, who, by her gentle witcheries, had so wiled +herself into his affections as to have a power over him that no +one else possessed. + +He had not been sitting at the table long ere she gently crept up +to him, and, climbing on to his knee, lifted his arm, and then +nestled her cheeks to his until her streamlets of gold mingled +with his grizzled locks. + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "don't cry--please, don't cry. I pray to God +every morning and every night that He may keep the naughty men +from giving you drink, and I am sure God will hear me; then you +will be as you used to be, and mamma will not cry as she sometimes +does now." + +Mamie little thought how her words went home to her father's +heart--what feelings of shame and remorse they awakened. + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "I had such a wonderful dream last night. I +dreamt I was in heaven, and it seemed such a beautiful place. +There were flowers far more lovely than any I ever saw on earth, +and the trees were filled with birds of all colors; and they sang +so sweetly--more sweetly than any I ever heard. And there were +thousands and thousands of bright angels, and they had harps in +their hands shining like gold. And there were thousands of men, +women, and children there, all dressed in white, with something +bright and beautiful in their hands. And there seemed to be a +great high throne, and some one sitting upon it--just such a +throne as mamma showed me the other day in a book, only far more +beautiful. And the face of the One who sat on the throne shone +more brightly than the sun, and lit up all the place. Oh, papa! I +was so happy--more than when I have been playing with Allie among +the flowers on a bright summer's day. And the angels struck their +golden harps; and as the people and children sang, the music was +more delightful than I can tell. I felt I was selfish to listen +all alone, and that I must run and tell you all, that you might +hear it also. But, just as I was about to start, I looked up, and +you were standing by my side, looking down at me. And, pa, you did +not look like you do now, but as you used to look when I first +knew you--as my own dear papa--only there was no gray in your +hair. Then you smiled so sweetly upon me, that I knew you were +happy; and your face was bright and shining. I asked you where was +mamma, Eddie, and Allie, that I might tell them what we were +enjoying, and you said they were not here yet, but would be +by-and-bye. + +"Then it seemed as if we all left the throne and wandered by the +beautiful river and picked the beautiful flowers that were so +fragrant. Then I said, 'Oh, papa, I wish my mamma was here!' and +just at that time I awoke, and mamma was standing by my bedside, +smiling; for, it being morning, the sun was filling my room with +light, and little Dickie was singing. I told mamma my dream, and +she said she thought it was because of what she was reading to me, +and the stories she told me before I went to bed; for, papa, she +read that chapter which speaks of the 'great multitude which no +man can number, who washed their robes and made them white in the +blood of the Lamb.' And she read me of the walls so high and +beautiful, and of the streets of gold. She said no earthly home +could equal it. And she thinks this, with Dickie's singing and the +sun's shining, was what caused me to dream such a lovely dream. Do +you think it was this that caused it, papa?" + +Ashton looked down upon his fair, fragile young child, and, as he +did so, he thought how far he had fallen from such purity as she +possessed. + +"No doubt, my dear," he said, "but your mamma's reading and the +stories she told had something to do with your dream. But I think +even the angels would come from heaven to whisper in the ears of +one so good and beautiful as papa's little daughter." + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "I wish we were all in heaven, and then we +would be so happy. You would never drink again, because there +would be no wicked men to give you whiskey; for mamma said, 'None +that are wicked shall enter there,' and then mamma would not cry +like she sometimes does now; because there shall be 'no sorrow +there, and God shall wipe all tears from the eye.' Do you not wish +we were there, papa?" + +The tears were trickling down the cheeks not only of the father +but also of Mrs. Ashton and Allie. She seemed to them too pure for +earth, and fit for the association of those bright spirits of +which she had been dreaming. + +As her father did not speak--in fact he dare not make the attempt, +for if he had he could not have controlled his emotion--her mother +said: + +"Mamie better not ask any more such questions. Papa, mamma, and +all hope to be there some day; but we want to remain to work for +and love each other until God sees fit to call us home. Now, my +dear, do not say anything more about it to-night, because you make +papa and mamma feel bad." + +Mamie was subdued into silence, for a request from her mother +always exerted a great power over her. She nestled so closely to +her father's breast that she could hear the beatings of his heart, +which, though he had fallen so utterly, beat only for his dear +ones at home. + +It would certainly have been a subject worthy of a great painter +to depict that pure, beautiful child, sitting upon the lap of her +sinful, erring father. Her face so smooth and radiant, his so +seamed and gloomy. Her eyes large, full, and deep, with the light +of a pure soul finding expression through them; his, blood-red and +bleared from the effects of his recent and frequent debauches, and +with the despair which was eating, like a canker, deep down in the +heart, manifesting its intensity in those exponents of its +happiness or misery. + +"Papa, your supper is waiting for you," said Allie cheerfully. +"Come, mamma and Mamie, your chairs are ready." + +But we will leave this family scene to take our readers back to +Porter's hotel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +A BAR-ROOM SETTLEMENT OF A MISUNDERSTANDING. + + +After Porter had been lifted to his feet, and had completely +regained consciousness, he poured out a volley of oaths and foul +expletives, and swore dire vengeance against Ashton and the +unknown stranger who had championed his cause. + +"I'll meet that fellow again," he said; "and when I do, I'll pay +him with interest--you'll see if I don't; and if that drunken +fool, Ashton ever enters this place again, I'll pitch him out +quicker than he comes in. I have it in for him for giving me away +to Old Service, and then swearing against me at the trial. Before +long I'll get even with him for both." + +"If you were to throw him out, Porter, it might be worse for you +and better for him," said Stewart. "If Ashton had all the money he +has left with you, I guess he would be willing to be put out--and +stay out, too. I know it would have been a good thing for me if +you, and others like you, had turned me out long ago, and never +let me in again." + +"I guess, Porter," said Morris, banteringly, "you'll not be in a +hurry to meet that young chap again, for, as Tremaine said, 'his +blow was like the kick of a horse.' Why, man, he knocked you as +clean off your pins as if you had been a skittle! and I'll lay you +any amount that he would use you up in five minutes. Don't you +think he would, boys?" + +Some of the boys to whom the question was referred said they +thought he would, while others expressed a different opinion. +Among the latter were two or three who were anxious to curry favor +with Porter. + +There are hangers-on at almost every groggery, who loaf around, +day after day, for the purpose of what, in slang terms, is called +"spunging,"--that is, they are either not able or not willing to +pay for liquor themselves, and therefore sit waiting to be asked +to drink by any customer who comes in and is willing to "stand +treat." Of course it is to the interest of such creatures as those +to be on good terms with the landlord--for it is only by his +tolerance they can so cheaply indulge their bibulous propensities. + +There were some of this class present when Morris asked his +question, and they, of course, expressed the opinion that Porter, +if he only had fair play, would be more than a match for his late +antagonist, who, they said, had taken him at a disadvantage. + +"I'd bet on Porter every time," said a burly loafer by the name of +Tom Flatt, "if he only had a fair show. I'd liked to see him try +it, at any rate." + +"O you would, would you?" said Morris, in a sarcastic, rasping +tone; "I believe that, but you would take care not to get into +anything of the kind yourself. I never knew a man who was more +careful of his own precious carcase. Now, let me tell you, I +believe that fellow would clean you both out so suddenly you would +be whipped before you knew it." + +"That's so," said Stewart. "Why, he was quick as a streak of forked +lightning." + +"If I were you, Morris," said Flatt, "I'd shut up. A man who lets +his wife lick 'un, and is afeared to go home because she'd pull +his hair or broomstick 'un, shouldn't talk to other men about +being cowards. I'd like to see my wife touch me." + +As he spoke about his wife beating him, he doubled his ponderous +fist and assumed a fierce look, which would lead one to conclude +he would be a perfect hero under such circumstances. + +What enabled Flatt thus to taunt Morris was the fact that one +night the latter had come home frenzied with drink, and was very +abusive to his wife and children. Indeed, he became almost +uncontrollable, and began to smash up the furniture, when his +eldest son, with the assistance of his mother, watching his +opportunity, had overpowered and bound him. The story in some +manner had leaked out, and the present occasion was not the first +time he had been twitted about it. + +"We know all about thee, Tom," said Tremaine, in answer to Flatt. +He lived next door to him, and therefore understood the relation +in which he stood to his family better than any one else did. +"Thou art brave as a lion when thee's got that little wife of +thine to thump, but thee's not so valiant when there are men +around." + +Morris now stepped forward and said: "Don't say a word, Tremaine. +I want myself to settle this score with Flatt." + +As he spoke he was trembling with excessive rage, and his eyes +were blazing with the baleful fire which burned within. He was a +man of powerful physique, and, when partially intoxicated, was +quarrelsome and dangerous; and it was a surprise to those who were +present that Flatt, who was a great coward, dared to taunt or +provoke him. This could only be accounted for from the fact that +the sarcastic words of Morris had so stung him as to throw him off +his guard, and he therefore did not manifest his usual discretion +when talking with one who had the power to defend himself. + +"You just said," continued Morris, "that I allowed my wife to +broomstick me and pull my hair, and that I was afraid to go home. +Now, you are a liar," he hissed between his teeth, with the +vicious venom of a rattlesnake, "and a sneak, and a sponge, and a +coward; and if there is any manhood about you, defend yourself." +As he said this he sprang at Flatt as a panther might spring on +his prey. + +There was a terrible scuffle for a moment or two, and several +voices shouted in chorus: "Make a ring, and let them fight it +out." How strange it is that so many who call themselves men love +these brutal exhibitions--especially when they are not principals! + +A ring was formed, and the two men, who had fallen on the floor, +were tumbling over each other like bulldogs: they were hitting and +gouging each other, and all the time swearing most horrible oaths. +In fact, they were more like wild beasts than men. + +"Enough! enough! For God's sake take him off!" said Flatt. "Take +him off, or he'll murder me!" he again groaned out hoarsely, and +the blood and foam oozed from his mouth and flew in flakes over +his murderous antagonist. + +Two or three seized hold of Morris and pulled him off, and it was +well they did, for certainly he would have killed the miserable +wretch whom he had at his mercy. All his latent ferocity seemed to +be aroused, and he would never have stopped short of murder. As it +was, he struggled and swore at them who interfered, and endeavored +again to assault the half-throttled ruffian whom they had just +lifted to his feet. + +They took Flatt to another room and washed his face, when it was +discovered that both of his eyes were very much discolored, his +upper lip split, and his nose so battered that it corresponded +with his name. In fact, he had been so changed in a few moments +that his most intimate acquaintance would scarcely recognise him. + +Morris had come out of the affray with barely a scratch or two. +His attack had been so sudden and so ferocious that Flatt, though +he was the larger man, had little chance to defend himself. + +Joe Porter had been behind the bar when the events which we have +described occurred; for the blow he had received had so shaken him +as to leave him incapable either of resenting the taunts which he +had flung at him by Morris and the others, or of interfering to +stop the bloody affray which was the sequel to his own little +affair. In fact, he did not have any special anxiety to risk his +own precious person again. He, however, managed to signal to his +son, a young man who had come in during the _melee_, and he +went for the town constable. It was not long before that personage +arrived, but the fight was ended. Porter gave him to understand he +would rather no arrests were made; so he sent them to their +respective homes, at the same time giving them to understand if he +caught either of them engaging in a row again they should not +escape so easily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY. + + +When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found +tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it. When +he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the +condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a +state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some +slight or insult which would justify him in being cross. + +"Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must +have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few +moments." + +"Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our +regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you +will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your +habits. We have several times waited tea for you until it was +almost spoiled, and then you did not come." + +"You knew well enough I would be here in time to-night, because +before I left I told you I would; and it is no use of your trying +to get out of it in that manner. I ain't a fool." + +"I don't remember, Henry, your promising to be home for tea; and +if I did, I could not have depended upon your promise, for, you +know, lately you have disappointed us so often that we can no +longer trust your word. Oh, Henry! I only wish I could trust you +as I once could, and then there would not be a happier woman in +Bayton." + +"I don't want any of your snivelling, Nell," he said; "I'd rather +have something to eat." + +The supper was eaten in silence, the children being afraid to +speak, and Mrs. Morris's heart was too full for conversation. She +sat silently rocking in her low arm-chair, the tears welling from +her eyes and chasing each other down her cheeks. She had noticed +the scratches upon her husband's face, which he had received in +his recent fight. She did not ask him how he came by them, for she +well knew how violent his temper was; but she was almost certain +he had been mixed in some low bar-room affray, and this thought +pained her beyond measure. + +When they were married he was a blacksmith in good circumstances, +and carried on an extensive business; but he had for the last few +years been drinking deeply, and, as a consequence, had so +neglected his business that most of his customers left him; and +this, with what he spent in drink, had so reduced him in +circumstances that he and his family were now very poor. He had +desisted from drink when the Dunkin Act came in force, and for a +while his home was cheerful again, for a great sorrow was lifted +from it, and his steady habits were bringing in money sufficient +to purchase many little comforts which had been wanting during the +time he was indulging in drink. But this did not last long, for he +was one that was selected as a victim by the antis, and they soon +succeeded in making him succumb to their wiles. I will not enter +into a lengthy description of how their hellish purpose was +accomplished, suffice it to say that in his case, as well as in +Barton's, Ashton's, Dr. Dalton's, and many others, the conspiracy +was, from the diabolical standpoint of the antis, a success. All +over the county men were entrapped into drinking by the nefarious +means employed, entailing, in some instances, horrible murders and +deaths from accidents and exposure; and the misery which helpless +women and poor little innocent children suffered will never be +known on this side of the judgment. The victims fell easy preys to +their wily seducers, for when a man once contracts an appetite +for spirituous liquors it is, in nine cases out of ten, easy to +tempt him again to his fall; and none knew this better than those +who were engaged in this conspiracy, for they were old and +experienced hands at the business. + +Mrs. Morris keenly felt her present position. She had belonged to +a very respectable family--being naturally of a proud, imperious +disposition--and to think that she and her children had been +reduced to poverty and rags through the drunken habits of her +husband, had almost broken her heart. But this evening, when he +came in with the marks on his face which led her to believe he had +been engaged in another bar-room brawl--for this was not the +first--the sense of their disgrace came upon her with such +overwhelming force as to bow her proud spirit to the earth. + +During the day she had been visited by her sister's husband, whom +she had not seen for years, and she had experienced that +humiliation which those only can understand who have been in +circumstances of comfort, if not of opulence, and through the +misconduct of others have been brought to poverty and disgrace, +and, under these changed conditions, are visited by those they +have known in the days of their prosperity. The early opportunities +of her brother-in-law had not been at all superior to that of her +husband; but he was now rich, residing in a palatial home, and the +thought that he had found her such a victim of poverty and neglect, +added to her accumulated bitterness. + +Her husband, as he sat eating his supper, ever and anon cast his +eyes to where she sat--her tears seemed to irritate him more than +words could possibly have done. + +"I don't see, Nell," he said, "why you should sit there sulking +after that style. I guess I'll go back to where I came from, I do +hate a person to sulk." + +"I am not sulking, Henry," she replied bitterly; "but I am +heart-broken with grief and shame. It was bad enough, surely, for me +to be compelled to suffer the disgrace of being a drunkard's wife, +and of being, with my children, dragged down from respectability to +poverty and rags, without having to endure the thought that my +husband--through his drunken, quarrelsome habits--had given people +the opportunity to bruit his name through the country as a bar-room +bully." + +While she was speaking, her eldest son had entered the house. He +was almost a man grown, and was a fine-looking, athletic young +fellow. He, as well as his brothers and sisters, had suffered a +great deal from his father's cruelty, and Mrs. Morris had +frequently screened them from her husband's wild fury; for, though +he had often threatened, he had never so far forgotten his manhood +as to strike his wife. His son had lately decided not to endure +any more abuse, nor, if he could prevent it, would he allow his +father to maltreat his brothers and sisters. He acted upon this +resolve when, on another occasion, as we have previously stated, +he, with the assistance of his mother, had prevented him from +smashing up the furniture; though, in order to do this, they had +to overpower and bind him with ropes. Of course they could not +have succeeded had he not been very drunk. Morris at other times +in his wild frenzy acted as though he had just escaped from +bedlam. So foolish had he been, that there was scarcely a door or +a piece of furniture in the house which did not bear some mark of +these seasons of desperation. + +The son immediately saw that his father was in his most +quarrelsome mood, for his eyes flashed fire; and no sooner had +Mrs. Morris stopped speaking, than he replied in his most rasping +tones: + +"I want you to shut up, Nell, and if you don't I'll make you. I +suppose, now Jim has come, you think you can run the establishment; +and because you succeeded in tying me up the other day, you +imagine you can do it again. I was drunk then. You had better try +it on now if you think you will be able to complete the contract." + +"Oh, Henry!" replied Mrs. Morris, "you know well enough that all +we did was to prevent you from destroying the furniture and +abusing the children, when you were so drunk as not to know what +you were doing. Why do you go away and disgrace us, and then come +back drunk to abuse us and make home wretched." + +"It was thrown in my teeth to-night by Tom Flatt," he continued, +without noticing what his wife had said, "that you and that +precious son of mine, who is now sitting there grinning, tied me +up the other day and whipped me. I guess he won't tell me that +again in a hurry, as I nearly finished him; and I gave him to +understand if he did I should complete the job. Now, I suppose, +Jim, you want to try it on again; if you do, just come along--I'm +not drunk now!" + +"Now, father, why can't you behave yourself? You know we only +prevented you from doing something you would be sorry for +afterwards." + +When Jim thus spoke he did not intend to be impudent to his +father, but; on the contrary, to allay his temper; but his words +had just a contrary effect, for the latter immediately sprang to +his feet and said, while his eyes were blazing with passion: + +"How dare you speak to me of behaving myself? Things have come to +a pretty pass when you dare thus to dictate to me. This comes from +your mother encouraging you to disobey me. Now you take your hat +and go, or I'll make you." + +"I am not interfering with you, father; and if you were yourself +you would not want me to go. If you let the others and me alone I +will not say a word to you." + +"Leave the house this minute," his father roared, "and don't dare +to bandy words with me." + +"Father," said the son quietly, "I'll not do it. I am not going to +leave my mother and the rest here alone to be abused by you." + +"You say you won't!" he hissed between his clenched teeth; "but +you will, or I'll break every bone in your body." + +As he said this he ran around the table to the place where Jim was +standing; but the latter, nimbly avoiding him, dodged to the other +side of the table, while the rest of the children ran screaming +into another room. Mrs. Morris attempted to expostulate, but her +voice was lost in the general confusion; and Morris had become so +enraged that he was literally frothing at the mouth. He chased Jim +around the table for a few times, but his efforts proving +abortive, he, in his mad rage, seized a heavy glass tumbler and +threw it, with all his strength, at Jim's head. + +"Look out, Jim!" screamed his mother, in a voice of horror, and +the boy dodging, the tumbler just grazed the side of his face; if +he had not done so, it would have taken him square in the mouth, +and would certainly have knocked out most of his front teeth, if +it had not broken his jaw. + +But, though Jim fortunately escaped, Harry, the brother next to +him, was not so fortunate, for he happened to be standing +behind--almost in line with Jim--and the tumbler, which missed +the latter, struck him with terrific force just above the temple, and, +glancing therefrom, struck the window-sash behind, shattering two +of the panes to atoms from the force of the blow. + +The boy, with a groan, sank to the floor, turning deathly pale as +he did so, and in a moment the blood began to trickle down his +face. + +"Oh, Henry!" exclaimed Mrs. Morris, "you have killed Harry! Oh, +how could you throw a tumbler like that? Jim, bring some water +quickly." + +The mother bent over her boy, who lay as one dead; and, as Jim +came with the water, she bathed his head with it and sprinkled +some upon his face. But their efforts to bring him back to +consciousness were in vain, for he lay breathing heavily, but +still insensible. + +Morris, after seeing the effects of his reckless folly, stood for +a moment as one stunned. He was no longer drunk, but a sober and +deeply-penitent man. His boy lying there as dead, appealed to his +father's heart as no words could have done, and he now would +willingly have sacrificed his life if he could have recalled the +events of the last half hour. He came up to the bed, where Jim had +carried Harry, with face almost as white as that of his wounded +boy, and whispered: "I have not murdered him have I, Nellie dear? +Oh! my God, I hope I have not murdered him!" + +And then, in his anguish, doing what he had not done for years, +that is, sinking on his knees in prayer, he cried, as his bosom +heaved with agony: + +"O God! spare my child, and I will never drink again!" + +Then, rising, he looked at Harry for a moment, and as there was no +indication of consciousness, he said to his eldest son: + +"Jim! run for Dr. Dean. I am sure, my boy, you will not linger a +moment longer than there is need of your doing. Life and death may +depend upon your haste." + +Jim ran, and in a few moments returned with the doctor, who +examined the boy, and said to the group who were so anxiously +awaiting his decision: + +"His skull is not fractured. I think it must have been a glancing +blow, and I will soon bring him to consciousness. It was a +providential escape, however; for if the tumbler had come direct, +and struck him a little lower down, it would have killed him." + +"Thank God!" exclaimed Morris. + +"You may well thank Him," said the doctor, "for it certainly was a +narrow escape for both of you; that is, you just escaped from +being a murderer, and the poor boy here from being murdered. I +have often warned you, Morris, against drinking, and told you it +would end in some terrible catastrophe. I should think you would +now reform." + +"God helping, I will." + +Dr. Dean was a very strong temperance man, and had been an active +supporter of the Dunkin Act. He had, in fact, used all the power +of his intellect to make the legalized selling of liquor a thing +of the past; he was also an accomplished and eloquent platform +speaker. His friends, after earnest solicitation, had obtained his +consent to come forward as a candidate for Parliamentary honors. +So he was at the present the recognized opponent of Capt. +McWriggler, whose superior he was both morally and intellectually. + +After a while he succeeded in resuscitating Harry. The latter +opened his eyes, and as he did so they fell upon the doctor. + +"Where am I, mother?" he enquired. "What is the matter? What is +the doctor doing here?" + +"Never mind now, Harry dear," she said; "you have been hurt, and +if you are very quiet we will tell you after a while." + +Having shut his eyes as if he were satisfied, or as if he were too +weak to pursue the enquiry any further, the doctor felt his pulse +again, and remarked: "He will be all right in a short time." He +then gave them instructions as to how they should proceed in case +of contingencies, and turning to Morris said: "I believe you have +signed the pledge more than once, and a few moments ago you +remarked you would never drink again. Did you mean it?" + +"I did, and, God helping me, liquor shall never enter my lips +again." + +"Here is a pledge," and the doctor produced one. "Will you sign +it? I always carry one with me to use on such occasions as this." + +"I will, sir. And I am thankful to you for your interest in me. +Pray for me, that I may receive strength to keep it." + +Morris signed the pledge with trembling hand, and no sooner had he +done so than his wife, throwing her arms around his neck, kissed +him. "Thank God," she said, and then, casting her eyes heavenward, +she prayed: "O, my Father, aid him to keep his promise." + +"You kept sober," said the doctor, "for several weeks after the +Act came in force, and then you were, with several others, tempted +to drink." + +"Yes," said Morris, "I was coaxed to drink by the sheriff, though +I was weak and foolish to listen to him." + +"It was a vile conspiracy," continued the doctor, indignantly, +"and I am certain that some of those in the county who are now +infamously degrading the most important offices in the gift of the +Crown are among the conspirators. I am personally acquainted with +numbers who were seduced to their ruin by this devilish +conspiracy, entailing an amount of misery that it is impossible to +estimate." + +Before the doctor had finished speaking, Jim, who had been sent to +have a prescription filled out, came running in with a look of +horror on his face. "They are looking for you, doctor," he said, +"to go down to Flatt's. They say Tom has murdered his wife." + +"Another victim," said the doctor sententiously, and then he +hurried away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +TOM FLATT'S HUT--A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE IN WHICH +HE MURDERS HIS WIFE. + + +When Flatt arrived at the hovel where his wife and children +burrowed (for they could scarcely be said to live) he found them +in the most abject misery. But I will ask my reader to accompany +me to it. + +Imagine a log shanty, twelve by sixteen in dimensions, roofed by +troughs, or what appeared to be halves of hollow logs. The back of +the shanty on the outside was not originally more than six feet +high; but as the logs which formed the sides, and ends had so +rotted that by their own weight they had settled considerably, it +was now much lower. The shanty contained two windows, which were +ornamented by having two or three old hats used as substitutes +for panes of glass, and the panes which were not broken were so +cracked and splintered that they were in eminent peril of being +blown out at every violent gust of wind. + +But the exterior of the shanty, dilapidated-looking though it was, +gave no conception of the squalor and wretchedness which its walls +confined. I will introduce my readers to the inmates. + +Mrs. Flatt was an undersized, dark-complexioned little woman, who +at one time possessed considerable personal beauty; but she had +been so worn by toil, hard usage, and insufficient food, that she +now appeared little else than skin and bone; in fact, she as much +resembled a mummy as a being through whose veins throbbed the +blood of life. + +In different attitudes--on the clay floor, on the two miserable +beds, and on the old broken chairs and benches of the hut--were +distributed six children. They, if possible, were more squalid and +wretched-looking than their mother; for though it was midwinter, +not one of them was so fortunate as to possess a pair of shoes, +but they had frequently to run out from the hut into the deep snow +in their poor little bare feet, which were red, cracked, and +bleeding from the cold. The miserable rags in which they were +clothed did not serve to cover their nakedness; and their blue, +pinched faces pathetically spoke of want and neglect. + +The youngest of the number was a babe, some five or six months +old; she was lying in a creaky old cradle, which squeaked when +rocked as if uttering a discordant protest. She was a poor, +pallid, little thing, that scarcely seemed to have strength to +utter her low moan of pain, as she lay famishing for the +nourishment which the now starved mother was unable to supply. +The next older was barely able to toddle round on the clay floor; +and they ranged up from that until the eldest of the six was +reached, who was a bare-footed, bare-legged girl of eight. She +was, however, so dwarfed through rough usage, insufficient food, +and exposure, as to be little larger than an ordinary child of +six. + +"Mamma! I want a piece. I'se so hungry!" cried the third child +from the youngest--a little boy, about four years of age. "Oh, +mamma! I do want a piece." + +"And so do I, mother," cried the next, a little girl of five. "Oh! +why don't dad come with the bread?" + +"Piece, mamma, piece!" whined out little Katie, the next to the +youngest. "Piece, mamma, piece!" she cried out again piteously, as +she toddled over to her mother, and, hanging on to the skirts of +her dress, looked up with a famished longing that made the latter +sob convulsively. + +"Oh, children!" she said, "mother would give her darlings bread +if she had any, but there is not a crumb in the house; no, dears, +not one poor crumb, so I can't give my children any now; but I +hope your father will come home and bring some bread with him; and +if he does, then you shall all have some. Don't cry, now--you make +mother feel so bad." + +"Mamma," said Nannie, the eldest girl, "I wish father was dead." + +"Hush, child," said the mother sharply; "you must not talk so." +But in the mother's reproof there was an utter want of the emotion +of horror at the astounding and unnatural wish of the child. It +seemed as if she was reproved for giving utterance to her +thoughts--not for entertaining them. In fact, the mother had often +in her heart entertained similar sentiments, and wished that her +drunken, brutal husband were dead. + +When they were first married, Flatt had treated his wife well for +a time, and they lived as comfortably as people of their means and +limited stock of intelligence generally do. But he began to +indulge in drink, and from that period until after the Dunkin Act +became law, he seemed to be predominated with the instincts of a +brute. He worked but little at his trade, which was that of a +brickmaker, and the small amount that was earned by him was mostly +squandered in drink. Mrs. Flatt tried to keep her children from +starving by taking in washing; and very frequently the brutal +husband and father would return from his drunken orgies to eat the +scanty meal she had toiled so hard, with weary body and reeling +brain, to procure for her children. If, under such provocation, +she ventured to protest, she would be answered by blows, and many +a time she had been beaten black and blue by the brutal monster. + +After the Act came in force he had remained sober for several +weeks, and there was comparative cheerfulness and comfort in the +hut where he resided; the children, during that brief period, had +plenty to eat, and they did not dread his coming home for fear of +a beating. But it was not long before he was brought again under +the force of his old habits. He was, in fact, met by those who had +been appointed to induce him to drink; and they were as successful +in his case as they had been in the other instances which we have +mentioned. From that period, the life of Mrs. Flatt and her +children had been utterly wretched. + +Is it strange she had lost all affection for the brutal ruffian +who had the right, by law, to call her his wife? or that his +neglect of both her, and their children, his kicks and blows, had +driven out even the last vestige of respect, and that now +detestation--yes, even intense hatred--had taken full possession +of her soul? And once, or twice, as he lay in his drunken slumber, +utterly in her power, the awful thought had possessed her that she +could, in a few short minutes, revenge herself for all his abuse +by taking the life which had so utterly cursed and blighted her +own. And then, when, coming to her better self, she meditated upon +the sin of harboring such thoughts, a feeling of horror crept over +her and chilled, her blood; when, throwing herself impulsively on +her knees, the cry had gone up from her heart: + +"Oh, my Father! save me from temptation." + +The reader, after this explanation, can easily understand how it +was she rebuked her child for giving expression to her thoughts +rather than for entertaining them. + +"But, mother, I do often wish dad was dead, and I might as well say +it as think it," said Nancy. + +"And so do I," boldly chimed in little Jack, a precocious and +manly little fellow of seven, who very much resembled his mother; +"for if he was dead he could not beat you and thump us until we +were black and blue, mother. And he would not eat up everything +from us, and drive us all out into the snow." + +The mother sternly rebuked the children for talking in that +manner. "No matter how bad he is," she said, "he is your dad, and +it is very sinful to be talking after that style. + +"Hush, children!" she whispered; "I guess here he comes!" + +In a moment the only noise which could be heard in the shanty was +the low moan of the baby, as it lay in the cradle, while from the +outside could be heard the heavy, uneven thud of advancing +footsteps. + +"Drunk as usual!" whispered little Jack; "now look out for thumps +and bruises. Oh!" he whispered through his clenched teeth, "I wish +I were a man, then he wouldn't beat us like he does now, for I +wouldn't let 'un do it." + +"Take the baby, mother, and run over to Tremaine's," said Nannie; +"I'm afraid he'll kill you." + +"No, Nannie, I'll not run; if he kills me I can't help it; I'll +not run away any more. I'm afraid it will come to that some day, +but I will stay and take care of you all, no matter what happens." + +The children had just managed to crawl under the two dilapidated +beds when their father lifted the latch and stumbled into the +room. + +"Oh! what's the matter, Tom?" said his wife, as at a glance she +took in his disfigured face. + +"What's that to you?" he replied with an oath. "If you'd get me +something to eat, it 'ud show more sense than asking what's none +of your business." + +"There is not a bit in the house," she replied, and then, stung +into reckless madness by his asking for food when he had spent for +whiskey the money with which he had promised to procure it, she +continued bitterly: "The children have been crying for something +to eat for the last two hours, in tones that would melt the heart +of a stone, and I hadn't a crumb to give 'um, and you, who have +been spending on drink what should have bought it for them, have +the brazen impudence to come home drunk, demanding food. Go to the +cupboard and get you some, if you think there is any there." + +"Now, Nance, I don't want any of your chin music, but I wants you +to get me suthin' to eat. You can't fool me; I knows you has got +it in the house." + +"God knows, Tom, there isn't a bit. Do you suppose if there was +any I would let the children be crying for it and not give it to +them? If you think so, you don't know me yet; for I can tell you +it would have been given to them two hours ago, and not saved for +one who allows his own flesh and blood to starve, while he spends +that which would furnish them with bread for rum in a rum-shop." + +The reader might be ready to assert, after reading this connubial +wrangle, that the fault was not all on one side, but that Nancy's +sharp tongue was in some measure responsible for Tom's drinking; +that, in fact, if she had not been such a termagant he might, at +least, have been an average husband. But if you have so concluded, +I will endeavour to disabuse your mind; for Nancy, before she +married Tom Flatt, was a smart, good-tempered lass, but his +continued neglect and abuse had vinegared all her sweetness, and +she was not of that temperament which could bear ill-treatment +without giving expression to her feelings. If, in her youth, she +had been surrounded by different associations, and then married to +a man who could have appreciated her, she might have developed +into an intelligent, loving woman; but the terrible wretchedness +of her life, brought about by the faults of her husband, had +turned all her nature into bitterness. + +And let me ask any of my gentle readers if, under similar +circumstances, honeyed words would have been uttered by you? If +you had suffered such treatment, and not only you but your +children, who were bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh, do +you not think you would protest? If you were being dragged down +into the slough of poverty, disgrace, and wretchedness, and you +knew that he who was thus dragging you down could, if he were a +true husband and father, place you in a position of comfort and +respectability, but who was devouring from you and your children +food that you had earned by the most menial drudgery--by the sweat +of body and brain--and leaving you all to nearly famish for +bread, would you not remonstrate? Nay, would not feelings of +outraged confidence, of soul-anguish, sorrow, and shame coin +themselves into bitter chiding words which you would be powerless +to repress? + +How many thousands of sweet, pure souls, who, in their innocent +maiden days, were the embodiment of gentleness and affection, +have, after marriage to some brute in human shape, been brought, +by years of neglect and abuse, to become that which is among the +most maligned and despised of all creatures--a scolding wife. + +We must, in all fairness, admit that such Nancy Flatt had become. +Her nature, as we have said, was intense, and she had endured a +great deal in her early married life. At first she would gently +remonstrate, but as years rolled on and she had not only to suffer +neglect and abuse herself, but her helpless little ones also, her +remonstrances became tinged with the acidity of her soured nature; +and finally as toil, neglect, and hunger reduced her to the +haggard, dejected creature we have presented to the reader, she +would meet Tom's oaths and blows with her only weapon of defence, +and pour out sharp, rasping words from her woman's tongue. + +"I tell you what it is, Nance," said Tom, in answer to her +chiding; "I want you to shut that jaw of thine and get me some +grub, or I'll make you wish you had never been born." + +"You have made me wish that a thousand times, Tom," she answered +with passionate bitterness. "See that wasted arm," and suiting the +action to her words she stripped up her sleeve; "look at my +fleshless face--what has brought me to this but starvation and +drudgery? Hear the moaning of that helpless babe in the cradle, +crying for nurse that starvation has dried up. Oh, Tom! how can +you spend your money in whiskey when you know we are starving at +home? You knew when you left this morning there was not a morsel +of food in the house, nor money to buy it, for you have not +brought in a cent for weeks, and you promised when you left to +come right back with bread, but instead of that you have spent the +day in drinking whiskey and fighting with great hulking loafers +like yourself, and now you come home to abuse your wife and +children. You are worse than a brute; for brutes do provide for +their own flesh and blood, while you have nothing better than +oaths and blows for yours." + +With fearful oaths Flatt sprang forward to answer his wife's +passionate arraignment of his conduct by the method he usually +adopted on such occasions--that was, by the irresistible logic of +his ponderous fist. As she saw he was about to make the rush, her +first impulse was to open the door and run for safety, for well +she knew, from a terrible experience, that when he was aroused he +had the ferocity of a brute with the temper of a demon. But as she +was about to do so she saw he did not heed the cradle which lay in +his way. The danger of her child caused the mother to be heedless +of her own, and, with the wild cry, "Look out for the babe, Tom!" +she sprang forward and snatched it from the cradle, thus bringing +herself into the power of the furious brute. In his mad rage he +picked up a trowel which, unfortunately, lay near him, and, as his +wife was rising with her babe, he struck her with terrific force +upon the head, the sharp corner of the instrument cutting through +the flesh and imbedding itself deep into the skull, carrying the +hair with it. + +"Oh, Tom! you have killed me!" she groaned, as she fell forward on +her face, covering her babe as she fell. But even in that terrible +moment she must have had some thought of it, for she managed to +shift over on her side, clasping it to her breast as she did so. + +All the ferocity in Tom's brutal nature seemed to be aroused, and +the sight of his wife's blood running down over her forehead and +dyeing with red the pallid face of his child, which one would +think might have moved even a demon to pity, only seemed to arouse +the latent tiger within him, for he struck the prostrate woman +again and again, until she settled heavily on to the floor and was +limp and still. This act in the tragedy was complete, for Nancy +Flatt was dead, and her infant lay clasped in her arms bespattered +with the life-blood of its dead mother. + +The children, who had been cowering under the beds, witnessed the +terrible scene, and though they were frightened at their father's +and mother's jangling, as they thought it would result in the +latter being beaten--which was usually the case--at first they +kept perfectly still, for fear of what the result might be to +themselves if they drew their father's attention. But when he +struck their mother with the trowel and she fell forward with her +face bathed in blood, they gave vent to their terror in wild and +frantic screams. + +"Oh, dad!" cried little Jack, almost fiercely, "you've killed our +mamma." And as he thus spoke he stepped boldly out and faced his +father, seeming to have lost all fear in the presence of the +calamity that had befallen them; and then he and Nanny escaped +from the house and ran over to Tremaine's. When they reached there +Nannie, who had outrun her brother, burst into the door and said +in a ghastly whisper, which appeared all the more horrible because +of her pallid face, over which her hair was streaming in tangled +masses, giving her a ghost-like appearance: + +"Oh, Mr. Tremaine, dad has murdered mother! Run quick, sir, and +see!" + +Just then little Jack came up with face as pallid as Nannie's, and +though panting for want of breath managed to say: + +"Dad struck mother with the trowel!--and cut an awful gash in her +head!--and her face is all covered with blood--and I think she is +dead." + +Tremaine, who was really a noble fellow, though he unfortunately +did indulge in strong drink, immediately ran over to the shanty, +and when he arrived there he found the children's fears were well +founded, for a spectacle so ghastley in its details met his view +that, strong man as he was, he stood for a moment as if bereft of +motion, and even thought. + +Nancy Flatt was lying stark dead on the floor, and her babe, which +was yet muttering its low moan of hunger, was clasped close in the +arms of its dead mother, and was dabbling in the blood which had +flowed from the wounds in her head and face. + +Tom was not to be found. He had evidently realized, when it was +too late, what would be the consequence of his terrible crime, and +had fled to escape the Nemesis, in the form of avenging justice, +which he knew would soon be on his track. + +I will not, however, enter into the details of his capture, +imprisonment, trial and execution; for Tom Flatt was executed for +the murder of Nancy, his wife; and on the scaffold he, as +thousands of others in similar circumstances have done, blamed his +wife's murder, his own sad fate, and his children's orphanage, to +love for strong drink. + +Reader, was Tom Flatt alone responsible for the murder of his +wife, or were there not others who, at least to some extent, +shared with him that responsibility? Could the man who sold him +the liquor, or he who manufactured it, or the Government who drew +revenue--which to all intents and purposes was blood money--from +its sale, or the intelligent electors who, in the exercise of +their franchise and by their sympathy, endorsed that legislation, +escape all responsibility? My dear reader, ponder this question, +for great issues are involved in your conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +JOHN, JUN.'S WEDDING--BARTON'S MURDER--LUELLA SEALY'S +SUICIDE--GINSLING'S TRAGICAL DEATH. + + +The truth of the aphorism of Solomon--"Whoso diggeth a pit shall +fall therein"--is verified by multiplied examples the wide world +over every day of the year, and it received a very striking +verification in the events which we shall chronicle in this +chapter. + +The reader will recollect that the leading mind among the +conspirators was John Sealy, Esq. He was the one who suggested the +infamous scheme, which was afterwards adopted, of leading as many +poor unfortunates as possible to drink. He did not calculate that +into the pit which was thus dug for others he himself, or some +member of his family, might possibly fall. But we anticipate. + +His only son, John, jun., had been associating with low companions +and conducting himself in a manner that was not at all satisfactory +to him, John, sen., or to Mrs. and Miss Sealy; and, to crown all, +they had every reason to believe he was actually paying his +address to Miss Angelina Porter, a daughter of Old Joe Porter, who +kept the groggery. This, of course, was very distasteful even to Mr. +and Miss Sealy; but language would fail us in any attempt we might +make to delineate the utter consternation of the high-toned Mrs. Sealy +when she became satisfied that the rumor was founded on fact. +She had again and again remonstrated with him, but without effect, +as he had treated her remonstrances with good-natured contempt; +and when she resorted to harsher means and applied contumelious +epithets to his intended, he returned a Roland for her Oliver, so that +she, finding it was useless to try to influence him, sulkily retired +from the encounter. + +But though baffled in that direction she was determined not to +give up; for she thought if she could not accomplish her object by +one method she would resort to another, and thus she might +possibly succeed. She, in fact, determined to address a letter to +Miss Porter, to see if she could not influence her. Acting upon +this impulse, the vain and foolish woman sent her a very insulting +epistle, such a one in fact as could only emanate from a coarse +and vulgar mind. + +Miss Porter treated it with the contempt it merited, and did not +even mention to John, jun., that she had received it; and he might +have remained in blissful ignorance of his mother's folly had she +not in her insane fury spitefully said to him: "I have sent the +low, designing thing a letter, giving her to understand what we +think of her, and what she may expect if her schemes are +successful and she entraps you into marrying her." + +That information drew the retort from the dutiful and affectionate +son that Angelina Porter was his mother's equal in every respect, +and that she need not "take on such airs" and make such a fuss, +because the former's father kept "a low groggery," as she termed +it, when she knew that her own father (that was his own maternal +grandfather) made all his money at the same business; "and you +know, mother," he added, "grandfather was not a bit superior in +any respect to Joe Porter, though you so affect to despise the +latter." + +"You know you are saying what is not only false, but also +insulting to your own mother," she answered; and now she was +weeping bitterly. "I knew you had become low in your aims since +you had associated with the set you now think so much of, but I +did not think you had become so abandoned as to scandalize your +own dead grandfather." + +"But, mother, you forget you are scandalizing one who is nearer to +me than grandfather was to you, and that you sent her a low, +scurrilous letter, full of bitter taunts and insults, which you +intended should annoy her." + +"If she gets you," his mother answered, with a sneer, "I guess +she'll forget it. I want to inform you," she added, and she had +reserved this broadside for her final effort, "if you marry that +low creature I'll disown you, and I know your father will cut you +off with a shilling, and let you go to her and her low, drunken +sot of a father to find a living." + +"You and father can do as you please and so shall I," he almost +savagely retorted; "but dad had better sweep his own doorstep +before he complains about his neighbor's being dirty, for he is +not very select in his own company; and if he does not keep a +groggery, those which are kept in this town have few more +attentive customers. I only know of one who can claim to excel him +in this respect, and that is he whom you have, by your schemes, +almost compelled poor Lou to accept as her affianced husband. I +mean that distinguished member of the bloatocracy, Stanley +Ginsling. Consistency is a jewel, mother, you know and if you are +consistent, you will not come down on me for marrying one whose +father you term 'a sot,' and at the same time scheme to ally your +daughter to one who is a perambulating whiskey barrel." + +Mrs. Sealy did not try to answer her son; she felt, in fact, if +she were to attempt it, she could not possibly do justice to the +subject; so she gave him what she intended for a withering look, +gathered up the skirts of her dress, and swept majestically from +the room. + +That evening she had a long consultation with her husband in +regard to the matter, the result of which was a very stormy +interview between the father and son, when the latter, having been +threatened with disinheritance if he did not break off from all +association with the Porter family, gave the father to understand +as it was a matter that more especially concerned himself, he +should observe his own mind in regard to it, and his father might +dispose of his property as it pleased him. + +The climax was reached when the residents of Bay View--for that +was the name of their villa--heard that John, jun., and Angelina +Porter were married. He had, in fact, the license in his pocket at +the time he held his interview with his father, and had gone +directly after to the groggery of his intended father-in-law, and +having secured the services of the Rev. John Turnwell, the +ceremony was privately performed. + +Porter and his son-in-law celebrated the wedding by getting +gloriously drunk. This caused the young bride intense pain; for +though she had been long accustomed to such scenes, it came closer +to her when her own husband was involved. + +John, jun., did not go near his father's residence, nor indeed +take any steps towards reconciliation, for, he said, "the old man +will come around all right after awhile." He, for the time being, +kept bar for Joe Porter, and was one of his most bibulous, though +not one of his most profitable, customers. In fact, he was +generally intoxicated each day by noon, and before night was +stupidly drunk. + +His father, who really thought as much of his boy as it was +possible for a man with such a nature as his to think of any one, +heard he was going rapidly to destruction, and felt some effort +must be made to save him. He had a conversation with his wife in +regard to the matter, and though she declared she would never +forgive her son for marrying into such a low family, as she knew +it would subject her to the cynical and sneering remarks of some +of the set with whom she associated, yet she concluded it was +better to make the best of the matter, and not, by a course of +coldness, drive him utterly to destruction; so she agreed with her +husband when he said he thought he had better go and see him, and, +if possible, wean him from his present debauch. + +Mr. Sealy owned a farm of two hundred acres, which was situated on +the shores of the bay, about two miles east of Bayton. It had been +the old homestead, and he had always intended to will it to his +son; but since the memorable interview, when the latter had spoken +so defiantly, and then followed up his words by forming the +alliance against which his father had warned him, Mr. Sealy, in +his anger, determined to carry out his threat, and cut his son off +without a cent. But when he found he was likely, if left much +longer with his present surroundings, to degenerate into a +dissipated loafer, he relented, and now determined to offer it to +him if he would settle there immediately. + +The fact was, that now the evil effects of drink was brought home +to him, and his only son was one of its victims, he suffered very +keenly indeed, and was willing to humiliate himself and make +considerable sacrifice to save him. + +With this end in view, he went to Porter's quite early one +morning, for he was almost certain he would have to be there +before his son had an opportunity to indulge to any extent, if he +expected to find him sober. + +When he arrived at the groggery Old Joe had just opened up, and +was taking his morning drink, which his trembling hand indicated +he sadly needed. + +"Good morning, Joe," he said. + +"Morning," replied Joe, gruffly, in answer to the salutation. + +"Where is John, Mr. Porter?" This question was asked in Mr. +Sealy's blandest tones, for he was sufficiently acquainted with +human nature to perceive nothing would be gained by being cross. + +"He hasn't come down yet." + +"Will you kindly tell him I would like to see him?" + +"Yes, I will. But won't you have a glass of something to drink as +an appetizer? You must have been up early." + +As Porter spoke he handed down a black bottle labelled "Old Rye +Whiskey." + +"I don't care if I do take a smile," Sealy replied. And taking the +bottle from Porter's hand he poured a tumbler half full, and drank +it down as if it were so much water. + +"I will now run up-stairs and see if John has tumbled out yet," +said Porter; and suiting the action to the word, his bloated face +and burly form disappeared through the door. + +In a few moments John, jun., appeared, his face bearing palpable +traces of his last night's debauch. + +I will not enter into a lengthy narrative of the interview between +father and son; suffice to say that everything was amicably +arranged, and in less than a month from the date of the interview, +John, jun., and his wife were settled in the old Sealy homestead. + +For awhile Mrs. Sealy was cold and distant, but finally she became +reconciled, and frequently visited them with her daughter, who +from the first had treated her brother's wife with kindness, +having found her an amiable and well-disposed little thing, who +would have made some man a good wife. But she was not composed of +stern enough stuff to have influence upon her husband. + +John, jun., certainly did not indulge in drink, after his removal +from his father-in-law's, to the same extent as he had previously +done, but yet he had got to be such a victim to the habit as now +to become intoxicated at every favorable opportunity, which not +only caused his wife excruciating pain, but was also the source of +annoyance and sorrow to his parents and sister. But though Mr. +Sealy was sorely troubled by his son's conduct, and was led to +realize, at least to some extent, the worry and shame that is +associated with having a near relative an habitual drunkard, +strange to say it did not seem to change his views in the least in +regard to the drink traffic, for he still remained as stern, and +uncompromising an opponent of teetotalism as ever. + +It was about a month after John, jun., and his wife had commenced +housekeeping that Miss Sealy came to spend a week or two with +them. She, in fact, thought she might have a restraining influence +upon him, as he had genuine affection for her, whom he had always +found to be an affectionate sister and true friend. + +While she was there, Stanley Ginsling, who, without loving, she +had been coaxed and badgered into recognizing as her affianced +husband, came to see her. + +John, jun., had, previous to this time, frequently met him since +the day when, conversing with his mother, he had employed such +stinging epithets to express his opinion of him, but had now +changed his mind. In fact, he now thought he was rather a good +fellow, and had promised to use his influence to overcome his +sister's evident aversion. + +Ginsling brought with him a flask of brandy. It was the same flask +that he used when tempting Richard Ashton at Charlotte, and he +and John, jun. indulged so freely of its contents as soon to be +considerably under its influence. Miss Sealy perceived the state +they were in, and blaming the former for leading her brother to +thus debase himself, gave him to understand his presence was +extremely distasteful to her, and that he might consider their +engagement broken off; for, no matter what influence might be +brought to bear, she had made up her mind, after what had just +transpired, she would never marry him. + +Her brother, in his drunken foolishness, had gone in to +remonstrate with her; but now, thoroughly aroused, she had +requested him, in indignant terms, to mind his own business. "It +is bad enough," she said, "to be disgraced by a drunken brother, +without running with eyes open into greater misery and degradation. +I told him our engagement was broken, and I meant it." + +John, jun.'s wife also rebelled. She had borne a great deal with +patience; but when Luella came in weeping bitterly, the former +rated her husband soundly, and told him, "If there was not a +change for the better she would leave him." The two women had then +retired to the parlor, and the two men went out into the kitchen +to smoke. + +"I don't see what is the matter with Lou," said Ginsling; "she is +as cross as a badger. She gave me my walking-ticket, and told me +not to return again. I wonder if she has seen Barton lately?" + +"I don't think so. I know he has not been permitted to go to the +old man's; though I heard dad say he has been seen several times +hanging around there, but he never goes near except he is drunk, +which now is pretty nearly all the time. I suppose you heard he +had lost his position in the bank?" + +"Yes, I heard. The fact is, I told Smith, the manager, I was +surprised he had not turned him off long ago." + +"I tell you what it is, Ginsling, he was pretty badly gone on Lou, +and I believe she liked the beggar. But I never took any stock in +him; and if I were the old man, and he came hanging round, I'd +shoot him like a dog." + +"And so he should. I know, for my part, I would not be annoyed by +the drunken nuisance. I only want a good opportunity to pay a debt +I owe him, and then he shall have it with compound interest." + +Ginsling was quite under the influence of liquor when he made the +remark in regard to Barton, and the one to whom he was talking was +far from sober. They could both see the mote in Barton's eye, but +failed to remove the beams from their own. + +When Ginsling spoke of owing Barton a debt, he referred to an +incident which had occurred some time before. He had been one +evening in "The Retreat," which, my readers will remember, was +kept by Ben Tims; and while he was there William Barton had come +in, just enough intoxicated to be reckless, and Ginsling himself +was far from sober. The latter said something which the former +eagerly construed into an insult, and to which he replied by +knocking him down. Tims had then interfered, and led Barton into +another room, leaving Ginsling to stagger to his feet as best he +could. The latter, after picking himself up, went to the wash-room +and staunched the blood flowing from his nose, which Barton's blow +had made more bulbous than usual, washed all traces from his face, +and then left; but before he did so, he vowed he would be even +with him yet. + +"You had better look out, Barton," said Tims; "that rascal will +have his revenge if you give him any chance, and I believe he is +as treacherous as he is cowardly. I'm glad you hit him though, +only I'd rather it hadn't happened in my place." + +"He gave me an opportunity I was waiting for," replied Barton, now +seemingly almost sober. "I'll risk all the harm he is likely to do +me." + +Tims knew very well how it was with the poor fellow, but he had +too much good taste to refer to it. + +It was of this bar-room squabble Ginsling spake when he said he +"owed him a debt which he was determined to pay back to him with +interest." + +John, jun., who was cognizant of the facts, remarked, "If he were +in his (Ginsling's) place, he'd be even with him yet." + +"I can't help but suspect that he has seen Lou lately, and I am +half inclined to think she likes him yet; if she didn't, she would +not have used me as she has done to-night." + +"She may have," said John, jun.; "but the reason she was so huffy +to-night was because you were drunk. But who's that?" he suddenly +exclaimed--"I believe it is Barton!" + +As he spoke, he drew back his chair from the window, and gliding +therefrom, stealthily crept to where he could observe all Barton's +movements, but where the latter could not possibly see him. +Ginsling also arose as stealthily as possible, and glided behind +John, jun. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and they could see +almost as plainly as if it were day. + +"Yes; it is Barton!" whispered Ginsling; "and I believe he is +drunk." + +"I wonder what the idiot is going to do?" questioned John, jun.; +"here he comes towards the house." + +"Let him come," said Ginsling; "I guess we will be ready for him." + +Barton staggered towards the veranda--which extended around three +sides of the house--and after one or two attempts to step up on to +it, was at last successful; then, muttering to himself, he came +towards the window, where the two men were observing him. + +"Hush!" said Ginsling, "he seems to be having an interesting +soliloquy, and possibly we may hear what he says." + +In the dead stillness of the night Barton's low mutterings could +be heard distinctly: + +"I am bound to see Luella," he said; "I know she loves me, for she +has told me so a hundred times, and she is too pure and good to +lie. I saw her coming here this morning, and I am determined to +see her and hear my fate from her own lips. Oh, Luella! I am sure +you love me, and if you will promise to be mine I will swear never +again to let a drop of liquor pass my lips." + +He looked ghastly in the moonlight, his pale face with its +background of jet black hair hanging in tangled masses down upon +his shoulders giving him a weird appearance. He became fiercer in +his gesticulations as he continued his strange, wild soliloquy. + +"I must know to-night from her own lips or I shall go mad." + +"He's that already," whispered Ginsling. "Mad as a March hare." + +"There will be no sordid father and mother to interfere with us +here! They want to sell you to that craven-hearted sot, Ginsling; +but he shall never have you, for before that shall happen I will +strangle him, even if I have to hang for it." + +As he thus spoke he advanced closer to the window. But he suddenly +clasped his hand over his heart and exclaimed: "Oh, Luella, I'm +shot!" and the same instant, the report of a pistol sounded sharp +and clear on the still night air. + +The shot was fired by Ginsling, who, maddened by the epithets +Barton had applied to him, had drawn a pistol, and, before John, +jun., could interfere, had fired through the window straight at +his advancing, antagonist. + +"Oh! you have done for him, Ginsling," said his companion, "and we +will both be arrested for murder." + +"But you can swear," replied Ginsling, "that he threatened to +murder me, and was advancing to break through the window." + +Just then the front door opened, and Luella Sealy ran around the +house on the veranda to the spot where William Barton had fallen; +for, after receiving the shot, he sank gradually to the ground. +When she reached the spot her frantic screams sounded through the +house, and echoed and re-echoed over the quiet bay. + +"Oh, William! my darling," she exclaimed, "has he murdered you?" + +As she thus spoke she sat down upon the floor of the veranda, and +lifting his head into her lap kissed him, her fair hair hanging in +dishevelled masses as she did so. + +Barton, however, was too far gone to respond by word, but Luella +could see by the light of the moon, that cast its flickering rays +on the scene, a look of joy for a moment illumine his eye and then +pass away forever: for William Barton was dead. + +Luella Sealy was taken to her room that night a raving maniac. The +sight of any member of her family made her furious; and she +accused them in the fiercest tones of murdering her darling +William. After awhile she became more calm, seeming to be quietly +slumbering, and, under the circumstances, they thought it would be +safe to leave her for a short time. Her father, acting upon this +idea, left her alone for a few moments while he went to call his +daughter-in-law to come and remain with her; but when he returned +to her room she was gone. In a moment all was excitement, and +every part of the house was searched, but she could not be found. +As, however, they ran round the varanda they found her under the +window, on the spot where William Barton had been murdered, lying +cold and dead, with a ghastly gash in her neck, and her white +garments dyed red with her life-blood. A razor, the instrument +with which she had accomplished her self-destruction, was +clutched, with the grip of death, in her red right hand. + +Ginsling was tried for the murder of Barton; but as John, jun., +swore the latter was about to enter the house to attack him, and, +therefore, the shot was fired in self-defense, he got off with a +short imprisonment. But after leaving the jail he found that it +would be neither agreeable nor safe for him to reside longer in +Bayton, as almost all of the inhabitants shunned him, and the +friends of Barton vowed vengeance against him. He accordingly left +to reside in the town of M----. He did not live long after +leaving Bayton. He went down to the quay one night, when he was, +as usual, so intoxicated as to have a very unsteady gait. +Unheeding the warnings of a companion he would venture too near +the edge; a sudden gust of wind came, he was carried off his +equilibrium and fell into the lake. His companion did all he could +to save him, but as there was a storm raging at the time, his +efforts were unavailing. He said Ginsling's bloated face appeared +for a moment in the hollow of the waves, and with an agonizing +tone he cried to God to save him; then a huge wave, more mighty +than its fellows, engulfed him, and he sank in life to rise no +more. A few days after his corpse was found floating upon the +water. "Accidentally drowned" was the verdict at the inquest, and +he was buried in a nameless grave, with no loved one or friend to +drop a tear on his last resting-place. + +Mr. and Mrs. Sealy were completely prostrated by what had +transpired, and retired from active life to hide their sorrows +from the world; they are, I believe, so living at the present +time. + +John, jun., soon vacated the house by the bay, some of the more +ignorant saying he did so because it was haunted by the ghosts of +William Barton and Luella Sealy. The house is now standing idle, +and is known to the children of the neighborhood as the "haunted +house," and many say that, in the night, two white figures are +seen walking on the verandah, and that frequently the stillness is +broken by the sound of a pistol, and the agonizing shrieks of a +woman in the anguish of a terrible fear. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +SOME OF THE CHARACTERS WHO HELPED THE REPEAL--A HOODLUM'S +VICTORY. + + +We have only given the reader one or two of the more prominent of +the tragic events which transpired after the passing of the Dunkin +Act, but a volume of ten thousand pages would fail to tell of the +suffering that was endured in hundreds of homes, by wives and +mothers and little helpless children; or how far the wave of evil +extended that was set in motion by the antis. + +When six months had passed they thought it would be a good time to +strike, as they were certain a majority of the voters were not +satisfied with the working of the bill. There had been a great +number of trials similar in character to the one we have already +noticed; and though, in numerous instances, those who were +notorious for their open and flagrant violation of the law +escaped, because of the questionable evidence given by themselves +and the wretched creatures who had been subpoened as witnesses, +yet a great many were convicted and fined. They then carried out +their pre-concerted scheme--appealed to the court over which Judge +McGullet presided, and he postponed, from time to time, his +decision. While the cases were thus remaining _sub judicia_, +the hotel-keepers were selling and giving away liquor, thus making +as many drunk as possible, and blaming the Act for the result. +This, of course, produced the effect they desired upon the great +mass of the unthoughtful, who began condemning it as a failure, +and clamoring for its repeal. + +The judge now gave, as his decision, that in his opinion the law +was _ultra vires_, which, of course, postponed the punishment +of the culprits until a higher court should settle the point at +issue. + +The liquor party were now jubilant, and the judge was toasted by +them as a "brick," as his "just decision enabled them to laugh at +the fanatics:" and as they now sold liquor with impunity, even a +great many of the pretended friends of temperance began to lose +heart, not possessing sufficient mental acumen to look back of the +effect to the cause which had produced it. + +A special meeting of the Bayton Branch of the association was +convened at the Bayton House, and a great many of the members of +that--in a Picwickian sense--honorable fraternity and their +friends were present. But there were two who had formerly taken a +very active part in its deliberations, who were now conspicuous by +their absence: these were John Sealy, Esq, and Stanley Ginsling. +The former had retired from public life to hide his disgrace and +sorrow in almost monkish seclusion; while the latter had, before +this, gone to "that undiscovered country from whose bourn no +traveller returns." + +The name of the former was mentioned, and a motion of condolence +was unanimously passed expressing sorrow for his affliction; but +it did not seem to occur to any present that the very traffic they +met to defend by such unprincipled means had been instrumental in +bringing about the result they affected to deplore; and no sorrow +was expressed for the horrible murder of poor Mrs. Flatt, the +orphanage of her children, nor the treacherous slaying of William +Barton. + +Reports were received from all parts of the country of the success +which had attended their efforts in plying their traffic--in other +words, the number they had succeeded in tempting to their ruin; +and many a laughable story was related with great gusto, of how +they had "fooled the fanatics," and had succeeded in getting on a +jolly tear certain individuals whom the Dunkinites had fondly +persuaded themselves they had reclaimed from intemperance. But not +one seemed to ponder for a moment upon the lives that had been +ruined by their machinations, nor upon what homes had been made +wretched, what suffering had been entailed, nor what souls had +been eternally lost through the success that attended their +devilish treachery. + +"Let us to business now, gentleman," said Rivers; "and permit me +to remark we have two questions to consider. The first is, Could +the repeal be carried at this time in the county? and the second +is, If so, what means will it be best for us to adopt in order to +make it a grand success? I will simply say that I am as certain as +I can be of anything in this world of contingencies, we could +carry it now with a sweeping majority." + +"There is nothing surer than that," said Bottlesby. It was moved, +seconded, and unanimously carried, that the attempt to repeal the +Act be made at the earliest opportunity. + +The question next considered was, What is the best means to adopt +to make success certain? + +"I suppose you will employ the Dodger?" said Bottlesby. "He is a +whole host in himself, and though he values his services rather +highly, it will pay in the end to employ him." + +It was moved, seconded, and carried that his services be secured. + +"The next thing to do," said Capt. Flannigan, "is to hire all the +busses in the town; and all the rigs that can be secured in the +county, then run them on the day of the election. We must spare no +expense, for we will get all the backing we want. This is a test +county, and the eyes of the whole of Canada are upon us, and the +association knows it will pay to spend money here, for if we +succeed in carrying the repeal in this place it will deter other +counties from trying it, thus it will save thousands of dollars in +the end." + +"I am instructed by the president of the association," said Rivers, +"to say that we need not spare expense for either speakers, horse +hire, or liquor, if the money is judiciously distributed. So you +see we need not be afraid to go ahead, as we shall have good +backing." + +"I move a vote of thanks to the association for its generous +offer," said Joe Porter. + +"I second the motion," said Michael Maloney, the keeper of a low +groggery in the purlieus of the town. + +The others present, who held both the mover and seconder in +contempt, would much rather the initiative had been taken in this +matter by men of little more respectability--for there is such a +thing as caste even among grog-sellers--but as Porter and Maloney +had taken the matter into their own hands, the others, though with +bad grace, had to accept the situation, and it was put and carried +unanimously. + +That night the whole scheme was mapped out. What men could be +approached, and who could best influence certain voters. They also +decided how much each would be called upon to sacrifice, that the +necessary ammunition might be furnished to carry on the campaign, +and how much would be required from the funds of the "association." +Captain McWriggler, the expected M.P., announced that a celebrated +speaker from the west who, like himself, was a candidate for +parliamentary honors, had intimated to him his willingness to assist +them in the campaign, if his services were required. This announcement +was received with uproarious applause, and it was moved, seconded, +and unanimously carried, that this magnanimous offer be accepted +with thanks. + +That night the usual banquet was held, and all those who were +present in the afternoon, and a great many invited guests who, of +course, were sympathizers, were also present. Among others Judge +McGullett was toasted because of his fearless, upright, and +impartial decisions, and Captain Flannigan sang, "He's a jolly +good fellow," etc., the others joining in the chorus. + +Their drunken orgies were continued into the small hours the +following morning. It is not, I suppose, necessary to state that +during this period there were numerous songs sung--some of which, +to say the least, were not of a high moral order--and speeches +were delivered whose senselessness were only equalled by their +blatant untruthfulness, when attacking men and women who were +working and suffering for the welfare of their fellow-men, and the +honor and glory of God. + +I do not think it necessary to enter into the details of the +campaign, which came on at the appointed time; and which, although +the real and true friends of temperance did all that men and women +could do to retain the law until it should receive a fair trial, +ended in the complete triumph of the liquor party. + +Augustus Adolphus Dodger, as usual, did yeoman's service for those +who employed him, and prostituted his really fine speaking talent +to the base purposes of giving impetus to a cause that every +year--in England and America--is sending over a hundred and fifty +thousand human beings to drunkards' graves and to a drunkard's +eternity, and which is costing civilized Christendom every year +over a thousand million of dollars. He proved to be a complete +master of that shallow sophistry which generally carries the +unthinking multitudes; and none knew better than he how to appeal +to the selfish instincts of those whom he was addressing. He +demonstrated to them, as they thought conclusively, that the +Temperance Act would have the effect of entirely destroying the +market for their barley and rye, and even depreciate the price of +their farms. Of course his nonsense was received as it should be +by the educated and thoughtful; but it was not to these he was +appealing, but to the ignorant, illiterate masses, and upon them +it had the effect he desired. + +Personally he was held in contempt by many of the respectable +among those whose cause he, for hire, advocated. They admired his +talents while they despised the man, and would no more associate +with him than English gentlemen would with a demagogue who, +because they knew he could influence a certain class, was hired to +do the dirty work of their party. In fact, he was despised by the +better class of hotel keepers, and was always called the "Dodger" +by them, being viewed in much the same light as the treacherous +miscreant was by the Italian nobleman of the dark ages, who, +because he was skilled in the use of the stiletto, was employed to +remove a hated enemy. + +Capt. McWriggler and his western friend were also on the ground, +speaking and working to carry the repeal. It was well understood +they were catering for the liquor vote, and were willing to resort +to any means, however low, to accomplish their end. + +Not only were these unprincipled hirelings, and would-be M.P.'s, +on the stump, to assist the liquor party in their endeavors, but, +astonishing to relate, there was also a minister of the Gospel, +who was actually engaged as a co-adjutor of these men and their +drunken battalions. The person to whom I refer was a certain Mr. +Turnwell. Dryden's picture of a celebrated personage in his day +would equally serve as a description of him; for he certainly was +"everything by turns and nothing long." He had, in his early +manhood, belonged to a certain church, and owed the education and +the culture he possessed to it; but because that body did not, as +he thought, recognize his exalted ability, nor give him such +charges as a man of his exceptional powers should occupy, he left +them in disgust, and from that time forward was their most rabid +opponent. In the charge he occupied immediately preceding his +present one, finding that his leading men were in sympathy with +the Dunkin Act, he gave it his actual support--stumping the +country in its behalf--and even after coming to Bayton he spoke in +favor of it; but receiving a hint from some who financially, were +main pillars of his church, he suddenly veered round and became +one of the strongest champions for its repeal. If he had possessed +the smallest modicum of good sense he would, after changing his +views--remembering his former course--have remained neutral, or, +in a modest manner, have endeavored to convince men he was +influenced simply by his convictions; but he was so lost to good +taste and what he owed to his holy office, as a professed priest +of Him who said, "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it +must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the +offence cometh," as to take the stump as a blatant opponent of +what the great mass of the good and pure of the county were +advocating in order to arrest the ravages of the greatest curse +that ever destroyed mankind. He soon became a recognized leader of +the rum party, and there is no doubt he influenced some, as he was +constantly quoting Scripture and twisting its meaning to suit his +purpose, conveniently forgetting to mention those passages that +would consign the major portion of those whose cause he was +advocating to everlasting infamy and woe. As might be expected, +the party he was assisting pointed to him as a model clergyman; +many of them who had not read a passage of Scripture for years, +having shaken the dust off their Bibles, turned to the verses to +which he referred, and when in the taverns, so intoxicated as to +be scarcely able to stand, they, with maudlin utterances, and +serio-comic grimaces, would unctiously quote these hackneyed texts +in the pauses which intervened between their drinks. + +The night the returns came in the liquor party, finding they had +carried the county by a large majority, had a grand torch-light +procession, and the "Dodger," with Capt. McWriggler, his western +friend, Ald. Toper, the president of the association, Rivers, +Bottlesby and Capt. Flannigan, were elevated into an open "bus," +and drawn by their enthusiastic admirers through the principal streets +of Bayton. They had hoisted a broom in the front of their vehicle +as an emblem of their victory. + +"What does that mane, Mike?" queried one of the army of ragged, +blear-eyed tatterdemalions of his mate. + +"Why, don't you know, Patsy," replied his friend, "that it manes +our party have made a clane swape of the cowld-wather men?" + +As the procession swept on the band played "See the conquering +hero comes," and Augustus Adolphus Dodger, who was vain enough to +suppose it was all meant for him, stood smirking, smiling, and +raising his hat to the mob of the "great unwashed" with as much +pride as if he had been a mighty hero receiving the homage of his +countrymen after returning from a splendid victory. + +If a stranger had formed his opinion of the citizens of Bayton +from those who made up that procession it certainly would not have +been a favorable one; for respectable men in the ranks were the +exception, not the rule. It appeared, for the time being, the +denizens of the lowest dens of the town and the surrounding +country were holding a drunken Saturnalia; for, as numerous kegs +of beer were rolled out into the street and tapped, while liquor +of a much stronger character was furnished without stint, it was +not long before it was almost literally a huge reeling mass of +drunkenness. Ever and anon some hero, smitten by the deadly shaft +of king alcohol, would tumble from the ranks of the ragged +regiment, his place being immediately supplied by another +volunteer, who was also willing to vigorously tackle the enemy, +though he should fall in the conflict. + +It only required a slight effort of memory to decide as to the +vast superiority of the virtuous Christian band, who were victors +in the former contest, to the reeling host of Bacchanalian +revellers, who were now, with howling songs of exultation, +celebrating their victory. And yet in some of the leading journals +the next day there were editorials rejoicing over what they termed +"the triumph of liberty," though, if they were open to conviction, +they had but to observe the character of the majority of those who +were celebrating their conquest to conclude it was for the time +being a supremacy of vice over virtue, of brute force over +principle, and of selfishness over philanthrophy. How respectable +papers of acknowledged ability could join in the brutal shout of +the ruffianly host--thus lending their powerful influence to sweep +away the barriers which the good and true had been endeavoring to +erect, that the onward tides of vice, crime, and misery, might be +kept back--we will allow them to answer? We will observe, however, +that in our opinion, it is not an indication of wisdom in a great +public journal to array itself against the great forces of +temperance and morality; for we believe it will discover, possibly +when it is too late, it has destroyed its influence with those +whose good opinion was best worth possessing. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +DEATH OF LITTLE MAMIE--A PROMISE. + + +As we have for a time lost sight of Richard Ashton and his family +we will now return to them. He had become almost an imbecile, +being a complete mental wreck, his family having to watch him as +they would a child to keep him from obtaining liquor. He was now +so weak in this respect that he would actually steal away, if he +could do so without being observed not returning until he was +brought back completely intoxicated. + +They had become quite poor; for though Mr. Gurney was giving Eddy +a good salary for one of his years and experience, yet, as Allie, +who had become weak from worry and over-work, was forced for a +time to desist from giving music lessons, his earnings barely +sufficed to procure life's necessities. + +Little Mamie was now becoming quite frail. She had in the early +part of the winter contracted a severe cold, which, having settled +on her lungs, congestion had ensued. She, after a protracted +illness, was now convalescent, yet it was evident she was not long +for earth, but, like a beautiful flower, was slowly fading away. + +"Mamma," she said one day, "I am going to die. Oh, how sad it will +be to leave this beautiful world, and papa, and you, my mamma, and +Eddie, and Allie! But," she added, "I am going to the beautiful +home of which I was dreaming, to be with Jesus, who loves little +children. And then in a little while you and papa will come, and +we will live in one of the 'many mansions' which Jesus has gone to +prepare. I shall not be long with you here, mamma; but you will +come to be with me. Eddie and Allie will be coming too, some day, +when God calls them, and we will all be home together." + +Her mother was deeply moved, but endeavored to conceal her emotion +from her little daughter. + +"My darling must not talk of leaving us; we could not spare our +little Mamie. No doubt, dear, but you will get better, now the +spring is coming, and soon you will be out with the flowers." + +Mrs. Ashton had to endure the agony that an intelligent, loving +mother must always experience when an almost idolized child, that +she could press to her heart forever, is fading from her. She +could see her dear, loving, bright little daughter--who was very +precocious, talking more like a girl of ten than one of only +five--slowly, almost imperceptibly, failing every day, and every day +becoming more bright and beautiful; but it was the beauty of the +flower that was to bloom but for a few hours, and then whither and +die away. + +One day in the spring, as she was looking at her mother, who was +working among her flowers, she began coughing violently; Allie, +who had been attending to her household duties, now joining them, +stooped down to help her, but as she did so she saw her face was +of deathlike pallor, and that the blood was slowly oozing from her +mouth, staining her pale lips with its crimson tide. + +"Mother! come quickly," she said, as she lifted Mamie in her arms +and ran with her into the house. She gently laid her on the sofa, +and then wiped the blood from her lips. + +Mrs. Ashton, when she reached the sofa, found her heart beating +violently; but she resolutely forced back her emotion, so that she +might not agitate Mamie. As she took her eldest daughter's place, +she whispered: "Go to the garden, dear, and tell your father to +run for the doctor. He must make haste, for I am afraid Mamie is +dying." + +Allie ran for her father, but, though he was there a short time +before, he could not now be found. The fact is, the wretched man, +who had been working in the vegetable-garden, had been watching +all morning for an opportunity to steal away and get a drink. +Finding the coast clear, when Mrs. Ashton and Allie had gone in +with Mamie, he, like a truant child stealing away from its +parents, glided out on to the sidewalk, and hastily made his way +to the nearest groggery. + +Allie told her mother her father had disappeared, when the latter +requested her to hasten and tell the doctor to come immediately, +as the case was very urgent. + +The doctor, when he arrived, endeavored to quiet Mrs. Ashton's +fears by assuring her there was no immediate danger; "but," he +gently continued, "she will not long be with you--two or three +days at the longest, and she may not linger that long." + +When Eddie came home he went for his father, and found him in +Flannigan's groggery with several others who were unfortunates +like himself. At the voice of his son, he straightened himself up +as well as he could in his intoxicated condition, looking at him +with a sort of dazed, stupid stare; but as Eddie went over to him, +saying, "Come, father, we want you at home," he took his arm and +walked quietly away. + +When they arrived at the house, Eddie took him round the back way +so as not to disturb the dying child, and after requesting him to +be as quiet as possible, as Mamie was seriously ill, he then went +in and told his mother his father was safe at home. + +Eddie and Allie wished their mother to rest for a time, as they +thought if she did not do so the fatigue and worry might result +disastrously to her. But she was firm in her resolve not to leave +the bedside of her dying child, so that all their solicitations +were in vain. + +Mrs. Gurney came to remain all night with them, so Eddie and Allie +retired. Mrs. Ashton was very grateful for this practical +expression of sympathy for this noble Christian woman. Mamie +passed the night quietly--not suffering excessive pain, but they +concluded she was growing weaker, the end being not far off. + +She was peacefully sleeping about five o'clock, and Allie having +awakened joined the watchers; she, with the assistance of Mrs. +Gurney, finally prevailed upon her mother to lie down, and, if +possible, snatch a little sleep. About six o'clock Mrs. Gurney +noticed there was a change for the worse in the little slumberer, +and she had just remarked it to Allie, when Mamie languidly opened +her large blue eyes--which now shone as if they reflected the +light of the heavenly land--"Mamma! Mamma!" she called in a low +but very distinct voice. + +Allie bent over her and asked, "What is it darling? Mamma has gone +to lie down for a little while." + +Mamie closed her eyes for a moment, and then opening them, said, +"Call her, and call papa and Eddie, for I think I am dying." + +Allie quietly left her side to call her mother. Eddie having just +arrived glided silently into the room, and then went to call his +father. He experienced difficulty in awakening him, who, though he +appeared to be in a stupor, no sooner heard that Mamie had asked +for him, and that she said she was dying, than he, having dressed, +made haste to go to her. When he arrived in the room he eagerly +asked his wife, "Is Mamie worse? You had better make haste, Eddie, +and run for the doctor." + +Mamie looked up as she heard her father's voice. "My own dear +papa!" she murmured; and then she continued, "don't go, Eddie; if +you do I shall never see you again, for I shall have gone home +before you return." + +"Papa, Mamma," she said, "each of you give me a hand." Her father +taking her right hand and her mother her left, she continued, +"Papa, I want you to promise me you will never drink again. I am +going to be with Jesus, and when I look down from heaven I want to +see my papa good, and not doing anything to make my mamma grieve +so, because then I shall grieve too. I know I shall feel so sorry +when I am in heaven, if my darling papa is out with the naughty +men drinking; for my mamma will come some day to meet me, but the +Bible says no drunkard can enter there; so if my papa dies a +drunkard I shall never see him again. Oh papa! shall I meet only +my mamma there, and will not my papa come too? Shall I look and +look for papa, and never find him?" + +She paused for breath, looking inquiringly at her father. The +effort had evidently taken from her most of her rapidly failing +strength, and every individual in the room was sobbing before she +had finished speaking. + +"God bless you, my darling!" replied her father, "I will promise +never to drink again, and God helping me, I will keep my promise." + +"Kiss me, papa, mamma, all." They each lovingly kissed her, she +murmured "thank you for--" but she could say no more, her eyes +speaking the gratitude her failing voice could not utter. Her eyes +closed for a moment, and then slowly opening, she, turning them +upon all, faintly whispered, "Good-bye," and then they closed +never to open again to the light of this life. She lingered on as +if sleeping quietly with a sweet smile of peace irradiating her +face, and sank gently to rest, so gently they could not tell the +exact moment of her departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +RICHARD ASHTON MURDEROUSLY ATTACKED--HIS DEATH. + + +Richard Ashton faithfully kept the promise made to little Mamie; +for he never touched nor tasted liquor again. His struggle was a +desperate one; but as he was determined, by the help of God, to +conquer, he succeeded. Mr. Gurney again employed him, but in a +subordinate position; and though there was subdued sadness in the +house, because they missed the prattle of their lost darling--missed +her sunny face and cheery songs--yet even in her death she +had left such a benediction that they were still experiencing its +blessedness months after she had passed away. It was her dying +request which had influenced her father to change, and he was +truly changed; for not only had he, as we have noticed, conquered +his appetite for strong drink, but he had so completely repented +of the past as to have become a devoted Christian, and was +trusting that through the merits of his crucified Redeemer he +would, one day, meet his little daughter in heaven. + +But trouble, dark and terrible, was again to visit the home of the +Ashtons, and this time it was the poor lost sheep who had lately +been gathered by the Good Shepherd into the lower fold, that was +to be translated--though by a cruel death--to the green pastures +and still waters of the homeland above. + +One very dark night as he was returning home from the store, where +he had been detained later than usual, having reached the back +street on which his house was situated, and when within a short +distance of it, as he was passing an alley he was suddenly struck +a terrific blow on the head, which felled him senseless to the +earth. The ruffian who had attacked him was not content with +knocking him down, but continued brutally kicking him after he had +fallen, and did not desist until his victim was lying still, as +though dead. + +"I guess that settles the score I have against him," muttered Joe +Porter, for he it was who had made the murderous attack. "I'm +thinking they'll have a good time finding out who did it. And +he'll be some time before he swears against me again. If I only +had that young dandy here that took his part I'd settle with him, +too. No man ever meddled with me yet without suffering for it, for +I hold spite like an Injun, and I'll have satisfaction out of him +if I swing for it." Thus muttering to himself he glided off into +the darkness. + +Eddie, when on his way home a few moments afterwards, saw, by the +light of his lantern, a man lying on the sidewalk; and, on closer +inspection, what was his surprise and horror to find it was his +father. The latter's face was all covered with blood, and though +he seemed to be still insensible, he began to groan as though +conscious of pain. Eddie ran to a neighbour's, and procuring the +assistance of a Mr. Thompson, and two grown-up sons, he asked them +to kindly carry his father home, while he would run ahead and +prepare his mother for the shock which must certainly ensue; for +he wisely concluded, if on their entering the house she should +come to the door and meet them carrying what would appear to be +the lifeless body of her husband--in her present delicate state of +health--the effect would be most serious. He broke the news to her +as gently as possible, but he had uttered but a very few words +when she concluded something alarming had occurred. "Oh, Eddie!" +she exclaimed, as all color forsook her face--leaving it as white +as marble--"what has happened? Is your father dead?" + +Eddie answered in the negative, but said he had been hurt, though +he hoped not seriously. Hearing Mr. Thompson and his sons coming +with his father, he ran to meet them; his mother, having by this +time mastered her emotion, was now quite calm and prepared for the +worst. They bringing him in laid him on the bed, and Mrs. Ashton, +immediately getting a towel, began washing the blood off his +temple, knowing the water would likely have the effect of +restoring him to consciousness. She had not continued it long +before he awakened out of his stupor and faintly asked: "Where am +I? What has happened?" + +Mrs. Ashton replied, "You have been hurt, dear, but lie still, and +don't agitate yourself now, for you will know all about it after +awhile." He shut his eyes at her request and lay perfectly still. + +Eddie, in the meanwhile, had gone for the doctor, and in a few +minutes returning with him the latter proceeded to examine Mr. +Ashton. He found him very seriously, if not fatally injured. He +had been first struck on the temple by a cane or club. This blow +of itself was sufficient to do him very grave injury, but it had +been followed by brutal kicks on the prostrate man's body. The +doctor pronounced two of his ribs broken and his spine seriously +injured. + +"Will he recover, doctor?" asked Mrs. Ashton. "I would like you to +give me your honest opinion as to what you think the result will +be." + +"We must leave results with God," Mrs. Ashton. "He has been +brutally beaten, and what I fear most is the shock to his nervous +system. His constitution was so seriously impaired previous to +this attack that I have the gravest fears as to the issue." + +He never arose from his bed; though he lingered for several days, +and gave his wife and family the sweet consolation of knowing his +whole trust was in Christ, through whose merits and intercession +he expected to have an abundant entrance into His kingdom. Before +he died his ante-mortem statement was taken, when he said he just +had a glimpse of the person who struck him, and he believed his +assailant was Joe Porter. + +He remained conscious to the last, and the parting with his wife +and family was very affecting. He asked Eddie to be faithful to +his mother, which he promised to be. "Oh, Ruth," he said, "I have +been a very unfaithful husband. Rum has been our curse, but I know +you forgive me, darling." He then kissed them each; asking them to +meet him in heaven, and in a few moments after quietly departed. + +Thus died Richard Ashton, in the flower of his manhood, a victim +of the drink curse; for rum had broken his constitution, robbed +him of his intellectual vigor, reduced him and his family almost +to beggary, and he was finally murdered by one of its vendors. He +was endowed by his Maker with a bright intellect and a loving +heart. In his early manhood he fell heir to an ample fortune, and +was blessed with as good a wife as God ever gave to man; but rum, +"cursed rum," had blighted all his prospects, made life a failure, +and was instrumental in bringing him to an untimely grave. + +They buried him by the side of little Mamie in the beautiful +Bayton cemetery, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, to wait the +resurrection of the just." + +Joe Porter was arrested and tried for the crime, but, as several +of his creatures swore he was present in his bar until after ten +o'clock that night he was acquitted; though the public believed he +was the criminal, and he was despised and shunned by all but the +lowest dregs of the populace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +MR. GURNEY SPEAKS HIS MIND--DEATHS OF DR. DALTON AND AUNT DEBIE. + + +The antis were wild with joy because of their complete triumph; +and certainly, looking at the result from their standpoint, they +had cause to rejoice, for their victory was far-reaching in its +results. It strengthened the opponents of temperance throughout +our fair Dominion--yes, beyond its bounds--while it certainly had +a depressing effect upon its staunch supporters, for they were +well aware the failure would not be attributed to its true source +--that is, the bitter opposition it had met with from its +unprincipled opponents, the lethargy of many of its pretended +friends, and from other causes which we have already mentioned in +this book. But it would be published "from Dan to Beersheba" that +it had received a fair trial and, after being "weighed in the +balance and found wanting," had been spurned from the county with +contumely by the intelligent electors. + +"I told you it would never succeed," said Bottlesby to Mr. Gurney, +just after the repealers had gained their victory. "The fact is, +Mr. Gurney, while every one respects you personally, because they +know you are an honorable and upright citizen, having the best +interests of the public at heart, they think you are a little off +on this matter of total prohibition. I tell you such a law will +never be successful, because people will not stand to have their +private rights invaded in such a manner. No man has a right to +dictate to me what I shall eat or drink; and it is because the +intelligent electors have thus thought, this tyrannical bill has +failed." + +Mr. Gurney thoroughly despised the speaker, because he knew he was +a low, cunning knave, and a thorough-paced hypocrite. He was also +aware of the part Bottlesby had taken in opposition to the bill; +that he was one of the chief concoctors of the hellish scheme +which had for the time being proved so successful, and that in +giving the reason he did for its defeat he was simply lying. Mr. +Gurney thought, therefore, he would take advantage, of this +opportunity to "give him a bit of his mind," and lead him to +understand he was not ignorant of the means employed by the rum +party to accomplish their purpose. + +"It would probably have been better, Sheriff," he said, "not to +have entered into any discussion in regard to the matter; but as +you have thought fit to do so, and have advanced what you say is +your opinion as to the cause of the failure of this bill, you must +not feel aggrieved if I plainly give you mine. And as I have +listened with patience until you were through, kindly do not +interrupt me. Now, I do not believe, as you say you do"--and Mr. +Gurney laid particular stress upon the _you say_--"that the +Act was a failure because men would not have their private rights +interfered with--though I know there are many who are so selfish +as to be willing to allow thousands to perish rather than practice +a little self-denial; but that is not the reason of its failure. +It failed, sir, because there was a vile conspiracy against it; +and what made the conspiracy successful was, that among the +leading conspirators were officers of the law--the very men +without whose active co-operation it was impossible for it to be +successful. Allow me to illustrate what I mean by an anecdote: A +few years ago there was a gang of desperadoes, who operated in one +of the south-western states. They robbed every one with perfect +impunity for several years, all attempts to capture them proving +abortive, for they seemed, in some mysterious manner, to get +notice of any move made in that direction. But, strange to relate, +the people in that section did not cry for the repeal of the law +against stealing; on the contrary, they determined to vigorously +use the means placed at their disposal until those who had +violated its precepts had received the punishment they merited. At +last one of the desperadoes, having been taken ill and expecting +to die, revealed the secret of their successful evadence of the +law. It was because there were some in league with the outlaws who +were officers of the state, who, being in a position to know, +would warn them when any attempt was to be made to capture them. +Now, sir, this is a case in point; for I have no doubt there has +been a huge conspiracy to defeat the Dunkin Act in this county, +and among the conspirators there have been many whom, forsooth, we +must look upon as the guardians of the law." + +"Why, sir," broke in Bottlesby, "there have been among those who +opposed the Act ministers of the gospel, and numerous others, +whose characters are above reproach. + +"I admit there have been, and these, no doubt, conscientiously +oppose all coercive measures, but in my opinion, such are +comparatively few in number. The opponents of the Act are +principally those interested in the liquor business, whose craft +is in danger; the great body of their poor, miserable victims, +comprising among their number the vilest elements of society: +designing politicians, who pander to the liquor vote; and the +great mass of the indifferent, who will throw their influence upon +which ever side they are led to believe their interest lies. The +liquor party have appealed to their selfishness; and because this +class is not as rule intelligent, by employing such orators as +Dodger, and by a lavish expenditure of money, they have succeeded +for the present in getting their support--but, I warn you, it is +only for the present. The masses are becoming more enlightened. +With enlightenment there will be broader views of duty--of what +they hold to fellowmen and what to God. They will then be able to +place the proper value upon the shallow sophistries of the paid +demagogues, whose mission is to mislead them. + +"I ask you to mention to me one appeal that was made to anything +high or holy by Dodger or either of his confreres the other day. +You cannot do so, because they only appealed to the passions, +prejudices, and selfishness of those whom they were addressing. +You have gained the victory now, and we view it with sorrow, +though not with despair; for we will, by the help of God, pass the +Scott Act in this county, which is, I understand, a more mature +piece of legislation than the Dunkin Act. Its framers, having been +active participants in several temperance campaigns where the +latter has been on trial, have embodied in the new bill what they +have learned by experience and observation; even not failing to +learn something from the rabid and unfair criticisms of their +opponents. We, who have wrought and toiled to drive the liquor +curse out of the country, lose nothing in a pecuniary sense by +your victory--we had a higher purpose in view than our own gain. +It is the poor, miserable inebriates, and their wives and +children, who will suffer; and when the news of your victory was +flashed over our Dominion, it caused sorrow to visit the hearts of +thousands of the purest and best, while a fiendish howl of +exultation went up from every low groggery and brothel that the +tidings reached." + +Bottlesby stood like one stunned, as these words of indignation +and scorn flowed from the lips of Mr. Gurney. He made no attempt +to reply, but grew angry as he realized that the latter was well +aware of the active part he had taken in the plots of the rum +party; finally, cursing him as an old fanatic, he walked rapidly +away. + +About the time the conversation which we have related occurred, +Dr. Dalton had an interview with Mary Fulton, who had once been +his betrothed bride. She had been visiting some of her friends in +Bayton, and Dalton called to see her, but so absolutely was he the +slave of his appetite as to be under the influence of liquor when +he did so. He begged her to reconsider what he considered her +cruel decision, and to receive him on the same terms as of old; +but she kindly though firmly refused to accede to his request. +With tears in her eyes she told him she loved him yet, and should +never love another; "but," she added, "I cannot place the +slightest reliance upon your word, you have broken it so often; +nor will I ever marry one who is so addicted to drink, as it +would, in the end, involve us both in bitterest misery." + +He left her that night in a state of desperation, and she was the +last person who saw him alive. For a short time his absence was +not commented upon, as he frequently absented himself for lengthy +periods from his boarding-place; but as weeks passed away and +there were no tidings of him, the anxiety of his friends became +intense, and advertisments were inserted in the leading papers +asking him to reply, if alive. Receiving no response, a reward was +offered for any information regarding him; but this also proved +futile, and a year passed before they had any idea of his fate. +One day a boy who was gathering wood on the beach, which separated +the bay from the lake, when going into a thick grove of cedar +bushes which grew luxuriantly there, was stricken with horror to +see a ghastly human skull grinning at him. He immediately ran to +Bayton to tell what he had found, and he looked almost half-dead +with fright at his discovery. + +Those who went back with him searched and found in the skull the +mark of a pistol ball, and buried in the sand, 'neath the skeleton +fingers, was found a Smith & Wesson revolver. In the side pocket +of his coat his wallet was discovered, with its contents +untouched, and among numerous other articles was a letter +addressed to Charles Dalton. + +Thus perished, at the early age of twenty-six, one who possessed a +bright intellect and noble nature, but who had, after being the +source of inexpressible sorrow to his friends, been brought to an +untimely and dishonored grave through the drink curse. + +Mary Fulton now dresses in deep mourning, and still remains +faithful to her vow never to marry. She says her heart lies buried +in the grave with Charles Dalton, and her pale, sad face seals the +testimony of her lips. + +When Aunt Debie was informed of the doctor's death she said--"Did +I not tell thee, Phoebe, two years ago, when I dreamt of them +plucking the ears of corn, that Dr. Dalton would die before long? +Thee sees it has come troo, and I've never known it to fail. I +wonder if James Gurney would laugh now?" + +As the old lady spoke it would be difficult to conjecture which +was the predominant sentiment of her mind--sorrow, because of the +untimely death of Dr. Dalton; or a certain feeling of triumph, +because her predictions had proven correct. + +Aunt Debie always claimed credit for her prophetic powers if any +person happened to die of whom she had dreamt; and if they did +not, she asked her auditors just to wait and time would vindicate +her. Of course the old lady was correct in that, for, if they +waited for a sufficient length of time all would die." + +"Thee told it as straight as could be," said Phoebe. "I was sartin +it would come troo, for I never knew thee to fail. But what a +blessing it was that his mother died before this terrible deed was +committed." Genuine tears shone in the eyes of Phoebe as she thus +spoke. + +"Yes," said Aunt Debie, "God is sometimes like Jacob when he +blessed Joseph's children with crossed hands. We say, at some +visitation of His providence, that seems hard to us, 'Not so, +father;' but He knows where He is placing His hands. It was in +mercy that He took Rebecca that she might not have to bear still +greater sorrows. She is better where she is, and I shall soon be +with her; then these eyes shall no longer be sightless, but shall +be brighter than in youth. O! I long to be where I shall see the +King in His beauty, and the glory and loveliness of the Father's +home; where, these deaf ears being unsealed, I shall hear the +rapturous music of those who surround the throne and swell the +rapturous songs of the redeemed." + +Aunt Debie's wish has since been granted, and she has gone to meet +the friends of her youth in the land where they will part no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +CONCLUSION. + + +Six years have passed since the events narrated in the last +chapter transpired. Judge McGullet, Sheriff Bottlesby and Old Joe +Porter, have in the interval been summoned to attend the last +assize. The latter died of delirium tremens, and it was whispered +around that his family were afraid to bring a physician, because +he raved so of the treacherous slaying of Richard Ashton. The +judge was said to have died of brain fever, and the sheriff of +inflammation; yet it is an open secret that drink was the real +agent in their destruction. + +Rivers, Ben Tims, and the others whom we have mentioned, are still +plying their nefarious trade, which will in all probability +ultimately involve themselves and their unfortunate customers in a +common ruin. + +The temperance men are not disheartened, but intend ere long to +try and pass the Scott Act, which has more grip to it than the +Dunkin Act, in King's County; for in every county the friends of +temperance can apply to Government for the appointment of a +stipendiary magistrate, from whose decisions there can be no +appeal. So the antis, as they have found to their cost in several +counties where it has been tried, cannot trifle with it as they +did with the latter. The liquor party know this to be the case, +and so they have lately held a monster meeting, which was presided +over by the chief distiller in the Dominion--a man who has become +a millionaire by the manufacture of that which, no doubt, has +destroyed thousands of men, caused untold misery in thousands of +homes, and sent, God only knows the number, to a drunkard's hell. +What he has manufactured has, no doubt, prepared many men to +murder their wives; mothers to neglect, starve, and even destroy +their children; and, I have no hesitancy in saying, I believe has +caused more wide-spread devastation and ruin in this Dominion +since its establishment than what has been caused in the same +period by those two destructive agencies--flood and fire combined. +The meeting was convened for the purpose of taking steps to fight +the Scott Act in every county where it was submitted, and it was +there resolved to employ the "Dodger" to again take the stump as +the champion of their life-destroying traffic. + +"I can assure you, gentlemen," said one present, who had lately +come from a county where the Scott Act was in force, and who had +been fined until he was forced to give up the business, "you are +not fighting the Dunkin Act this time, for it was a thing without +vertebrae or claws; but the present Act has both; yes, and teeth, +too, as I have found to my cost. What we have to do is to resort +to every means to defeat it; for if it once becomes law in a +county then we are done." + +Before the meeting closed forty thousand dollars were subscribed +by those present to stubbornly contest every inch of ground, and +if possible still to keep, this fair province under the demon rule +of "Old King Alcohol." + +The liquor party in King's County are not so confident as they +endeavor to lead people to think they are, as may be gathered from +the following conversation between Rivers and Capt. McWriggler, +M.P. He has gained the coveted position; but it is the opinion of +the most intelligent men in the riding that the whiskey-horse, +which carried him to victory this time will utterly fail him in +the next campaign. + +"I hear," said Rivers, "that old Gurney and his set are determined +to pass the Scott Act in this county, and Murden says it is a much +more perfect bill than the Dunkin Act was." + +"Yes, I believe they are," said McWriggler, "and, as far as I can +learn, it is about as perfect as any sumptuary law can be; but +Toper says they will have that fixed all right. George Maltby, +M.P., member for Eastmorland, is going to introduce a clause next +session, if possible, which will utterly destroy it. The clause +stipulates that there must be a majority of all the legal voters; +and as there are hundreds who cannot be induced to go to the +polls, you can easily see, if this amendment carries, it will make +the Act as good as nil. Maltby could not have been elected had it +not been for the help he received from the association, and he +will do anything to retain their good will; for it is only by +their favor he can hope to win again." + +"But supposing he does not succeed," said Rivers, "what will you +do then?" + +"I don't think there is much danger of that in the present house. +In fact we have calculated pretty closely, and have every reason +to be satisfied with the conclusion at which we have arrived; but +if he fails we hold another trump card. Allsot, in the senate, +will introduce a rider to it, which will be so heavy as to break +its back." + +McWriggler laughed at his play upon words, manifesting the fact +that one person, at least, could enjoy his attempt at wit. + +We will now bid a final farewell to these worthies. Their plots +have so far been successful, but the end is not yet. The untimely +death of the majority of those who were their associates in +iniquity should, one would think, be to them as the handwriting +upon the wall, to warn them, what would be their fate if they +still persisted in their course. But such men seem to forget that +God's word, which is certain of fulfilment, says: + +"The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with +his teeth. + +"The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is +coming.... + +"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like +a green-bay tree. + +"Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but +he could not be found." + +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney still reside in Bayton, and his business is +the most prosperous in the town. They have not grown weary in +well-doing, but are now actively engaged agitating the public mind +for the submission of the Scott Act in King's County, and they +ardently hope they will live to see the day when a prohibitory law +shall be passed in our Dominion, and the liquor curse shall be +banished forever. + +Mrs. Holman is still actively engaged in helping on, with pen and +voice, the good cause of temperance, and has deservedly won for +herself a continental fame. + +Eddy Ashton, who is a fine specimen of handsome, intellectual +manhood, has, by his business tact and energy, so engratiated +himself into the good will of his employer that he has now for +over a year occupied the position in Mr. Gurney's establishment +which was formerly held by his father. He removed with his mother +and sister to the house which was their home the first happy year +they spent in Bayton, and it is as beautiful and cosy as ever. + +Allie developed into a beautiful and cultured woman, and shortly +after they were again settled in their old home, desisted from +giving music lessons; there were, however, for some time those +mysterious preparations which are the certain precursors of a +wedding. And a wedding, my dear young friends, in due time there +was. Allie was the happy bride, the bridegroom being Frank +Congdon, the young man who so chivalrously came to her rescue when +she was so grossly insulted by the brutal Joe Porter. Congdon's +father, who was a retired merchant, had had extensive business +transactions with some of the Bayton establishments. It was to +settle some old standing accounts that Frank first went there, +and, while taking a stroll for the purpose of viewing the town and +its surroundings, he went into Joe Porter's to make certain +enquiries, and met with the adventure which we have already +narrated to the reader. + +He had at that time formed such a liking for Bayton that he +resolved, with his father's consent, to purchase a partnership in +one of the leading dry goods firms in the town, of which he is at +the present sole proprietor, and doing a flourishing business. + +He had not been long there when he sought out Allie, who had made +such an impression upon him that it was a case of love at first +sight. Closer acquaintance served to deepen that impression; for +he, who was himself a noble, intelligent young fellow, when he +became more intimate loved her, not only from a mere passing +impulse or fancy, but from a deep and ever deepening respect for +her intelligent, womanly, self-sacrificing nature. In fact, they +became affianced lovers, and the wedding day came as such days do. +Mrs. Gurney insisted upon furnishing the trouseau, and there was a +small but select company at the wedding. + +As Allie stood by her husband a fair young bride, her mother, in +memory, went back to a wedding that took place over twenty-five +years before in the dear home land, and she prayed that the +daughter might not have to "pass under the rod" as she had done. + +Eddie is still unmarried, and lives with his mother. And Ruth is +now happy, though that happiness is mellowed by the sorrows +through which she has passed, and the memories of the loved ones +she has lost; but the hope of meeting them again is the rainbow +that spans the sky of her existence, shining out radiantly in her +hours of mist and gloom, enabling her to say, even when most cast +down: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the +name of the Lord." + +Friends, we will now say farewell. The sad tale which you have +read but faintly conveys an idea of the misery, degradation, and +sin which is caused in thousands of homes by this blighting; +withering traffic. + +Oh, rum! cursed rum! I hate it with intensest hatred: for it dims +the brightest intellects; it sullies and makes impure the most +spotless and the best; it spares neither frail and unprotected +womanhood, innocent childhood, nor hoary age; it enters like a +serpent the Eden called home and seduces its inmates to their +fall, thus turning this paradise of love into a hell of fiercest +passions and intensest hate; it entails upon the drunkard's +children in their very existence a patrimony of depraved appetites +and unholy passions; and it supplies the prisons and lunatic +asylums with a large percentage of their inmates, the gallows with +its victims, and hell with lost souls. If what he has written will +be effective in winning any from the ranks of the indifferent, or +from the ranks of those who oppose prohibitory laws, to become +active, energetic workers in the cause of temperance, and what he +is convinced is the cause of God, it will amply repay + + + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of From Wealth to Poverty, by Austin Potter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY *** + +***** This file should be named 6907-0.txt or 6907-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/9/0/6907/ + +Produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: From Wealth to Poverty + +Author: Austin Potter + +Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6907] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on February 10, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY *** + + + + +Produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. +This file was produced from images generously made available +by the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions. + + + + +FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY; + +OR, + +THE TRICKS OF THE TRAFFIC. + +A Story of the Drink Curse + + +BY THE REV. AUSTIN POTTER. + + +"I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me I am a drunkard. +Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. +To be now a sensible man, by-and-bye a fool, and presently a beast" +--Othello, Act II. + + +TO THE FRIENDS OF PROHIBITION THE WORLD OVER THIS BOOK IS +RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED + +BY THE AUTHOR. + + + +PREFACE + +My reasons for writing this story were principally two. The first +was my undying hatred of the rum traffic, which, in the days of +the long ago, caused me and those dear to me to endure intense +hardship and suffering; and the second was my desire to expose the +unprincipled measures which were employed by the liquor party in +order to render the Dunkin Act non-effective, and thus bring it +into disrepute. + +What I have written has been taken from personal experience and +observation; and as I have resided in three counties where the Act +was in force, and have since visited several others, the data, +which served as a foundation for what follows, was not gleaned +from any particular locality. + +The picture I herein present of the plottings of the liquor party, +and the cruel treachery to which they resorted in order to bring +their conspiracy to defeat the law to a successful issue, is not +overdrawn; and, let me ask, can there be any doubt but there are +in existence at the present time plots similar to the one laid +bare in this book, which have for their object the obstruction of +the Scott Act in the counties where it has been or may be carried, +thus if possible to bring it into such contempt among the +unthoughtful, who will not examine back of the effect for the +cause, as to finally secure its repeal. Of one thing we may be +certain, if an unscrupulous use of money and the resorting to +"ways that are dark" will accomplish their purpose, these +conspirators will not fail of success. + +It has been my aim in this book to help educate public sentiment, +so that if the same tactics are resorted to as were in the places +where the Dunkin Act was in force, my readers will not aid the +violators of the law by joining in the senseless cry, "the Scott +Act is a failure," but that they will, to the extent of their +ability, assist those who are determined that it, like every law +which has been placed on our statute books for the protection of +the subject, must and shall be respected, and that the violators +of its enactments shall be brought to summary and condign +punishment: for except it is backed by public sentiment it, though +much superior to the Dunkin Act, will fail just as signally. + +In regard to the principal characters who appear in these pages, +they are not mere creations of my imagination; for Richard and +Ruth Ashton were real personages, with whom I was well acquainted, +as were all the prominent individuals of this story. + +The descriptions given of the murders and suicides, also of Morris +throwing the tumbler at his son, and of the scene when Allie +Ashton was insulted by Joe Porter and the latter was knocked down +by Frank Congdon, are all taken from events which really occurred. + +For what I have written I offer no apology, but will simply state +that I have only been animated with a sincere desire to do my +little all to sweep the drink curse from our country and the +world. + +A. P. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +CHAPTER I. A Departure. + +CHAPTER II. Richard and Ruth Ashton. + +CHAPTER III. On the down grade. + +CHAPTER IV. Sail for America and meet a kindly welcome. + +CHAPTER V. Good resolution--A tempter and a fall. + +CHAPTER VI. Arrival in Canada--A friendly host--Applies for a + situation. + +CHAPTER VII. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. + +CHAPTER VIII. Ashton meets with friends and secures a situation. + +CHAPTER IX. Ruth's misgivings and mental agony. + +CHAPTER X. All in Canada. + +CHAPTER XI. Aunt Debie and her friends. + +CHAPTER XII. A worthy Sheriff and Judge--Dr. Dalton. + +CHAPTER XIII. Ruth Ashton's introduction to Aunt Debie--Ruth's + dilemma. + +CHAPTER XIV. A happy home. + +CHAPTER XV. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney's satisfaction with Ashton-- + Mutual congratulations. + +CHAPTER XVI. Ashton revisits old scenes. + +CHAPTER XVII. Mr. Howe gives his views in regard to Canada. + +CHAPTER XVIII. The banquet, and what followed. + +CHAPTER XIX. A startling newspaper item to Mr. and Mrs. Reid. + +CHAPTER XX. A base plot, and what it led to. + +CHAPTER XXI. Utterly broken--Blasted hopes. + +CHAPTER XXII. The Dunkin Act--A discussion in which strong + language is used. + +CHAPTER XXIII. The conspirators formulating their scheme. + +CHAPTER XXIV. Alderman Toper's flattering opinion of the "Dodger". + +CHAPTER XXV. The friends of temperance rejoicing over their + victory. + +CHAPTER XXVI. In which the reader listens to a _tete-a-tete_ + between mother and daughter. + +CHAPTER XXVII. Barton's despair, and what it led to. + +CHAPTER XXVIII. The conspirators perfecting the details of their + conspiracy. + +CHAPTER XXIX. Mr. Brown's opinion of the trial, and the presiding + magistrates. + +CHAPTER XXX. The insult to Allie Ashton--Her gallant defender. + +CHAPTER XXXI. Richard Ashton and little Mamie--Mamie's dream. + +CHAPTER XXXII. A bar-room settlement of a misunderstanding. + +CHAPTER XXXIII. The home and family of Morris--He nearly kills + little Harry. + +CHAPTER XXXIV. Tom Flatt's hut--A description of the scene in + which he murders his wife. + +CHAPTER XXXV. John, jun.'s wedding--Barton's murder--Luella + Sealy's suicide and Ginsling's tragical death. + +CHAPTER XXXVI. Some of the characters who helped the repeal-- + A hoodlum's victory. + +CHAPTER XXXVII. Death of little Mamie--A promise. + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. Richard Ashton murderously attacked--His death. + +CHAPTER XXXIX. Mr. Gurney speaks his mind--Death of Dr. Dalton + And Aunt Debie. + +CHAPTER XL. Conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A DEPARTURE. + + +"Richard, you will keep from drink, will you not, dear?" and the +speaker, in order to make her pleading irresistible, kissed the +one to whom these words were addressed again and again; and, as +with a hand upon each shoulder, she looked lovingly into his eyes, +there was an added pathos which, to a man of Richard Ashton's +sympathetic and sensitive nature, was all powerful. + +"Well, Ruth, dear, God helping me, I will again be a man, and when +I am tempted I will think of my dear little wife and my darling +children at home; and remembering how they love me, though I have +been such an indifferent husband and father to them, I will not +touch nor taste the cursed stuff." + +The tears gleamed in his eyes as he thus spoke, but feeling his +manhood was being compromised he endeavored to suppress them, the +effort, however, was in vain, for the deepest depths of a noble, +sensitive nature had been wrought upon by the loving appeal of his +wife and the pent-up feeling, gathering force by the very effort +which he had made to suppress it, manifested itself in a series of +short, choking sobs. He returned the kisses of his wife, clasped +her convulsively to him, and, as he looked down into the upturned +face, his eyes manifested an affection which found no expression +in speech. He stooped down and fondly kissed his children and then +opening the door, with satchel in hand, he darted out, only +looking back when his wife called to him, as she stood with her +three little ones on the threshold-- + +"Remember, Richard, your wife and children will pray for you, that +our Father in heaven may preserve you from danger, give you +strength to resist temptation, and bring you back in safety to +those who love you better than their own lives." + +He stood looking back for a moment, and as he saw his wife and +children still gazing intently after him, he murmured, "God bless +you, my darlings;" and turning again, walked rapidly on until he +was lost to view. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +RICHARD AND RUTH ASHTON. + + +Richard Ashton was a native of the town of G----, in the county +of B----, England. His father, who was a draper in good +circumstances, had given his son a liberal education and had +brought him up to his own calling. The son, a young man of quick +parts, took advantage of the opportunities so generously offered +to him and prosecuted his studies with commendable success, and by +the time he was a stripling of sixteen was possessed of knowledge +that few of his years could boast. + +Richard was also an omniverous reader, and, as his father +possessed a good library, he, from a very early period had +literally devoured the contents of the books which lined its +shelves, and thus became well versed in history, both ancient and +modern, in the biographies of most of the celebrated men of all +ages, and was also well acquainted with the most eminent poets, +from Chaucer to Tennyson, ever having an apt quotation at his +command to fasten home a maxim or make more pungent a witticism. +In fact he had further developed a mind naturally broad by making +his own the best thoughts of the ages, and his sensitive nature +could not, knowingly, have given pain to a worm--no one that was +worthy appealed in vain to his generosity, and it seemed to be the +endeavor of his life to gain happiness by making those with whom +he associated happy. With his genial disposition, sparkling wit, +skill at repartee, and brilliant conversational powers, it was not +at all surprising, with such a nature and such accomplishments, +joined to an exceedingly handsome person he should have been voted +a good fellow by the men and a "catch" by the young ladies who had +entered that interesting period when they are considered eligible +candidates for matrimony. And as he had, over and above his +accomplishments, good prospects for the future, the mammas of the +aforementioned young ladies should not receive severe censure if +they did each exercise the utmost skill to secure for a son-in-law +the coveted prize. But these delicate manifestations were not +productive of the results which, it was whispered by the Mrs. +Grundies of the neighborhood, would have been most agreeable to +the parties interested, for his heart had long been given to one +who was in all respects worthy of its best affections. It afforded +him, however, no little amusement to find himself the object of so +much attention, and he quietly enjoyed the situation, while the +parties in question endeavored to out-manoeuvre each other, as +they strove, as they supposed without appearing to strive, to +capture the object of their ambition. There was such subtle tact +exhibited and such powers of delicate blandishment displayed that +he was convinced women were born diplomatists, and he now had some +conception of how it was that in a broader field some of the sex +had wielded such an influence over kings and statesmen as to be +the powers behind the throne which ruled empires and kingdoms for +their benison or their bane. He certainly would have possessed +extraordinary attributes if his vanity had not been flattered, by +being conscious he was thought worthy of such flattering +attention; though his thoughts were tinged with cynicism when +exhibitions of selfishness were not wanting in his fair friends, +and as, sometimes, delicate hints were faintly outlined which +darkened character, and inuendoes were whispered to the detriment +of rivals, by lips that seemed moulded only to breathe blessings +or whisper love. + +As we have previously stated, Richard Ashton had met his fate +years before, when, as a young man of eighteen, he attended a +social party given by a Mrs. Edmunds, whose husband was a great +friend of his father's, and a member of the same guild. He was +there introduced to a modest, unpretentious, but yet cultivated +and refined country maiden, Ruth Hamilton by name, who was a niece +of his host. We will not say it was a case of love at first sight, +though they certainly were, from the first, mutually attracted +each to the other, for, when he entered into conversation, he +found her so modest and unaffected, yet with a mind so well +furnished--seeming to have an intelligent conception of every +topic upon which they touched, as they ranged at will in their +conversation, evincing such acumen of intellect and such practical +comprehension of subjects of which many of her sex, who made much +greater pretentious, were entirely ignorant, that Ashton, +concluded she was a treasure, indeed, which he would make his own, +if possible. + +She might not by some be called a beauty, for she could not boast +of classic regularity of feature; but no one could be long in her +presence without yielding the, tribute which, at first sight, he +was chary of giving. She was fair of complexion--not of a pallid +hue, but tenderly tinted, like a peach blossom, and so transparent +that the blue veins could be plainly discerned as they made their +delicate tracery across her low, broad brow. Her mouth was small, +but expressive, and her lips red and fresh as a rosebud. She had +glorious gray eyes, large and expressive, luminous and deep, which +in repose spoke of peace and calm, but which, when excited by +mirth or by a witticism, glowed and scintillated like wavelets in +the golden light of the sun. + +Two such spirits, so alike in taste and yet so opposite in +temperament and complexion, could scarcely fail to be mutually +attractive; for he was dark and she fair; his temper was as the +forked lightning's flash, quick and sometimes destructive, while +she was ever calm, gentle, and self-possessed. In fact, they were +the complement each of the other, and it was not long ere he had +wooed and won her, and obtained the consent of her guardians to +make her his wife. + +They were married one beautiful day in the bright Spring-time, +when nature had donned her loveliest dress, and the air was +fragrant with the breath of flowers and vocal with the songs of +birds. As they stood together at the altar--he with his wavy raven +locks swept back from his broad brow, with his dark eyes flashing +with intelligence; she with a face that rivalled in fairness the +wreath of orange blossoms that crowned her luxuriant tresses of +gold--they presented a picture of manly strength and sweet, +womanly beauty that is seldom equalled and scarcely ever excelled. + +As the guests congratulated them upon the happy consummation of +their ardent desires, and expressed the hope that life would be to +them as a summer's day with few clouds, they had every reason to +believe their most sanguine hopes would be realized. Alas! many a +day that has had a rosy morn, sweet with the breath of flowers and +jocund with the voice of birds, has been dark with clouds and +flashing angry lightnings ere noon. What a blessing it is that God +in His mercy allows us to revel in the sunshine of the present, +and does not darken our clear sky with the clouds of coming woe. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ON THE DOWN GRADE. + + +A short time after their marriage Richard inherited the business +and property of his father, whose health had been failing for +years, and who died quite unexpectedly. His mother never recovered +from the shock, but in a short time followed her loved husband to +the grave. So the son was left with a good business and ample +means, seeming to be on the road to opulence. + +As the years rolled on business prospered, and the prattle of +children's voices gladdened their home. First a boy came, with the +fair hair and large dreamy eyes of the mother; then, two years +later, a girl with the dark eyes and the raven black hair of the +father, and their cup of bliss seemed full to overflowing. + +Circumstances, however, had already occurred which caused Ruth +very much uneasiness of mind, and sometimes when a friend called +she had to absent herself for a short time until she had removed +the traces of her tears. + +Richard had joined the "Liberal Club," and as he threw his whole +soul into anything which he deemed worthy of his attention, his +wife soon had grave fears that it absorbed too much of his time. +Hours which should have been devoted to business were spent in +discussing the political issues of the day, and she felt they +suffered serious loss, for there were left to his employees +important transactions which should have had his undivided +attention; and the course he had pursued had alienated some of his +best customers. The Liberal Club of which he was a member was +composed of the most ultra of the Radicals in that section of +country--in fact a great many of its members had been participants +in the Chartist agitation, and, a short time after Ashton joined, +they invited Henry Vincent, the celebrated agitator, to deliver an +address, he, while he remained in town, being the guest of Ashton. +This gave great offence to many of his best customers--not only to +those who were ultratories, but also to the whigs, and, as a +consequence, many of them left him and gave their patronage to +rival establishments. + +This, however, was not the worst feature of the case; there was +another and a stronger motive power to accelerate his already +rapid descent. He, with many more of the prominent members of the +"Liberal Club," was also among those who are called liberals in +their religious views. This could not be tolerated for a moment by +those among his customers who were decided in their religious +convictions, for they were fully convinced that a person who held +such opinions was a dangerous man in any community. They therefore +withdrew their patronage, which completed the ruin of his formerly +prosperous business, for it did not afterwards pay running +expenses. + +This state of things greatly alarmed Ruth, and was the source of +much sorrow. But there were greater sorrows to follow. + +When we are struggling with difficulties and environed by +circumstances which have a tendency to make us miserable, we must +not imagine that we have sounded the deepest depths of the abyss +of woe, for if we do we may discover there are depths we have not +yet fathomed. This Ruth Ashton soon bitterly realized, for her +husband had of late frequently returned from the Club so much +under the influence of liquor as to be thick in his speech and +wild, extravagant and foolish in his actions, which caused her +many hours of unutterable anguish. + +When he first began to drink she was not seriously alarmed, it +being the custom in England, at their convivial parties, to pledge +each other in wine; and since on such occasions it frequently +happened that they imbibed, enough, not only to make them a little +exuberant but also quite intoxicated, she thought she must not +expect her husband to be different from other men in this respect, +as it was at most only a venial offence. But now when his troubles +thickened, and his friends one after another left him, and he +began to drink more deeply to drown his cares and to stimulate him +to meet his difficulties, her partial anxiety deepened into agony, +strong and intense. She made loving remonstrance, appealing to him +if he loved wife and children to leave the "Club," and not destroy +his business and thus involve them all in ruin. Also, frequently, +when the children were fast asleep in their little cot, as she +looked with a mother's tenderness and pride upon them, thinking +what a picture of innocence and beauty they presented as their +heads nestled lovingly together on the pillow--the raven-black and +gold mingling in beautiful confusion--she would kneel beside them, +and as the deepest, holiest feelings of her heart were stirred, +she would pray that the one who was so dear to them all might be +redeemed from evil and become again a loving husband, a kind +father, and a child of God. + +Richard at first received her gentle remonstrance with good-natured +banter, and generally turned it off with a playful witticism. He asked +her if she had not enough confidence in him to believe he was +sufficiently master of himself to take a glass with a friend without +degenerating into a sot, and he used very strong expletives when +speaking of those who were so weak as not to be able to take a glass +without making fools of themselves. + +But he would not allow even Ruth to influence him in regard to his +political predilections, for, when she tried to persuade him to +take a more moderate course, he sternly replied he would not +desist from exercising what he believed to be his right, not even +for her, much as he loved her. He said it was his proud boast that +he was a Briton, and as such he would be free--free not only to +hold his opinions, but to act upon his convictions, and any man +who would withdraw his support from him because he would not be a +slave was a petty tyrant, and if such an one was not a Nero it was +because he lacked the power, not the spirit. + +So matters went from bad to worse with Richard Ashton, not only in +regard to the moral, but, also, in the financial aspect of the +case. In fact he had soon to draw so largely on his banker that +the money his father had left him, outside of the business, began +to be seriously diminished. Josh Billings says, "When a man begins +to slide down hill he finds it greased for the occasion." And +certainly the case of Richard Ashton illustrated the truth of the +aphorism, for when he once began to go down hill his descent was +so rapid that he soon reached the bottom; and became bankrupt in +capital and character. He now began to talk of selling out and +going to America: "There," he said, with much emphasis, "I shall +be free." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +SAILS FOR AMERICA, AND MEETS A KINDLY WELCOME. + + +Ruth was now suffering keenly. She loved her husband with such an +intense passion that even his folly did not cool its ardor, and +when others denounced him in the harshest terms she spoke only in +tenderness. And when many of her friends went so far as to advise +her to leave him, and so save to herself and children some remnant +of her fortune, she indignantly protested against their giving her +any such advice. She said she would remain faithful to her +marriage vow, no matter what suffering and obloquy it might +involve. Not but her idol had fallen very low. She had been so +proud of him, proud of his manly bearing, his strength of +character. Proud of his ability, which, to her, seemed to enter +the regions of genius. "Oh!" she said, as she mourned over her +blasted hopes, her vanished dream of bliss, "I never expected +this." She suffered as only such a sensitive, noble, cultured +woman could suffer, and suffered the more because she would give +voice to no complaint. The heart was at high pressure, and the +valve was close shut. + +But she did not give up her endeavors to save him. She tried by +gentle endearing tenderness to win him from destruction; and when +she found this did not avail she passionately appealed to him to +stop ere he had involved them all in ruin. + +"Oh Richard!" she would say, "Why do you drink? You know your +business is now nearly ruined. Your friends have nearly all +deserted you. You are fast losing your self-respect, wrecking your +health, and dragging your wife and children down with you. +Consider, my darling, what you are sacrificing, and don't be +tempted to drink again!" + +She might have reminded him of how he formerly boasted of his +strength, and denounced the weakness of the habitual drunkard, but +she refrained from so doing. She determined, no matter what she +suffered, never to madden him by a taunt or unkind word, but to +save him if possible by love and gentleness. He as yet, though +harsh and peevish to others, had never spoken an unkind word to +her. He had once or twice been unnecessarily severe to the +children, which caused pain to her mother's heart, but she had by +a quiet word thrown oil upon the troubled waters of her husband's +soul, and applied a balm to the wounded hearts of her children. + +Sometimes, when she with tears in her eyes appealed to him, he +would promise not to drink again. There is no doubt but it was his +intention to keep his word, but yet it was invariably broken. The +fact was he had become a slave to drink, such a slave that neither +what he owed to wife, nor children, nor man, nor God, could +restrain him. His word was broken; his honor stained, his wife and +children ruined, his God sinned against, and he had become that +thing which formerly he so despised--a poor, miserable drunkard. + +His friends had seen this for some time, and now he himself could +not fail to recognize his awful situation; for his thirst for +spirituous liquor had become so strong that he would sacrifice +everything he held dear on earth to obtain it--in fact, it had +become a raging, burning fever, which nothing but rum could allay. + +Reader, do not be too strong in your words of scorn and +condemnation. You may never have been tried. People who boast of +their purity and strength may never have been environed by +temptation. "Let him that is without fault cast the first stone." + +A few weeks after he had expressed to his wife his determination +to sell out and go to America, two men, who were mutual friends of +his, and who were members of the "Liberal Club," casually met on +the street. After the usual compliments, one said to the other: +"By-the-bye, Saunders, did you hear that Ashton had sold out to +Adams and was going to sail for America next week?" + +"No; is that so? Well, I expected something would happen. The +poor fellow has been going to the bad very rapidly of late. Who +would have thought he was so weak? I take it that a man who +cannot drink a social glass with a friend without degenerating +into a sot has very little original strength of character." + +"It is all very well to talk, Bell; I have frequently heard Ashton +express himself in the same manner, and yet you see what he is +to-day. There was not a member of the Club his equal when it was +first formed. In fact, he was the master spirit of the society. +Not one of all the members could approach him in culture, in +brilliancy, or in legislative ability. You remember that in a +former conversation we thought it strange he should associate with +us, when he would be welcomed as a peer by those who, at least, +consider themselves our betters; and you expressed it as your +opinion that he, like Milton's Satan, would rather reign in hell +than serve in heaven." + +"But, Charley, is he completely bankrupt?" + +"Well, I guess I might almost say so, for it is reported he has +used up all the capital which was left him by his father and has +drawn heavily on his wife's means. From what I hear, I would +conclude he has but a few hundred pounds left to take him to +America. I pity his wife. She was a charming girl, so beautiful, +so clever, and yet so modest. Many a man envied Ashton his prize. +And you know that many an eligible girl would like to have stood +in her shoes and been the bride of Richard Ashton, for he was +considered one of the best catches in the matrimonial market. Such +is life; then it was high noon with him, and all smiled upon him; +now, none so poor as to do him reverence." + +This conversation gives a true outline of the actual state of +affairs. Richard Ashton, at the date of which we are speaking, +found absolute ruin staring him in the face, and he now knew he +must either sell or be sold out. He wisely chose the former +alternative, while there was some chance of saving a little for +himself. + +Poor Ruth, it almost broke her heart. Her guardian had died before +her husband had so utterly fallen, and his wife had preceded him +to the grave. She had now lost every near relative, with the +exception of her husband and children. But every one who had been +at all intimate with her was her friend, and ready to give +sympathy and help. She felt grateful for the many expressions of +kindness she had received, and it was a severe trial to sever the +cords which bound her to those whom she had known so long, and to +leave her dear native land and old home to go among strangers who +were thousands of miles away. But though it was hard to part, she +thought it would be for the best--it could scarcely be for the +worse. She was rashly advised by some not to go, as they said, +"there was no knowing how utterly he might fall, and then, if she +were among strangers, she and her children might be brought down +to the deepest depths of poverty and woe." But she nobly replied, +"he is my husband and the father of my children, and no matter how +he is despised by others he is inexpressibly dear to me, and I +will never forsake him 'till death do us part,' no matter what may +befall." + +Soon after the conversation I have just narrated ensued, Richard +Ashton settled up his business gathered the small remnant of his +fortune together, and he and his family set sail for that land of +promise--America. It was with sad forebodings that Ruth bade her +friends a long, and, as it proved to be, a final farewell. + +She stood upon the deck of the gallant vessel that bore them away, +and as she saw the land she loved so well slowly fade from view +and grow dimmer and dimmer as the distance lengthened, until it +seemed as a haze upon the dreary waste of waters, there was a +feeling of inexpressible sadness took possession of her. She +involuntarily drew closer to her husband, and gave expression to +the emotions of her soul by sobbing as though her heart would +break. He lovingly threw his arm around her waist and drew her +closely to him, soothing her sorrow by loving caresses. As the old +look shone in his eye, he gently whispered, "God helping me, my +darling, I will be a better man, and, as far as I can, I will +redeem the past." + +After landing in New York he remained there a short time to visit +some old friends, and then pushed through to the beautiful city of +Rochester, where a relative of his resided. Here he purchased an +unpretentious but cozy little cottage, situated not far from Mt. +Hope. It had a latticed porch, which was in summer-time covered +with honeysuckles; and the cottage was embosed in flowering trees +and morning glories. It had at the back a very fine garden, which +also contained numerous peach trees and a delightful snuggery of a +summer-house, whose sides were covered with lattice-work, over +which clambered the vine, and through whose interstices, in their +season, hung bunches of luscious grapes. In the front there was a +nice lawn, with circular flower beds; in attending to which Ruth +and her two children (Eddie and Allie) spent many happy hours. + +After a short delay, he, through the influence of his friends, +obtained employment as book-keeper for a large dry goods firm in +the city. When he first began his engagement, his salary was +comparatively small; but when his capabilities were recognized, +his employer, who was a man of gentlemanly instincts, and was also +generous in his dealings with those of his employees who were +capable and industrious, raised his salary to an amount which not +only enabled them to live respectably, but also to deposit +something in the savings-bank each week, preparatory for a rainy +day. + +Ruth's face began to wear the old radiant look of calm peace, if +not exuberant joy, which shone in her eye in the days of yore, and +she, for two years, was able to send home to her friends in the +old home land "glad tidings of great joy." But, alas! the dream +was short as it was blissful. He met one day an old companion of +his, with whom he had associated in his native town, and was +induced by him, after much persuasion, to join in a friendly glass +for the sake of "Auld Lang Syne." He met Ruth when she ran to the +gate to welcome him that night with what seemed to her loving +heart a cold repulse, for he was drunk--yes, my dear reader-- +crazily, brutally drunk. His poor wife was as much stunned as if +he had been brought home dead. She stood pale as death, with lips +tightly pressed, with wide open eyes staring wildly. Poor little +Eddie and Allie ran to their mother and nestled close to her for +protection, as birdlings run to the cover of the mother in seasons +of danger. And even poor little Mamie, for they had been blessed +by a little girl, whom they had thus named, shortly after they +arrived in Rochester, cuddled her head more closely to her +mother's bosom, and clung to her as if in mortal terror of one +whom she usually greeted with the fondest tokens of welcome. + +From that time forward his descent to Avernus was very rapid. He +soon lost his situation and was unable to secure another. He also +became dissatisfied with the country. It is generally men who are +their own worst enemies, who become agitators against the existing +order of things. + +The time of which I am writing was immediately after the American +War, and, at that period, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction +felt and expressed against England, because there were so many +of her citizens who sympathized with the Southern cause. And if any +of the more ignorant discovered a man to be an Englishman, he was +almost certain to seize the opportunity to rail against his country. +Ashton had to endure a great deal of this; for, in the hotels he met +a great many returned soldiers, among whom there was a large +percentage of the Fenian element; for the majority of the rank and +file of these miscreants were tavern loafers. Their denunciation of +England was not only strong, but blatant and couched in language both +blasphemous and obscene. This Ashton felt he could not endure, +this land of freedom was far too free for him. He said he loved +liberty, but not license, and, therefore, stimulated by the spirit of +patriotism, and by another spirit, which in his case was far the more +potent, he resolved to move to Canada, to shelter again under the +protecting folds of the "Union Jack." I have already given the reader +to understand, in another chapter, that he acted upon that +resolution. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +GOOD RESOLUTIONS; A TEMPTER, AND A FALL. + + +On the morning we introduced him to the reader he took the train +to Charlotte and secured a berth on the steamer _Corinthian_ +for a port on the Canadian side, and as it would not start for an +hour after he arrived, he thought he would endeavor to compose his +perturbed mind by a quiet walk up the river. For in his sober +moments he suffered intensely from the "pricks of an outraged +conscience," and more than once he had been tempted to take his +own life, but the thought of wife and children had restrained him +from the rash and cowardly act. It may be, there was intermingled +with that the thought, as Shakespeare says-- + + "Which makes cowards of us all, + And makes us rather bear those ills we have + Than fly to others that we know not of." + +He now resolved, God helping him, he would never drink again, but +he would establish a home in the strange land whither he was +journeying, and live a sober, industrious life. But even as he +made these resolves his craving, burning appetite came tempting +him; and as he strove against it, he shut his teeth and knit his +brow, and involuntarily clenched his hand as if about to struggle +with a mortal foe, and stamped his foot as he hissed through his +clenched teeth, "I will be free." Ah, Richard! don't begin to +boast before you have gained the victory, depend more upon God +than self, you surely need his aid, for here comes a tempter. + +"Hallo, Ashton, is that you? What is the matter with you? Why, one +would suppose you had an attack of the blues. At what were you +glaring so fiercely? You look as if you had a live Fenian before +you and was striking for the Old Land with a determination to give +no quarter. How came you here, and whither are you bound?" And the +speaker, with a quizzical smile upon his face, which half +concealed and half revealed an underplay of devilish mockery, put +his hand familiarly upon the shoulder of Ashton, and then grasped +him by the hand and gave it a hearty shake. But if a good judge of +human nature had been by, he would have concluded his manner was +assumed for the occasion--that he was simply acting, and was a +failure at the role he had assumed. + +I have not given to the reader the expletives with which he +adorned his conversation, nor do I intend to do so, for though he, +like others who indulge in the habit of swearing, may have thought +it was both ornamental and emphatic, I don't think so. Besides, I +have hopes that these pages may be read by the young, and I do not +wish to give, even in the conversations which I may transcribe, +anything that is profane or impure; for if I did I might inoculate +their young minds with an evil virus, which I would not knowingly +do. + +This person, who now accosted Ashton, was the one who acted imp to +his satanic majesty in leading him to his last fall, and here he +was again to tempt him. Well would it be for you, Richard Ashton, +if you would contemptuously spurn him as you would kick a rabid +dog from your path. + +I have noticed this person before in these pages but I will now +give him a more elaborate introduction to the reader; but as he is +an unsavory subject I will make the introduction as brief as +possible. + +His name was Stanley Ginsling, he was the youngest son of an +English gentleman, of considerable property, and of more pride, +whose estate lay in the vicinity of Ashton's native town. His +father intended him for the Church, not because there were any +manifestations that he was peculiarly qualified for holy orders, +either by mental or moral endowments, but because he did not know +what else to do with him, he concluded he would make him a parson. + +So, after he had gone through a certain course by private tuition +he was sent to Eton, preparatory to going to Oxford. + +He then got through his studies in some manner, though it was +generally understood by his mates that he was better acquainted +with the brands of his favorite liquors and cigars than he was +with the works of the authors which filled up the list of his +college curriculum. + +But when he entered Oxford he threw off all restraint and gave +himself up to a life of utter dissipation, and before long his +father received a polite note from the college authorities, +intimating that to save further disgrace he had better call his +worthy son home. + +After this he became a dissipated tavern lounger, a barnacle on +the good ship of society, a miserable sponge. + +He soon found, as he sententiously expressed it, that it was not +agreeable for him to remain under the kindly shelter of the +paternal mansion; so he, prodigal like, took the portion his +father gave him and spent it in riotous living. But he was +determined not to feed on husks, if unmitigated cheek and +unblushing effrontery could bring him better fare. + +It was while he was a gentleman lounger about town he first met +Richard Ashton, who, at that time, had become too much demoralized +to be very choice in the selection of his associates. And Ginsling +was rather intelligent--had a fine person and pleasing address, +and had it not been for his moral depravity and lack of every +noble instinct, he might have made his mark in society. + +So Ashton, the ultra radical, and Ginsling, the young scion of +extreme toryism, used to fraternize in their drinking bouts, and +though they would, when sufficiently stimulated, boozily wrangle +over their cups, there was in their common dissipation a ground +for mutual understanding. But in his sober moments the radical had +the most supreme contempt for his tory associate, and, sometimes, +could not suppress its manifestation. The other, however, was too +great a toady to be too thin skinned. It was not convenient for +him to be over-sensitive. In fact he was willing to swallow such +insults _ad infinitum_ if their donors would only furnish the +wherewithall to wash them down. + +After Ashton left England he felt somewhat lonely, and then his +father had become so utterly estranged from him because of his +conduct, that his situation became unpleasant even for him; so he +determined to sail for America. Learning that Ashton had settled +in Rochester, he made his way to that city. He arrived there at +the latter part of the year 1864, towards the close of the +American War; and shortly after his arrival, meeting with his old +comrade, as we have informed the reader, the latter, strange to +say, had power enough over him to seduce him to his fall. And now, +when Ashton was leaving Rochester in order to get away from his +old associates, and was making resolutions of reform, here he was +again as his tempter to lead him astray. + +At his salute Ashton looked up with a dazed, faraway look upon his +face, and then, as he slowly realized his position, he thought how +foolish he must have appeared to another who had witnessed his +fierce gesticulations and heard his wild and incoherent +murmurings. The thought covered him with confusion, and he did not +for a moment gain sufficient control of his faculties to answer +his interlocutor in a rational manner. + +The other, however, relieved his embarrassment by continuing in a +bantering tone: "Why, Ashton, one would suppose by your actions +you were the principal of some terrible tragedy, and that just now +you were suffering from the "pricks of an outraged conscience." I +declare you have mistaken your calling; you would have made your +fortune on the stage. Why, your looks just now would have done for +either Hamlet in the crazy scene, or Macbeth when talking to +Banquo's ghost. But if you are suffering I have something which +will reach the seat of the ailment; as the Scripture puts it, it +is "A balm for all our woes, and a cordial for our fears." Here +it is, Ashton. I have just been up to Charley's to have this dear +little friend of mine replenished. How do you like the looks of +it?" And suiting the action to the word he held up before him a +beautiful little brandy flask. Then detaching the silver cup from +the bottle it partially covered, he filled it full to the brim. +"Here, Ashton, take this potheen," he said, "it will settle your +perturbed spirits, comfort your soul, and drive dull care away." + +Ashton's hand shot forward mechanically to take the proffered +glass, and then he drew it hastily back. + +"No, Quisling," he said, "I will not touch it. Curse the stuff; +it has wrought enough ruin with mine and me. I was just swearing I +would never drink again, and I was in earnest. I know I must have +appeared to you as some gibbering maniac, but I was fighting my +craven appetite for strong drink. Oh how hard the struggle has +been; its fierceness is only known to God and myself. It comes +upon me when I am least prepared to defend myself, and tortures me +with the cruel malignity of a devil. And then I beat it back, and +it comes upon me again. But I must triumph or go under; for if it +is not liberty with me it will soon be death." + +He then turned fiercely upon Ginsling, and said-- + +"Why do you dog my footsteps like a shadow? Have you not wrought +ruin enough? Curse you; it was an evil day for me when you crossed +the Atlantic, for had you not done so, I would have been a +respectable and happy man to-day. It was you who urged me to +drink, and, listening to you, brought me down from the happy and +prosperous man that you found, to the miserable wreck you now look +upon! A thing for angels and good men to pity, and for devils and +evil men to despise. Leave me, if you have any pity, and do not +tempt me more." + +If there had been the slightest instinct of honor in the creature +to whom these words were addressed, the appeal would not have been +in vain. But his original stock of this attribute had been +limited, and he had long since disposed of the little he once +possessed. Such an attribute as honor or pity was viewed by him as +a useless incumbrance, for he was a miserable, heartless wretch, +seeking the gratification of his own depraved appetite, and +careless of who might suffer. + +He laughed with a seeming bluff heartiness when Ashton had +finished speaking, but the laugh sounded hollow and insincere. + +Novelists are ever introducing upon their pages, as the villain of +the story, the smooth, oily rogue: as if they considered such ones +were alone capable of cunning roguery and subtle diabolism. But +there is many a mean soul disguised by a bluff, hearty exterior, +and the mask is much the more difficult to penetrate. It is said +of such an one--"He says hard things, but you always see the +worst of him, for he puts his worst side out." Shakespeare's +rogue, honest Jack Falstaff, was brusk and blunt, but he carried a +rascal's heart, and there are many now living who are just as +great blusterers, and are equally as cowardly and as base. + +"Ha, ha! Ashton! this is too good to last! You know you have +assumed the role of the Prodigal Son before, but you have come +back to the riotous living again." Come, old fellow, take a +little; it will do you good. I believe you used to be an orthodox +Methodist, and, therefore, must be considerably versed in +Scripture, and you know that Paul advised Timothy to "take a +little wine for his stomach's sake, and for his oft infirmities." + +When Ginsling had finished speaking, a look of unutterable scorn +passed over the face of Ashton, and he glared at the former with +fierce contempt, and once or twice he seemed as if about to reply, +but, though his quivering lips and the contortions of his face +showed violent emotion, he for a time uttered no response, as if +he could not find words adequate to express his burning thoughts, +till suddenly starting he said--"Pshaw! you miserable rascal, it +was an evil day for me when I first met you. Have you not wrought +ruin enough? Why do you come again to tempt me? Leave me or I will +not be responsible for the consequences." And, turning upon his +heel, he abruptly left him. + +"Whew--but that's cool," whispered Ginsling, "but old fellow you +are not going to escape me that easily. I have come down here for +a purpose, and I am going to succeed in my undertaking, or my name +is not Stanley Ginsling." + +And I might here give the reader to understand that it was not +mere accident which brought Ginsling to Charlotte that day, he had +come with a fixed purpose of meeting Ashton, enticing him to +drink, and then accompanying him upon his journey and getting as +much out of him as possible. He had heard Ashton say it was his +intention to start for Canada, and he concluded that he was too +good a quarry for an old hunter like himself to lose. And as it +did not matter to him whether he spent the instalments, which were +regularly forwarded from home, in the United States or in Canada; +he resolved to meet Ashton at Charlotte, and be the companion of +his voyage. This accounts for his coming upon the latter as we +have just narrated. + +He did not allow Ashton, who was walking rapidly away after he had +done speaking, to proceed far before he called after him, "Stop!" + +The latter turned to learn what he wanted, for he began to have a +little compunction of conscience, because he had treated him so +rudely, and under the impulse of the new change of feeling waited +until Ginsling had caught up. + +"Now Ashton," he said, "I think you have treated me in a manner +which is very hard for a gentleman of spirit to endure." As he +said this he saw the faint outline of a sneer curling the lip of +his companion. But taking no notice he hastily continued, "But I +have known you too long to be over-sensitive at what you say or +do, I would endure more from you, old fellow, than from any man on +earth. Let us be friends, Ashton, for the sake of our friendship +in 'Merry England.'" + +"I am sure, Ginsling, I don't want to part with you in anger, and +if I have wounded your feelings you must remember it was under +strong provocation. Drink has been my ruin, and the ruin of those +I love best on earth. It has certainly been 'Our Curse,' and +through it I have been most cruel to those I love best and for +whom, when I am myself, I would sacrifice my life to defend from +evil or danger. This morning I promised my wife, as I have at +least a score of times before, that I would keep sober, and, while +struggling against my appetite, and determined to conquer, no +matter how much suffering the struggle might entail, you came up, +as my evil genius, to tempt me to my ruin, I could scarcely endure +your solicitations, but your rough banter drove me wild." + +"Well, old fellow, let it all pass, I was not aware of the mood +you were in, or I would have been more careful how I addressed +you. I am sure I would be the last man in the world who would +knowingly cause you pain. And to lead you astray, I can assure +you, is far from my purpose. I would rather do what I could to +help you. And, in my opinion, if I can prevail upon you to take a +few spoonfuls of brandy I will do this most effectively; why, man, +a glass is just what you want. A little, under certain circumstances, +will benefit any one who takes it; especially is this the case with +one who is as you are now. Why, you are all unnerved--see how your +hands tremble, and your whole system seems as if it wanted toning +up. Now if you break off too suddenly it may be serious for you, +while if you take a little, to brace you up, such disagreeable +consequences will not follow. I hate a man to drink too much, for, +if he does, he is sure to make a fool of himself, but a little will +do any man good." + +The tone and manner of Ginsling when he thus addressed Ashton was +subdued and gentlemanly, for he had not so far degenerated as to +have lost altogether the grace and polish which the refined +associations of his youth had given to him. His language, also, +sounded reasonable to the one to whom it was addressed, for, +though Ashton had become an awful example of the ultimate issue of +moderate drinking, at least in some cases, he would still argue in +its favor, and when the advocates of prohibition would point to +those who had fallen victims to the pernicious habit, he would +answer that it was the abuse and not the use of intoxicating +liquor which produces the evil. + +So Ginsling, who had frequently heard him thus argue, adroitly +stole an arrow out of his own quiver, and addressed him as he had +frequently heard him address others. And there was just enough +truth mixed with the sophistry of his argument to carry conviction +to the mind of one as unstable as Ashton; for he did feel all +unnerved. He had broken off suddenly from a long-continued drunken +spree, and was beginning to have premonitions of something which +he dreaded only second to death. He had already twice suffered the +horrors of delirium tremens, and he now had good cause for fearing +another attack. It was to this Ginsling referred when he said if +he broke off suddenly it might lead to serious consequences. So, +after what seemed to be a desperate struggle--the better instincts +of his nature endeavoring to overcome the craving of his appetite +and the sophistry of his tempter--he concluded he would just take +a little now to help him over this one trouble, and then he would +give it up forever. He argued to himself, "I could not live +through another attack, for I am sure the dreadful suffering is +akin to the horrors of the host." + +"Well, Ginsling," he said, "I think I will take your advice." He +was half ashamed thus to speak, because he was about to do +something for which his conscience strongly condemned him, and +also because he felt he was manifesting weakness and vacillation +in the presence of one whom he, in his heart, despised, and who, +after this, would hold similar sentiments in regard to himself. +"I do feel a little unlike myself this morning, and as the wind is +rather squally, and the captain says when we shoot out beyond the +point the lake will be wild, I need a little something to settle +my stomach; I have a fearful dread of sea-sickness." He said this +partly to justify his conduct to his companion, but more to +convince himself he was about to take a step which was not only +perfectly justifiable, but, under the circumstances, a manifestation +of wisdom. + +If a man is about to perform an action of doubtful propriety, he +is never at a loss to find arguments to defend the course he is +about to pursue, and though he may not be able to satisfy his +conscience, he can, at least to some extent, deaden the acuteness +of its pangs. Richard Ashton endeavored to justify his present +action to himself, in the moment which intervened between his +new-formed resolution and its consummation. The reader is no doubt +aware, from experience, that a great deal will pass through the +mind in the space of a single moment, and that sometimes a man's +weal or woe, for time, yea, and for eternity, depends upon a +decision which has to be thus hastily given. It was one of these +crucial moments which Ashton was now passing through. Alas! his +decision was far from being a wise one, and he could not deceive +himself so completely as not to partially feel this; for, try how +he would, he could not banish the thought that yielding to the +tempter might entail a train of misery horrible to contemplate. +Then Ruth's pale, pleading face, all suffused with tears, came up +vividly before him, as he last saw her, and as he remembered the +promise given, for a moment he hesitated, but finally he subdued +every better feeling, and reaching forth his hand, took the glass +which Ginsling temptingly offered, and drained it to the dregs. + +One glass such as he had thus taken was sufficient to make Ashton +regardless of consequences, and, therefore, it was not long before +it was followed by another and more copious one. In short, in half +an hour after he had met Ginsling he was wild and reckless, and +the latter had accomplished his purpose, for Ashton was spending +his money as freely as though he had the coffers of a Rothschild +or an Astor. In short, ere the steamboat had started he had to be +helped on board, for he was utterly helpless. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ARRIVAL IN CANADA: A FRIENDLY HOST APPLIES FOR A SITUATION. + + +It was a beautiful morning when the boat landed at the picturesque +little Canadian town of L----. The first that Ashton knew of the +arrival was when he was awakened from his drunken stupor by being +violently shaken by Ginsling; and, as he gained consciousness, he +heard that worthy saying, with a subdued voice: "Come, wake up, +Ashton, for we are again on British soil. Why, is not that strain +enough to cause any true Briton to rise from the dead?" + +He was at last aroused, and his first sensation was that he had a +terrible pain in his head, a horrible thirst, and a certain vague +realization that he heard the strains of "Rule Britannia." He +staggered out to the bar, for he felt he must soon have a drink, +or he could not live. Ginsling also stepped up without being +invited; for that worthy could not righteously be charged with too +much modesty, as he never was backward in helping himself at a +friend's expense. + +They immediately, after securing their luggage, stepped out upon +the wharf, where there was a large crowd gathered, listening to +the music of a band--each member of which was dressed in the garb +of a British soldier--as it played patriotic airs, such as "Rule +Britannia," "God Save the Queen," etc. The reason of this +manifestation of patriotism will be readily understood when we +inform the reader that it was the Queen's Birthday. + +Ashton, for a moment or two, almost thought he was back in Old +England again, and he was so carried away by the grand old airs +that if a recruiting sergeant had presented himself just then he +might have taken a step in haste of which he would have repented +at leisure. + +"Come, Ashton, don't stand there in that daft fashion, or the +Canucks will imagine you are one of the irresponsibles who lately +arrived in New York from Europe, and that the cute Yankees have +quietly shipped you over to John Bull's domains." + +He was aroused by the voice of Ginsling out of his day-dream to +realize that several cabbies were exerting the utmost of their +lung power in crying up the merits of their respective hotels. + +"British American, sir--the best house in town. Won't cost you a +cent to ride there, sir." + +"Don't you believe that fellow," shouted another. "Come to the +Tarlton; it is the only house in town which is fit to kape a +gentleman like you, sir." And then several others shouted out in +full chorus, each endeavoring to say something more witty than the +other; and if push, rough bantering wit, and imperturbable good +nature could secure success, certainly each would have had a bus +full. + +But Ashton had caught the name "British American," and as he, just +then, was feeling intensely loyal, he determined to put up there, +and he intimated to the runner his resolution. Ginsling, who was +waiting for him to decide, jumped aboard also, and they were soon +quartered at the aforementioned hotel, which they found, if not of +the very highest grade, at least eminently respectable. The +charges, also, were exceedingly moderate. + +The room he had given to him looked out upon the blue waters of +noble Ontario, which swept far away to the south, until it laved +the shores he had left but a few hours before--a land now +associated in his mind with so much of happiness and of misery, +and which yet contained those who were inexpressibly dear to him. + +He had no sooner secured a room than he sat down to write a note +to Ruth; for, demoralized as he was, he did not forget his +promise. He found, however, that his head was in a perfect whirl, +and that his hand was so unsteady as to make the accomplishment of +the task almost an impossibility; but he managed, in an almost +illegible scrawl, to inform her of his safe arrival. He asked her +to excuse the brevity of his communication, as he was still +suffering from the effects of his stormy voyage across the lake, +which had shattered, for the time being, his nervous system. He +ended by sending his love to her and the children, and asking her +to write immediately, as he was anxious to hear from his darlings +at home. + +The next two weeks were passed in continuous drunkenness. He would +awaken each morning feeling, as those who have passed through the +ordeal say has to be experienced in order to have the faintest +idea of what it is; his lips and throat were as dry as withered +leaves; his brain seemed on fire, and his bloodshot eyes, gleaming +out from his pale, emaciated face, appeared as though they might +have belonged to one of Canada's dark-visaged aborigines in the +savage state rather than to their present intellectual, though +dissipated, owner. + +In his sober moments he would think of his wife and children, and +there was in the thought a mingling of shame and agony which +almost drove him wild; then he would remember the purport of his +journey, for which he had not yet made the slightest endeavor; and +when, on examination, he found his stock of money was almost gone, +and that he would soon have either to secure a situation or be a +penniless vagrant in a strange land, it added to his despair. + +"I say, Mr. Ashton," said the polite landlord of the hotel one +morning, as he was about to take his first drink, "did you not +give me to understand you were looking for a situation in some dry +goods or clothing establishment?" + +"Yes, Mr. Rumsey, that is what I am after; but God knows how I +will succeed; for I have done nothing, nor am I, as I am now, in a +fit state to do anything; for who would engage such a wretch as I +am?" + +Rumsey pitied him; for he was a man who was too good for the +business in which he was engaged. + +"I will give you a light glass, Ashton," he said; "but you must +sober off. I like you, and therefore will not let you kill +yourself with drink at this establishment; so for your sake, and +also to keep up the reputation of my house, I must limit you to-day +to two more glasses. And if you will excuse me for presuming +to interfere with your business, I would advise you to cut the +acquaintance of that precious companion of yours. I gave him a bit +of my mind last night, and told him pretty emphatically what I +thought of him. Why, man, have you entirely lost possession of +your senses, to let a leech like that loafer drain you dry? I will +give you this drink now, one after breakfast, and one after +dinner; then you must eat something, for I do not believe that +during the last three days you have taken enough to keep a pigeon +alive. If you find that in trying to sober off you are likely to +be sick, I will send for the doctor, and he will help you through. +You told me you were a married man; for the sake of your wife and +children you must get over this spree." + +Ashton took the proffered glass with his hand shaking as if he had +the ague, and with the eagerness of one who was perishing for want +of a drink. + +"Oh, landlord," he said, "that was only a taste; I must have more. +Do, please, give me more." + +"No, sir, not a drop," said Mr. Rumsey, with considerable +sternness. "If you must have it, you will have to go to some other +house to get it. I am not willing to be in any way responsible for +what is sure to follow. Come, now, and have some breakfast--a bit +of toast, a poached egg--and be yourself; for I want to become +acquainted with the _bona fide_ Mr. Ashton. I have not met +him yet; you have not been sober since you came here." + +"Well, sir, I will take your advice; and there is one who, when I +tell her, will thank you, as I cannot. She has not a very high +opinion of your guild, and she has strong reason not to have. God +help me--how am I to get over this?" + +"Well, Mr. Ashton, if others would stop selling liquor, I would +willingly never sell another glass, for I could live comfortably +here on the income I derive from the travelling public and my +summer guests; for, to tell you the truth, I don't like the +business, especially when I see its effects as exhibited in cases +like your own; but while others sell I must, or I would lose my +business. It is a case of self-preservation, and you know that +'self-preservation is the first law of nature.'" + +"Or, in other words," said Ashton, "'every man for himself, and +Satan take the hindmost.'" + +Ashton made the trial, and, though he had to pass through the +fiery ordeal of intense suffering, yet, aided by the judicious +treatment of his host, he was brought safely through. + +He had, in the meantime, received a letter from his wife, and each +of his children, breathing out love to him. Each one expressing +the deepest anxiety as to the nature and result of his illness, +and praying that he would soon be back with those who loved him so +truly. + +"Ashton," said Mr. Rumsey, his host, one morning, "this is the +thing which will just suit you, if you can secure it," and he +handed a copy of the _Daily Globe_ to Ashton, at the same +time pointing to an advertisement which read as follows: "A good +managing clerk wanted for a dry goods and clothing establishment +in the town of Bayton. He must be a man of matured experience. +Apply Box 152, Post Office." + +"That will just suit me," said Ashton. "What is the distance to +Bayton?" + +"About ninety miles. I suppose you think of applying personally? I +should advise you by all means to do so." + +Ashton immediately set about making the necessary preparation, and +next morning started for the above-mentioned town, upon which +journey we will leave him for the present. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MR. AND MRS. GURNEY. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney sat in their cosy sitting-room, which was +plainly but tastefully furnished; but though quiet, one could not +fail to realize that it was the home of people of more than +ordinary intelligence and culture. They both had passed life's +meridian, and were, at the time we introduce them to our readers, +verging upon three score years. They were dressed in deep +mourning, and the look of subdued sadness which overcast their +thoughtful faces told they had lately "passed under the rod." But +suffering had not made them hard and cynical, but richer in grace +and goodness, riper, sweeter, mellower. Each had learned to say +with Asaph, "My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the +strength of my heart and my portion for ever." + +They certainly had reason to mourn. God had blessed them with four +children; children of whom they had just cause to be proud, for +they early displayed talents which marked them as above +mediocrity, but one after another, just after they had reached +manhood and womanhood, they had fallen victims to that insidious +disease, consumption, and the aged couple were left in their +declining years, sad and lonely, like two aged trunks stript of +their foliage, bare and alone. + +Mr. Gurney had been for years engaged in the dry goods and +clothing trade, and had intended his last surviving son should +take the business, but Providence had ordered otherwise, taking +him away just at the time when the father was about to carry out +his long cherished scheme. + +After they had laid in the grave the body of their beloved, for a +while a cloud of intense sorrow hung over their home, though they +had faith to believe it was lined with the silver of their +Father's love. + +They were too intelligent, and their grief was too intense for +much outward manifestation, but each knew the pregnancy of the +other's sorrow from their individual experiences; and by gentle +ministrations of love each endeavored to soothe and ease the +burdened heart of the other. + +Mrs. Gurney found some relief in attending to her household +duties--to the plants and flowers in the conservatory--for they +had one of considerable size. This latter had been the special +duty of her daughter who had preceded her brother by a few weeks +to the grave. And as the mother now engaged in this "labor of +love," each plant and flower that received her gentle attention +would suggest some tender recollection of the loved and lost. As +she trained them to their supports and trellises she would +remember that the white fingers which had so frequently and +lovingly performed the task were now cold in death. + +But there was one--a night blooming cereus--which was a particular +favorite of Grace's, and which, even after she knew she had not +long to live, she hoped she would be spared to see bloom. But when +she perceived she was failing so rapidly--quietly, peacefully, +sinking to rest--she said-- + +"Mamma, darling, I have looked forward with a great deal of +expectancy to the time when my cereus should bloom, I now know my +hope in this respect will not be realized, but I want you, mother, +when it opens out its pure white petals and its fragrance perfumes +the midnight air to remember I shall be in heaven--among fairer +flowers, with sweeter perfume; for they have not been cursed by +sin. And while you mourn at my absence remember I am with Jesus-- +'Absent from the body, present with the Lord.'" + +And now as the mother tended these flowers, and lovingly lingered +near this special favorite, around which such tender memories +lingered, the flood-gates of her soul were mercifully lifted up +and she "eased her poor heart with tears." + +Thus the mother, who was constitutionally the frailer of the two, +and was the one from whom the children had inherited the tendency +to the disease which had carried them off so prematurely, seemed +to come back to herself, so to speak, and she soon manifested a +subdued cheerfulness as she set about managing the domestic +economy of her home. + +But Mr. Gurney did not recover so rapidly; there seemed to be no +outlet to his feelings--nothing to ease his burdened heart. + +He had given his business into the hands of his clerks, and had +concluded to sell out and permanently retire from active life. He +went with his wife on a journey to the seaside, to a quiet +watering-place, hoping that change of scene might divert his +attention from his sorrows and enable him, at least to some +extent, to recover his wonted health and spirits. But he returned +unbenefited, and his wife and friends began to have grave fears +for his life. They consulted an eminent physician, who advised him +not to give up his business, but to devote to it as much of his +attention as his strength would permit; and this advice coinciding +with his own judgment, he concluded to act upon it; but as none of +his employees hardly came up to his ideal of what a managing clerk +should be, he thought he had better advertise for a responsible +man, who thoroughly understood the business, and who could keep +the books, while he could do the buying and attend to the outlying +duties of the firm. + +It was in accordance with this idea that he inserted the +advertisement in the _Globe_ which brought Richard Ashton to +answer in person. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ASHTON MEETS WITH FRIENDS AND SECURES A SITUATION. + + +"Have you received any answer to your advertisement, dear?" asked +Mrs. Gurney of her husband. + +"Yes, dear, I received a telegram this morning from a man who +lives in L----, who said he thought he would suit me. He stated he +could give first-class references, and that he had been in the +business from a boy. He also stated he would make personal +application, and would take the next train for this place: so I am +expecting him on the 7 o'clock. I left word with Johnson to drive +him here, and he may arrive at any moment." + +"But, my dear," said his wife, "is it not rather risky for him to +come? You may not like his appearance, and if even in this respect +everything is satisfactory, his credentials may not be so." + +"I am sure I cannot help that," replied Mr. Gurney. "I did not +state in the advertisement that parties who wished to engage +should make personal application, and I have no doubt but I shall +receive applications by letter. If individuals come from a +distance to apply, it must be at their own risk." + +Their conversation was here interrupted by the ringing of the +door-bell, and in a moment after the servant reported that a Mr. +Ashton wished to see Mr. Gurney. + +"That is the name of the person in question," Mr. Gurney remarked. +"Show him in, Sarah;" and in a moment after Ashton was ushered +into their presence. + +"Mr. Gurney, I presume," he said, with that ease and grace that +good breeding and familiarity with good society alone gives to a +man. + +"I sent you a telegram," Ashton continued, "making application for +the situation, in answer to your advertisement; and I have now +come in person, as I stated I would." + +Mr. Gurney, who had risen, extended to him his hand--then +introduced him to his wife, and in a few moments, by his cordial +reception, made him completely at his ease. + +His appearance, and, still more, his manner, impressed Mr. and +Mrs. Gurney favorably, and they both concluded he was a very +intelligent person. + +He produced his credentials, which were highly satisfactory; but +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney were too keen observers not to notice the +marks of dissipation which his two weeks' debauch had stamped upon +his face. The former, however, possessed too much of the courtesy +which distinguishes the true gentleman to give utterance to a word +which would wound even the most sensitive person, if he could do +his duty and avoid it. Though, if it lay in the way of his duty, +he immediately entered into its performance, but in the least +offensive manner possible. + +He said to Richard Ashton, in his most kindly tone: "You will +pardon me, I am sure, for asking you another question. I would not +do so only it is necessary that I should exercise the utmost +caution in order that I may secure a person who has not only +ability and experience, but who also is a man of good character +and temperate habits--who, in short, would be every way reliable. +Pardon me if I ask, in all kindness, would you in every respect till +up my requirements?" + +This was a plain question, put with the most gentle courtesy, but +yet in a straightforward manner; and if Ashton had wished in any +way to equivocate, he felt he could not do so without utterly +destroying his chances of employment. To do him justice, however, +let us state he never, even for a moment, entertained a thought of +so doing. He felt he was being weighed in the balance, and would +probably be found wanting, but he resolved he would not endeavor +to bring down the scale in his favor, either by equivocation or +dealing in untruths. In fact, he immediately concluded to make a +clean breast of it, and give him, in as few words as possible, a +history of his life, and then leave him to deal with his case. +Acting upon this thought, he in a few moments graphically and +pathetically told his sad story. + +"I will not ask you to decide to-night," he said after he had +finished, "but if it is agreeable to you I will call in the +morning. I would like you would give me a decided answer by that +time if possible, and," he added, "if you conclude to engage me I +will endeavor so to devote myself to your interest as never to +give you cause to regret it." + +Mr. Gurney immediately agreed to this arrangement, as he thought +it would be better to have a few hours to carefully consider the +matter, and to talk it over with his wife. In fact, he had been so +much wrought upon by the sad recital, as to entirely unfit him for +a calm and judicious consideration of the business in hand. So, +making an appointment for the next day at 9 a.m., he saw Ashton to +the door, and bade him good night. + +Ashton, as he walked rapidly away, was very despondent. He had but +slight hope of securing the situation; for, he reasoned to +himself, had a person of similar character come to him seeking a +position, when he was in business, no matter how much he might +sympathise with him he never would have thought of engaging him. + +He wisely determined, however, to hope for the best. He was sure +he would like the situation, for he had formed a very high opinion +of Mr. Gurney. He considered him a very superior person--cultured, +but plain, and practical, and it was because he knew he possessed +the latter attribute he had no hopes of being engaged. + +But had he been capable of reading Mrs. Gurney's mind, and could +he also have known the influence she possessed over her husband, +he would not have been so despondent. His story had not been half +told before she had been so affected by its touching pathos as to +be unable to repress her tears, and before he had finished she had +resolved she would exert all the influence she possessed over her +husband to persuade him to take Ashton on trial; for she felt it +would be a noble thing to aim at the redemption of this man from +evil, and to give help, hope, and joy to his wife and children, of +whom he had spoken so tenderly. + +"Well, Martha," said Mr. Gurney, after Ashton had departed, "would +it be safe for us to employ him?" + +He asked this in all sincerity; for he was a man who consulted his +wife in relation to all his business affairs. He said, "he looked +upon marriage as a partnership, the wife being an interested +member of the firm." And as he firmly believed this, he made it a +rule never to enter into any business transaction without seeking +her counsel, in regard to it, and he boasted that some of the best +hits he had made in business had been the outcome of acting upon +her advice. + +"Well, my dear," she said in answer to his question, "I am +strongly in favor of giving him a chance. He is certainly a man of +more than ordinary intelligence, and he could not have that ease +and grace of manner which he possesses in so eminent a degree had +he not associated with the best society. It is certainly a great +pity he has become a victim of strong drink, but, then, if he had +not he would never have applied for the situation." + +"But, Martha," interjected Mr. Gurney, "do you think it would be +in conformity with sound wisdom to engage him after the confession +he has made?" + +"Yes, James, I really do, and one of the strongest reasons for my +thinking so is because of that confession. If he had protested he +had not been drinking, as most men in his circumstances would have +done, then I should have opposed your engaging him, but he was so +straightforward that he has certainly enlisted my sympathy in his +favor; and then I really think God guided him here. We have always +been advocates of temperance, and if there is one thing more than +any other for which I feel like praising Him, it is because he has +enabled us to deliver some of our fellow-mortals from lives of +intemperance, and it may be, some from drunkard's graves. But this +has been done without any great sacrifice upon our parts--that is, +we have not had to run any great risk. Now we are placed in +different circumstances, and we have an opportunity of possibly +saving one of our fellow-creatures if we are only willing to risk +a little trouble and loss in order to accomplish our object. Now, +don't you think, James, the Lord has sent him here just to try +us?" + +"It has not thus occurred to me," he answered; but he did not make +any further remark, wishing to hear all his wife had to say before +doing so. + +"I think, James," she continued, "the reason that the cause of +temperance has not gained greater triumphs, has been because its +advocates have not been willing to make sacrifices enough: let us +not fail in this respect. There is no doubt but you would employ +Mr. Ashton if you had no fear he would again fall, for he seems to +me in every way suited for the position--if we had any doubt in +this respect his credentials should remove it. But, unfortunately, +he has been a great drinker, and, therefore, if you employ him, it +may involve you in trouble, and in the end it may result in loss; +but if you do not employ him it will be because you are afraid of +these things, that is, it will be a matter of selfishness, and you +will practically say you are a friend of temperance until it +becomes a matter which may affect your interest, but when it +touches you there you will draw back and go no further, though by +being willing to risk a little you may be the means of saving this +man, and of giving succor to his wife and helpless children. I +think, James, looking at it in this light, you should give him a +trial for a month or two if you can agree as to terms." + +She had grown quite eloquent, ere she was through, for her heart +was enlisted, and she was determined, if possible, to save this +man. And, as she had listened to his description of his wife and +children, she felt as if she almost knew Mrs. Ashton, and was +certain she should esteem her very highly. So, she brought all her +powers of persuasion to bear upon her husband, that she might +persuade him to her way of thinking. + +Mr. Gurney had listened to his wife attentively until she waited +for an answer, and then he scarcely knew what to say in reply. He +had, in fact, as we have stated, been also touched by Ashton's +graphic story, and he felt he would be willing to sacrifice a +great deal to save him; he also felt the force of her logic when +she argued if he were a true temperance man he would be willing to +make great sacrifice in order to rescue one of the victims of the +rum traffic, but he thought he would be running almost too much +risk to employ him under the circumstances. It was under the +influence of these counter currents of thought he made his reply: + +"Well, Martha," he said, "I should like to engage the man, and I +have concluded, if he did not drink, he would just suit me, but, +according to his own statement, he has not only fallen once, but +several times, and we have no guarantee that he will not fall +again. The fact is, judging from almost universal experience, he +is more likely to fall than not, and if I should employ him, and +after he had charge of the business he should give way to his +besetting sin, he would not only cause me serious loss, but care +and worry, which, in my delicate state of health, I should, if +possible, avoid. Really, dear, I am in a strait betwixt two; I +should like very much to help him, for, I will candidly confess, +that no stranger, in so short a period of time, ever took hold of +my feelings as he has done, and yet to put him in charge of my +business, after the confession he has made, seems so contrary to +the dictates of sound judgment as, in fact, to be actually +courting trouble. But, my dear, let us not say anything more about +it to-night; we will pray over it, and, in the morning, we will +decide what to do. God will guide us in this as He has in all our +past transactions, when we have gone to Him for guidance." + +"I am perfectly content, dear, to leave it in His hands," said his +wife, "but I am nearly satisfied now that it is His will we should +employ Mr. Ashton. We will lay all the matter before him, and let +us also bring this poor victim of strong drink, and his wife and +children, before the Throne of Grace." + +Mr. Gurney, after praying for Divine direction, and seriously +considering the matter, concluded he would give Ashton a trial. He +saw his wife would be seriously disappointed if he did not do so, +and he wished to gratify her as far as he possibly could. He also +thought if he took him for a comparatively limited period, on +trial, there would be no great risk in it. He, however, determined +to give him to understand the retaining of his position entirely +depended upon his good behavior. + +Ashton, when he called in the morning, was agreeably surprised to +learn that Mr. Gurney had concluded to try him for a short period, +if they could agree as to salary, and as he was willing to accept +a very moderate one until he had satisfied his employer he was +worthy of something better, they were not long in coming to terms. + +So the matter was settled, and Ashton was able to write home to +his wife that he bad secured a situation. + +"I think, my darling," he said, "I shall like the place very much. +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney (my employer and his wife) seem to be an +excellent couple. I should judge, from appearances, they are in +very easy circumstances, and very intelligent and cultured. + +"Bayton is a beautiful, cosy, old-fashioned town, containing, I +should think, about three thousand inhabitants, and there is a +fine river running through the centre of it, nearly, if not quite, +as large as the Genesee. Its houses are, most of them, embowered +in trees; in fact, it appears like an English town Americanized, +and its inhabitants seem to have more the characteristics of +Americans than Canadians. + +"The business of which I am to have the management is the best dry +goods and clothing establishment in the place. I am to remain on +trial for a month, and then, if I give satisfaction and like the +situation, I am to have a permanent engagement. + +"I hope, my dear, at least for once, that old Father Time will fly +with rapid wings. I do so long to see you all again. Tell Eddie +that this is a famous river for fish, and will furnish him with +rare sport. Also tell Allie that Bayton is a famous place for +flower culture, almost every house having a flower garden in front +of it to beautify it and to fill the air with fragrant perfumes. + +"I was glad to learn that papa's darling little Mamie was well; +and growing finely. You must not let her forget me. I hope Eddie +and Allie are paying strict attention to their studies; for if +they do, success is almost certain, and in after years they will +rejoice because of their present self-denial. + +"And now, my darling, good-bye for the present. Kiss all the +children for their papa. + +"Your affectionate husband, + +"RICHARD ASHTON." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +RUTH'S MISGIVINGS AND MENTAL AGONY. + + +It is now time that we should return to Ruth and her children. + +After her husband had left her, as we narrated in the first +chapter, she was very sad, almost desolate, and she felt she must +retire to hold communion with Him who promised to give rest to the +weary soul who came to Him; so, leaving little Mamie in care of +Eddie and Allie, she retired to her room to weep and also to pray. +She was literally following the injunction of her Saviour--praying +to her Father in secret that He might reward her openly. The +reward she longed for was that He would protect her husband and +influence him to walk aright. + +As she was thus alone--and yet not alone, for God was with her-- +her memory took her back to the sunny days of her girlhood. How +bright those halcyon days appeared! She was in fancy again walking +amid the green fields and by the hedgerows of dear old England, +plucking the daisies from the meadows and listening to the sweet +strains of the lark as it carolled its lay to the morning. Sunny +visions of the past, with loved faces wandering in their golden light, +flitted before her; and her heart was filled with sadness as she +remembered the breaks that Time, with his relentless hand, had made +in that once happy number. She found herself unconsciously repeating-- + + "Friend after friend departs-- + Who hath not lost a friend? + There is no union here of hearts + That hath not here an end." + +Then the thoughts of the days when Richard Ashton came wooing, +of moonlight walks, of music and literature--these incidents of joyful +days flitted before her, each for a moment, and then vanished +away, like dissolving views. Some who sought her then were now +opulent, filling positions of honor and great responsibility; and some +of her associates who then envied her, because she was more +sought after than they, were now presiding over palatial homes. + +As these visions of the happy days of yore passed like fairy +dreams before her she heaved an involuntary sigh as she +passionately exclaimed: "Oh drink, thou hast been our curse; +turning our happiness into misery; our Eden of bliss into a waste, +weary wilderness of poverty and woe!" + +"Mamma, mamma, may I tum, I have such a petty flower to show oo." + +It was the voice of little Mamie, and, as her mother opened the +door, she came in, an almost perfect picture of innocent beauty; +as with eyes sparkling with delight she held up to her mother a +large and beautiful pansy. + +"Isn't that petty, mamma? and wasn't Eddie a dood boy to get it +for me? Now, mamma, I'm dust going to save it for papa. Will you +put it up for him?" + +Mrs. Ashton hastily turned away her head, and wiped her eyes, so +that her child might not see traces of her recent tears. She then +turned, and taking Mamie in her arms brushed her golden curls, +which, young as she was, hung down her back, falling in rippling +waves of sunlight over her fair young form, and assured her she +would put away the flower for dear papa. + +Little Mary, or as they called her Mamie, was born, as we have +already noticed, a short time after they came to Rochester. She +was a beautiful child, and in some respects seemed to resemble +each of her parents; for she had the complexion and large, dreamy +eyes of her mother and the features of her father. And in +disposition and mental characteristics she also inherited +qualities from both father and mother; for she possessed the +sprightly animation of the former which ever and anon bubbled over +in gentle, kindly mischief. While she, also, possessed the +guileless trustfulness of the latter, and seemed never so happy as +when she nestled peacefully in the arms of one she loved, and +listened to a simple story of the good in other days, or was +charmed by some beautiful song or hymn, which it was her delight +to help sing. + +As one looked at her fair young face--her sunny curls and regular +classic features--either sparkling with animation or melting with +tenderness, they wondered not that she was the pet of home, and +generally beloved, for with such beauty and such gentle witcheries +she could not fail to win hearts. + +"Mamma," she said, after her mother had kissed her, "Why has papa +don away? I 'ove my papa ever so much, and I asked him, before he +went away, if he 'oved oo and Eddie and Allie, and he taid he did, +and that he 'oved me, his 'ittle sunbeam, too, and ett he has don +and left us all. I am so sorry papa has don." + +As Mamie said this the tears began to glisten in her eyes, and +then sparkling for a moment, in their blue settings, ran in pearly +drops down over her cheeks. Her mother snatched her closely to her +to quiet her sobbings; but, in a moment or two, was weeping in +sympathy with her child. + +"My darling," she said, "papa has gone away to find another home +for us all, and after awhile he will come back for us, then my +little Mamie will be her papa's sunbeam again." + +"But, mamma, I don't want to go, I dust want to 'top where we are +now, for Eddie was saying, yesterday, that papa was in Tanada, and +that he was coming over after us. And he taid, mamma that Tanada +was so cold we would not have any petty flowers there, and I don't +want to leave all my petty flowers. I dust want to stay here in +our nice home." + +"Eddie should not talk so to his little sister," said her mother, +"and I do not think we will find Canada much colder than this +country. God will take care of us there, Mamie, if we are good and +pray to Him, and He will also take care of papa if we ask Him to +do so." + +"Will He, mamma?" said Mamie, "den I will ask Him." + +She knelt down, and clasping her tiny hands looked heavenward with +sweet trustfulness as she murmured: "Dod bless my papa, and take +care of him." And then she added--the thought seeming to come +intuitively to her mind. "O, Dod, don't let my papa drink, taus +den he is tross to my dear mamma and to Eddie and Allie; and he +don't 'ove mamma den. Dust let him come home nice.--Amen." + +Her mother was strangely moved at her child's prayer and murmured, +Amen. And as the little innocent knelt there, a perfect picture of +seraphic beauty, purity, innocence and faith, the thought of the +poet came to her mind-- + + "O man, could thou in spirit kneel beside that little child; + As fondly pray, as purely feel, with heart as undefiled; + That moment would encircle thee with light and love divine, + Thy soul might rest on Deity, and heaven itself be thine." + +And she prayed that God might ever keep her as innocent and pure. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ALL IN CANADA. + + +Time seemed to creep along very slowly for the next two days to +Ruth Ashton. She sent Eddie to the Post Office, and when he came +without a letter she was terribly disappointed. She exclaimed: +"Oh, I am afraid he has broken his promise and is drinking again; +for he certainly would have written if he were not!" + +If those Christians and respectable members of society, who favor +the drinking usages and oppose with all the power of their +intellect the passing of a law to do away with its sale, only +experienced for one short day the agony which wrung the heart of +that sensitive, loving woman, that experience would do what the +tongue of the most eloquent pleader would utterly fail to +accomplish; that is, turn them to hate the traffic as they hate +the father of evil. + +Her mind was preyed upon by doubt, fear, terrible anxiety. "If he +were drinking, in a strange country, what would become of him? She +remembered he had considerable money with him; also, when he was +intoxicated he always became reckless, and would be almost certain +to display it, and thus, probably, tempt some hard character to +rob or murder him. + +"Oh, my Father, protect him!" she exclaimed in her anguish, as she +knelt before Him who was her only help and consolation in such +times of trouble. + +The next morning Eddie was again sent for a letter, and as he came +with one in his hand, the mother grasped it impulsively. But, a +moment after, thinking her action might appear strange to Eddie, +she kissed him affectionately, and said: "Excuse your mamma; my +boy, I was so anxious to read papa's letter that I forgot myself." + +The reader has already been made acquainted with the contents of +that letter, and when Ruth had read it her worse fears were not +allayed--rather, confirmed. + +She wrote to him immediately--not expressing her fears, but filling +her letter with words of love and confidence, thinking that by +thus doing it would influence him, at least to some extent, to +endeavor to prove to her that her confidence had not been +misplaced. + +She did not hear from him again for more than two weeks, though +either she or the children wrote him several letters in the +meantime. The agony she endured during that period I will allow +the reader to imagine. + +At length Eddie brought home the letter, the contents of which I +have given in a former chapter. It relieved her heart of a great +burden. In fact, she felt some compunctions of conscience--she +thought she must have judged him wrongfully, for it hardly seemed +possible to her that a stranger to her husband would have engaged +him, if he had presented himself immediately after a long +continued debauch. + +That night, as she knelt by her bedside, she thanked God for His +loving-kindness to her, in her hour of great trial. But, after she +had retired and began to think over what the letter contained, she +found that while, on the whole, its contents gave her great cause +for thankfulness, yet, that it made her feel inexpressibly sad-- +sad, because she would have again to part with tried and true +friends and go among strangers. + +Never in her life had she been the recipient of more gentle +attentions and delicate expressions of kindness than since she had +resided in Rochester. True, some of her neighbors were more +curious in regard to her affairs than she thought was consistent +with good breeding, and sometimes they made inquiries which she +did not wish to answer, but which she did not know how to evade +without giving offence. However, this trait of a certain class of +her American friends--and which, by-the-bye, has furnished a fund +for humorists the world over--was more than redeemed by their +genuine kindness and willingness to help upon every possible +occasion. And some, she thought, were noble examples of what men +and women are when in them natural goodness is joined with +intelligence and culture; for they seemed to divine her wants like +a quick-witted person will catch at a hint, and any service +rendered was so delicately tendered that it almost left the +impression upon the mind of the recipient that a favor had been +granted in its acceptance. In fact, she had been favorably +impressed with her acquaintances in Rochester from the first, and +now she was about to leave, their kindly attentions endeared them +to her so as to make it very hard for her to separate from them; +for, day after day, they vied with each other in doing everything +which kindness could suggest to prepare her for her anticipated +journey. + +And Ruth herself was employing every moment, for she never doubted +her husband would have a permanent engagement. She had clothes to +provide for the children, and her own wardrobe to replenish, so +that all might be well prepared to go among strangers. + +Eddie and Allie, also, had their own sorrows and trials. At first +they said they would not leave their old home. Child-like, they +thought Rochester was the only place in the wide, wide world where +they could live and find pleasure; and as they had but dim +recollections of England, and all the persons, objects, and scenes +which they loved, and around which their memories lingered, were +centred there, it is not surprising it was the dearest spot on +earth to them, nor that it seemed very hard to leave their school +and school-mates, their trees and flowers, and the many and varied +objects which had been familiar to them for so many years. + +"I do wish mamma would coax father not to move among strangers, +especially when it is a cold country like Canada he is going to. I +declare, it is too bad to leave everything we like behind, and go +among those we won't care for, and who will not care for us." + +As Eddie spoke, the tears began to glimmer in his eyes, for he +certainly thought their lot was a hard one. + +Allie agreed to use all her powers of persuasion to prevail upon +their mother to influence their father not to take them from +Rochester. + +It was at one of these little indignation meetings they had given +expression to the speeches which had been reported to their mother +by Mamie. This called forth a remonstrance from her, and she +pointed out to them how selfish and sinful it was to talk as they +had been doing. This had the desired effect, and they promised not +to murmur again, and the promise was kept; for they truly loved +their mother, and would not do anything which they thought would +grieve her. + +"I tell you, Allie," said Eddie, one day, "it won't be so bad +after all; for if we are lonesome, when we are not helping father +and mother, you can be working in your flower garden, and I can +help you; and if the fishing is as good as father thinks it is, +won't I enjoy it? I tell you it will be jolly, and if I catch some +big ones I will be able to write back and tell Harry Wilson and +Jim Williams about it." + +The eyes of Eddie sparkled with animation as he was looking +forward and by anticipation enjoying these pleasures--forgetting, +for the time being, the hardships which a short period before had +stirred up such rebellious feelings; and then they settled into a +more thoughtful expression as he continued: "Father says there is +a good high school there, and I will, if I can, be the best in my +class there, as I have been here." + +"Well," said Allie, "I think we were naughty to speak as we did, +and we caused mamma to grieve. She says God knows what is best, +and that we should be satisfied to leave everything in His hands. +I am sure I shall enjoy myself helping mamma and attending to my +flower garden; for I know you will help me to make the beds, and +we will also make a nice tiny one for Mamie, too. O! won't that be +splendid?" + +"I hope," continued Eddie, "that father will keep from drink +there. I am sure mamma thinks he has been drinking since he has +been away, and she is almost grieving herself to death about it. +Oh, I don't see how it is that he don't leave whiskey alone!" + +"I do wish he would," said Allie; "for sometimes, when I see mamma +looking so sad, I go to my room and cry, and, Eddie, I often pray +to God to keep papa from drink. Do you think He will hear and +answer me, Eddie?" + +"I guess He will," said Eddie. "Mamma says so, and she knows. I +always say my prayers, Allie, but I don't do much more praying. I +think you girls are better than we boys, anyway." + +"I don't know," replied his sister; "I think I am bad enough, and +I pray to God to make me better. I think the girls quarrel just as +much the boys, and though they may not swear and talk so roughly, +yet I think they speak far more spitefully." + +"I never thought so," said Eddie. + +"Well, they do. Why, just yesterday, Sarah Stewart, because I got +ahead of her in our spelling class, twitted me about father's +drinking, and said 'a girl who had an old drunkard for a father +need not put on such airs.' And, Eddie, I did not say anything to +her to make her speak so, only teacher put me up because I knew my +lesson better." + +"If a boy, had twitted me like that I would have knocked him +down." And he clenched his teeth and doubled up his fist as he +spoke, which left no doubt in the mind of his sister that he would +have tried his best to have done as he said. + +"Well, Eddie, that would have been wicked; it would have grieved +mamma, and, besides, it would have brought you to the level of the +one who insulted you. I was very angry at first, and almost felt +like slapping her, but then I thought how low it would be. When I +cried, the other girls, who heard what she said, shamed her. I +stopped them, for I pitied her. I would pity any girl, Eddie, who +could do so low a thing, and every night since then I have prayed +for her." + +"You are a good little puss," said Eddie, as he kissed her. + +"Not very good," she answered, "for I am sometimes quick-tempered +and hateful, but I do try to be good." + +Richard Ashton gave good satisfaction, and was hired for a year +with a salary that exceeded his expectations. He rented a suitable +house, filling up in every respect the promises made in his +letter. Then, getting leave of absence for a week, he came over +for his wife and family. + +He found a purchaser for his property in his next door neighbor, +who paid half down and gave him his note for the remainder, which +would expire a year from date. + +He could not, try how he would, keep from feeling sad at leaving +his American home and many friends: for Richard was himself again, +and now saw, in its true light, his former foolishness. In his +heart he sincerely liked the Americans, and left them with regret. + +The hearts of Ruth and her children were almost too full for +utterance, and when the time of parting came they did not attempt +to give expression to their sorrow in words. They parted with many +regrets from the dear old home that had sheltered them so long, +and that would be hallowed in their memory forever more; and from +the many friends who had treated them so kindly, some of whom they +would never meet again. In a few days they were kindly welcomed +and settled in their new home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +AUNT DEBIE AND HER FRIENDS. + + +"Did I not tell thee, Phoebe, that I was sartan there was going to +be a death, and like enough more than one? Does thee not remember +I told thee that on the first day, just before William Gurney +died? And thee sees now that what I said has come troo, for both +William and Annie have died since." + +"Yes," said the person addressed as Phoebe, "thee then said thee +had warning of death and knoo some one was going to die, and that +thee thought there was going to be more than one. I remember just +as plainly as if thee had said it not more'n a minute ago." + +"I thought thee'd mind it," said the first speaker, and there was +an accent of triumph in the tone of her voice as she spoke. + +"I have known thee to tell before of things that jest happened as +thee said they would. Why, thee told there was going to be a death +just before Martha Foxe's child died; and whenever thee has told +me that such was to be the case, I ain't never known it to fail. +Tell us, Aunt Debie, how thee is able to foretell things as thee +does." + +"Well, Phoebe, there is more ways than one that I get warnings. If +in the night I hear three loud raps, one after the other, I am +then sartan there is goen to be a death; and if there is more than +three then I knows there is goen to be more'n one death. If the +raps are loud and sharp, then I know the death or deaths are to be +right away; but if they be kind of easy like, I then know it will +be quite a while. Now, I hearn three raps last night. I was +awakened about one o'clock. I knoo it was one, 'cause I had the +rheumatiz so bad I couldn't sleep, and so I got up and went to the +fire to keep warm. I thought I would put my horn to my ear, and I +jest caught the faintest sound of the roosters crowin'; so when I +hearn that I knoo what time it was. Jest a little after that I +went back to bed, and I hadn't been there more'n a minute of two +before I hearn a rap, and then, in a little, I hearn another, and +then another; they sounded far away like, and awfully solemn. Is +it not strange that I can hear these things, when I cannot hear +anything else?" + +"Yes," said Phoebe, "it is strange; but God's ways are mysterious +to us, and past finding out." + +"Well," continued Aunt Debie, "I am sartan there is goen to be +another death; for I never hear these things but some of our +friends die." + +"Oh," said Phoebe, solemnly, "I wonder who will be called for this +time." + +"God knows best," remarked Debie, "and he ain't going to do wrong; +we must larn to trust Him." + +"And then," she continued, "I have another way of knowing when +there is to be trouble, sickness, and death. If I dream of a +person walking through a corn or wheat field, I am then sartan +there is going to be trouble or sickness; if they are cutting the +wheat, or plucking the ears of corn, it is then sure to be +followed by a death. I suppose God reveals these things to me by +figures, the same as He did to Simon Peter in the long ago; for +ain't we all jest like wheat waiting for the sickle, or like corn +waiting till the time comes to be plucked by the Death Angel? I +suppose my heavenly Father reveals more to me than He does to +others, 'cause He, in His wisdom, has taken so much from me. He +has left me here a poor old woman, deaf, blind, and lame. I can't +see the faces of my friends through these poor sightless eyes, nor +the beauties of the fields and sky, nor the blossoms and fruit of +the trees, nor the flowers in the garden; neither can I hear the +sweet music of the birds, nor even the prattle of the dear little +children who come and kiss me, and let me play with their curls, +save through this horn. He only knows"--and Aunt Debie looked up +as she spoke--"how I long sometimes to see them. But, Father, Thou +knowest what is best: 'Though Thou slayest me, yet will I trust in +Thee.'" + +This conversation occurred in Mrs. Gurney's parlor; for both Mr. +and Mrs. Gurney were originally Quakers, but, settling in Bayton +in their early married life, they joined another body, though they +ever retained a profound respect for the Church of their +childhood. In fact a great many of their relatives, and a very +large circle of friends in the surrounding country, belonged to +that body; and, as they are a people who are especially noted for +their social qualities and for their warm attachment to kinsfolk +and friends, the Gurneys very frequently received visits from +them. + +The conversation, part of which I have given to my readers, took +place upon one of these visits. One of the parties present on this +occasion deserves more than a passing notice, as she was an +uncommon character. + +Deborah Donaldson, or, as she was always called, "Aunt Debie," +was, "after the strictest sect of her religion," a Quaker, and she +never quite forgave James and Martha Gurney for leaving the Church +of their fathers. She had been a widow for more than thirty years, +her husband having been killed by the falling of a limb from a +tree which he was chopping down, and she had been blind and deaf +for the greater part of that time. + +She had been a woman of very great energy, and there were some who +hinted that she was the controlling member of the matrimonial firm +when the now lamented Donaldson was living. Whether there was any +truth or not in that report it is not for the writer to say, but +she was certainly a woman of great force of character--a living +embodiment of the Scripture maxim, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to +do, do it with all thy might." And even now, in extreme old age-- +for she was more than four score--though in many ways she +manifested she had entered her second childhood, she yet retained +a great deal of her original energy. As I have illustrated, though +she possessed genuine piety, it was so mingled with superstition +as to leave it difficult to decide which exerted the controlling +influence. + +If any of my readers have associated to any extent with the +people in the rural districts, especially those of American or +Dutch-American descent, they, no doubt, have observed that a great +many of the older and more illiterate ones among them are very +superstitious, being implicit believers in signs, charms, +apparitions, etc.; and most of them, also, entertain the opinion +that the moon exerts an occult influence over many things of vital +importance to the residents of this mundane sphere; and no power +that could be brought to bear could induce some of them to plant +corn, make soap, kill pigs, or perform many other important duties +in certain phases of the moon, for they would be positive if they +did it would result in dire disaster. + +There are also sounds and signs which are looked upon as warnings +of coming woe; for instance: three knocks in the still hours of +the night are considered a "death call," and when heard by them +they expect soon to learn of the decease of a friend. Dreams are +the certain presages of coming events--of prosperity and +happiness, of sorrow, disease, and death. + +Now, Aunt Debie and her friends were firm believers in these +things, and the former was looked upon as one who was favored with +receiving more signs, seeing more visions, and dreaming more +dreams, than any person in that section of country. She was also +viewed by her friends as an oracle, in interpreting these signs; +and she, having no doubt in regard to her own endowments, accepted +in perfect faith their eulogium of her power in this respect. + +Another present at the time to which we refer was a sister of Aunt +Debie's, some ten years younger than herself, Phoebe Barrett by +name. She was attended by her husband, whom she addressed as +Enoch. He certainly was not the predominant spirit of the family; +for he was so quiet and unobtrusive as to scarcely ever utter a +word, except it might be to make a remark in regard to the weather +or answer a question. There was also a young Quakeress by the name +of Rachel Stebbins, a distant relative of the others, and they +were all related to Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. + +"Did thee have any peculiar dreams lately, Aunt Debie?" asked +Rachel Stebbins. "I had a perfectly awful one the other night." + +"Doo tell. What was it, Rachel?" said Aunt Debie. + +"I dreamt," continued Rachel, "that I was standing by an open +grave; and it appeared to me, jest before they lowered the coffin +into it, they took the lid off from the coffin, and in it was the +corpse of a young girl, white as chalk, but she appeared as if she +must have been very pretty when she was living. There were orange +blossoms on her bosom and also in her hair. The features 'peared +familiar, but I could not, for the life of me, make out who she +was, nor can I yet, though I see her ghastly face ever before me, +and think I shall thus see it until the day I die. And what 'pears +to me as singular is, that I saw every one that is here now there, +and a great many more of our relatives and friends, and all were +weeping as if she were some one very near and dear to them. Now, +what does thee make of that dream?" + +"What did thee eat before thee went to bed, Rachel?" asked Mr. +Gurney, who came into the room while she was relating her dream. +He was by nature inclined to be reserved, but yet possessed a fund +of quiet humor, and he delighted to quiz Aunt Debie and her Quaker +friends in respect to their superstitious fancies. But Aunt Debie +could not look upon this levity with any degree of allowance, in +fact, she viewed it as little else than profanity. "Did thee eat +mince pie, dough nuts, or plum cake? If thee did, thee must be +more careful in thy diet, or thee may dream something even more +terrible the next time." + +Rachel Stebbins repeated to Aunt Debie what Mr. Gurney had said, +which so roused the old lady that she said to him, with +considerable asperity in the tone of her voice: + +"I know thee always laughs at these things, James; but thee may be +convinced some day in a manner that thee will not like, and then +thee will be sorry that thee made so light of it." + +And then addressing Rachel, she said, in answer to her question: +"Well, Rachel, when I dream of a death I always expects to hear of +a wedding. I have never known it to fail. And thee will see that +some friend of ours will be getting married soon, and then thee +will wonder how strangely contrary these kinds of dreams is. Why, +before Jonas Head was married to Prudence Leggit, I seed him laid +out in his shroud as plainly as I used to see thee; and a short +time after that I hearn that he was married. Now, thee just watch +if this dream don't end in the same way." + +"But, Debie," said Phoebe, "thee was telling me the other day +about dreaming of Charles Dalton walking through the cornfield. +Will thee tell it to us now?" + +This was a request that would yield a great amount of satisfaction +to Aunt Debie, for she was always delighted to be asked to relate +her dreams and the warnings she received of coming woe. Phoebe, of +course, was well aware of this, and it was partially because of it +that she asked the question; but the strongest motive power that +moved her was that she herself was a strong believer in the +supernatural. And though men will not acknowledge it, or rarely do +so, nevertheless all are more or less influenced by a certain +undefined and shadowy belief in the supernatural, even in this +grosser shape; and I believe most have a desire, though mixed with +a strange dread, to listen to its relation. + +"Well," began Aunt Debie, responding to Phoebe's request, "I +dreamt I saw before me a field of waving corn. It was nearly ready +to cut, and the wind moaned through it, as it bent and shook +before it, and the tassels glinted in the moonlight like ghosts +keeping watch. And then there seemed to be something gliding +through the corn; at first it was nothing but a shadow, but after +a little it 'peared more plain, and at last I could see the +features--it was the face of Charles Dalton. And then way down at +the other end of the field I could see men, though not very plain, +but just like shadows, and they were cutting the corn. I tell thee +there is going to be some terrible trouble come to him ere long, +and before many years he will die." + +Just after Phoebe had asked the question, Ruth Ashton came in and +was introduced to the company, with the exception of Aunt Debie, +Mrs. Gurney explaining that the latter was blind and deaf, and +telling Mrs. Ashton she would introduce her to the old lady when +she had finished relating and explaining her dream. + +Mrs. Ashton had been invited to spend the afternoon with them, and +had accepted the invitation. + +After Aunt Debie had finished relating her dream and giving her +interpretations of its meaning, Mr. Gurney moved his chair over +near her and asked: "Were you talking and thinking of Charles +Dalton, and of his unfortunate drinking habits, also of his being +nearly drowned, before you went to bed the night you dreamed that +dream?" + +"Ye-s," said Aunt Debie, "I--was." She made the admission very +reluctantly; for she immediately saw the inference Mr. Gurney +wished to draw. + +"And did thee not eat plum cake and cheese just before retiring?" +He knew the old lady was very partial to the edibles he mentioned, +and suspected that because she had yielded to her weakness she had +been disturbed by dreams. + +"Well," he said, "thee ate the cheese and plum cake, and these +indigestibles caused thee to dream; and thee believes that to +dream of persons walking in a cornfield and plucking ears of corn +is a sign of disease and death. You were talking of Charles Dalton +and of his unfortunate drinking habits, also of his being nearly +drowned lately. Now, what is more natural than that you should +dream of him of whom you were thinking just before you went to +sleep, and that your sleeping thoughts should be influenced by +your waking ones, and by your opinions in regard to such dreams?" + +"Thee can always explain things to suit thine own notion, James +Gurney. Does thee not believe that God can give warnings now the +same as He did in the days of old? Did He not give warnings to +Samuel of Eli's coming trouble? Likewise of Saul's? And to Nathan +of David's? And is there not many other places in the Bible where +it speaks of warnings given? Now let me ask, Is not God 'the same +yesterday, today, and forever,' and, if so, can He not do as well +now as He did then? _I wonder at thee, James Gurney_!"--and +the old lady raised her voice as she uttered the last sentence. + +Mr. Gurney thought it better not to argue the point, so he put his +mouth to her horn and said: "Thee and I had better not argue any +further, Aunt Debie. Thee always gets the better of me anyway. But +were not Judge McGullett and Sheriff Bottlesby with Charles +Dalton, and were they not the ones who furnished him with the +liquor that intoxicated him?" + +"Yes, they were," said the old lady. But we will leave the +remainder of her reply to another chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +A WORTHY SHERIFF AND JUDGE--DR. DALTON. + + +Aunt Debie continued: "They were out shooting on the marsh, and +the jedge and the sheriff had whiskey with them, of which I guess +they drank as much as he did, but it 'pears they was able to stand +it better, for they did not get drunk. I think it is a disgrace to +this county to have a drunken jedge and sheriff. The idea of the +judge setting on the bench and trying men for breaking the law! +And yet he will intice other men to drink that which will fit them +to commit the crime which, if they come before him, he will punish +them for doing. And the sheriff will take them to jail when they +are condemned by the jedge, though he helped to prepare them for +the evil work they did." + +"I agree with you, Aunt Debie," said Mrs. Gurney, speaking for the +first time. "These two men being allowed to hold such high +positions is not only a disgrace to this county but also to +Canada. Men who hold offices of trust and grave responsibility +should be patterns to the community, and above reproach. +Especially should this be the case with a judge. He should be a +man not only of the highest legal talent, and with a broad, +judicial mind, but also of a pure and lofty character. How ever +they came to appoint a man with the loose habits of Judge +McGullett to the position is a mystery to me." + +"Why, my dear," said Mr. Gurney, "it was given him because he +worked for his party. He has ever been a man of low instincts and +loose habits, though he was considered what is called a smart +lawyer. In my opinion this did not qualify him for his position as +judge. A man may be cunning, and so is a fox. He may have the +qualities which enable him to browbeat a witness, and so has a +bully. He may have great volubility, and so has a Billingsgate +fishwife. He may even have considerable legal acumen, and yet be +narrow and coarse. A man to be a judge, as you just remarked, +should be of a broad, judicial mind, able to look at a case in all +its bearings, to sift evidence, balance probabilities, and, being +above prejudice and every outward influence, should decide a case +on its merits. And I believe with you and Aunt Debie, that he +should be as far above anything that is coarse or impure in his +private life as above suspicion in his public capacity. But I look +upon our present judge as the farthest remove from this; he was a +good party hack, and, to the shame of the government in power +when he was appointed be it said, he was rewarded for his +unscrupulousness by being elevated to the bench of our county. + +"In regard to Sheriff Bottlesby, he is a man who is almost beneath +contempt; he has neither the brains, dignity, nor character to fit +him for such a position. He cunningly worked to pack a caucus to +secure the choice of our present member as a candidate to the +local legislature, with the understanding, no doubt, if his +efforts were crowned with success, that he should receive his +reward. By low cunning, and resorting to means that no honorable +man could employ, he succeeded. The last occupant of the position +was found to be too old, and therefore asked to retire; and +Bottlesby was rewarded for his faithfulness by getting the vacant +position, though his predecessor was infinitely his superior in +every respect. + +"The fact is, everything that is pure and good in the government +of our country is being dragged through the mire of party +politics. If a measure is brought forward, I am afraid the +question is not, Will this be for the best interest of society or +the country? but, Will it help or hurt the party? If a public +position of great responsibility becomes vacant, they do not +appoint the man who is best qualified to fill it, but the one who +has done the most for his party. And in some instances when they +have not places for those who have been their subservient tools, +they make them by removing, on some trivial pretext, those who are +the occupants of the position, utterly regardless of the fact that +it may cause misery to the ones removed and their families. If +this evil is allowed to grow unchecked, our country will ere long +be cursed with a system similar to that introduced into the United +States by Burr and Jackson, and forcibly expressed by the words of +an unscrupulous politician, 'To the victor belongs the spoil.'" + +Mr. Gurney became quite excited while he was making this speech, +for it was a subject upon which he had often thought, and with a +great deal of solicitude. In fact, it was about the only topic which +could have inspired him to speak with so much bitterness, and it +was also the only time any of his friends had seen him so animated +since his great bereavement. He was a man too broad in his views +to make principle subservient to party. He had a party, and believed +that it was necessary in the government of a country that such +should exist; but he would not be a mere tool and follow his leaders, +even though he could not endorse their policy. He said he would +not vote for a man whom he believed was unprincipled, even if his +party, through the caucus system, did make him their standard-bearer. +He was strongly of the opinion that men who were not pure in private +life should not be entrusted to conduct public affairs; and if the +party to which he gave allegiance chose such a man as their candidate, +he would not so violate his conscience as to give him his support, +for he would not trample his honor and principle in the dust for any +party. + +As Mr. Gurney has given to my readers some idea of Judge McGullett +and Sheriff Bottlesby, I will give a sketch of Charles Dalton, the +one whose name had been associated with those two worthies. + +He was the only son of Aunt Debie's youngest sister. This sister +had not married a Quaker, and in this respect differed from the +rest of the family. Her husband was, however, a farmer in very +comfortable circumstances, and was chosen, because of his superior +intelligence, as reeve of the township in which he resided; but he +had become a poor, besotted victim of strong drink, and driving +home from Bayton one night, while in a helpless state of +intoxication, he was thrown from his buggy, being so injured by +the fall as never to recover consciousness, and died the following +day. He left his wife and only child--a son, three years old-- +ample means. + +Mrs. Dalton, much to the surprise of the Mrs. Grundys of the +neighborhood, never married again, but seemed to devote her life +to her son, whom she loved with a passionate tenderness. He, from +a very early age, manifested that he was a child of quick parts: +he seemed to master in a short time, with consummate ease, lessons +that would tax the brains of others for hours; and he had a +prodigious memory. He was also a general favorite, because of his +chivalrous character and amiable disposition. In fact, this last +element of character was his weakness, for he was so amiable as to +sometimes be persuaded to enter into engagements against the +dictates of his better judgment. + +When he reached the age necessary for him to decide as to his +future course of action, he chose medicine for his profession. He +first took an Arts course in Toronto University, and then entered +one of the Medical Schools of that city, in both institutions +taking front rank as a student. + +He had, previous to his entering the Medical School, neither +smoked nor drank, and even when there, though he was almost alone +in this respect, his companions found it impossible to tempt him. +His mother had suffered so much from drink that she had taught him +to shrink from even a glass that contained it as he would from a +rattlesnake. But visiting one day at an old friend of his +mother's, who was at that time residing in Toronto, a glass of +wine was placed before him; and as all the rest drank, he, through +fear of being laughed at for being singular, drank too. He would, +no doubt, have passed through the ordeal unscathed, had not the +eldest daughter of his host, a handsome young girl of eighteen, +said to him, when she saw he hesitated, "Take a glass, Charley; it +will do you good, and cannot possibly do you any harm." + +Now, he had conceived a warm attachment for her, and had every +reason to believe that his attentions were not distasteful to her; +so, when she made the remark, he no longer hesitated, but took the +fatal first glass. As he and a companion were on their way home +from Mr. Fulton's to their boarding-house, the companion said: +"Come, Charley, let us go into Frank's and take a glass of ale;" +and, since he had taken the wine, it strangely presented itself to +his consciousness as a reason why he should not refuse to take the +beer. Thus Satan leads us on by first tempting us to transgress, +then making our first sin an argument to sweep away all objections +in regard to committing others. Dalton took the ale; and the enemy +having broken down the barriers of his temperance principles, it +was not long ere he had full possession of the citadel. In fact, +in a short time after he had taken his first glass, he and several +of his fellow-students had, what they termed, "a regular spree." + +His mother, fortunately for her, did not live to hear of her son's +sad fall; for, as she was sitting in her easy chair one day, she +was suddenly seized with a pain near her heart, asked to be +assisted to bed, and before the doctor could arrive she was dead. + +"Died of heart disease," said the doctor; and then he added: +"There is no doubt it resulted from her husband's death. She has +never recovered from the shock; and though she has lived for +years, she might have dropped off at any moment if she had been +the least excited." + +But she received her call home while sitting in her chair reading +the 14th chapter of St. John's Gospel; asked to be carried to her +bed, and, after being propped up by pillows, she said to her +attendant, "Elizabeth, I think I am dying; tell Charley my last +thoughts were of him." And then, looking heavenward, she murmured, +"God bless and guard my own dear boy," and in another moment she +was dead. But "the silver cord was loosed" as if by seraph +fingers, and "the golden bowl was broken" so gently that she +scarcely felt the stroke of the Death Angel. They laid her to rest +while yet in her prime by the side of the husband of her youth. + +The son was sadly stricken by his mother's death, for he had a +very strong affection for her; and for a long time after his +return to the Medical College--in fact, until he had taken his +diploma--he remained perfectly sober; but in the banquet that he +and the rest of his class held to celebrate that event he again +fell, and ere he left was so intoxicated he had to be helped to +his lodgings. From that period he seemed to lose all power of +resistance and almost all sense of shame. + +He had been engaged to Mary Fulton, the young woman who, in her +innocence, first tempted him to drink, and who now bitterly +repented of her thoughtlessness; for she was a true woman, and +loved him with all the strength of her deep, sensitive nature. He, +after taking his medical degree, had started to practice in +Orchardton, a small and lovely village not far from Bayton, and +would have done exceedingly well had it not been for his drinking +propensities. + +It was about a year after he had begun to practice that he met +with the adventure of which Aunt Debie and her friends were +speaking. + +"God was merciful when He removed poor Rebecca before she had a +chance to hear of her boy's shameful conduct," said Aunt Debie. +"'Pears to me that the words of Scripter is come troo in his case-- +'The sins of the parent has to be borne by the children to the +third and fourth generation.'" + +Aunt Debie endeavored to quote from memory, and so she is to be +excused if she did not render it according to the letter. + +"I believe with thee, Aunt Debie," said Mrs. Gurney. "It was a +blessed thing for Rebecca she died thinking her boy was pure; if +she had known how it was--and if she had lived a little longer she +would have been sure to have found out--it would have broken her +heart. Then she would have gone down to her grave in sorrow, and +Charles would have had his mother's death to answer for." + +"I believe," said Mr. Gurney, breaking in rather abruptly, "that a +tendency to drink is transmitted from father to son--that, in +fact, it is a disease, and in this respect is similar to +consumption or insanity. Because I take this view of the case, I +have a great deal of sympathy with Charley Dalton. I am determined +to do all I can to save the boy. I heard from a lady friend the +other day who is very intimate with Mary Fulton, and she said that +the latter was experiencing deep grief because of Charley's utter +fall; for she holds herself partially responsible, because she, in +her innocence and thoughtlessness, tempted him to take his first +glass of wine. Her friends have been endeavoring to influence her +to break the engagement, but she resolutely refuses to do so. She +says she will never marry him while he continues to drink as he +does, but breaking off the engagement will be the last report, and +she declares she will never marry another." + +"Well," said Phoebe, "I don't wonder she feels bad; 'pears to me I +should feel bad, too, if I had coaxed the man I thought more of +than any one else to drink, and then he went to the bad after it." + +"Thee must not be too severe in thy thoughts of poor Mary," said +Mrs. Gurney, "but when thee feels like censuring her, just remember +that she has been accustomed to see wine on her father's table +ever since she was a girl. It is the custom which should be +condemned, and not poor, foolish innocents like Mary Fulton." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +RUTH ASHTON'S INTRODUCTION TO AUNT DEBIE RUTH'S DILEMMA. + + +As there was a lull in the conversation which we reported in the +last chapter, after Mrs. Gurney had finished speaking, she thought +it would be a favorable opportunity to introduce Mrs. Ashton to +Aunt Debie; so she spoke to the former, and they walked over to +the old lady's chair. Mrs. Gurney then took Mrs. Ashton's hand and +placed it in the old lady's, saying, as she did so: "Aunt Debie, +this is Mrs. Ashton, of whom thee has heard us speak!" + +"Happy to meet with thee, I am sure." said Aunt Debie. + +"What is thy fust name?" + +"Ruth," answered Mrs. Ashton. + +"That is a good Script'al name. May thee, like thy namesake, be +worthy of the Lord's blessing." + +"What is thy husband's name?" + +"Richard," answered Mrs. Ashton. + +"And how many children has thee got?" + +"We have three, a boy and two girls," and then, as if in +anticipation of the old lady's next question, she added: "Their +names are Edward, Alice Maud, and Mary; Edward is fourteen, Alice +Maud is twelve, and Mary is four, she is our baby." + +"Thee had a long rest between thy second and third," remarked Aunt +Debie. "Did thee lose any?" + +Ruth Ashton's face flushed slightly, for Aunt Debie was like a new +revelation to her; she had never met anyone like her before, but +she good-naturedly answered "No" to her question. + +Mrs. Gurney now told Ruth she had better leave the old lady, for +she was very inquisitive, and added, by way of explanation: "She +has been blind and deaf so long that she seems to have forgotten +that some of her questions are hardly in keeping with good +manners;" and, she continued, "in her youth, where she was raised, +the habits and customs were not as they are here at the present. +Then, as she cannot see nor hear, she is naturally more +inquisitive." + +Mrs. Ashton, who began to be alarmed, would gladly have left the +old lady; but, as the latter held her by the hand, she thought it +would be rude to hastily withdraw. + +"It is a blessing thee has not had to pass through that sore +trial," she said. "I lost a little babe more than sixty years ago, +and I see its sweet little face now just as plainly as if it were +only yesterday that it was taken from me; and often in my dreams +it comes to me, and again I hear it prattle and crow as it did in +the days of the long, long ago. But God was good to me in taking +it away; for, while all the rest of my children are now getting +old and gray, in my memory that sweet little babe is ever young. +James and Sarah have had a harder trial. If God in His mercy, +wisdom, and love, had seen it was for the better to have taken +their children when they were young, it would not have been so +hard for them to bear; but when they were let to grow up and then +taken, leaving them alone in their age, the stroke is very hard +indeed. But they--thank God--know where to go for consolation, and +have learned to say: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; +blessed be the name of the Lord.'" And then, addressing Ruth, she +said: "Thee ought to be very thankful that God hath not made thee +to pass through this fire." + +"I am more thankful than I can find words to express," said Ruth, +as the tears streamed from her eyes, as they also did from the +eyes of every person in the room, for, they were all strangely +moved by Aunt Debie's pathos. + +"But thee has had thine own troubles, has thee not?" and Aunt +Debie asked the question significantly, as if she referred to a +particular trouble. + +Mrs. Gurney now saw what she feared was coming, and she told Ruth +it would be prudent to withdraw, quietly, but as quickly as +possible. + +Mrs. Gurney was secretly condemning herself for what she now felt +was to say the least, imprudence; for in a conversation she had +had with Aunt Debie she gave her an outline of the life of Richard +and Ruth Ashton, and she was now sure that the old lady was about +to refer to it. In fact, she had unfolded to her, almost in full, +the benevolent schemes they had formed for the purpose of +reforming Richard Ashton. + +Ruth, in answer to Aunt Debie's question, replied: "Yes, I have +had to pass through troubles. I suppose," she added, "God has seen +that it was better for me that I should have my share, the same as +others. It would not do for any of us to be basking always in the +sunlight and experiencing nothing but pleasure; so God takes us +down in the shadow and brings sorrow upon us, that we can more +fully sympathize with our suffering fellow-creatures, and also be +made riper for heaven." + +Ruth now gently withdrew her hand, and, bending down, said: +"Please excuse me, Aunt Debie, Mrs. Gurney has called me into the +conservatory." + +"'Pears to me Martha is in a hurry to get thee away"--and she spoke +with some asperity of tone. "But I was going to say that I heard +thee has passed through particular trouble--that thy husband had +been a drinker, and that he had brought thee and thy children to +poverty. This must have caused thee much sufferin'; and the wust +of it is, if a man becomes a drinker, though he does break off he +is almost sartan to begin again. He never abused thee and thy +children, did he, Ruth?" + +Ruth's pale face flushed red as she quickly withdrew. She did not +know what to say in the way of reply, and therefore left the room +as speedily as possible; but though she did, the tones of Aunt +Debie's voice fell distinctly upon her ear as, in her innocence, +she garrulously gave expression to her fears as to the woe that +was yet to come. "I pity the poor thing," she said; "for thee jest +mind if he does not take to drink again, such men scarcely ever +fail to do so. He will likely drink himself to death, and then she +will be a widow and her children orphans in a strange land. God +help the poor thing!'" + +Mrs. Gurney closed the door to shut out the sound, but Ruth had +heard the ominous words, and they made her feel wretched. She was +not angry with Aunt Debie, for she was broad enough to understand, +after Mrs. Gurney's explanation, that what would be inquisitive +rudeness in another was to be excused in her because of her early +environments and her latter afflictions. The major portion of her +life had been passed in a primitive community, where, though its +inhabitants were as pure as they were simple and unsophisticated, +they had no conception of that fine sense of delicacy which is the +product of higher culture, and keeps one from prying into the +affairs of others. She was, in fact, an exaggerated specimen of +those primitive times, for her afflictions had preserved her from +the influences which had wrought such a transformation on those +around her. Indeed, if she, at the time of which we are writing, +could have had her hearing and her sight restored, the world would +have appeared as strange to her as it did to Rip Van Winkle after +his twenty years' sleep. + +But though, as we have intimated, Ruth Ashton could, at least to +some extent, excuse the old lady, when she understood the +circumstances, this did not keep what she said from exerting such +an influence upon her, for the time being, as to entirely destroy +all peace of mind, and to cause the former to wish she had not +accepted Mrs. Gurney's invitation. + +In a short time after her interview with Aunt Debie, Enoch broke +his long silence by giving expression to the opinion that "it was +time to go hum." The female members of the party acquiescing, they +quietly departed. And as her husband called on his way home from +the shop to escort her, Ruth, shortly after, bade her kind host +and hostess good-night. + +Her first association with the rural inhabitants of Canada was +not of the most pleasing character, but yet they possessed +characteristics she could not help admiring; for, while there was +an entire absence of that delicate sensibility which would have +kept them from so rudely endeavoring to satisfy their curiosity, +there was exhibited, in the short time she was in their company, +so much shrewdness, common sense, and, added to this, such an +inherent hatred of shams, of vice and villany, and such a love for +the true, the pure, and the good, that she formed an opinion in +regard to them a narrower person, under the circumstances, would +be incapable of doing. + +That night she slept but little, and the little she did was +broken, fitful, and disturbed by hideous dreams, in which her +husband and children, Aunt Debie, and herself, were all mixed up +in horrible confusion; and when awake she found the couplet of the +poet Campbell running through her mind-- + + "The sunset of life gives me mystical lore, + And coming events cast their shadows before" + +the association of ideas in her mind quite involuntarily, as far +as her will-power was concerned, linking this creation of the poet +with Aunt Debie's ominous utterances. She finally quietly left the +side of her sleeping husband, and knelt before the Lord in prayer; +and then, returning to bed, soon fell into a peaceful slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A HAPPY HOME. + + +Richard Ashton had now settled down to business as vigorously and +keenly as in the days of the past, and he seemed not to have lost +any of his faculties by what he had passed through. And yet, +physically, a great change had come over him in the last few +years. He had aged very fast, his thick, wavy hair had lost its +glossy blackness, and was now shaded with grey and white. The hand +was not so steady as in the days of the past; the step had not so +firm a tread. + +Ruth saw this with loving apprehension, and while thanking God +that He had influenced her husband so that he was as of old in his +love and kindness to her and their children, and that they had +again a happy home, she prayed he might be kept from temptation; +for she was afraid, if he fell again, he would not be long with +them, as he was only now a wreck of his former self. + +And Ruth herself, though time had dealt more kindly with her than +with her husband, knew that the care and anxiety of the last ten +years had, to a serious extent, undermined her constitution and +made her prematurely old. She was now much more easily fatigued +than of yore, and there were those certain indications of time's +ravages, "busy wrinkles," forming around her eyes, though her fair +complexion was favorable to her. + +She was sitting at the window one beautiful summer evening, +listening to the carolling of a bird which was perched upon the +bough of a tree that shaded the house, and little Mamie was +playing at her feet, when Allie, who was in the parlor practising +on the piano, struck up with her full-toned soprano voice: + + "Darling, I am growing old + Silver threads among the gold + Shine upon my brow to-day; + Life is passing fast away." + +"Why, my mamma, dear, oo have silver threads among the gold," said +Mamie. "See dare," and she pointed to the shining silver threads +that were glimmering in the sunlight amid her mother's golden +hair. "I heard Eddie say to Allie that oo had." + +Allie, hearing her little sister's remarks, came out and kissed +her affectionately; then, sitting upon her mother's lap, she +lovingly entwined her right arm round her neck, while she caressed +and smoothed her hair with her left hand, and said: + +"Yes, mamma, dear, there are now a great many 'silver threads +among the gold,' and yet I don't think my own dear mamma is +growing old at all." And then, as the white tears glistened in her +dark eyes, she continued: "I hope my darling mamma's life is not +passing fast away, for Eddie was saying last night that he was +sure there never was another mother so patient, loving and good as +you are;" and she kissed her again and again. + +Ruth returned her child's caresses and said: "I am sure, Allie +darling, I am very happy to know my children love me so fondly; +but if God saw fit to take me, He would care for my motherless +children. He has promised to be a 'Father to the fatherless;' but +tell Eliza to hasten up tea, for here comes your pa." + +The conference between mother and daughter was suddenly broken up +by the husband and father's return to his tea. He was in high +spirits, and having brought home a beautiful gros grain silk dress +as a present to Ruth, he claimed a kiss as a bounty. He said to +her: "I want you to congratulate me, dear, for Mr. Gurney has been +so well pleased with me that he has raised my salary; so it will +be the same as what I received when in Rochester, and as our +living is much cheaper here, I consider it fully equal to a +hundred dollars a year more. I am sure, dear, you find the people +equally as considerate and kind as you did in your other home. Do +you not?" + +"Yes, dear, I have every cause to be thankful." She could truly +thus speak; for, with the exception of the interview with Aunt +Debie, her intercourse with her neighbors had been of the most +pleasing character. They could not, in fact, do otherwise than +treat Ruth Ashton with considerate kindness, as her amiable +disposition drew all hearts to her, and her intelligent culture +caused even the comparatively ignorant to respect her; for they +instinctively realized she was a lady. + +"I am sure, Richard, dear," she said, "that wherever you and our +children are, if we are enjoying health and comparative prosperity, +I cannot but feel contented. I should be very ungrateful, indeed, +if I did not do so. Have we not every reason to be thankful? We +are living in this delightful home, and is it not like Mount Zion, +beautiful for situation?" As she spoke she drew aside the curtain, +and looked out upon the flowers and gravelled walks which, +sweeping in a circle, enclosed a closely-cropped lawn, with +flower-beds on either side of and bordering them, and through +an opening they could see the broad river that gradually widened +until it entered the bay, which was dotted here and there with +white sails, and away in the dim distance they could just discern +the blue waters of the wide-sweeping Ontario. And, as she opened +the window the breeze came fresh from the bay, catching, as it +came, the fragrance of the clover and flowers, which had an +exhilarating effect upon those who inhaled its fragrance. In fact, +her words were emphasized by the silent but poetic eloquence +of the surroundings. + +Just then Eddie came in, bringing a fine string of fish. He had +been angling in a stream which flowed into the river, a little +more than a mile from the town, and had succeeded in capturing +some really fine trout. His father, as he looked at them, said +they were "speckled beauties," and they were; for, after counting +them and finding there were nineteen, the scales were brought in, +when they were found to weigh ten pounds. + +Eddie's eyes sparkled with triumph. He enjoyed his success all the +more because his father had indulged in a little good-natured +banter as he was starting away, asking him if he should send out a +cart to bring home what he would catch. He now felt he could turn +the laugh against his father. + +But who has ever yet caught a fine string of fish without being +proud of his success? Even my reader, who may have reached life's +summit, and is now on the steep decline, if he ever has indulged +in the "gentle art," so beautifully delineated by quaint old Izaac +Walton, will, I think, acknowledge that even yet he feels somewhat +elated when he is so fortunate as to bring home a nice basket of +the "speckled beauties," thus manifesting to all that his hand has +not lost its cunning; but his feelings are cold when compared to +the joy that animates the youthful heart under similar circumstances. + +Let any gentleman who may read these pages go back, in memory, to +the sunny days of boyhood, when he returned home with a "fine +string"--the result of a day's fishing--how enthusiastically he +entered into the description of the manner in which the big ones +were captured. And then, with a tinge of regret in the tones, how +graphically he related the escape of some monster of the stream, +which, probably, carried away the hook and part of the line. If +you can remember such episodes in your life, now, alas! in the +long ago--and if you cannot the author sincerely pities you--then +you can have some idea of the triumph of Eddie Ashton upon the +evening in question. He had fished on several occasions in the +river and bay, both with rod and with trolling line, and had been +moderately successful, catching some fine pike and bass--larger +indeed than he had ever seen before, even in the fish-market in +the city; but their capture did not animate him with pride like +this day's catch. He had often read of trout-fishing, and had +longed to participate in its exciting pleasures, thinking how +delighted he should be if he were ever so fortunate as to bring +home even a few; but never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate +anything like what he had now actually realized. That night he sat +down and wrote to Jim Williams, telling him of his success, and +then asking him if he thought Canada was such a slow place to live +in after all. + +As the Ashton family gathered round the tea board in their neat +cosy dining-room that beautiful summer evening they presented a +picture of true happiness. They had still many things left which +they had purchased in the days of their opulence. The silver tea +set was shining upon the board as brightly now as it did fifteen +years before. The table was spread with a snow-white cloth--one +that had been brought from over the sea. The silver spoons and +china tea set were also mementos of the dear old home land. The +fare was simple but ample, and there was so much of kindly mirth +and genial wit that each one was happy. + +Richard Ashton had not lost his fine sense of humor, and he dearly +loved to enjoy a joke with his wife and children, though he never +indulged in witticisms that would wound the feelings of the most +sensitive person; he was too much of a gentleman to thus torture +others. + +If a person could have been present that night, without +restraining their innocent mirth, and participated in the joy of +that happy family, he would never have dreamed that less than one +short year before there had been a dark cloud of sorrow lowering +over them, shutting out all the sunlight from their view. + +"Our business has been developing very rapidly lately," said Mr. +Ashton; "there has not been a period during the time in which Mr. +Gurney has been in business that the sales have equalled this +month. And this is the reason, I suppose, he has raised my salary +sooner than he promised. I think I have no cause to be discouraged +with the result." + +The dark eyes of Richard Ashton flashed pleasure as he thus spoke, +and the eyes of his wife and children caught and reflected back +the light. + +"Pa," said Allie, "my music teacher spoke very kindly to-day, and +said I had made much more advancement than any of his pupils. He +also said if I only had the opportunity I would be much above +mediocrity as a musician. I do wish, papa, that an opening might +occur. Ella Fair has been to Toronto for a year taking lessons +from one who is considered among the best teachers in Canada, and +yet my teacher told me to-day that neither her touch nor her +execution of difficult parts could be compared to my own." + +"I am afraid," said her father, "that Mr. Stevens is praising you +so much that he will make you vain. You must remember you are only +a little girl as yet, and have to finish your studies at the High +School. I think there is too much superficiality in the education +of the young in this country, especially in the education of young +girls. There seems to be a desire for what is named the +accomplishments, while even the rudiments of an English education +are to a great extent neglected. + +"Why, the young lady of whom you were speaking bought the material +for a silk dress from me to-day, and she undertook to make up the +bill, but failed to do so. I am certain I should have had no +difficulty in reckoning it when I was a mere child, eight years of +age; and though she appeared to be so estimable young lady, her +English was execrable and her slang phrases offensive to +cultivated ears. I concluded if she had only been thoroughly +taught in one of our common schools, she would have appeared to +much better advantage. + +"I hope, Allie, you will not become so entirely absorbed in your +music as to neglect those primary studies, which certainly are of +much greater importance. Pastry is all very well for dessert; it +is, however, a very poor substitute for bread. + +"But be diligent with your studies, dear, and then we will +probably, some day, see if something cannot be done. If you will +play a piece for me I shall be happy to listen to you after tea." + +"I tay, papa," said little Mamie, "I'se going to have a foochoo," +and she shook her head in coquettish consequence, till the curls +fell over her eyes and nearly hid them from view. + +"A foochoo? What is that, little sunbeam? Is it a Chinese doll, or +a doggie, or what is it?" + +Of course, by this time, the whole family had joined in a good-natured +laugh at little Mamie's expense. + +"No, no, papa, a foochoo--a pant dat will have a petty fower, I +mean. Mrs. Gurney was here, and she taid she ood div me a foochoo +in a petty 'ittle pot, and dat den I ood have my own fowers, and +tood water and tend 'em all myself." + +"Oh, it is a fuchsia that she is to give you! Well, I am sure papa +is glad that his little sunbeam is to have a pretty plant to tend; +and if she smiles as sweetly at it as she does at her papa, it +will be a very naughty plant indeed if it does not soon have a +great many beautiful flowers." + +"Do you know, papa," said Mrs. Ashton, "that your little daughter +has learned another hymn to sing for you, and she would like to +sing it to you before you return to the store, if it will not +detain you too long." + +"Is that so?" said Mr. Aston. "Then, by all means, papa must hear +it." + +"I 'earned it from Allie," said Mamie, "and she has been teaching +me this 'ong, 'ong time; but dey told me I was not to 'et papa +know till I had dot it dood." + +"Well, Allie," said her father, "you come and give me your piece, +and then I will hear my little Mamie." + +Allie sat down at the piano and played Thalberg's "Home, Sweet +Home," and as she rendered it its sweet pathos went to the heart +of her father, and he paid her the highest compliment possible; +for when she had finished she found him with his head turned away +to hide his emotion. + +It had brought back the dear old home of his boyhood, and the dear +ones who had made it so happy, but who had long, long ago gone to +the home above; and then his thoughts came back to his present +happy home, and he thought of the dear inmates who had been so +true to him when he had been so untrue to himself. The piece was, +in his estimation, the sweetest, the most thrilling, the most +delicately and tenderly touching of anything to which he had ever +listened. + +"It is certainly very fine, my darling," he said, as he stooped +and kissed Allie. "I never had music exercise such a power over +me; it was almost painful in its thrilling ecstasy." + +The fine dark eyes of Allie glowed with happiness as she listened +to the commendation of her father. Praise from any other lips +would be but as "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal" when +compared with his; for her love for him, under every circumstance, +through evil as well as good report, was so great that she would +have died for him; and his praise of her singing filled her with +inexpressible joy. + +"Now, little sunbeam," said Mr. Ashton, "I will hear you sing your +piece. Come, Allie, and play for her, for I must soon return to +the shop." + +Allie again took her place at the piano and played the prelude, +and then started little Mamie, who sang: + + "I am so glad that my Father in heaven + Tells of His love in the Book He has given. + Wonderful things in the Bible I see, + But this is the dearest--that Jesus loves me. + + "I am so glad that Jesus loves me-- + Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me; + I am so glad that Jesus loves me-- + Jesus loves even me." + +There was something in the singing of his little prattler which +filled Richard Ashton with strange awe. As she lisped out "I am so +glad," with note as clear as the carolling of a lark, the look of +seraphic rapture which overspread her face evinced that she had +entered into the spirit of the piece and that her little heart was +glad. As he looked into the face of his wife he saw, intuitively, +her thoughts were as his, and he whispered to her: "Ruth, dear, +she seems too fair, too sweet, too good for earth; I am sometimes +afraid that God will take her from us." + +Mrs. Ashton made no reply; her heart was too full for speech. But +as he looked at Allie he saw she had caught his whispered words, +and--it seemed almost in unconscious harmony with her thoughts-- +her fingers struck the keys and her lips warbled forth in sweetest +pathos the simple but tenderly touching words: + + "Strange, we never prize the music + Till the sweet-voiced bird has flown! + Strange, that we should slight the violets + Till the lovely flowers are gone! + Strange, that summer skies and sunshine + Never seem one half so fair + As when winter's snowy pinions + Shake the white down in the air! + + "Then scatter seeds of kindness," etc. + +They each of them kissed the little one who was to them so dear. + +"My little girl sang that beautifully," said her father, "but she +must not sing too much; I am afraid, if she does, she will injure +her voice." + +"Call Eddie," he said; and Mamie ran out for him, for he had gone +out immediately after supper to exhibit his catch to the son of a +neighbor. Mamie met him, and told him that his father was waiting +to have prayer. + +It was now the custom of Richard Ashton to gather his wife and +children around him at the family altar, both morning and evening, +to sing a hymn and read a portion of Scripture; and then to +supplicate the Father in heaven for His benediction upon the +little group that were there assembled. + +He had commenced family worship when they were married, but as his +views changed he gradually desisted, and finally left off +entirely. This caused Ruth great grief, for she had ever been a +conscientious and consistent Christian. Since they came to Bayton +she had prevailed upon him to resume the custom that was such a +source of joy and comfort to them in the halcyon days of yore. He +always held the service in the morning before breakfast and just +after supper in the evening, as then all the children could be +present. + +When Eddie came his father took down the family Bible. They then +sang an appropriate hymn, and, after reading a chapter, he carried +them all to a throne of grace in prayer. + +The Bible from which he read the lesson had been in the family for +four generations, and in the family record there were the names of +some who had been gathered to their fathers for over a hundred +years. It had been left him by his mother, and almost her last +words were spoken as she presented it to him. She said: "Take +this, my son; it has been your mother's counsellor and guide +through life, and when other friends failed her it was true. Go to +it for counsel every day, my son; it will be better unto thee than +thousands of gold and silver." + +The son took it with a determination to guard it as a precious +treasure, and to leave it as an heirloom to his children. He +penned upon its flyleaf the beautiful words of the poet Morris, as +they so explicitly expressed the incidents which were associated +with his own experience: + + "This Book is all that's left me now; + Tears will unbidden start; + With faltering lip and throbbing brow + I press it to my heart. + For many generations past + Here is our family tree, + My mother's hand this Bible clasped, + She dying gave it me." + + +After prayer he went to his shop thanking God in his heart for His +mercy to him after all his lapses. And there was that glow of +happiness reigning in his soul which he only knows who has a happy +home. + +Never were truer words penned than those of the poor wanderer, +John Howard Payne: + + "Be it ever so humble, + There's no place like home." + +If a man has hearts that love him there, he is better prepared to +successfully meet and overcome life's difficulties and to endure +buffetings from the outside world. It seems eminently felicitous +that heaven should be called home; for the name is associated with +the sweetest, purest, holiest joys that are experienced in this +life. It raises our hopes, and fills us with a glorious +expectancy, when we think of that place of rest as "home, sweet +home." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +MR. AND MRS. GURNEY'S SATISFACTION WITH ASHTON; MUTUAL +CONGRATULATIONS. + + +The next summer and winter passed away and there was nothing +transpired to cause sorrow to rest upon the home of Richard and +Ruth Ashton. They and their children were winning golden opinions +from all with whom they were associated; and as Mr. Gurney's +business prospered under the management of the former, who proved +himself to be reliable, Mr. Gurney felt very thankful that he had +secured so good a man. + +"I think, dear," he said to his wife one day, "we might have gone +farther and fared worse. I did not dream that I would be so +relieved from responsibility. Ashton is certainly one of the best +business men I have ever met." + +"True," interjected Mrs. Gurney, "I came to that conclusion from +almost the first; and his courteous, gentlemanly demeanour makes +him a general favorite." + +"Yes," continued Mr. Gurney, "and then he is so clear-sighted, +intelligent, and energetic; so conscientious in regard to what he +owes to his employer that he takes just as much interest in the +business as if it were his own." + +"I am sure, James," his wife replied, "we were divinely directed; +the clouds of our affliction were so dark they hid all the +sunlight from our view; but yet we can now see, can we not, dear, +that they were lined with silver?" + +"Yes," he replied; "God's ways are not our ways." + +"I hope," she said, "Mr. Ashton may continue as he has so far; but +if he were again to fall a victim to his old habit I should not, +even then, regret that we employed him." + +"How is that, my dear?" queried Mr. Gurney. + +"Why, because in so doing, James, we have kept him from sin for a +considerable period of time, and enabled him to sustain in +comparative comfort his wife and family. And then I esteem it a +great privilege to be intimately acquainted with such a family. +Mrs. Ashton is certainly one of the most estimable women with whom +I have ever associated; and their children are, to my mind, models +of what children should be--they are so bright and amiable, so +gentle to each other, and so obedient to their parents. Besides, +he has taken such an interest in your business, and has so won the +confidence of the public by his engaging manners and what seems to +be his intuitive insight into character; and his power to please +has helped your business so." + +"Yes, I think you are about right, dear. In fact, I know you are, +as far as what you said applies to myself, for I am certain I +would not have recuperated so soon had it not been that I was +relieved from a great deal of care and worry by my confidence in +him, while I have had enough to employ my mind to keep me from +brooding sorrow. I am now confident the doctor gave me the best +possible advice when he said, 'You had better not give up your +business.'" + +"I am certain, dear," his wife said, "that the course you adopted +was the very best under the circumstances; but, as you just +remarked, it would not have done to have tried if you had not had +a foreman to relieve you from all worry." + +"Well, my dear," he remarked, "if it has turned out well for all +parties concerned, it is you who deserves the credit. I believe a +woman's instinctive perception of character is keener and clearer +than that of a man's. And the heart of a true woman always beats +responsive to human woe. If charity depended entirely upon the +sterner sex, there would be many hearts which have been made happy +by the beneficent hand of charity still unrelieved, and many homes +which are now happy would be filled with misery--their inmates +almost shut out from hope and sinking in despair." + +"Thee mustn't flatter so, or I'll get vain," she said playfully, +at the same time going over to his chair and, kissing him lightly +on the forehead. She always spoke the plain language when she +wished to manifest her affection, for it was the language that +both of them spoke in their childhood. + +"I do not deserve any more credit than you do. You hesitated, in +order that you might look at the matter from all sides, and view +it in all its bearings; you wished to weigh it carefully in your +mind, and not come to a conclusion from the impulse of the moment. +You desired to do what was best for all concerned, and I have no +doubt but you would have concluded to do just what you did." + +"I might, or I might not," he said; "but thee seemed to conclude +at once that he would be just the man for me; and then thee pitied +him so that I think thee wanted to give him a chance under any +circumstances." + +"Well--yes, James, I will admit I did; but I must say that from +the very first I liked him, and thought he would be, if he kept +from drink, just the man for you. And I think you may be right in +your estimate of women; for I have no doubt they have an intuitive +perception of character that is, to a certain extent, lacking in +men; this, in many instances at least, takes the place of +reasoning with them. I also believe their hearts are more easily +influenced by the appeals of want or sorrow, and that therefore +they are more frequently found taking the initiative in matters +that appeal largely to the heart. Their nature and their position +alike fit them for this." + +"Let me see, Sarah!" said Mr. Gurney, jocosely. "You are among +those strong-minded women that believe in women being the equal of +man in every respect, and should have the same rights as men." + +"Now, James, thee knows better than that, and simply likes to +tease. I believe that women should have the same rights as men, in +their proper sphere; and I would like to see them have a right to +vote on this temperance question, for if they had they would soon +sweep the land clear of its most blighting curse; but except for +this purpose I think the right place for woman to exert an +influence is in the home circle: though, James, thee knows," she +said, "that 'George Eliot' and Elizabeth Barrett Browning are, in +their field, unexcelled--though I never think of the former +without sorrow and shame--and there are a great many more whom I +might mention. Then I often think, dear, there would be a much +larger proportion of eminent women if they had the same chances as +your sex; in their daily rounds of domestic duties they have not +the same opportunities of development. I think it may be better +that it is so; but yet, in making a comparison of the two sexes, +we should not overlook this fact. Gray's lines-- + + 'Full many a gem of purest ray serene + The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear; + Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, + And waste its sweetness on the desert air'-- + +"I think, are even more applicable to the women than to the men. +But I am talking too much. Does thee not feel tired, dear? If thee +does not, I do; come, let's make ready for bed." + +"Yes, dear, I do feel tired, for I have had rather a hard day; but +I am very thankful I can now go to bed and sleep. If I was not so +weary I would answer that long speech," he said, playfully: "Thee +may expect a crushing reply at some other time." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ASHTON RE-VISITS OLD SCENES. + + +A week or two after the conversation we recorded in the last +chapter, Richard Ashton spoke to Mr. Gurney in regard to his +contemplated journey to Rochester. He wished to go that he might +settle his business with the man who had purchased his place. + +Mr. Gurney was well aware that such a journey was contemplated, +and he was sincerely sorry that such was the case. + +Ashton, during the year that was passed, had never left the town +for any purpose whatever, and had kept so strictly to his business +as not to form any association with those who would be likely to +lead him astray. Mr. Gurney, therefore, was not altogether +satisfied that he would have strength enough to resist the +temptations to which he would be exposed when he met his old +associates in Rochester. He plainly told Ashton what his fear was, +but the latter assured him he would pass through the ordeal and +come out unscathed. So Mr. Gurney expressed the hope that he would +bring his business to a successful issue, and return with improved +health from his trip, and he then bade him a kindly good-bye. + +But it was his wife who experienced the greatest anxiety. Ruth had +from the beginning expressed her fears as to the result of the +voyage. It seemed to her like courting temptation. She thought the +business might have been settled through his solicitor without his +going in person. But, as he seemed bent on the journey, she did +not like to make many objections; she was afraid, by so doing, she +would wound his feelings, for he would be certain to interpret the +objections as inspired by her fears of his falling, and, strange +to say, that, like a great many others in similar circumstances, +he seemed to be very much hurt if anyone hinted to him that there +was any danger of his drinking again. + +She had, however, prevailed upon him to take Eddie along. She +thought his presence would have a restraining influence upon his +father, and she reasoned, if he should again fall, Eddie could, to +some extent, take care of him. + +The thought of this journey had so preyed upon her mind that it +robbed her of her sleep; and now, as the time more nearly +approached, her anxiety deepened into anguish which was all the +more acute because she dare not make a confident of him from whom +she kept no other secret. Only to Him from whom no thoughts are +hidden, did she go and tell her anguish, and pray for strength to +bear up under her great sorrow. She also prayed that God would +protect him who was dearer to her than her own life. + +It was nearly a year from the day in which they first landed in +Bayton, when Richard Ashton was again bidding his wife and +children an affectionate farewell, ere he departed on a journey to +another land. It was undertaken under much more favorable auspices +than when he started from Rochester to Canada; for in the first +instance he was journeying to a strange land on an errand of +doubtful success, while in the present instance he was going to a +place with which he was familiar, where he would have old friends +to bid him welcome, and kindly hearts to care for him. And yet, if +possible, there was greater dread entertained by his wife now than +there had been on the former occasion. Then he could scarcely make +his position worse, and there was a possibility of his bettering +it; now there was everything to lose and nothing to gain. + +True, he had assured her she had nothing to fear. Just the night +before he started he had said, as he lovingly threw his arms +around her and drew her to him:-- + +"I know, Ruth, darling, you are suffering anxiety upon my account, +and are fearing I shall not have strength to resist the temptation +to which I shall be exposed; but you need not fear, little wife, I +shall return as I leave you. I have made up my mind, God helping +me, I will never drink again." + +The tears started from Ruth's eyes as he spoke, and she threw her +arms around his neck as she clung to him, sobbing as she did so. +She spoke no word in denial of what he had stated concerning her +fears in his behalf, but simply murmured: "God bless you, my +darling; I know I am a poor, weak, foolish little thing to grieve +so at parting from you; but oh, Richard, I am afraid something +will happen you, and we are so happy now!" + +He endeavoured to calm her by loving caresses. He was not at all +surprised that his wife should be troubled with anxious fear. He +inwardly resolved he would so acquit himself this time that she +should ever after, in this as in other respects, repose the most +perfect confidence in him. + +As we said, on the morning in question he and Eddie kissed their +loved ones good-bye and took the seven o'clock train for the place +in which they had spent so many happy years. + +The wife and mother, with her two children who had accompanied +them to the station, looked at the receding train with tearful +eyes. + +It was a beautiful morning: the first beams of the slowly-rising +sun, stealing gently above the eastern hills, scattered the mist +of the morning and bathed the river and bay in its golden light. A +robin, which was perched upon a maple growing not far from where +Ruth and her children were standing, was singing its lay to the +morning, and the atmosphere was balmy with the breath of flowers. +It was a morning to charm the heart into joyousness, and yet the +heart of Ruth Ashton was filled with unutterable woe. The thoughts +which had borne so heavily upon her spirits for so long a period +of time now came with redoubled force, and dark, dreadful +forebodings and sorrowful memories assailed her soul and filled it +with unspeakable anguish. + +"Oh, my Father, help me to bear up!" she prayed. "Oh, why am I +filled with dread, with this awful fear?" + +Taking her children by the hand, she led them back to the house. +They uttered no word, even little Mamie seeming to understand that +her mother's heart was too full for words. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MR. HOWE GIVES HIS VIEWS IN REGARD TO CANADA. + + +Richard Ashton found many in Rochester who were glad to see him +again and extend to him a most cordial welcome. He soon had +completed his business with Mr. Howe, the gentleman who had +purchased his property, and was ready to return to Canada. + +"I suppose you are able to exist in that country, Ashton," said +Mr. Howe. "The climate must be somewhat healthy, or you and your +boy would not be so hearty. But, from what I hear, I would not +like to put in much of the time that may be allotted to me on this +terrestrial sphere in a land where the thermometer so assiduously +courts zero; and then the nature of the soil will keep it from +ever amounting to much. The fact is, Ashton, the only hope for +Canada is annexation to the United States." + +When Mr. Howe made these remarks he threw himself back in his +chair, elevated his feet on the back of another chair, took +another chew of his honey dew, and, as he whittled a stick, +consequentially shook his head, as much as to say, "I know what I +am talking about." + +"You are altogether mistaken, Mr. Howe, in almost everything about +Canada, as most of your countrymen are." + +"Well, I may be, but I would like to know in what particulars." + +"Well, in the first place, in regard to the climate. I suppose you +will be somewhat surprised when I inform you that it has not been +so cold this winter where I reside as it has been in Rochester; +for I have carefully noted what the thermometer registered in both +places, and we had the advantage of you in this respect. As to the +soil, there is no part of the world in which I have travelled, not +even your much-lauded and far-famed Genesee, has better land than +the country surrounding the town of Bayton, and I have been +informed from the most reliable sources that the major portion of +the land in Ontario is of a similar character." + +"I want to know!" ejaculated Mr. Howe. + +"And then we have the great North-West, that is just opening up, +which they say has as fine land as the world possesses, and to an +extent that is practically illimitable. This is settling rapidly, +and will be in some future day the home of countless millions." + +"I guess you are going to your imagination for your facts now, +Ashton. Why, man, the thermometer often sinks to forty below zero. +They'd freeze out; no white population can stand that." + +"But, my dear fellow, they have stood it, and 'facts are stubborn +things;' and you are well aware that at this present time the +northern nations are the ones that lead the world in skill, +enterprise, and deeds of daring. And then the atmosphere is so +clear and dry that those who have resided there for years say they +do not suffer from cold to the same extent as they did in +countries where it was not nearly so cold but where the atmosphere +was more humid." + +"Well, all I can say is, they may stay and shiver there for all +me. I wouldn't live there all my life if they'd give me the whole +concern. No, no, not for Joseph!" + +"I wouldn't trust you, sir, if you had the offer." + +"You might." + +"Then there is something else I wish to mention, and that is, our +Common School system is not surpassed in the world; and for +intelligent, healthy lads and lasses we will compare favorably +with any country under the sun. + +"The fact is, Mr. Howe, we like you as neighbors, but are too +loyal to our Queen and mother land ever to want to be united by +any closer ties." + +"Well, then, if Canada is the Eden you paint it how is it the +views of Canadian life and scenery are so wintry looking? Why, +sir, in the show rooms of the artists in this city--and you will +see the same in artists' rooms of England and even Europe--there +are sketches of Canadian scenes, and almost invariably something +wintry is suggested--men in great fur overcoats and caps, muffled +up to the eyes, and with capouches that seemed capacious enough to +carry a week's stock of provisions, and yet have spare room; the +men generally having on snow-shoes and accompanied with Indians to +wait on them, and dogs to drag their toboggans, while all around +them are heaps of snow piled up on huge rocks, and overtopping and +bearing down short scrubby pines and firs. If you have a good +country I calculate that such pictures as these, no matter what +may be their artistic merits, are poor advertisements, and will +not get you many immigrants." + +"I am well aware of this. But I suppose you know these scenes have +been got up, for effect, in the studios of enterprising +photographer; and though they may be very fair representations of +some parts of our Dominion in the depth of winter, they represent +the country, generally, about as faithfully as winter views from +the main lumber woods, or even from Alaska, would represent the +United States." + +At that moment Eddie, who had been enjoying himself with some of +his old friends, came in. He asked his father if he might go and +spend the afternoon and evening with his old and very particular +friend, Jim Williams; as there was yet two days ere the time +expired upon which he had decided to return home, he gave Eddie +permission to go and extend his visit until the next day. + +Eddie, during that afternoon, accompanied by his friend, visited +some of the old familiar places; they were dear to him, because +they were associated in his mind with some of the happiest hours +in his life; and he thought that, though in the land where it +seemed to be his destiny to reside in the future there were many +attractive spots which would, no doubt, in time be very dear to +him, he would never forget his old home nor the scenes where he +had played in childhood's happy hours. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE BANQUET, AND WHAT FOLLOWED. + + +Richard Ashton had been invited by some of his friends to a supper +at the Metropolitan Hotel, which had been specially got up for his +benefit. + +His first thought was that he would absolutely refuse to accept +the invitation--he was afraid he might be tempted to drink; but as +he concluded it would be considered ungracious on his part to +refuse he decided to go, but only on the understanding if there +was any toast-drinking he would be permitted to pledge them in +pure cold water. + +When the members of the committee who had been appointed to wait +upon him heard his decision, they said they certainly could not +object to his observing his own mind; that they had no desire to +cause him to violate his principles; in fact, they gave it as +their opinion that there would not be a person present who would +not respect him the more for proving that he had the courage of +his convictions. + +Upon the night appointed he went to the banquet, and it passed off +as such affairs usually do. Many very gracious and pleasant things +were said of the guest of the evening in the eulogistic strains +which generally characterize speeches made on such occasions. How +much of what was said was sincere, and how much mere complimentary +phraseology of the dental kind, I will allow those who are in the +habit of attending such parties to decide. + +The meeting at last ended, as all meetings on earth do. But this +differed in one respect from the great majority of such +gatherings--that is, those who attended it at least left the +banqueting room sober; though, as the sequel will show, one of +them was not so fortunate as to reach his lodgings in that +condition. + +"I will accompany you home, Ashton," said one who had taken a very +active part in the entertainment. + +"I am sure, Chappell, I should like very much to have your +company, but I could not think of allowing you to put yourself to +such trouble on my account; of course you are aware that I am well +acquainted with the city." + +"Oh, I am well aware of that, but you seem to forget that until we +cross the bridge my way home lies in the same direction as your +own; and then I can, after seeing you up the avenue, cross by the +way of Alexander or Jefferson Street to my own lodgings." + +"It is exceedingly kind of you, Chappell, to make the offer, and I +shall be thankful for your company as far as the bridge, but I +shall insist upon our separating there, as I will soon reach +Reid's after that." + +Chappell, after what seemed at least to be a vigorous protest, +finally yielded, and they started on their homeward journey. + +The night was dark and cold--one of those chilly nights which we +frequently experience in the first week of June--and they had to +walk along briskly to keep themselves warm. + +"Halloa, Chappell, is that you? Where are you going at this time +of night? It seems to me rather peculiar that a man who sits in +his pew every Sunday and listens to eloquent homilies on the evils +that result from the keeping of late hours and indulging in +bacchanalian revels should be wending his way home in the small +hours of the morning. Come, sir, give an account of yourself!" and +he slapped Chappell familiarly on the shoulder, and stood right in +his way, hindering his further progress. + +"Allow me, Lawrence," said Chappell, "before answering your +question, to introduce you to Mr. Ashton." + +"Oh, that is not necessary; we are old acquaintances, but I did +not expect to have the pleasure of meeting him to-night. I thought +he had migrated northward. I am happy to meet you again, Mr. +Ashton; but it is cold, let us step into Conglin's, he is open +yet. I want a few moments' conversation with you, Chappell." + +Chappell asked Ashton if he would have any objections, and he, in +reply, said if they would excuse him he'd journey homeward, for +his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Reid, with whom he was stopping, would +not go to bed until he returned, and he would be sinning against +their hospitality by remaining longer. + +"But a few moments will not make any particular difference," said +Lawrence, "and you will particularly oblige me if you step in for +a moment or two, as I should like to have your opinion in regard +to something of consequence." + +Ashton, who, as the reader has already discovered, had a facile +disposition, and was easily persuaded, yielded, and followed +Lawrence and Chappell into the cosy sitting-room of Conglin's +hotel. + +The fire was burning brightly, and the atmosphere of the room was +particularly warm and comfortable to men who had been out in the +chill night air as they had been, with clothing that was not heavy +enough to keep them warm. + +"Just remain here a moment or two, gentlemen," said Lawrence, "I +have a word or two to say to our mutual friend, Tom." + +According to his promise he soon returned, but the landlord +accompanied him carrying a tray, upon which there were three +steaming glasses of whiskey punch. + +"Gentlemen," said Lawrence, "it is not necessary for me to +introduce you to Tom Conglin, for you have both been acquainted +with him and his liquors in the long ago, and you know he always +kept the very best brands. But I think this old rye is better than +any he has ever had before. It is only, however, as the Scripture +says "darkening counsel by words," to tell either of you the +quality of liquor, for you have only to taste to immediately and +correctly pass judgment. It was in regard to this matter I asked +for your counsel. Come, gentlemen, after paying your respects to +our jolly host we will do honor to his liquor." + +They both shook hands with old Tom Conglin, a large, red-faced +individual, who, evidently, knew the flavor of his favorite +liquors. He expressed himself as particularly delighted to meet +Ashton, and said he was sorry that they lost him; which no doubt +was true, for Ashton had been one of his best customers, and had +left with him many a dollar. + +Chappell, who was standing near to Ashton, and was afraid he was +about to refuse, whispered to him not to do so. "It will give +offence," he said. "A glass will do you no harm, and may do you a +great deal of good." + +When the tray was presented he hesitated a moment, and then +stifling, as men will sometimes, every warning of conscience, he +took the fatal glass, and was again the foolish victim of his +facile disposition and his appetite for strong drink. + +He might, if he had watched the faces of Chappell and Lawrence, +have noticed that a significant look passed between them when he +took the glass, and that a gleam of hellish triumph shone in their +eyes. + +"Come, Tom, bring us some more liquor," said Chappell. "I will +have another glass of punch. What will you have, gentlemen?" "I +will have the same," said Lawrence. + +"What will you have, Ashton?" and as Ashton hesitated a moment +before replying Chappell spoke for him: "Silence gives consent; he +will keep us company." + +"Of course you will bring one for yourself, Tom." + +"I never refuse to take a glass with a gentleman, especially in +such company as the present." + +They were soon engaged sipping their fuming punch, and in a very +short time Ashton seemed the gayest and most voluble of the +company. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A STARTLING NEWSPAPER ITEM TO MR. AND MRS. REID. + + +That night Mr. and Mrs. Reid waited long and anxiously for Ashton, +but as he did not return they concluded he must have decided to +remain at the Metropolitan, so at one o'clock in the morning they +retired, not, however, without misgivings that all was not right. + +They slept long that morning, and when they had completed their +toilets Mr. Reid found the Rochester _Democrat_ lying at the +door. He read it leisurely as he ate his toast and sipped his +coffee, now and then reading an item which he thought would be +particularly interesting to his wife. Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"My God, it is Ashton!" And in his excitement he sprang from his +seat, nearly upsetting the table and seriously frightening Mrs. +Reid. + +"What is it Robert?" she said. "Oh, read it please." + +In answer to her request he read the following:-- + +"As policeman Rogers was walking his beat about half-past one this +morning, he heard a cry for help, which was evidently stifled. He +ran towards the spot whence he thought the sound came, and as he +neared the bridge he saw three men apparently engaged in a +desperate struggle. He sounded his rattle for assistance; two of +them, who evidently had been garroting and robbing the third, ran, +leaving him lying motionless on the tow-path. He had either been +choked until he was insensible, or else he had been made so stupid +by drink as to be incapable of thought or action. Policeman +Johnson coming up, they gave chase to the other two who, however, +made good their escape. They carried the one who had been +assaulted to No.---- Station, where he was recognized by Sergeant +Jameson as a man by the name of Ashton, who was once in the employ +of Robertson & Co., but had lately been residing in Canada. He +came over to settle his business with Mr. Howe, who purchased some +property from him. He evidently had been intoxicated, and while +thus was waylaid and robbed. He had not, up to the time of our +going to press, sufficiently recovered to be able to give an +account of the affair, so at present it remains a mystery." + +"Oh, Robert, you must go at once," said his wife; "the poor fellow +has fallen again. I am afraid some of the party have made a +pretence of doing him special honor in order that they might +entice him to drink, and then waylay and rob him. Do you know, +dear, whether he carried much money on his person?" + +"I don't think he had any but what he brought from Canada. I +remember hearing him say he had deposited what he had received +from Mr. Howe in the bank, but I have no doubt he had quite a sum +with him, and of course they would rob him of all he had." + +"I think he said Eddie was stopping with Mr. Williams. I will run +up and tell him, and then go to the police station and see what I +can do." + +"The poor boy will be nearly frightened to death," said Mrs. Reid; +"and if there is anything very serious comes from this, God help +Mrs. Ashton! The poor creature has had her own trouble." + +Mr. Reid found Eddie eating his breakfast, and in as quiet a +manner as possible broke the news, endeavoring to avoid every +expression that would cause unnecessary alarm. But at the first +hint every particle of color left the boy's face and he sprang to +his feet, saying: + +"Oh, Mr. Reid! what has happened to my father? Please tell me +quickly." + +Mr. Reid quietly handed him the paper, and as he took it, so great +was his agitation, his hand trembled like an aspen leaf; but when +he had read the paragraph which particularly interested him, it +had just the opposite effect upon him to what Mr. Reid expected; +for he seemed at once to become another person, and the boy of +fifteen was as if transformed by some cabalistic power into a man. + +"Let us go at once," he said with decision; and, as the tears +gushed from his eyes and streamed down over his cheek he murmured, +"Oh, my poor mother! if she hears of this it will break her +heart." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A BASE PLOT, AND WHAT IT LED TO. + + +"I say, Bill, I have a pretty good lay for you, and I think you +can work it without much risk." + +The speaker was Chappell, and the person whom he addressed was +Lawrence. + +We, in the preceding chapter, introduced these worthies into this +story, but as we wish our readers to become more thoroughly +acquainted with them, will now give them a more formal introduction. + +Moses Chappell was the son of highly respectable parents, and had +the advantages that are ever associated with a home where there is +comparative wealth, culture, and purity. He had a fair education, +possessed a fine person and a gracious, polished manner. + +When quite a young man he commenced the study of law with a firm +in the city, but he became so unsteady in his habits that it took +him a year or two longer to get through than the course required. +When he became an attorney,--it being immediately after the close +of the war,--he, through the influence of his friends, secured the +position of claim agent; and as there were a great many soldiers +who had claims for extra bounty and for pensions to prosecute, it +was not long before he secured a large share of this business. + +It was just after he had entered into business on his own +responsibility that he became acquainted with Ashton. At that time +he was simply looked upon as a rather fast young man, who would +take a glass with a friend, and, as the boys would say, "just once +in a while get a little 'O be joyful!'" But among this class he +passed as a "Jolly good fellow!" + +During the last year his degeneracy had been very rapid, and he +had become almost a confirmed drunkard, it being well known by the +initiated that he indulged in the passion of gambling, by which he +lost a great deal of money. + +A short time before Ashton's return to Rochester, Chappell's +losses were, for him, very large indeed; and as his income failed +to meet his liabilities, he took the money which he had collected +from the Government for his clients, to meet his gambling debts, +and also to make new ventures, with the hope that he would win +back all his losses. But, as he expressed it, luck seemed to have +turned against him, and he lost in one night, by wild, reckless +play, hundreds of dollars that he had drawn for poor, wounded, and +disabled men, many of whom had expended quite a sum in instituting +their claim, and sadly needed it, because they had undermined +their constitutions in the campaigns through which they had +passed; some of them having wives and children depending upon them +for support. In fact, no one knows what disappointment and misery +was caused by the dishonest and reckless conduct of this now +abandoned young man. + +He, however, though fallen, had not yet reached such a depth of +degradation as to be utterly careless of his reputation, or of the +suffering and shame he would entail upon his friends if his +wrong-doings were discovered, and he well knew that discovery was +inevitable if he did not in some manner recover the amount he had +lost. "Desperate diseases require desperate remedies;" and his +case was desperate indeed, and he was now in such a state of mind +that he was willing to resort to anything short of murder to +extricate himself. + +He was in this state of mind when Ashton again appeared in +Rochester, and when he learned the nature of his business he +resolved, if possible, to get possession of his money. He had, in +the gambling dens of the city, formed the acquaintance of some +hard characters, and resolved to use them as his tools in carrying +out his purpose. + +"Lawrence will do," he said, "and he can associate Dick Eagle with +him in the venture. Lawrence is acquainted with Ashton, as they +used to meet at old Tom's when on their drinking bouts. I will +sound him, and, if I find he is all serene on the matter, Ashton +must have become a more wary fly than he used to be if I do not +induce him to enter my spider's web." + +It was to further this scheme that he hinted to some mutual +friends it would be a gracious thing to give Ashton a supper, and +as they immediately entered with fervor into the idea, it was +agreed upon. When Ashton stipulated, if he accepted, it must be +understood he would not be asked to drink anything but water, it +looked as if his well-concerted scheme would be entirely frustrated. +And then, after thinking the matter over, he hit upon the plan which +he adopted, and which, alas, as we have already made known +to our readers, he carried to a successful accomplishment. + +Lawrence, the young ruffian whom he made his tool, had been +associated with him before, in some transactions that would not +bear the light of day, and when he unfolded the present scheme to +him he found him ready to be his pliant instrument--willing to +enter into any scheme, no matter how villainous its nature, if he +could be sure of making something by the venture. + +"I am pretty certain," said Chappell, "he will have by that time +some four or five hundred dollars in his possession; and if you +would meet us and persuade him to accompany us into Tom's, I +think, old boy, we can induce him to take a glass. If he takes +one, you know he is such a fool that we will soon have him +gloriously drunk. But to make certain we will fix his liquor, and +then by the time he gets to the bridge he will be completely at +your mercy." + +"Well, the question is, Chappell, what am I to get for the +venture? Of course, if there is any hard work to be done you will +expect me to do it, while you will play the role of gentleman." + +"I am willing to deal fairly with you, Bill." + +"But I want to have an understanding. I know you pretty +thoroughly, Mose, and I am not going to let you gull me as you +have on some former occasions. The question is what am I to get? +And if I can't get what's square, I will wash my hands of the +whole affair. 'Honor among thieves,' you know, Mose." + +Chappell, who winced at the epithet "thieves," shrugged his +shoulders, and a look of supreme disgust gleamed for a moment from +his eyes, which did not pass unnoticed by Lawrence. + +"Come now, Mose, no airs," he said; "if you don't like me just +keep away, and I'll not bother you with my company. When you force +yourself upon me you must be a little respectful, or, at least, +you must not be so open in your manifestations of disgust, as I am +somewhat sensitive and may resent it." + +"Who was showing any signs of being disgusted? Now, what is the +use of making a fool of yourself, Bill, because you know how; and +if I were you I would not speak of "putting on airs." When Bill +Lawrence talks of being sensitive, he of course means all he says: +the idea of 'Billy the Kid' being sensitive is certainly a new +wrinkle." + +"Well, Chappell, I know I am not as good as I might be; if I were +I would cut you dead, though you do wear kid gloves and move in +the so-called 'best society,' like many another scoundrel. But +this is neither here nor there; let's come to business. Before I +enter into this thing I want an understanding; you are not going +to come it over me as you have on former occasions." + +"Why, Lawrence, I don't want to come it over you. It seems to me +you are deuced suspicious, all at once. I'll tell you what I'll +do. I'll give you one half, to be divided between you and Dick +Eagle. And when you remember that I put up the job, and run just +as much risk as you do, I think you will conclude that I am quite +moderate." + +"Yes, 'quite moderate;' you are always 'moderate,' especially when +it comes to risks; but you don't come none of your moderate games +over me. If I get Dick Eagle to assist me in this job I will have +to go halves with him. I couldn't gull him if I were to try, and I +don't wish to try. I am not quite so mean as to cheat a comrade +who runs equal risks with myself, though some would-be gentlemen +of my acquaintance would. If we make anything by this venture it +must be equally divided, if it is not more than fifteen cents. If +you will not agree to this proposition I will wash my hands of the +whole affair." + +Chappell--after putting in several demurrers, at last, when he saw +that he could make no better terms--consented. + +It was arranged that Chappell should, if possible, induce Ashton +to drink at the supper; but if he could not accomplish that, he +was to accompany him up St. Paul street until he came in front of +Tom Conglin's, and then Lawrence was to meet them, and between +them they were to induce him to enter and, if possible, entice him +to drink. Chappell was, after this, to accompany him as far as the +bridge and leave him. And then Lawrence and Eagle were--to put it +in their classic language--"to go through him." + +The scheme was carried to a successful issue, though not with the +ease that was anticipated. The drug was not as effective as they +supposed it would be; for though, when they started, Ashton was in +such a complete state of intoxication as not to be able to walk +without the assistance of Chappell, as they continued on their +homeward journey, the further they went the stronger he became. +The cold morning air seemed to revive him. Chappell accompanied +him to the spot agreed upon, and then left him, though not without +making a show of wishing to see him all the way home. + +Ashton had not proceeded far on his uneven way before Lawrence, +who had gone by another route and got ahead of him and Chappell, +said to Eagle, who had waited for him near the appointed spot: +"Here he comes, and he don't seem to be very drunk either. We'll +have to make sure work, Dick. Now, go for him!" + +Eagle, with whom Ashton was not acquainted, sprang forward as +Lawrence spoke and struck him a terrible blow in the stomach; at +the same time, Lawrence from behind swiftly passed his arm around +his neck, then drew him across his back, lifting him entirely from +the ground and choking him so that he could not cry out. But +before Lawrence had succeeded in doing this an alarm had been +given; for, though Eagle had struck him a terrible blow, Ashton +gave a startled sound, something between a cry and a moan, but +afterwards was perfectly helpless in their hands. + +It was this sound which Constable Rogers heard, and, as we have +already informed our readers, he immediately hastened to the spot, +but arrived too late to rescue Ashton from his treacherous and +brutal assailants. + +All the three worthies secured as the result of their base +treachery and inhuman villainy was about twenty dollars; for this +was all that Ashton had upon his person at the time. + +As soon as the latter was able, he gave an account to a detective +of all that had transpired during the previous evening, which led +the latter strongly to suspect Chappell and Lawrence, as he was +well acquainted with them and knew their antecedents. He arrested +them both, but as nothing could be substantiated, though there +were strong grounds for believing they were the parties, they were +discharged. + +The Police Magistrate, however, gave them to understand that it +was simply a case of "not proven." And he added, if they were the +guilty parties, they deserved to be execrated by every good +citizen for their treachery. He admonished them to be cautious, as +a strict watch would be kept on their movements, and they would +not be able always to escape the punishment they so richly +deserved. + +It was not long after this before Chappell was called to give an +account of the money which he had collected for the soldiers who +had entrusted their cases to him. And as it was discovered he had +squandered it, the result was he was prosecuted and sent to jail +for defrauding his clients, and lay there for a considerable time. +Since that period he has been a moral leper, a disgrace to his +friends, and loathed and shunned by respectable society. + +Lawrence and Eagle, his companions in the nefarious transaction, +were soon after captured as they were burglarizing a store, and +sent to States Prison for five years. + +We will now let them pass from these pages, simply remarking if it +had not been for drink, which had made them its slaves and +corrupted their young lives, they might have had honorable careers +and been respectable and respected citizens; but rum was their +ruin, their curse, as it has been of millions of others, and +through it they are a disgrace to their friends and a curse to +society. Surely "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and +whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +UTTERLY BROKEN--BLASTED HOPES. + + +Ashton's constitution was so severely shaken by the treatment he +had received, and from the effects of his debauch, that the +physician Mr. Reid called in considered his condition really +critical. He said his nervous system had received such a shock +that he must have complete rest for a week or two, and then he +might possibly be so far recruited as to start for his home; but +he doubted if ever he would so recover as to be the same man he +was before. + +Eddie wrote home to his mother, telling her that "his father had +been taken ill, and therefore they would not be able to start for +home for a few days; but," he added, "he hoped their return would +not long be delayed." + +He was almost certain his mother would divine the cause, and that +her grief would be inexpressible. But as he did not know what the +issue might be, for his father was certainly very ill, he felt if +he did not partially reveal the truth to her, and anything serious +did happen, he never would forgive himself. + +The reader will remember that Eddie's letter was composed under +somewhat similar circumstances to those under which his father had +written his hurried note just after his arrival in Canada, and if +he recollects what the result was at that time he will be able, at +least partially, to understand what the effect was in the present +instance. + +When Allie returned from the post-office with the letter, Mrs. +Ashton found herself strangely excited, even before she had broken +the seal. She held it with nervous hand, and ere she had read the +first page sank pale and trembling into her chair, and gasped out, +rather than spoke: "Oh, Allie, my worst fears are more than +realized! Oh! what will become of us all?" + +Allie and Mamie were immediately by their mother's side, the face +of the former manifesting by its alarmed and saddened expression +that she divined, at least to some extent, what had happened. +While the face of innocent little Mamie wore a puzzled, troubled +look; and though she could not understand what had happened to +grieve her mother, tears glistened in her eyes in sympathy with +her grief. + +"What has happened to papa?" said Allie. "Is it anything very +serious?" and she looked anxiously up in her mother's face. + +The question was purely mechanical; she felt sure her father had +again fallen, and she also knew if her mother thought so she would +not give expression to her fears. + +"Eddie writes he is ill," said her mother; "but he says he has +hopes he will soon recover, and that their return will not long be +delayed." + +Allie sat down in her mother's lap, and, as she entwined her arms +round her neck and kissed her, she said, "Mamma, you must not give +way too much to trouble and sorrow, for God knows what is best, +and He will take care of papa and of us all." + +Little Mamie, who had been an attentive listener, now endeavored +to console her mother. + +"Mamma," she said, "you read me from the Bible the other day, that +Dod cared for the dood man, and sent the raven to feed him. And +you taid He would send His angel to care for me if I was a dood +dirl. Will not Dod care for papa and Eddie?" + +Mrs. Ashton returned Allie's caresses; and catching little Mamie +in her arms, and kissing the tears from her face, she said, +"Mamma's daughters are a great comfort to her. God will take care +of us all, my darling. He will send His angel down to care for +papa and Eddie, and to console us who are troubled and sorrowing +because of them. He will care for us all!" + +In a few days she received a letter from Eddie stating that, +though his father was still weak, the doctor thought he was so far +convalescent as to be able to start upon his journey, and +therefore they might expect them in a short time; and he mentioned +the day when he thought they would reach Bayton. + +Four days after they received the letter, Eddie and his father +arrived. But what was the grief and anguish of Mrs. Ashton, and +the sorrow of Mr. Gurney, who had accompanied her to the station, +to discover that even now, when they had come with hearts full of +sympathy to administer consolation to him in his hour of sickness +and suffering, he had been so far forgetful of what was due to +himself and to his friends, also of the anguish with which he would +wring the heart of his wife, as to be in a state of semi-intoxication. + +As they looked at him they were both terribly shocked at the +change which a few days had wrought in him. He did not appear like +the same person as the one who left them two short weeks before. +He was, in fact, only the dilapidated wreck of his former self. +His manhood, his self-respect, his glory had departed. + +His wife welcomed both him and Eddie with a kiss; but Mr. Gurney, +who was shocked beyond measure, coldly turned away--he could not +trust himself to speak, for, if he had, burning as he was with +indignation and a sense of violated trust, he would have given +utterance to words that would have caused him future regret. + +Mrs. Ashton had Eddie call a cab, and had her husband driven home, +and by the time he reached there he seemed to become so +intoxicated as to be almost helpless, having to be carried from +the cab into the house; and what added to the shame and anguish of +Mrs. Ashton was that there were a great many of the neighbors who +had gathered to welcome him who, of course, took in the situation, +though they were too well bred to give expression to their +astonishment. It caused her exquisite pain to think her husband +had again been degraded in the sight of the world, and that she +and her children shared with him that degradation. + +Richard Ashton, from that time, rapidly degenerated. He seemed to +be sapped of both physical and moral strength. His friends rallied +round and endeavored to induce him to reform. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney +used every art they could command to restore him, but though he +would promise to listen to their injunction, his promises were +never put in practice. He really meant to be as good as his word, +but he lacked the moral stamina, and the consequence was he sank +to a lower level every day. It at last became evident he wished to +avoid a meeting, and they therefore felt their endeavors in his +behalf were becoming distasteful to him. So with great sorrow of +heart, for they had become sincerely attached to him, they had, +for the time being, to desist from their benevolent attempts and +leave him to his fate. + +And just then, to make matters still worse, Stanley Ginsling +appeared upon the scene. Like the foul buzzard, he seemed to have +scented his quarry from afar. And to add to the intense pain of +Mrs. Ashton and her children, they were again boon companions. + +The strain was finally too great for poor Ruth. Like thousands of +other poor, heart-broken wives and mothers, she used every +endeavor to keep up her spirits and try and maintain her strength; +but her sensitive mind was daily tortured with the most exquisite +pain. + +Finally her strength gave way, and she was completely prostrated, +all the more completely because of the unequal struggle she had +been maintaining for the last few months. + +"A complete collapse of the system," said the doctor. "She must +have good nursing and rest; for without she has rest of mind and +body I cannot possibly bring her through." + +The doctor had a private interview with Ashton and told him, in +language we will not repeat, for it was more energetic than +select, that it was a shame for a man with his intelligence and +refinement to so degrade himself, and then he added: "You are +killing your wife, and if you do not desist from drinking it is +very little use for me to come." + +But his appetite seemed to have so gained the ascendancy that he +daily came home in a state of intoxication. He seemed to have lost +every vestige of his manhood's strength, and was such a vile slave +to his appetite as not to be able to restrain himself even to save +his wife. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE DUNKIN ACT.--A DISCUSSION IN WHICH STRONG LANGUAGE IS USED. + + +"I say, Judge, I hear they are about to try and carry the Dunkin +Act in this county, and I guess they will succeed, for I think +there are a sufficient number of fools and fanatical humbugs to +carry anything. What is your opinion in regard to it?" + +The speaker was Sheriff Bottlesby, and the question was asked in +one of the private rooms of the Bayton House--a house that was +kept by Charles Rivers, Esq., and it was looked upon as the most +respectable hotel in town. + +There were assembled there at this time Judge McGullet, Sheriff +Botttesby, Captain McWriggler, who was an aspirant for the +position of M.P., and whose only hope of success was in gaining +the whiskey vote. There were also present Charles Dalton, Charles +Sealey, Esq. (a prominent magistrate), Stanley Ginsling, and a +retired captain--late of the British service--who rejoiced in the +name of Timothy Flannigan. He kept a second-class tavern in +Bayton, which was known as the "Crown Hotel." + +"Well," said the judge, "you ask me a question which you should +not expect me, situated as I am, to answer. But," he continued +with a chuckle, "I will say it may, but if it succeeds here this +will be the first place it has ever done so." + +"Yes, it may," said Ginsling, "and elephants may fly, but they are +not likely-looking birds. I have too high an opinion of the men of +this county to believe they will give away their manhood. But if its +advocates do succeed in their fanatical endeavours it will be a +_brutem fulmen_. No true man will be weak enough to be bound +by it. No man, or set of men, has a right to dictate to me what I +shall eat or drink, and a man who would submit to it is a fool and +a slave." + +Dr. Dalton, who had been indulging very freely in drink, and had +arrived at that stage when men are generally demonstrative, +started up the refrain: + + "Britons never, never shall be slaves." + +"If any man could be a greater slave than you are, Dalton, his +condition would be worse than any nigger I ever came across in the +south. A fellow that can't take a glass of liquor with a friend, +without getting beastly drunk, is about the worst specimen of a +slave a man could even imagine. It is men like you that furnish +the teetotal fanatics with their strongest arguments, and because +of such fellows sensible men must suffer." + +The words of Bottlesby had a magical effect upon Dalton, and he +seemed to become sober in a moment. He sprang to his feet, his +eyes flashed fire, and cutting, stinging words came to his lips. + +"I am no greater slave than you are, Bottlesby," he said; "and, if +I were, you are the last man in the world should taunt me with the +fact. You know you drink twice the quantity of liquor that I do, +and if you don't get drunk, it is because it does not find any +brain to expend its strength upon. Whiskey attacks a man in his +most prominent point, which, in your case, is your stomach. Men of +genius like Savage, Goldsmith, Sheridan, Poe and others, it +attacked their brains and made madmen of them; but it always soaks +into a fool, because he is soft and porous like a sponge; and any +man at a look would place you among the latter. Why, sir, you are +at present full to the eyebrows, and your nose is a danger-signal +to warn all young men to keep out of your track. It would have +been well for me if I had heeded the warning." + +"Dalton," said Bottlesby, emphasizing his remarks with expletives +that can have no place here, "I want no more of your insults, and +if you don't shut up I'll make you. I won't be insulted by a +drunken blackguard like you, without resenting it. If it were not +that I don't wish to disgrace my office and the company I am in, I +would wring your neck." + +"It is a good thing for you," said Dalton sardonically, "that +those weighty considerations keep you from undertaking a contract +you might not successfully complete. The government must have lost +sight of the dignity of the office, or you would never have got +the appointment. Your consideration of your office and the company +you are in remind me of Pompey's, who, when he was asked why he +ran from a battle, gave as his reason 'that he knew the rebs too +well to have anything to do with such a pesky lot, and den,' he +added, 'back, of dis dare is a pusonal consideration.' I wouldn't +wonder if back of your other considerations there is one of a +personal nature. Why, man, if you were even to touch me with your +finger, in anger, I would leave you so you would have to employ a +sub to draw your pay and drink your whiskey, which is your +principal occupation at present." + +"Come now, Charley," said Rivers, coming in between the two, who +were standing in a threatening attitude and glaring at each other, +"don't be so fast and rash; and, Sheriff, there is no sense in +getting up, a row. How would it sound if it got out that there was +a fight at the Bayton House between Dr. Dalton and Sheriff +Bottlesby, and that Judge McGullet and Captain McWriggler were +there to see fair play. If you are both very desirous to have your +names figuring in the papers as participants in such a disgraceful +brawl, you had better retire to some other quarters, as I am +determined it shall not take place in my establishment, if I can +hinder it." + +"I'll be blowed! but it would be as good as a circus, wouldn't it +though?" observed Ginsling. "I wonder who would act as Her +Majesty's representative, to vindicate the honor of outraged +justice, if our sheriff happened to be the principal in a case of +aggravated assault, and our judge had to be subpoened as a witness +for the Crown!" + +"Be jabers, boys, go on!" said Captain Flannigan; "I havn't seen a +dacent fight for a twelvemonth, barring a skirmish in which I +meself was somewhat interested. You may desarn traces of it here." +And, suiting the action to the word, he pointed to his eye, which +was slightly discolored. "I had an argument with Bill Duffy +yesterday, and he became so excited he emphasized his remarks by +giving me a blow in the eye; but I soon demonstrated, to his +complate satisfaction, that if he came to that style of argument I +could make two points to his one, and put them in much more +emphatically. He has kept to his room since to ponder the matter +over. Now, boys, the best thing you can do is to take a walk out +of town, and settle the matter dacently; but don't stop here, +scolding like a couple of fishwives. Or put it off now and settle +it after--there would be no nade for it to go any farther." + +"As far as I am concerned, I am willing to settle it now or any +other time," said Dalton. + +Judge McGullet, who had been quietly listening, now spoke. + +"I should think," he said, "you fellows have exhibited enough +foolishness for one scene; it is about time for a change. I did +not think you were capable of making such asses of yourselves. You +were saying, Sheriff, before you entered into your extremely +interesting conversation with Dalton, that the teetotalers were +about to try and carry the Dunkin Act in this county. Well, if you +desire to ensure them complete success, just have a brawl, and +have the present company figuring in the papers as either +participating in the row or of being present when it took place. +You know they are extremely verdant, as well as what you term +fanatical, and they are not likely to make any capital out of such +a muss! Come, now, sit down, and act like rational beings." + +The two men sank into their seats, but grumbling as they did, and +each muttering he would yet have satisfaction. + +"Boys, will yez just kape quiet for a minute, until I sing a song? +and then the fellow that won't drink to the health of every man +present, and be willing to shake hands with each and every one in +this dacent company--well, then, Tim Flannigan will recognize him +as a friend no more for ever!" + +"Come, Rivers, fill up our glasses, and prove that your name is +not a misnomer, by furnishing this thirsty crowd with something to +drink." + +Rivers, after taking their orders, brought in the liquor, and then +they all clamored for Flannigan to give them his song. "And we +want you to give us one of your own, Captain." + +"Yes, yes, Captain," they all shouted; "give us a war song of your +own composition." + +Now this was something that would please Flannigan exceedingly, +for he imagined he was quite a poet. He had written some wretched +doggerel, in which he had endeavored to embody his thoughts of +persons and of personal experiences during the war. He actually +thought the wretched stuff was equal to the best efforts of "Tom" +Moore. And if any one wished especially to flatter him he would +best accomplish his purpose by asking him to sing one of his own +songs. Those who knew him were well aware of this, and often +enjoyed a good laugh at the expense of his vanity. This accounts +for the clamorous call he received to give them a song of his own +composition. + +Flannigan cleared his throat. "Ye do me honor," he said; "but I +shall be happy to plase ye. I will at this time give yez the song +I composed when I quit the sarvice and had made up my mind to come +to Canada." He then, in high cracked notes, sang: + + THE SOLDIER'S FAREWELL! + + I'll put by my musket, + Also my red coat; + On war and its glory + I'll no longer gloat. + + CHO.--I'll go to the land + Of the green maple tree; + Whose emblem's the baver, + Whose paple are free. + + No thoughts of ambition + Inspires now my breast. + My solduring's o'er-- + In peace I'll now rest.--_Cho._ + + And now I heed not + The trumpet or drum. + My battles are ended-- + No more will now come.--_Cho._ + +They greeted his song with uproarious applause, which he drank in +as a genuine tribute to his genius as a poet, and also to his +power in the realm of song. + +It was really strange that a man with his, in some respects, sharp +intellect and native wit, should be so weak as to imagine the +trash he jumbled together was poetry, and thus leave himself open +to be laughed at by even his own cronies. But it is said we all +have a weak point--this was his. + +After the applause which greeted his song had somewhat subsided, +he said: "Come, now, each man of you saze his glass and let us +drink to the toast--'Prosperity to our cause, and bad luck to the +Dunkinites.'" After they had all drunk, he said: "Now, boys, let +us have a talk of these cold-water men." + +"If they are 'cold-water' men, as you contemptuously dub them, +you'll find they will fight like heroes for what they believe to +be right," remarked Dr. Dalton. + +"Well," answered Flannigan, "they may, Charley; but I am tould +they go in for petticoat government, for the best man among them +is a woman. If such be the case we are not worth much if we let +them bate us." + +They all joined in a laugh at Flannigan's Hibernianism. + +"That is a genuine Irish bull, Captain," said Sealy. "But as we +are here we may as well have an informal talk as to the best +course to pursue in the present contingency. In my opinion, it is +our best policy not to make a very strong fight this time. I would +be for almost letting them have a walk over. And then when they +think the victory is theirs, I would commence the real battle. +After it becomes law I would sell whiskey just the same as ever, +and entice all the bummers in the country to drink and have a +regular drunken carnival. You will not have to pay any license, so +you will be able to stand being fined a time or two. But I can +tell you what it is, boys, they will have a hard time to convict. +From my experience--and it has been considerable--I have learned +it is a pretty difficult thing to worm the truth out of unwilling +witnesses. Then there is another thing in your favor, the majority +of the magistrates have no sympathy with this movement. I would +therefore badger and bother them all I could, and have free trade +in whiskey; and after the people are thoroughly disgusted I would +go in for repeal. I saw Jobson, the President of the Licensed +Liquor Sellers' Association, the other day, and when I suggested +this course to him he said he thought it would be the wisest one +to pursue. Have you heard from him, Rivers?" + +"Yes, I received a letter yesterday," answered Rivers. "And I have +notified the members of the association in the county to meet here +on Saturday, when I shall use my influence to get them to play a +waiting game, and then, when the time comes, we will force the +fighting." + +"I think that will be the wisest policy," said the sheriff. + +"If the Act is carried, there will be whiskey enough drunk here to +satisfy Bacchus himself. We won't have to fight our battles +without assistance, as we have had promised to us all the money +that is really necessary from the outside. The Licensed Liquor +Sellers' Association will supply all the needful we want. And if +we don't flood this county with whiskey, then you may call Charley +Rivers a liar. They may have a chance to chuckle for a while, but +we'll be more than even with them yet." + +"Your craft is in danger," sneered Dalton, who, though he was such +a slave to liquor, sympathised with the temperance party and +constantly manifested his sympathy with them. "There is no doubt +but you will fight for your interest, no matter who suffers." + +"Now, Charley, don't be raising another row," said Ginsling. "You +are as prickly as a hedgehog." + +"What I say is the truth," he answered. "When the tavern-keepers +fight against the Dunkin Act they are fighting in company with +their father, the devil, and his angels, their brethren, against +the right. My sympathy is with the temperance party, for I know +that every one who really cares for me is among them, and my only +hope in this world and the world to come is in their success. If +there was no liquor to be got I might be a man yet." + +"Well, if you sympathise with them you had better associate with +them. We would manage to exist without you." + +Rivers spoke very angrily, for he was irritated almost beyond +endurance by the words and manner of Dr. Dalton. + +"It is my intention to join them; so you had better not concoct +any more schemes in my presence; but I promise what I have heard +to-night shall never be repeated outside. Yes, I will join them; +for if I continue as I am the end is not far off, and God only +knows what that end will be." + +"Come, Judge, let us go. I perceive you have about as large a +cargo as you can conveniently carry. You will not be fit for court +to-morrow, if you don't take time to sober off." + +The judge had not been in the room during the time they were doing +the greater part of their talking, as he had been called out just +after he had replied to the sheriff; for though he sympathised +with them they would not have talked quite so freely in his +presence. In answer to Dalton he said: + +"You will oblige me if you take care of yourself, Doctor, and +leave me to mind my own affairs. I--hic--hic--have an idea it is +just about as much as you can attend to, and I think I know what I +am doing." + +The worthy judge then turned to the company and said: "Good night, +gentlemen. Don't all get drunk, or some of you may be more +formally introduced to me. Come, Doctor, if I leave you here there +is sure to be a row." + +He then took the arm of Dalton, and bowed himself out, and as the +last bow he made was rather an elaborate effort, he lost his +equilibrium; and, if Dalton had not held him up, he might have +demonstrated that a judge could be lowly as well as learned. + +When they were out of hearing, Rivers said: "I am glad that +fellow, Dalton, has gone. If the judge had not been with him I +would have kicked him out long ago. He has a sharp, impudent +tongue, when he has a mind to be ugly." + +"Yes," said Sealy, "I am glad he has gone and taken the judge with +him; for, even though he was more than half-seas-over, he did not +wish to compromise himself by listening to our conversation upon +that subject. I think he was glad that Peters called him out." + +"He is on our side, though," said Rivers, "and will use every +technicality that the law furnishes to baulk the fanatics and make +their efforts fruitless." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE CONSPIRATORS FORMULATING THEIR SCHEME. + + +After the judge and Dr. Dalton had left, the worthies who remained +sat long in council concocting their Satanic schemes for the final +defeat of the Dunkinites. Each one who was present promised to +exert all his influence to make as many drunk as possible, after +the law was adopted in the county. + +"You, Bottlesby, will be able to give a good account of Dalton, +and you, Ginsling, can take care of Ashton," said Rivers. "I know +that old Gurney and his wife will be doing their level best with +them, but if you only work your cards for what they are worth they +will not succeed worth a cent, for if whiskey is put in their way +they are bound to drink." + +"But what about the fine, Rivers?" said Capt. Flannigan. "If we +sell liquor we will be fined, and if we have to pay a couple of +hundred dollars in this way, or kape company with the rats for five +or six months in jail, I guess we'll soon tire of that game. And +they say that ould nager of a service is a regular sleuth-hound +on the hunt. By St. Patrick! if he comes nosing round my place +I will bate him until his skin is blacker than it is at present, +and to do that I'll have to nearly murder him entirely." + +"Don't you do anything of the kind; for if you did you would be +putting your foot in it," said Rivers. "The Dunkinites would like +us to resort to that kind of thing that they might get up a howl +about ruffianism, brutality, etc. They well know this would enlist +the sympathy of the public to their side of the question; now this +would just defeat the object I have in view. What I intend to do +is to sell liquor as usual, and when I can't sell it I will give +it away, and make as many drunk as possible. If some of those to +whom I sell give me away, and I am hauled up, I will then show +what I can do on the fight." + +"You'll beat them every time," said Bottlesby, "for almost every +sensible magistrate in the county will sympathise with you." + +"Yes, I am counting on that, and those who are not on our side I +intend to employ a good sharp lawyer to badger and bother as much +as possible, and I guess you are aware that a great many of our +Justices of the Peace are as innocent of any knowledge of law as a +ten-year-old boy. I have no doubt but most of them can be so +frightened as to be afraid to convict. And you know most of the +witnesses will be our friends, and, as Seely has just remarked, it +will be pretty hard to worm the truth out of unwilling witnesses." + +"But supposing they do convict, what will you do then?" asked +Capt. Flannigan. + +I will appeal, and if it is decided against me in the lower court +then I will appeal to a higher, and during the time it remains +_sub judice_ my friends and I will be flooding the county +with liquor." + +"But who will pay the piper?" asked Ginsling. + +"The Licensed Liquor Sellers' Association," answered Rivers. "The +Association is bound to beat if it costs them a hundred thousand +dollars. The hotel-keepers of this county will only have to pay +their fee into the society, and it won't cost them a cent more; so +you see we can afford to fight and be cheerful. And after we have +bothered them and kept them from carrying out the law for six or +seven months, having, in the meantime, deluged the county with +whiskey, we will then start the cry that the Act is a failure; and +any one who is at all acquainted with human nature knows that it +will not be long before we will have thousands to join in the +cry." + +"Of course they will," said Bottlesby, "the great majority of +those who vote for it will do so because it is fashionable. They +don't care a cent who gets drunk so long as they don't lose +anything. It happens that just now it is thought rather +respectable to be on the side of temperance, and so they are +voting for it; but in their hearts half of them hope it will fail, +and they will not turn their fingers to make it a success. And if +the plan which has been suggested by my friend, Rivers, is carried +out, that is, to badger and bother them in every way we can, and +at the same time to make this county, if possible, a perfect +pandemonium of drunkenness and revelry, these parties will then +eagerly join in the cry that the Act is a huge failure, and when +we try to have the thing repealed they will give us their active +support, because they will be able to assume the same role upon +our side they did on the other, that is, that they are philanthropic +citizens working on the side of morality and order. You mark my +words, in a year from the present we will carry the repeal with an +overwhelming majority." + +The party broke up in the small hours of the morning, and the only +one who was then sober was the landlord. In fact it was well +understood, even among his cronies, that he was too mean to drink +to any excess except he drank on the treats of his numerous +customers; and then he was careful not to be so much under its +influence as to neglect his business. He was one of those men of +whom, alas! the world has too many, who live to satisfy their own +selfish interest no matter who may be made to suffer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ALDERMAN TOPER'S FLATTERING OPINION OF THE "DODGER." + + +The next week the "Licensed Liquor Sellers' Association" of the +county held the meeting of which Rivers had spoken, and there were +also representatives present from Toronto and other places. They +all agreed that the plan outlined by Rivers would be the best to +adopt; that was, if the reader recollects, to play a waiting game, +and at the same time to treat the law with supreme contempt. + +"I tell you what it is," said Alderman Toper, who was one of the +representatives from the city--having been elected an alderman by +the whiskey interest, for He was proprietor of the "Toper House," +one of the largest second-class hotels in the city--"I will spend +a thousand dollars of my own money in order in the end to beat +them." + +"Don't you think, Toper," said Rivers, "it would pay us to +employ Gustavus Adolphus Dodger. I hear he is one of the best +stump-speakers in the country, and that he can do as he likes +with an average crowd What do you think? You know him better +than I do." + +"Yes," said Toper, in an undertone, "I know his face better than I +do his dimes, for I have had the former at my bar every day for +the last six months, though nary one of the latter have I seen. +But 'he is just the man for Galway,' for all that. He is the +aptest, smoothest, most oily rascal I have ever met, and there is +not a man in Canada that can hold a candle to him as a speaker in +his own line. Why, I remember at a certain meeting he addressed a +crowd who had been shouting themselves hoarse against the man in +whose behalf he was about to speak, but he pleaded so eloquently +and plausibly for his friend--and he was the man's friend, because +he had received a consideration--that, before he was through, they +shouted as loudly for the one whose cause he was advocating as +they had a few moments before for his opponent." + +"I suppose," said William Soker, one of the delegates from the +county, "there is no fear of the other side getting the start of +us and buying him up, for, from what you say, I should judge he +was in the market and ready to sell himself to the highest +bidder." + +"There is no danger of that," said Toper, "for he has committed +himself, soul and body, to the liquor interest, both upon the +stump and through the press; and, though a man may not be troubled +with that inconvenient article called principle, yet he has, to +secure success, to be somewhat consistent." + +"Oh, bosh about consistency," remarked Bottlesby; "I would not +trust the rascal if he could make more than he could with us." + +"Neither would I, if he had any chance to sell us, not a bit +quicker than I would a fox in a goose-pen or a monkey on a +peanut-stand, but there is no fear of the Dodger (that's what we +call him) in this case, because he has so far committed himself +to our side that the public would not believe him if he turned. But +if he were ever so willing, the teetotal party 'wouldn't touch him +with a ten-foot pole.'" + +That night, after they were through with the business part of +their programme, a supper was held by them at the Bayton House. +There were present Judge McGullett, Capt. McWriggler, Sheriff +Bottlesby, Capt. Flannigan, John Sealy, Esq., Stanley Ginsling, +and as many of the magistrates of the town and county as could be +induced to come. All were jubilant that so many of the latter +responded to their invitation; for they considered their presence +indicated their sympathy with them. Rivers, in a private +conversation that he managed to have with Sealy, said with a +chuckle: + +"We have them as good as beaten already, for we have here the +principal part of the men before whom the cases must be tried." + +"That's so," replied Sealy, "but we will have some hard fighting +to do first." + +The party broke up in the small hours of the morning. During the +course of their night's debauch there was a great deal of +speechifying, and the epithets fanatical, humbug, etc., were used +_ad infinitum_. Over the state of nearly every one of the +party it is well to cast the veil of oblivion. But what may be +expected of a town or a county that has such men to administer +justice and to hold its most responsible positions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE REJOICING OVER THE VICTORY. + + +"I am certain, friends, from my knowledge of the places from which +we have not yet received any returns, that our victory is assured; +for I think we may depend upon those we have received as being +correct, and those which are yet to be reported will help to swell +the majority. + +"We should be very thankful, as we are gaining a greater victory +than what was anticipated by even the most sanguine of us. Our +opponents seemed to have been paralysed, and were routed horse and +foot. + +"I am more thankful than I can find words to express that such is +the case. When I remember the many who are miserable, degraded +drunkards, without shame, and many of them without honor, who a +few years ago were respectable citizens and worthy of our esteem +and our confidence, but who have been thus degraded by the drink +traffic; when I remember the number of those we once knew, and +some of them amongst the most brilliant in intellect, the purest +in morals, and the best loved of our citizens, who were cut off in +their prime by this fell destroyer--who, if it had not been for +alcohol, might have been with their friends--their hope, their +joy, and their pride; when I think of the miserable, desolate +homes--the brokenhearted wives--the wretched, starving little +ones, whom rum has made so, then I thank God for this victory. + +"I have no children of my own. God, in His mercy, has taken them +'one by one.' They are now where no destroyer can enter; but my +friends and neighbours have children, and I see, with alarm, that +some of them are being led to their ruin by those who frequent the +rum-shops in our town; for their sakes I rejoice that this +temptation is about to be removed. + +"As I was on my way to this meeting to-night, I called upon one +who was once a happy wife, but who now is a very wretched one, for +her husband has been nearly ruined by this awful curse; one who, +as those who know her best can testify, is a cultured lady, and +her husband was once every way worthy of her, but he is now a +poor, dilapidated wretch--a wreck, mentally, morally, and +physically; and she is now prostrated upon what, in all +probability, will be her death-bed, brought low by the hardship +and mental anguish she has endured; for she and her children--and +God never blessed a mother with better ones--have been reduced to +abject poverty through rum. As I was leaving, she grasped my +hand in both of her emaciated ones, and said, 'Oh, Mr. Gurney, may +God give you the victory to-day! and if the prayers of a wretched +wife and mother can affect the issue, He will. We are being +brought to utter ruin, and if liquor is not kept from my husband +we shall soon both be in our graves, and our children will be +orphans in a cold, cold world. Oh! tell them that a worse than +widowed wife, who is now very near the grave, but who was a happy +wife and mother until the drink-curse blighted her hopes and +destroyed her home, is now praying for the victory. May God bless +you!' + +"I am certain, friends," continued Mr. Gurney, "there are hundreds +of such wives in our town and county, and thousands within the +bounds of our fair Dominion who are praying for our success." + +When Mr. Gurney, who was chairman of the temperance meeting, which +was held in the Sons of Temperance Hall, in Bayton, on the evening +of the polling day, sat down, there was a lady arose to address +the meeting. When she stood up the audience was immediately hushed +into silence. She had a beautifully modulated voice, full and +round as the notes of a flute, over which she had perfect control, +and that could be heard to the furthest corner of the room. + +The speaker was Mrs. Holman, who has since been recognized as one +of the most able prohibition speakers in Canada. Her first +attempts at public speaking was when she addressed the Ladies' +Temperance Association of the town of Bayton, of which she was +president, and then she was inducted to talk to the Sunday-school +children upon the same topic. Her friends were so much impressed +with her ability as a speaker, they urged her to come out and +publicly address meetings upon this subject. At first she could +not be persuaded to do so; the ordeal was too severe, for she was +naturally sensitive, and her refined mind shrank from appearing +upon the platform, where she would be subjected to the taunts of +rough and vulgar men. But finally her sense of duty overcame every +restraining influence, and she came forward as the eloquent +pleader for the wretched drunkards and their wives and mothers, +and their poor, helpless children, the last mentioned of whom, as +she eloquently expressed it, were subjected to unmentionable and +almost unimagined indignities, and had to suffer untold, misery +through the curse of intoxicating liquor. + +She, upon the occasion to which we refer, said:--"Friends, we +have gained a great victory to-day. There has been in this +struggle, arrayed upon opposite sides, light against darkness, +philanthropy against, selfishness, virtue against vice, heaven +against hell; and I do thank God for the help He has given us. The +prayers of the vast majority of the great and good in our land, of +the poor, suffering and wretched wives and mothers, have been +ascending like an incense of a sweet-smelling savor in our behalf +to-day; from many a sad heart whose life has been made wretched +and whose home has been made desolate, has gone up the prayer, +'God help the Temperance Cause.' These prayers have been +answered." And she added, looking upward: "Not unto us, O Lord, +not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy." Her face +shone with a seraphic glow, as she thus offered the glory and +praise unto Him to whom all glory belongeth; and she seemed, like +one of old, to be holding intercourse with God. The impression +that these words, with their concomitant action, had upon the +meeting was indescribable. + +"But," she added, "something whispers to me that the hardest part +of our fighting is yet before us. Our victory has been secured in +a manner so easy that I think they intend to make the greatest +resistance now when we imagine we have nothing to do but enjoy its +triumph. I have been informed they intend to fight the Act in +every possible manner, and, as they are inspired by their +selfishness, you may rest assured they will not be very particular +as to the means employed to accomplish their end. I have reasons +for believing that the greater part of the hotels, and groggeries +in this county will not only be kept open to sell, in defiance of +the law, but also to give rum away, when they can in no other +manner accomplish their diabolical purpose of making men drunk. +This town and county is to be made a perfect saturnalia of +drunkenness, and the Licensed Victimizers--I cannot call them by +any other name--promise to pay all the cost, though it should +amount to a hundred thousand dollars. Friends! What care they for +the misery and crime this cruel, heartless course will entail upon +this country? They are utterly regardless of the men who are now +pure, who may be degraded and wrecked, both in soul and body, and +sent to drunkards' graves and a drunkard's eternity. They think +not of the poor wives who will be beaten and bruised, and it may +be murdered, by husbands who have become besotted and brutalized +by drink; nor of the poor, innocent little children who will be +neglected and have to endure barbarity and hunger because of this +course. Their traffic has entirely hardened their hearts; they +care not who suffer so they prosper. God will require a fearful +reckoning from them some day. + +"Now, friends, it is for us to do our duty--to work, to sacrifice, +to suffer, and, having done all, to stand. Let us each and every +one resolve that now we have carried this Act, that when the time +comes for it to become law it must and shall be respected; and +that those who violate it with impunity shall be punished. + +"I congratulate the men and women who have prayed and worked in +the good cause for the success which has crowned our efforts. Let +us be firm to our purpose, and let nothing daunt us or keep us +from performing our duty, and God will uphold and bless the +right." + +When Mrs. Holman sat down there was loud applause, and many were +the vows audibly registered that, God helping them, they would be +true. + +Just then an old lady, with hair of snowy whiteness and a face +which, though beautiful with the goodness and benevolence which it +expressed, was marked and seamed with care, arose. Her trembling +limbs had scarcely strength to sustain her body, emaciated though +it was with care and suffering. She attempted two or three times +to speak, but not a word escaped from her quivering lips; and the +tears gushing from her eyes followed each other in quick +succession down her cheeks; and, finally, her pent-up feelings +found expression in short, convulsive sobs. Her inability to speak +because of her emotion had a greater power to move the meeting +than the most fervid eloquence could have had. Soon there was +scarcely a dry eye in the room, and many were sobbing in sympathy +with her inexpressible woe. Her voice was finally heard, and +though low and quavering, the sweetly modulated tones indicated a +cultivated mind and loving nature: + +"I thank my heavenly Father," she murmured, "for this day's +victory. He only knows what I have suffered; Rum has blighted and +ruined my fondest anticipations. It has changed a life radiant +with joy into blackest desolation. It robbed me of peace in my +young womanhood. It made my middle age one terrible struggle with +poverty and despair, and has left me in my old age--bereft of all +my natural supports--like an aged tree in a desert; withered and +alone. + +"I had a husband, and God and my own heart know how pure and true +he was. It first robbed him of his manhood and his purity, and +then murdered him. No tongue can depict, no mind can imagine, the +torture, the agony I suffered during the years that he was +sinking deeper, deeper into the unholy abyss; nor my utter despair +when they brought him home to me dead, slain by rum, and I was +left with my helpless little ones to struggle on alone. And now my +only son, for whom I toiled, and wept, and prayed, and who was--as +many of you know--worthy of a mother's love, is a wretched +drunkard. Oh! I pray that this victory may be the means of his +salvation, that my grey hairs may not go down in sorrow to the +grave." + +When she took her seat there was not a person in the room but was +visibly affected. + +Several others made good speeches, but one of the most telling of +the evening was made by the Rev. J. H. Mason. He, though a young +man, had won for himself an enviable reputation as a brilliant +preacher and humble Christian worker. In fact, he had manifested, +by what he had accomplished and by the hold he had gained of his +people's affections, that he was eminently qualified for the +position he occupied. + +He was now pastor of the most influential church in Bayton, and +had thrown himself, heart and soul, into the campaign which was +now ended. He said he had borne calumny and insult in the cause, +and expected he would still have to endure it; but, God helping +him, he would, in the future as in the past, do his duty, and had +no doubt but every one who had worked for the end now accomplished +would do the same. + +They were about to close the meeting when a man arose and asked +permission to read a communication from the _Globe_. Permission +was given, and he read amid the profoundest silence, the following: + +"A BAYTON MAN KILLED ON THE RAILWAY TRACK! THE LAST +OF A WILFUL SON. + +"The engineer of the morning train from Belleville thought he +noticed something upon the track, shortly after leaving the city. +He whistled down brakes, and the train was stopped. Upon going +back the horrible discovery was made of the dead body of a man, +with both legs cut off just above the knee. + +"The body was lying on the south side of the track, face downward, +and the remnants of his legs on the inside between the rails. Upon +his head was a wound which may have rendered him senseless at the +moment of the fatal occurrence. The man was well dressed and +appeared to be respectable. It is supposed he fell from the train +which had immediately preceded the one by which he was found. The +coroner was sent for and, upon searching the dead man's pockets, +nothing was found but a letter, enclosed in a mourning envelope, +and addressed to Willie Fleming, Bayton. The letter reads as +follows, and founds the only clue to his person and character: + + "BAYTON, June 20th, 187--. + +"MY DEAR SON WILLIE,--"I received your letter last week, after I +had almost given up hope of hearing from you again. My son, +remember that 'hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' Please do not +cause your poor old mother again to suffer such pain and anguish. + +"My darling boy, you have had another warning not to indulge in +strong drink. I would to God, my son, you would take it. Your +course is cruel, and is slowly but surely killing me. God forgive +the man who first led you astray, and the men, some of them in +high position in this town, who have helped on the work. + +"Oh! my son, I long to see you, and my daily prayer to our +heavenly Father is that you may become--as you once were--pure and +good. I hope you are now steady and giving good satisfaction to +your employers. No more at present from your heart-broken + MOTHER. + +"P.S.--Write as soon as you receive this, and it will save me a +great deal of mental anguish. M. F." + +When the man had finished reading, he said: "Most of you know that +that communication brings me the news of the awful end of my only +brother. I am on my way to break it, as gently as possible, to my +mother, but I could not resist the impulse--even in this hour of +awful woe--to come in and read it to you all, that you might be +influenced to greater zeal and nobler sacrifices in the temperance +cause. You know how bright his prospects were a short time ago, +but he has been murdered in his prime by whiskey, and I have no +hesitancy in saying that the man who was the chief instrument in +his destruction is a hotel-keeper in this town who is the strongest +opponent of this prohibition movement. + +"Oh, friends! be true to your principles, that many may be saved +from a similar fate; and pray to God for my poor old mother, for I +am afraid this will break her heart." + +"I have one request to make," said the Rev. Mr. Mason, "before +this meeting breaks up: Let every person in this room who has +heard that communication read, which comes laden with anguish to a +broken-hearted mother, and sorrow to such a large circle of +relatives and friends, now enter a solemn vow before high heaven, +to do all they can to banish this our curse from this town and +country. All that will thus promise, please stand upon your feet." + +In an instant every person stood up. + +"My friends," said Mr. Mason, "remember your vow; and remember, +this sad case is only one of many thousands. Oh! what millions of +lives have been and are still being blighted! What hearts are +being blasted and broken by this fearful traffic! May God give us +all power to resist temptation, and throw all our soul into our +endeavors in this cause. Let us now sing, as we never sang before, + + "'Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.'" + +After singing, the benediction was pronounced and the meeting +broke up. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +IN WHICH THE READER LISTENS TO A TETE-A-TETE +BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. + + +A mother and daughter were conversing on what would appear, from +their earnestness, to be a very important subject, in a cosy +drawing-room of a beautiful brick villa, situated in the suburbs +of Bayton. Their surroundings would lead the careful observer to +the conclusion that they were in easy if not affluent circumstances. +Though the effect of the room's furnishing would cause one to be +possessed with the idea that there was more wealth than refinement;-- +there was too much coloring, too much gauze and glitter, to be +reconciled with any considerable degree of aesthetic taste or true +culture. + +The elder of the two was dressed in a manner that would better +become a miss of twenty than a matron who was on the shady side of +fifty; and the young lady, though not displaying the ingrained +vulgarity of the mother, was not costumed with that simple +elegance that would indicate a refined taste. + +They were the wife and daughter of John Sealy, Esq., whom we have +already introduced to our fit readers. + +"I don't think, Luella," said the mother, "you should hesitate for +a moment in deciding between Bill Barton and Mr. Ginsling." + +"Neither do I, mother; but while I would prefer the former, I +should judge, from your accent on the 'Bill,' your preference +would be given to the latter." + +"It certainly would, Luella; for what has Barton to offer a young +lady of your wealth? He has neither looks, nor money, nor +position. I think he had a great deal of assurance to come to see +you, in the first place. He knows my opinion in regard to the +matter; and, if I am not mistaken, thinks about as much of me as I +do of him, and that is not saying a great deal." + +"What has Ginsling to offer, mother, besides his bloated face and +aristocratic airs? And then he looks nearly as old as pa." + +"He is a gentleman, Luella, and is from one of the most +aristocratic houses in England." Mrs. Sealy particularly +emphasized the fact of his being of an old family; for, like all +artificial and vulgar natures, she would have made any sacrifices +to be related in any way to those whom she endeavored, though +ineffectually, to copy. "As to age, Luella," she continued, +"though he may be a few years older, that does not signify. I +prefer to see a husband a few years older than his wife. Your +father is ten years older than I am, and yet, I am sure, the +difference is not particularly noticeable, though I do not think +time has been particularly severe upon me." And the lady viewed +her rather good-looking face in the glass, and, from the +complacent look that swept over it, one would be led to believe +the answer to her interrogation was to her eminently satisfactory. + +"Mother, all I have to say is, I love William Barton, while I +cannot help loathing Ginsling. You say the former has neither +money, nor position, nor beauty; though in regard to the latter +assertion, it will be sufficient for me to say we differ. But if +he has neither of these he has brains, and manhood, and purity." + +"I don't see anything particularly smart about him, Luella; and in +regard to purity he is, I suppose, on a level with, the average +young man about town." + +"Now, ma, it is not fair to speak of him in that manner; for I am +sure you know of nothing but what's to his credit, and if Ginsling +is what you term a gentleman by birth, he certainly is not one by +instinct; though no one can truthfully make such an assertion in +regard to William Barton." + +"As you just remarked, Luella, there may be difference of opinion +as to which is by nature the greater gentleman, but, as I said +before, I can't conceive how he had the audacity to come to see +you, in the first place." + +"I guess he wouldn't have come if he had not received some +encouragement; and I am sure, ma, he is not only my equal but my +superior in every respect." + +"You don't mean to say, Luella Sealy," said the mother, with what +seemed at least indignation, "that you were so unmaidenly as to +make the first advances to this young man. If I thought you were +capable of doing such a thing I should be ashamed of you. It would +be bad enough if he were your equal, and a gentleman, but when he +is a mere bank clerk and a person of no position, how you could +descend to do so is beyond my comprehension." + +"Mother," said the daughter, while a quizzical smile lit up her +face, "when pa came to see you did you not encourage him, or in +some manner give him to understand that his visits were not +altogether distasteful to you? From what I have heard pa say, I +should rather think you did. Now, ma, I rather liked William +Barton; and while I did not tell him so, he seemed in some manner +or other to find out my secret, and I have not tried to deceive +him." + +"But, Luella," said her mother,--not replying to her daughter's +mischievous reference to her days of romance and love, for, like +many other ambitious, scheming mothers, if she ever had such a +foolish emotion as love, she had forgotten it, or else she had +been led to believe it was all Moonshine; and if a girl only +married wealth and position, she thought love would come,--"what +is the use of acting so foolishly? If you marry William Barton you +will have to leave the set with which you are now associating, and +if you degrade yourself by a _mesalliance_ you will drag us +down with you." + +"You had better wait, mother, until he asks me to marry him." + +"No! I want to talk it over now, and then you will be prepared to +act like a sensible girl. If Barton wishes to marry you it is +because you have money, and he will bring you nothing in exchange +but degradation. How the McWrigglers will sneer if such a thing +happens! They schemed and plotted until they got Captain Merton to +marry that baby-faced Elaine; and because he is an officer in the +English army and the youngest son of a gentleman, they have been +putting on airs ever since; and they are now so stuck-up there is +scarcely any living for them." + +"I am sure, ma, they are welcome to him, for I hear he does not +use her very kindly when he is in liquor, which is most of the +time." + +"Oh! I guess that is like a great deal of what people say-- +scandal. I am certain since that alliance they have moved in +society into which they could not gain entrance before. Now, if +you marry Stanley Ginsling, as he is first cousin to Lord +Fitzjinkins, we will have the _entree_ to society to which +they dare not aspire; and then the airs of superiority can be on +our side, not theirs." + +"So, ma, you would have me marry a sot, who is twice my age, and +whom I detest, in order that you may have a paltry advantage over +one who, when she calls, you kiss and use the most endearing +epithets in your vocabulary, in order to express your friendship +for her. To tell you the truth, I don't see much in what you call +'our set,' to encourage me to sacrifice myself in order to remain +in it. When you meet you are all honey, smiles, and kisses, and +you profess to be the dearest of friends; and yet you are +constantly endeavoring to gain some petty triumph at each other's +expense, and then to relate it in such a manner as to cut and +cause envy and jealousy. 'Our set,' ma, is too superficial and +spiteful for me to wish to remain in it." + +"Your remarks, Luella, are the reverse of complimentary; but I am +not going to be angry. If you don't like the set you are in get +above it. If you only become the wife of one who, some day, will +become the Hon. Stanley Ginsling, you will be lifted out of +anything of that kind." + +"You mean dragged beneath it, ma. It would be a nice thing to be a +drunkard's wife." + +"O there is no fear of that. The majority of men drink before they +are married. All they want is a good wife, and then they settle +down; and as to that, I have been told that Barton drinks. So +there is as, much danger with one as the other. You had better be +sensible, dear, for your father will feel like disowning you if +you marry Barton, and he has set his heart upon a match between +you and Mr. Ginsling." + +"Mother, I don't believe William Barton drinks; and it is wrong to +repeat as fact what is nothing but malicious scandal. I also think +it is very unkind of you to threaten me, and thus try and force me +to marry one I despise. Surely, since I will have to live with the +man I marry, I should have some choice in the matter." + +After she thus spoke she abruptly left the room in a passion of +tears. + +The mother did not introduce the subject again, but it was +constantly in her mind, and she knew Luella would not forget it. +She understood her daughter's weak points, and had no doubt if she +persevered she would gain her end. In fact, though Luella Sealy +was in every respect, except in narrow strength, her mother's +superior, yet her intellectual and moral nature was not all +golden--there were some parts of baser metal, and even of clay, in +her composition. As the reader will conclude from her conversation +with her mother, she possessed more than ordinary intelligence, +which was subdued and chastened by the emotions of a warm, loving +heart; and if uninfluenced she would have proved true to a friend, +even though it caused her self-sacrifice and suffering. But yet +she was not of the stuff of which martyrs are made, for she was +weak, being easily persuaded, and withal a little selfish; and +though she would endure a great deal for friendship's sake, yet +when the opposing forces came on thick and fast, and persevered in +their effort--when that opposition came which would have caused a +stronger nature to be all the more real--she would yield to the +opposing forces and desert the one who trusted her, leaving him to +endure scorn and contumely alone. + +She had met William Barton at a party, and, being introduced by a +mutual friend, was fascinated by his manly bearing and intelligent, +racy conversation. And he, as his blood tingled at coy cupid's +whisperings, soliloquized: "She is the most intelligent and charming +girl I ever saw." They met several times at parties during the +winter, and he became marked in his attentions, which she did not +discourage. And soon--at least on his part--the friendship ripened +into genuine love; and she, as the sequel will show, though for a +time carried down by the force of an opposing current, really +entertained for him an undying affection. + +William Barton was the son of respectable parents who resided in +Bayton. They were comparatively poor, but managed to give their +son a good business education. He had entered as a junior clerk in +one of the banks of the town, and, by strict attention to business +and a natural adaptation to the profession chosen, had risen to a +position of considerable responsibility. + +He was a young man of more than average ability, not strictly +handsome, but possessed a good figure and pleasant, intelligent +countenance, though the lower portion of the face was disappointing, +for it did not denote decision of character or massive strength. +And the face was an index of the man, for he was so intelligent, +kindly and gentle in his manner, that he was a favorite in society; +but he was volatile, and easily influenced for good or evil. + +As he was moving in the best society of the town when he met Miss +Sealy, her father and mother did not, at first, object to his keeping +company with their daughter, though his attentions were very marked +indeed. But when Stanley Ginsling appeared upon the scene, and they +learned he was the scion of an old and aristocratic family--a near +kin to a live lord--their vain, selfish, and artificial minds became +excited, and they determined, if possible, to have the latter allied +with the house of Sealy, then they turned against Barton. + +From this time Mrs. Sealy especially gave the latter to understand +his visits were simply tolerated, and Mr. Sealy took no pains to +conceal the fact that something had transpired to change his views +in regard to him. + +Barton went one evening determined, if possible, to discover the +cause of their coldness. He was received by Luella with her usual +cordiality, but by her mother with marked discourtesy bordering on +rudeness. He was scarcely seated when Mr. Sealy came in, +accompanied by Stanley Ginsling; and as Mrs. Sealy received the +latter with special attention, which, was all the more noticeable +because of her icy reserve in Barton's case, the latter thought he +understood the situation. + +"Can it be possible," he soliloquized, "they are anxious to get +rid of me that the coast may be clear for that drunken loafer?" +The thought at first could be scarcely entertained, it seemed so +monstrous; but before he left he had substantial reasons for +believing that Mr. and Mrs. Sealy were actually scheming to make a +match between Ginsling and Luella. + +Barton and Luella were both sitting on the sofa, when Mr. Sealy +and Stanley Ginsling came in, much to Mrs. Sealy's disgust, and +she managed to separate them several times during the evening by +resorting to the manoeuvres which never fail an accomplished +female tactician; but as her daughter invariably returned to her +seat near Barton, she was determined to make a final effort that +should not fail. + +"Luella," she said, "will you kindly favor us with a little music? +Give us that duet Mr. Ginsling and you rendered the other evening. +You have a magnificent bass voice, sir," she said to Mr. Ginsling, +in her most dulcet tones; "will you not kindly assist Miss Sealy?" + +"Your will is my pleasure," Ginsling replied, "though I would +rather sit and listen while Miss Sealy gives us a number of her +varied and delightful selections. The last time I was here I +thought her playing was exquisite." + +"Mr. Barton will excuse you," said Mrs. Sealy, after a significant +pause, and her tone conveyed the idea that the remark was merely a +cold conventionalism. + +"Certainly," he replied. + +Luella reluctantly left her seat on the sofa and took her position +at the piano. The mother had certainly manifested the astuteness +of an accomplished artist, for she had not only separated her +daughter and Barton, but by her manner wounded his sensitive +nature, and had also given Mr. Ginsling to understand that, if he +wished to pay his addresses to Miss Sealy, his doing so would be +eminently satisfactory to her parents. + +Barton's position, after what had occurred, was an unenviable one, +for he was placed in the cruel dilemma of either remaining in a +home where his presence was not agreeable to the host and hostess, +or abruptly leaving without having an understanding with the one +he so dearly loved. He chose the latter alternative, and burning +with indignation, but with cool exterior, he took advantage of the +pause which ensued after Miss Sealy and Ginsling had finished +their duet, and politely took his leave. Luella, though she knew +it was contrary to her mother's wishes, accompanied him to the +door and bade him an affectionate goodbye. + +These events transpired on the day previous to that on which the +mother and daughter engaged in the conversation which is related +in the commencement of this chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +BARTON'S DESPAIR, AND WHAT IT LED TO. + + +It would be impossible to give an analysis of William Barton's +feelings as he walked rapidly away from the Sealy residence upon +the night in question. + +In the evening he had gone to the home of one whom he had looked +upon as his betrothed bride, with calm confidence. True, he had +not as yet asked her to be his wife, though he had vowed again and +again he would do so; and had determined that very evening he +would get her to give the pledge that should bind them for ever. +He had no misgivings as to her answer. He had, however, lately +been somewhat pained by Mrs. Sealy's not receiving him with the +cordiality that she once did; but he had not thought there would +be serious opposition to his suit. He argued: "Luella certainly +loves me, and will be as true as the needle to the pole, and her +mother will give way when she is convinced that if she does not +she will be sacrificing her daughter's happiness." But when he +left, this calm assurance had been succeeded by positive fear; his +joy by agonizing doubt; and dread and disgust, jealousy and fierce +hatred, reigned supreme in his soul. + +"To think" he soliloquized, "they would bring her down to the +level of that disgusting brute; that they should actually scheme +to entrap him as a husband for Luella, while they have driven me +away from their home by slights so little concealed that I would +be a fool if I did not take them; and I have either to give her up +or else become the rival of that degraded being. I will never do +it. I will see Luella, and tell her she must decide at once +between us, and take a decisive stand in the matter. I saw a sneer +upon the licentious mouth and a leer in the bloodshot eye of the +reptile as he saw me treated so cavalierly. If I had him here for +about five minutes I would settle this matter with him. And then I +thought Luella's parting was not as warm as usual. Was it my +jealous fears, or has she really been influenced? Her failing is +that she is too easily persuaded; and if her father and mother +are very strong in their opposition to me, may she not yield? Oh, +this would be the crowning sorrow of all! How could I bear up +under it? How can a mother become so forgetful of her own bright +youth as to sacrifice a pure, lovely daughter on the altar of +brutal lust, in order to satisfy a shallow and selfish vanity?" + +William Barton's estimation of the woman whose daughter he +passionately loved, was anything but flattering to her. He did not +attach the same blame to Mr. Sealy, because he believed the latter +had been influenced by his wife, and in this he was correct; for +Mr. Sealy had no ambitious designs when he first introduced +Stanley Ginsling to his home; but after his wife had unfolded her +plans to him, he approved of them. What had considerable influence +with him was the fact that he had learned, through Ginsling's +lawyer, that the former had inherited a considerable fortune by +the death of a maiden aunt, and, therefore, was not only a +gentleman by birth, but would have the wealth to maintain a style +essential to that dignity. Neither of the worthy pair ever +considered for a moment the pain it would cause the young man whom +they had received, at least without disapproval, and had, by so +doing, to a certain extent encouraged. Nor did they even for a +moment consider that their daughter might also be involved in that +suffering. They only thought of working out their own selfish +schemes, as thousands of other selfish parents have done, and no +doubt are still doing. Mr. Sealy at first had some misgivings, as +he well knew Ginsling was, as he put it, "addicted to drink." "I +know," he said, "he is far from being perfect, yet he is much the +same as society men in general, and I am not a model of propriety +myself. No doubt but a few years will tone him down and make him a +model husband." + +Barton walked rapidly on, he scarcely knew or cared whither. The +excited state of his mind seemed to propel him to celerity of +flight. This quickness of movement acted as a safety-valve, and +let off some of the pressure. + +He came at last to a small hotel on the opposite side of the town +from whence he started. It was situated in a cosy little bower +in the outskirts, and was called "The Retreat." And rumor had it +that many of the so-called gentlemen of Bayton were wont to resort +thither to get on a genteel debauch, and to engage in the innocent +diversions of euchre, poker, and whist, and it was said a great +deal of money changed hands here on certain occasions. + +Barton was well acquainted with the proprietor--Joe Tims by name. +He certainly would not have been mistaken for a teetotaler. He +was, however, considered a model landlord, because he would not +sell liquor to a man after he was drunk; though he never hesitated +to furnish him with as much as he would pay for until that stage +was reached. Barton had frequently been there before; for he was a +young man who would take a glass with a friend, and had once or +twice in his life been intoxicated. In fact, he belonged to the +great army of moderate drinkers. + +When he came in front of the hotel he heard voices within, and +acting upon the impulse of the moment, he opened the door and +entered. + +As he stepped in he found several young men, with many of whom he +was well acquainted, standing in front of the bar, glasses in +hand, just about to drink. The one who was "standing treat" hailed +him with, "Come, Barton, take something," and, being in a reckless +mood, he said, "I will take brandy." The decanter was handed to +him, and he filled his glass more than half full, which was +noticed by the landlord and young men present, and thought for him +very singular. + +After he had drained his glass, he said, "Come, boys, it's my +treat now! What will you have?" + +They again stepped up to the bar and each took his glass. "I will +have some more brandy," he said, and he again took twice the +quantity that is usually taken. + +"Be careful, Barton, my boy," said Tims; "that brandy is 'the real +old stingo,' and will set you up before you know where you are. I +don't want you to think I care how much you take, but would not +like you to do something for which you will be sorry afterwards." + +"I guess his girl has gone back on him," remarked a young man by +the name of William Stewart. "I hear that English snob, Ginsling, +is now shining round there, and that pa' and ma' favor his +suit." + +Several of the others, with the same want of good taste as had +been manifested by Stewart, joined him in giving expression to a +number of coarse jokes and vulgar witticisms. + +Barton stood as if stunned for a moment, and then, with a frown, +said: "Gentlemen, you will oblige me by changing the subject." + +As he requested, the subject was allowed to drop by those present, +but not before they had stung poor Barton almost to madness. + +"My God," he thought, "then it has come to this, that she for whom +I would sacrifice my life, through the folly of her parents has +become the object of the coarse, vulgar witticisms of bar-room +loafers! The thought is almost unendurable." + +William Barton was too sensitively organized to pass through his +present fiery ordeal without terrible suffering. We have already +said he was kindly and gentle, but under this he had an intensely +passionate nature; which, combined with an extreme sensitiveness +and a rather weak will, constituted him, of all persons, less +calculated to endure the peculiar trial to which he was now +subjected. He was, in fact, one who, under such circumstances, +would display his weakness, and give a man with a cold, selfish, +unfeeling nature, every advantage over him. The night in question +he drank until Tims positively refused to give him any more. + +"No, Barton," he kindly said, when the former had taken his fifth +or sixth glass and asked for another; "no! you are not yourself +tonight, and have taken more than is good for you. I am now using +you as I would have another deal with my own son under similar +circumstances." + +Barton became wild and foolish; in fact, if he had carefully +thought out the best mode of procedure to give his enemies the +advantage over him, he could not have improved upon his present +course. + +He was assisted to his home that night in a state of maudlin +intoxication, to awaken next morning with an aching head and +remorse gnawing at his heart, for he had, to his other sorrows, +added the thought that he had disgraced his manhood and lost his +self-respect. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE CONSPIRATORS PERFECTING THE DETAILS OF THEIR CONSPIRACY. + + +It was a month or two after the events narrated in the last +chapter when there was another meeting at the Bayton House of +those who were the principal opponents of the Dunkin Act. It was +an informal gathering, convened for the purpose of having an +exchange of views as to the best method to adopt to prevent the +Act from being successfully worked, and also to bring it into +general disrespect and contempt. Of course the proprietor, John +Rivers, was present; and beside him were Sealy, Townly, Sims, +Porter, Tims, Ginsling, McWriggler, Bottlesby, Flannigan, and a +disreputable lawyer by the name of Murdon. + +The Act had now been law for over a month. Some of the +hotel-keepers had desisted from selling for the time being, while +others sold as usual, and, as a consequence, had been informed +upon and were summoned for trial. They had to appear the day +following their present meeting. "I have been as good as my word," +remarked Rivers. "I said I would not quit selling for a single day, +nor have I. They are to have me up to-morrow. Let them do their +best. I'll give them all they make." + +"What will you do," said Tims, "if they fine you, as they are +likely to do?" + +"I am not fined yet, and will not be if my friend Murdon here can +prevent it; but if I am, I will appeal to the county court, and I +know the judge will postpone his decision as long as possible. +Then, if he decides against me, I will appeal to a superior court, +and, I can tell you, it will take time and money before the case +is settled. But we will talk this over after a while; let us now +attend to the business for which we have more particularly met +to-day; that is, how we can best turn public sympathy against the +Dunkinites." + +"I thought," remarked Sealy, "that was all settled at our last +meeting." + +"So the outlines were; but we have to-day to arrange in regard to +detail," said Bottlesby. + +"Well," said Ginsling, "I should say the best means to adopt to +accomplish our purpose is to consult as to the men in the +different localities whom we think can be approached. Then we +should consider how this is to be done, and who, in the several +cases, will be best to do it." + +"That's just it," said Townly; "I could influence a man that some +one else could not approach, while he would have power over +another where I would utterly fail." + +"I see," remarked Porter, while a cynical smile curled his sensual +lips; "we are to say to as many silly flies as possible, 'come, +walk into my parlor;' and if we cannot induce them to come +ourselves, we are to employ some of our imps to accomplish that +purpose; and, when we get them there, we are not to let them off +until they are thoroughly soaked. We are then to turn them out as +finished specimens, to illustrate to the public the efficacy of +the Dunkin Act. Is that your game, gentlemen?" + +"Yes; that's about the idea." answered Rivers. "I admit it seems +rather hard, and may involve some suffering, and I am sorry we +have to resort to such means to accomplish our ends; but the +temperance fanatics have driven us to this, and upon them rests +the responsibility." + +"If that is your game, gentlemen, you can count me out," remarked +Bill Tims. "I have been in business now for a great many years, +and I never have yet sold to a man when he was drunk. I don't +purpose to begin now. I can assure you, gentlemen, it means too +much suffering for women and children." + +"I have thought just as you do," said McWriggler, speaking for the +first time, "and must yet admit it seems rather hard; but, you +know, 'Violent diseases require violent remedies.' You are well +aware if the Dunkinites succeed, you and all your fellow hotel +keepers will be ruined. So it is a matter whether the ruin shall +come to your home or possibly to the homes of those to whom you +sell. In such a case I should not be long in coming to a decision. +In this world every man is for himself. It is for you to take care +of yourself, and let the Dunkinites take care of their _proteges_. +he fools are bound to drink anyway, and their wives and children +must suffer sometime, and it might just as well come now as in +a few months hence. If it becomes a matter whether my wife and +I shall suffer or somebody else and his wife, I can assure you I +am going to take care of myself and those belonging to me every +time." + +"Tims is wonderfully squeamish," sneered Rivers. "If we had been +permitted to do a legitimate trade, it would not have come to +this. I have invested every cent of my capital in the hotel +business in this town, and my place is not yet paid for; if this +Act is a success, my property will depreciate in value nearly +half, my trade will be ruined, and my wife and children will be +little better than paupers. Now, as Captain McWriggler has put it, +if I am to decide whether my family is to suffer or the family of +some other man, I take it, if I don't care for my own I am a +miserable fool. The one thing for us to consider is how we can +defeat the Dunkinites, and we must not be very particular +regarding the means we employ to accomplish our object." + +"The question for us to settle now," said Sealy, "for it is no use +wasting time in argument, is what individuals are there in the +different localities that can be made tools of for our purpose? +The best course, I think, to pursue is that suggested by Ginsling; +that is, to make a canvass of the different localities, and see +who can be influenced. To commence, who can be used for the +purpose in Bayton? Come, Rivers or Bottlesby, you are better +acquainted here than I am; name over a few." + +"You had better do it yourself, Sheriff," answered Rivers. + +"Well," said the sheriff, "if you are too modest to do it, here's +at it. There are Morris, Dr. Dalton, Ashton, Flatt, McDonald, +Smith, Murphy, McLaughlin, and Stewart." + +"You forget to mention the name of the would-be son-in-law of our +friend Sealy--Bill Barton." As he said this, he looked with a +quizzical sneer at Sealy and winked at Ginsling, but neither of +them appeared to notice the remark. + +"Who are there in your locality, Townly?" he asked. + +Townly mentioned several persons he thought might be approached, +and added: "I am certain, though some of them are keeping straight +at present, all that has to be done is to put liquor before them, +and they are bound to take it every time." + +"What I can learn by the inquiries I have made and by +observation," said Murdon, the lawyer, "is this: the temperance +party are having quite a jollification because a number of those +whose names have been mentioned have kept sober since the Act came +in force. I also learned that a great many who gave a reluctant +support to the Act are now pleased they did so, because, as they +say, it has been the means of keeping these men from drinking; and +they argue, if it has been effective in their cases it will be +just as effective if it is adopted all over the Province, or even +the Dominion. Now, if the men you have named are led to get on a +bender or two these very persons will be led to change their tune, +and will condemn it as a failure just as emphatically as they now +endorse it as a blessing." + +"That's just it," interjected Bottlesby. "Why, I was talking with +Old Gurney this morning, and the old fool at once mounted his +usual hobby. He pointed me to Ashton, Morris, and Dalton, who, he +said, were keeping sober since the Act came in force, though they +were going rapidly to destruction previous to that time. Now I +know, and so does every one that is not blinded by fanaticism, +that no power on earth will long be able to keep these fellows +from drinking, for if whiskey is to be had they are bound to have +it. If we use them as tools to accomplish our purpose we will only +be shortening the agony of both themselves and their friends." + +"Then, gentlemen," said Rivers, "let us now consider how we can +best accomplish our object. I suppose those who are most familiar +with the parties of whom we have spoken, had better be left to use +their own discretion as to how they shall bring about the desired +result." + +"Ginsling can give a good account of Ashton and Dr. Dalton. Can't +you?" said Bottlesby. + +"I'll try," he answered, with a diabolical leer. "All I can say is +this, in one of the cases I have frequently tried and never +failed, and I think I'll manage the other." + +We will not trouble our readers by repeating any more of their +very interesting and disinterested conversation. Before they +separated, every locality in the county was canvassed over, and +every man who had been an unfortunate victim of drink, but who had +kept sober since the Act came in force, was to be approached by +the one who would be the most likely to succeed in influencing him +to his fall. In fact, they concocted a scheme that night that was +worthy of Satan himself. They also had a special conference with +Murdon, the lawyer, so as to be prepared for the coming trials, +and several who had been subpoenaed were brought in and questioned +regarding what they actually knew, and also posted as to the +manner they could best evade the questions which would be put to +them, without swearing to that which was actually false. + +"If I cannot frighten them half out of their wits," said Murdon, +speaking of the magistrates who would try the cases, "then I will +miss my guess. The most of them know but very little of law, and +are easily bothered. It is my intention to browbeat them all I can +to-morrow, and then dare them to convict. You must be specially +frightened, Sealy." + +"I guess you'll find me equal to the occasion," he replied, with a +knowing wink. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +MR. BROWN'S OPINION OF THE TRIAL AND THE PRESIDING MAGISTRATES. + + +"I told you it would be a farce, did I not? How could it be +otherwise, when a man like Hubbard was the presiding magistrate? +His sympathies were entirely with those who had violated the law; +and though he made an effort to conceal his bias, the attempt was +a failure." + +"I agree with you, Mr. Gurney; the whole thing, to me, seemed like +a put-up job, and the bench were like children in the hands of +that crafty lawyer. I never witnessed a greater exhibition of +imbecility than was manifested by both Hubbard and Broban. They +appear to have studied law to about the same extent that Sealy has +the Bible, and you have an idea of about how much that is." + +"Yes, Mr. Brown, I have an idea! And I also have an idea there was +an understanding between Murdon and Sealy. The fact is, the bench +consisted of two old geese and a fox. Two of them were lukewarm +supporters, who would 'damn it with faint praise;' and the third +was a rabid opponent, and he was the only one who was qualified, +either by native or acquired ability, for the position." + +"But I thought, Mr. Gurney, that both Hubbard and Broban were +strong supporters of the bill. I know they voted for it. But I was +surprised that they were chosen to try these cases. I considered +them incompetent to do so. In fact, I have often wondered that men +so utterly unqualified were ever appointed to the position." + +"In regard to their being supporters of the Dunkin Act," said Mr. +Gurney, "they, like many others, voted for it because they found +it popular to do so; at the same time, I believe, they wished it +to fail, for their sympathies were entirely with the drinking +party, and if it is a success they will deserve no credit for it." + +"From what I saw yesterday, I must agree with you, Mr. Gurney. I +am sure they did not wish to convict. But how was it that Squires +Stebbins and Griffiths did not try these cases?" + +"In my opinion, Mr. Brown, they were afraid to act. They said +important business called them away; but I am almost certain they +made business in order to escape the duty. I understand they have +been subjected to a species of bull-dozing. Being both of them +merchants, they were threatened by the liquor party with a loss of +custom if they acted, and they had not enough backbone to stand +the pressure. I have also been informed that their wives, who were +in abject terror, met and had a consultation, and concluded it +would not be safe for their husbands to act, as there had been +threats of personal violence and of injury to property; so, under +these influences, 'important' business was manufactured for the +occasion. They have thus escaped the responsibility!" + +"Yes," said Mr. Brown, "and left those two non-entities to be +gulled by Sealy and bullied by Murdon. I must again express my +surprise that such incompetents should have been appointed to +their positions." + +"They are specimen bricks of the big batch the Government turned +out a year or two ago. Why, do you not know that they manufactured +magistrates by the wholesale? Many of them were appointed--not +because of their qualifications, for they were notoriously +ignorant--but because they wished to reward them for services to +the party, and to insure their loyalty in the future." + +"I am afraid," said Mr. Brown, "when you have to depend upon such +broken reeds, and have so many other obstacles to meet, you will +find it difficult to successfully work the Act." + +"Yes, we will have to meet and overcome difficulties; but we have +anticipated this from the first. I must confess, however, that I was +disappointed at the attitude of some who, I thought, would be its +strongest supporters. I find they are craven-hearted, weak-kneed, +and afraid to give active assistance. They say it will injure their +business; so it is a matter of selfishness with them. If it fails, +it will be because of the half-hearted support we receive from +so-called respectable temperance men and moderate drinkers. I know +the Act is far from perfect, because the liquor party in Parliament +succeeded in introducing clauses that somewhat weaken its +effectiveness, and they now attack it because of these very defects. +But with all its defects, we would succeed in working it if we had +the sympathy and hearty support of all its professed friends; without +this, though it came forth with the stamp of the Infinite, it would +fail." + +"You think we have too many of the genus mollusk in the temperance +ranks, Mr. Gurney? These creatures, with, no backbone, infest and +curse the Churches of to-day, and I have no doubt they will prove +the greatest curse to the temperance cause. A half-hearted friend +in the citadel is more to be dreaded than a foe without." + +"Yes, Mr. Brown; more to be dreaded, and generally more to be +despised." + +"I understand, Mr. Gurney, the liquor party are jubilant over the +result of the trial. I heard Captain McWriggler expatiating upon +it this morning, and he said the Act and all sumptuary laws of +similar character are a humbug." + +"I have no doubt he will say so," answered Mr. Gurney; "and so +will all unprincipled demagogues. They are willing to pander to +the liquor interests, or anything else--no matter how low and +demoralizing it may be--if it only helps them to power. I +understood what he was at. He said to Mr. Martin, 'I told you it +would end in a fizzle;' and then continued talking to him in a +similar strain for some time: and when he was through, the latter +said 'he thought he was about right.' But you know as well as I +do, Mr. Gurney, that Martin is weak, and easily influenced." + +"Yes, I know it, Mr. Brown; and all such men as he is will be +approached, and, if we keep them on our side, it will be by making +the Act a success from the first. In regard to yesterday's trial, +I am willing to admit it was a great failure of justice, or, to +use McWriggler's classic language, 'a fizzle.' But he knew, as +well as we do, what led to that result; for, as I remarked a few +moments ago, the whole proceedings were a farce. Between the +vexatious objections of Murdon, the pettifogger, who had charge of +the defence, and of Sealy, who, I believe, had entered into a +conspiracy with the former to defeat the ends of justice by +browbeating and cajoling the other two magistrates, the trial was +made a complete fiasco." + +"And there was some rather crooked swearing done there, was there +not, Mr. Gurney?" asked Mr. Brown. + +"Swearing! I should think there was! I shuddered as I listened to +the evidence of some of the hotel-keepers and the miserable +creatures they had degraded by their traffic. I was always aware +that whiskey was a fearful demoralizer, and I have seen some +striking illustrations of the fact before; but the swearing done +yesterday by men whose word a few years ago would not have been +questioned, has demonstrated, as nothing else could, its power to +deprave. Why, they twisted, and quibbled, and tried in every +possible manner to evade the questions put; they swore they were +not certain the liquor they drank was intoxicating, when it was +evident to all who heard them that the statements they were making +under oath were untrue." + +"Are you not now more dubious as to the result than you were +before the trial?" + +"Yes; I am willing to admit I am not so sanguine as I was," Mr. +Gurney replied. "What with weak or else utterly profligate and +unprincipled magistrates; with opponents of the lowest and most +vicious instincts, who have poor creatures that are completely +under their control, and seem so lost to every vestige of honor as +to be willing to swear to anything in order to screen those who +furnish them with liquor; with a large percentage of the press +prostituting its power in assisting our enemies; and with timid +and vacillating friends to help meet this determined and +unprincipled opposition, I must confess I am somewhat troubled. +But the thought of such men as Ashton, Morris, and Dr. Dalton, +with their stricken and despairing families and friends, nerves me +for the conflict, and makes me resolve that, trusting in God, I will +fight it as long as He gives me strength to do so; and, when I die, +God will raise up those who will take my place and the place of +those with whom I am associated. I am certain, in the end, our cause +will succeed. It may not be during my life. It may be long, long years +hence, when the cause of temperance shall ultimately prevail--but +it will prevail some time. We must remember that 'one day with the +Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;' and, +though this prevalence of evil and the triumphing of the vicious may +cause us to be impatient and cry out in our anguish, 'How long, O +Lord, how long?' yet God will sweep away the scourge from our +land, like He swept away slavery from our mother and sister lands. +It is for us to pray, and watch, and work, and leave the rest with +God; and some day there will be a great shout, and we will cry, +some on earth and some in heaven, 'God has gotten us the +victory?'" + +"Well, Mr. Gurney, I, like you, believe that temperance will +ultimately prevail; but I do not believe it will be in the near +future, and I am afraid this attempt will be a failure. If we try +to push legislation faster than public sentiment will warrant us +in doing, we will defeat our object and help the enemy. In my +opinion, there will have to be years of agitation; and the great +masses, who are either indifferent or antagonistic, will have to +be enlightened, and their sympathies enlisted, before a law like +the present can be run successfully. I have to-day conversed with +men who professed to favor our side, and yet they expressed great +sympathy for Rivers because he was fined, and some of them gave it +as their opinion that the Act would end in failure. I believe the +farmers are very much annoyed because the tavern-sheds are closed +against them; and some say, if they had to vote again it would be +to reverse their former one. The fact is, there must be a strong +public sentiment in our favor if we successfully cope with those +men who have their capital invested in the business, and who will +fight with the vigor that selfishness and desperation ever impart. +To-day's trial indicates we have desperate and unscrupulous foes +to meet, and that they can find miserable and degraded tools in +attendance to do their dirty work, and help them defeat the ends +of justice." + +"I am more sanguine than you are," said Mr. Gurney; "and while I +am willing to admit that the imbecility of the magistrates who +professed to be our friends, the coldness on the part of a great +many who, I expected, would give us enthusiastic assistance, and +'having done all, would still stand;' and the manner in which both +the tavern-keepers and their degraded tools, as I believe, +perjured themselves, have made me a little less confident than I +was before yesterday's exhibition. Yet I am still of the opinion +the Act can be made a success. I, at least, am determined to do +all I can to make it such." + +"I, like you, Mr. Gurney, was astonished at the reckless manner +with which some gave evidence yesterday, for while I was certain +the defendant in each case was equally as guilty as Rivers, he was +the only one who was fined, the others clearing themselves by +equivocation, and what, at least, appears to me very much like +perjury. And that miserable Grogson evidently was posted to swear +straight through. I was amazed at his flippancy and his evident +willingness to swear to anything that would screen those who had +received him." + +"I am not surprised that you were, Mr. Brown; for we know that Dr. +Dalton and Ashton had no reason to swear to anything that was +untrue, and we do not believe they would be capable of doing so, +if they had, and they both swore that Grogson, and, in fact, the +whole party, drank liquor on the night in question. So the latter +actually perjured himself to screen a man who has taken hundreds +of dollars from him, and is, more than any one else, responsible +for his being the degraded wretch he is at present, and for his +wife and children being in the most abject poverty." + +"I remember him when he was in comfortable circumstances and +considered a respectable man," said Mr. Brown, "and rather a +fine young fellow. He was illiterate, of course, but possessed +good native talent and a fund of humor which seemed almost +inexhaustible. He was a good business man for one whose early +opportunities were but limited; and his tact and shrewdness +largely compensated for what he lacked in other respects. He +married an estimable young girl from the neighborhood in which I +was raised; but he took to drinking, and from that time degenerated +very rapidly, until he is the degraded creature you saw yesterday. +His cronies have very appropriately given him the sobriquet of +'Whiskey Jemmie.' I understand his wife and children are existing +in utter poverty--brought, by his abuse, to be abject specimens of +squalor and rags." + +"Yes, Mrs. Holman and my wife were to his shanty the other day, +and found them actually in need of the necessaries of life; and +some time ago, when Mr. Mason took them some food, Grogson waited +until he was out of sight, and then meanly ate up what had been +brought for his starving wife and little ones, and though Mrs. +Grogson was ill at the time, and part of what was brought was +prepared especially for her; yet the brute devoured every morsel. +And I heard they were laughing at Porter's, because, as they put +it, he had 'sold the parson.'" + +"I believe Rivers has appealed, has he not, Mr. Gurney?" + +"Yes! on the ground that the law is _ultra vires_. It is +appealed until next month, when the case will come before Judge +McGullet, and, as he is entirely in sympathy with the antis, I +have no doubt he will decide in their favor. Then we will have to +carry it to a Court of Appeal, when we hope to obtain justice." + +"I have no doubt but you will," said Mr. Brown; "but, in the +meantime, they will continue selling liquor, and, having no +license to pay, they will endeavor to have a perfect carnival of +drunkenness. When they think it is time to strike, they will +circulate a petition to have the Act repealed, and the great +majority, who will only look at the effect without stopping to +consider the cause, will be in sympathy with them, and they will +carry the appeal by an immense majority. Do you not think so?" + +Mr. Gurney remained in an attitude of deep contemplation for a few +moments, and then answered: + +"Such may be the case; but we will have to throw our best energies +into the work, and leave the rest to God. If we do our part and +remain faithful to each other and the cause we have espoused, we +will have done what we could; and if our efforts are for the +present fruitless, we shall, at least, have no reason for regret." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE INSULT TO ALLIE ASHTON--HER GALLANT DEFENDER. + + +Six months have elapsed since Mr. Gurney and Mr. Brown engaged in +the conversation as presented in the last chapter. During that +period there had been a great many hotel-keepers tried and fined +for selling liquor, though numbers had escaped through the utter +depravity of both them and their miserable dupes; and also +because, in a great many instances the magistrates who presided +were utterly incompetent to try the cases. + +The hotel-keepers had pursued to the letter the diabolical policy +they had agreed upon; that is, they had defied the law, and sold +liquor with reckless impunity, having, when fined, appealed, and +then continued selling and giving it away until they had literally +accomplished their object, and flooded the country with liquor, +making a perfect carnival of drunkenness and debauchery. They +could afford to be lavish in their expenditure, as they had a +wealthy corporation to back them in their iniquity. + +Among those who had been enticed to fall was the unfortunate +personage who is the chief character in this story. Ginsling had +been successful, and Richard Ashton had once more been led astray. + +Ruth had scarcely become convalescent when this occurred, and was +again completely prostrated. The family were now only kept from +want by the earnings of Eddie and Allie, though Mr. Gurney and +other friends were exceedingly kind, and did everything they +could, without wounding the sensibilities of Mrs. Ashton, to help +her and her family. + +Ashton was now completely demoralized. He had become so depraved +by drink as to have lost all self-respect, and seemed to be +regardless of the condition of his family. He had not only +desisted from bringing anything in to help support them, but the +miserable man had, again and again, stealthily taken some souvenir +of other and happier days, and pawned it in order to procure +liquor. + +He had also become so completely transformed by drink that, in his +wild, drunken frenzy, he would be cross and even abusive to his +wife and children; and there was that shadow of a great sorrow +ever lowering over them, and that wearing unrest and fear that is +ever the patrimony of those who are the inmates of a drunkard's +home. + +It was now a providential thing for them that Eddie had procured a +situation with Mr. Gurney; and that Allie, though she was so +young, was able to turn her musical accomplishments to account, +and give instruction in music to several pupils. They, by their +united earnings, as we have before intimated, managed to keep the +wolf from the door. + +Ashton was now most of his time absent from home, drinking at some +of the hotels or groggeries, and he had become so utterly degraded +that even Ginsling, the man who had been the chief instrument of +his ruin, would avoid him; and Rivers and Porter, and the other +tavern-keepers, would turn him out on the street, as they did many +others, in order to demonstrate that the Dunkin Act was a failure. +At such times he would stagger home if he was able, which was not +always the case; and once or twice he nearly perished from cold +and exposure. Eddie frequently had to search through the +groggeries to find him and lead him home. + +One evening, just at twilight, as Allie was returning from giving +a lesson to one of her pupils, she had to pass by Porter's hotel +on her way home, and, when opposite the bar-room door, she heard +her father in loud conversation with some one inside. Impelled by +an impulse to rescue him from impending evil, she opened the door +and walked in. She found herself in the midst of a bar-room full +of drunken, ruffianly-looking men, a long row of whom were +standing at the bar, with glasses in hand, while one of their +number was proposing a toast of the grossest character. To her +dismay her father was among them. She stood for a moment or two +hesitating what to do, and she trembled violently, and experienced +a sinking sensation as she found every eye turned upon her. The +voice of him who was proposing the toast was instantly hushed, and +every glass was lowered and placed on the counter. There was a +dead silence for a few moments, as all seemed intuitively to +understand they were in the presence of innocence and refinement; +in fact, of a being superior to themselves, and one who was not +accustomed to such surroundings. + +"Do you wish to see me?" said Mr. Porter. + +After a moment's hesitation, in order to gain control of herself, +Allie answered his question in true Yankee style; that is, by +asking another. She asked, with great dignity--though she had to +assert all her will-power to conceal her agitation:-- + +"Are you the proprietor?" + +"I am," said Porter. "Will you not step into the sitting-room?" he +said, with rough kindness; for naturally brutal as he was, even he +for a moment was toned down by the presence of the fair young +girl. + +"No, thank you," she answered. "I came in to ask my father to come +home. I heard his voice as I was passing by, and thought if I +stepped in and asked him he would not refuse to accompany me." + +In a moment there was a marvellous change in the manner of Porter, +and he asked, in reply to Allie, in a coarse, ruffianly manner: + +"Are you Ashton's daughter?" + +"I am, sir," replied Allie, straightening herself up, the manner +of the question, more than the words, causing her cheeks to flush +and indignant fire to flash in her eyes. + +"I wish, then," he continued, "you would take the drunken fool +home, and keep him when you get him there. I have been bothered +enough with him lately." + +"Why, then, have you, and others in your business, enticed him to +drink? He would not have been in the sad state he is to-day, sir, +if he had not been tempted to do wrong. Would to God, for my poor +mother's sake" (and as she mentioned her mother's name her eyes +filled with tears), "he would never again put foot in this place. +Father!" she said, walking over to him, and putting her hand +affectionately on his arm, "you will come, will you not?" + +"Yes, my girl, I will," answered her father, who, though very much +under the influence of liquor when she so unexpectedly made her +appearance, seemed considerably sobered by what had transpired. He +also keenly felt the degradation of having his pure, gentle young +daughter in a place with such surroundings. + +"I will, my girl," he reiterated; "and what you said was true. I +was waylaid and tempted, and I believe it was all planned by him +and others of the same profession. Had it not been for this, you +would not have found me here to-day, and would also have been +spared this degradation. But if I and others had not been weak +their schemes would have failed." + +"If you or any one else say I enticed you, or employed any other +person to do so, I say, in reply, it is a lie!" said Porter; and +he not only looked at Ashton as he spoke, but also at his +daughter. + +Ashton was maddened by the insulting remarks which were evidently +intended for both. He turned almost savagely to Porter, and said: + +"You dastardly ruffian! if you were not a coward you would not +insult a young girl." As he said this, he struggled to get away +from Allie, as if he would fly at Porter; but she threw her arms +around him, and, crying piteously, begged him to come home. + +"Oh, father!" she said, "I want to leave this horrible place. Oh! +don't say anything, but come home." + +"You had better leave," said Porter; "and if you were not an old +man, and your daughter was where she should be--at home--I would +knock you down. I would allow no man who was able to defend +himself to say so much to me without making him sorry for it." + +"You wouldn't," said a tall, athletic young man, stepping forward +as he spoke. "Well, I will give you an opportunity to make good +your words. I say that the man who is contemptible enough to make +use of the language you have, in the presence of a young lady, is +a bully, a brute, and a miserable coward. Now, make good your +boast." + +Porter, stung by the epithets applied to him, sprang with the fury +of a tiger at the young man who thus defied him; but if he +expected to surprise him by the suddenness of his attack, or to +crash him with his vast bulk, he counted without his host, for the +young man, with the agility of a cat, stepped to one side, and, as +he did so, struck Porter such a blow that he fell to the floor as +one dead. He then turned to Allie as if nothing had happened, and +said, with gentle courtesy: + +"Miss Ashton, this is no place for you; if you will leave, I will +accompany Mr. Ashton and you home." + +"Oh! is he dead?" she said, as she viewed with anxiety and alarm +the prostrate form of the brutal ruffian. + +"You need not be in the least alarmed about that, miss," said one +who was bending over him; "Joe Porter ain't so easily killed as +that; though I tell you, that young fellow's blow is like a kick +from a boss. He did hit him a stunner, but I must say he just got +what he deserved." + +Just then Porter, in whose face they had been sprinkling water, +began to show signs of life and to mutter fearful oaths against +Ashton, Allie, and the young man who had so nobly championed their +cause. + +"Let us go," said Allie; "let us leave this awful place. Come, pa, +for he will soon be up. Oh, how can you frequent such a place as +this is?" + +When they stepped outside, they found the twilight was deepening +into darkness. Allie thanked the young man for his gallant +conduct, but would not accept his proffered escort: she said she +did not wish to trouble him further. As they parted she shook hands +with him, as did her father, and bade him a cordial good-bye. + +"I am very much obliged to you," said Mr. Ashton to him, "and +shall never forget your kindness; but I hope you may not get into +trouble for your valor in our behalf." + +"There is no danger of that," he said; "I am abundantly able to +take care of myself. But, sir," he continued, "if you will allow +one who is young enough to be your son to put in a word to you in +the way of advice, I would say, do not be found again as you were +to-night. My dear sir, you are altogether too good for such +company as that; and then, you involve others in your own +degradation." + +"I know it, sir; I know it too well. I take your advice as it is +intended, and hope I may yet receive strength to follow it; but I +have failed so often that I dare not make a promise. God bless you +sir! Good-bye." + +The young man stood looking after Ashton as he disappeared in the +darkness. Allie had started a little before her father, and had +not therefore been a listener to their conversation. She had to +call into a store to make a few purchases, her father promising to +meet her at the shop-door and accompany her home. + +"There," soliloquised the young man, "is another poor fool who, +possessing bright parts, is just about destroyed by drink. How +many thousands there are, even in this country, just like him-- +going to ruin themselves at lightning speed, and dragging their +families with them! What a beautiful girl his daughter is! What a +figure! What eyes and hair, and what a beautiful complexion! How +cultured and intelligent she appeared! She cannot be more than +fourteen or fifteen, and yet she seemed to have the thoughtfulness +and self-possession of a woman. The idea of one possessing her +refinement being in the den of Old Joe Porter! I must endeavor to +be better acquainted if we establish a business here. It was +fortunate I went to make that enquiry. I guess Porter will not +forget me for some time." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +RICHARD ASHTON AND LITTLE MAMIE--MAMIE'S DREAM. + + +After Allie had left her father she hastened on, determined to get +through her shopping as quickly as possible, so as to be ready to +accompany him home. She now began to doubt if she did right to +leave him, even for a moment, for might he not now be led by his +appetite to some other groggery, and then what would be the +result! She hastened out, and rejoiced to find him waiting for +her, and together they silently wended their way home. + +It was not their old home, for they were forced some time previous +to this to remove from it to one that was much less pretentious; +for now they had to exercise the most rigid economy. + +Their present abode was a little rough-cast storey-and-a-half +house, consisting of a main building and an addition. The main +building contained three apartments down-stairs, one of which +served for dining-room and parlor, and the other two were +bedrooms. The up-stairs had not been finished, though they had +managed to fix it up so that Eddie could sleep there; and by the +mother's and sister's industry and skill it had been made quite +comfortable; but it was not to be compared to the beautiful room +which he possessed in his old home. + +The addition contained the kitchen and pantry; and though very +cold in severe weather, it served the purpose for which it was +intended. + +The principal apartment in the main building was very small; but +though such was the case, and Mrs. Ashton was still weak and +suffering, yet she and Allie had managed to give those little +touches in its arrangement which indicated a cultured taste and +made it snug and cozy. + +The night in question, when Allie and her father came in, Mrs. +Ashton was sitting in an easy chair, propped up by pillows. As she +sat there, one could see that sickness and worry had wrought +terrible ravages during the last year. Her thin, white face looked +all the more ghastly because of her large, dreamy eyes; and her +hands were so white and thin that they seemed as though +transparent. Her hair, which had once been so golden, was now +shimmering with silver; and no one who had known her a few years +previous would recognize her now as the same person. Surely she +had passed "under the rod." The suffering she had endured would +have turned the rich purple wine of some women's natures into +vinegar, and the drunkard's home would have been a miniature +pandemonium; but it had not been so in the present instance. Ruth +Ashton had borne her sorrows meekly; and, let me ask, what sorrow +is greater than that which she had to bear? She had seen the man +that she loved for his noble and manly attributes, ruined by +strong drink; his bright intellect robbed of its lustre, and his +loving heart made sluggish and cold. What shame she felt! For did +not she and the children share in his degradation? What +humiliation of spirit they endured! But she never spoke other than +kindly to her husband. He had not the trite excuse of thousands of +worthless husbands who are neglecting their homes and spending +their money in the groggery, while their families are existing in +squalor and famishing for bread. He could never say he was driven +to drink by the naggings of a querulous wife; for though tried +almost beyond human endurance--so tried, that the poor heart was +well-nigh broken, and her flesh had almost failed--she never +changed in her manner towards him, but was still the kind, loving +wife she had been from the first. + +When he and Allie came in, every eye was turned upon him to see if +he was, as usual, intoxicated; and when Mrs. Ashton saw that he +was almost as sober as when he left home, her heart was filled +with joy. + +"Hurry up, Mamie," she said, "and give your papa a seat. Take his +hat, dear, and get his slippers. If you are not too tired, Allie +dear, hurry up with the supper." + +Ashton was touched by the thoughtful kindness of his long-suffering +wife, and he went over to where she was sitting and tenderly kissed +er. "You have been a true, good wife to me," he said; "God never +blessed a man with a better one. So sinned against, and yet so +forgiving; so faithful, so loving." Tears were in his eyes as he spoke, +and then he gently kissed her again; but Ruth never uttered a word. +He sat down on a chair which was near the table, and, leaning his +head upon the latter, wept bitterly. + +Little Mamie, who had grown considerably during the last year, had +lost her baby manner, and possessed a mind much too mature for one +of her age. She now spoke quite plainly, and seemed to understand +the circumstances in which they were placed nearly as well as her +elder brother and sister. She had of late always waited until she +discovered what was her father's condition before she made any +advances. If he was intoxicated she would sit, mute as a mouse, in +the corner, with a look of thoughtful sorrow upon her face; but if +he were not, she would steal gently up to him, climb upon his +knee, and then, leaning her head upon his breast, kiss and fondle +him, and coax him to tell her a story, or sing her one of his +numerous hymns or songs. + +And he always seemed happy to be the slave of this his youngest +and frailest child, who, by her gentle witcheries, had so wiled +herself into his affections as to have a power over him that no +one else possessed. + +He had not been sitting at the table long ere she gently crept up +to him, and, climbing on to his knee, lifted his arm, and then +nestled her cheeks to his until her streamlets of gold mingled +with his grizzled locks. + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "don't cry--please, don't cry. I pray to God +every morning and every night that He may keep the naughty men +from giving you drink, and I am sure God will hear me; then you +will be as you used to be, and mamma will not cry as she sometimes +does now." + +Mamie little thought how her words went home to her father's +heart--what feelings of shame and remorse they awakened. + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "I had such a wonderful dream last night. I +dreamt I was in heaven, and it seemed such a beautiful place. +There were flowers far more lovely than any I ever saw on earth, +and the trees were filled with birds of all colors; and they sang +so sweetly--more sweetly than any I ever heard. And there were +thousands and thousands of bright angels, and they had harps in +their hands shining like gold. And there were thousands of men, +women, and children there, all dressed in white, with something +bright and beautiful in their hands. And there seemed to be a +great high throne, and some one sitting upon it--just such a +throne as mamma showed me the other day in a book, only far more +beautiful. And the face of the One who sat on the throne shone +more brightly than the sun, and lit up all the place. Oh, papa! I +was so happy--more than when I have been playing with Allie among +the flowers on a bright summer's day. And the angels struck their +golden harps; and as the people and children sang, the music was +more delightful than I can tell. I felt I was selfish to listen +all alone, and that I must run and tell you all, that you might +hear it also. But, just as I was about to start, I looked up, and +you were standing by my side, looking down at me. And, pa, you did +not look like you do now, but as you used to look when I first +knew you--as my own dear papa--only there was no gray in your +hair. Then you smiled so sweetly upon me, that I knew you were +happy; and your face was bright and shining. I asked you where was +mamma, Eddie, and Allie, that I might tell them what we were +enjoying, and you said they were not here yet, but would be +by-and-bye. + +"Then it seemed as if we all left the throne and wandered by the +beautiful river and picked the beautiful flowers that were so +fragrant. Then I said, 'Oh, papa, I wish my mamma was here!' and +just at that time I awoke, and mamma was standing by my bedside, +smiling; for, it being morning, the sun was filling my room with +light, and little Dickie was singing. I told mamma my dream, and +she said she thought it was because of what she was reading to me, +and the stories she told me before I went to bed; for, papa, she +read that chapter which speaks of the 'great multitude which no +man can number, who washed their robes and made them white in the +blood of the Lamb.' And she read me of the walls so high and +beautiful, and of the streets of gold. She said no earthly home +could equal it. And she thinks this, with Dickie's singing and the +sun's shining, was what caused me to dream such a lovely dream. Do +you think it was this that caused it, papa?" + +Ashton looked down upon his fair, fragile young child, and, as he +did so, he thought how far he had fallen from such purity as she +possessed. + +"No doubt, my dear," he said, "but your mamma's reading and the +stories she told had something to do with your dream. But I think +even the angels would come from heaven to whisper in the ears of +one so good and beautiful as papa's little daughter." + +"Oh, papa!" she said, "I wish we were all in heaven, and then we +would be so happy. You would never drink again, because there +would be no wicked men to give you whiskey; for mamma said, 'None +that are wicked shall enter there,' and then mamma would not cry +like she sometimes does now; because there shall be 'no sorrow +there, and God shall wipe all tears from the eye.' Do you not wish +we were there, papa?" + +The tears were trickling down the cheeks not only of the father +but also of Mrs. Ashton and Allie. She seemed to them too pure for +earth, and fit for the association of those bright spirits of +which she had been dreaming. + +As her father did not speak--in fact he dare not make the attempt, +for if he had he could not have controlled his emotion--her mother +said: + +"Mamie better not ask any more such questions. Papa, mamma, and +all hope to be there some day; but we want to remain to work for +and love each other until God sees fit to call us home. Now, my +dear, do not say anything more about it to-night, because you make +papa and mamma feel bad." + +Mamie was subdued into silence, for a request from her mother +always exerted a great power over her. She nestled so closely to +her father's breast that she could hear the beatings of his heart, +which, though he had fallen so utterly, beat only for his dear +ones at home. + +It would certainly have been a subject worthy of a great painter +to depict that pure, beautiful child, sitting upon the lap of her +sinful, erring father. Her face so smooth and radiant, his so +seamed and gloomy. Her eyes large, full, and deep, with the light +of a pure soul finding expression through them; his, blood-red and +bleared from the effects of his recent and frequent debauches, and +with the despair which was eating, like a canker, deep down in the +heart, manifesting its intensity in those exponents of its +happiness or misery. + +"Papa, your supper is waiting for you," said Allie cheerfully. +"Come, mamma and Mamie, your chairs are ready." + +But we will leave this family scene to take our readers back to +Porter's hotel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +A BAR-ROOM SETTLEMENT OF A MISUNDERSTANDING. + + +After Porter had been lifted to his feet, and had completely +regained consciousness, he poured out a volley of oaths and foul +expletives, and swore dire vengeance against Ashton and the +unknown stranger who had championed his cause. + +"I'll meet that fellow again," he said; "and when I do, I'll pay +him with interest--you'll see if I don't; and if that drunken +fool, Ashton ever enters this place again, I'll pitch him out +quicker than he comes in. I have it in for him for giving me away +to Old Service, and then swearing against me at the trial. Before +long I'll get even with him for both." + +"If you were to throw him out, Porter, it might be worse for you +and better for him," said Stewart. "If Ashton had all the money he +has left with you, I guess he would be willing to be put out--and +stay out, too. I know it would have been a good thing for me if +you, and others like you, had turned me out long ago, and never +let me in again." + +"I guess, Porter," said Morris, banteringly, "you'll not be in a +hurry to meet that young chap again, for, as Tremaine said, 'his +blow was like the kick of a horse.' Why, man, he knocked you as +clean off your pins as if you had been a skittle! and I'll lay you +any amount that he would use you up in five minutes. Don't you +think he would, boys?" + +Some of the boys to whom the question was referred said they +thought he would, while others expressed a different opinion. +Among the latter were two or three who were anxious to curry favor +with Porter. + +There are hangers-on at almost every groggery, who loaf around, +day after day, for the purpose of what, in slang terms, is called +"spunging,"--that is, they are either not able or not willing to +pay for liquor themselves, and therefore sit waiting to be asked +to drink by any customer who comes in and is willing to "stand +treat." Of course it is to the interest of such creatures as those +to be on good terms with the landlord--for it is only by his +tolerance they can so cheaply indulge their bibulous propensities. + +There were some of this class present when Morris asked his +question, and they, of course, expressed the opinion that Porter, +if he only had fair play, would be more than a match for his late +antagonist, who, they said, had taken him at a disadvantage. + +"I'd bet on Porter every time," said a burly loafer by the name of +Tom Flatt, "if he only had a fair show. I'd liked to see him try +it, at any rate." + +"O you would, would you?" said Morris, in a sarcastic, rasping +tone; "I believe that, but you would take care not to get into +anything of the kind yourself. I never knew a man who was more +careful of his own precious carcase. Now, let me tell you, I +believe that fellow would clean you both out so suddenly you would +be whipped before you knew it." + +"That's so," said Stewart. "Why, he was quick as a streak of forked +lightning." + +"If I were you, Morris," said Flatt, "I'd shut up. A man who lets +his wife lick 'un, and is afeared to go home because she'd pull +his hair or broomstick 'un, shouldn't talk to other men about +being cowards. I'd like to see my wife touch me." + +As he spoke about his wife beating him, he doubled his ponderous +fist and assumed a fierce look, which would lead one to conclude +he would be a perfect hero under such circumstances. + +What enabled Flatt thus to taunt Morris was the fact that one +night the latter had come home frenzied with drink, and was very +abusive to his wife and children. Indeed, he became almost +uncontrollable, and began to smash up the furniture, when his +eldest son, with the assistance of his mother, watching his +opportunity, had overpowered and bound him. The story in some +manner had leaked out, and the present occasion was not the first +time he had been twitted about it. + +"We know all about thee, Tom," said Tremaine, in answer to Flatt. +He lived next door to him, and therefore understood the relation +in which he stood to his family better than any one else did. +"Thou art brave as a lion when thee's got that little wife of +thine to thump, but thee's not so valiant when there are men +around." + +Morris now stepped forward and said: "Don't say a word, Tremaine. +I want myself to settle this score with Flatt." + +As he spoke he was trembling with excessive rage, and his eyes +were blazing with the baleful fire which burned within. He was a +man of powerful physique, and, when partially intoxicated, was +quarrelsome and dangerous; and it was a surprise to those who were +present that Flatt, who was a great coward, dared to taunt or +provoke him. This could only be accounted for from the fact that +the sarcastic words of Morris had so stung him as to throw him off +his guard, and he therefore did not manifest his usual discretion +when talking with one who had the power to defend himself. + +"You just said," continued Morris, "that I allowed my wife to +broomstick me and pull my hair, and that I was afraid to go home. +Now, you are a liar," he hissed between his teeth, with the +vicious venom of a rattlesnake, "and a sneak, and a sponge, and a +coward; and if there is any manhood about you, defend yourself." +As he said this he sprang at Flatt as a panther might spring on +his prey. + +There was a terrible scuffle for a moment or two, and several +voices shouted in chorus: "Make a ring, and let them fight it +out." How strange it is that so many who call themselves men love +these brutal exhibitions--especially when they are not principals! + +A ring was formed, and the two men, who had fallen on the floor, +were tumbling over each other like bulldogs: they were hitting and +gouging each other, and all the time swearing most horrible oaths. +In fact, they were more like wild beasts than men. + +"Enough! enough! For God's sake take him off!" said Flatt. "Take +him off, or he'll murder me!" he again groaned out hoarsely, and +the blood and foam oozed from his mouth and flew in flakes over +his murderous antagonist. + +Two or three seized hold of Morris and pulled him off, and it was +well they did, for certainly he would have killed the miserable +wretch whom he had at his mercy. All his latent ferocity seemed to +be aroused, and he would never have stopped short of murder. As it +was, he struggled and swore at them who interfered, and endeavored +again to assault the half-throttled ruffian whom they had just +lifted to his feet. + +They took Flatt to another room and washed his face, when it was +discovered that both of his eyes were very much discolored, his +upper lip split, and his nose so battered that it corresponded +with his name. In fact, he had been so changed in a few moments +that his most intimate acquaintance would scarcely recognise him. + +Morris had come out of the affray with barely a scratch or two. +His attack had been so sudden and so ferocious that Flatt, though +he was the larger man, had little chance to defend himself. + +Joe Porter had been behind the bar when the events which we have +described occurred; for the blow he had received had so shaken him +as to leave him incapable either of resenting the taunts which he +had flung at him by Morris and the others, or of interfering to +stop the bloody affray which was the sequel to his own little +affair. In fact, he did not have any special anxiety to risk his +own precious person again. He, however, managed to signal to his +son, a young man who had come in during the _melee_, and he +went for the town constable. It was not long before that personage +arrived, but the fight was ended. Porter gave him to understand he +would rather no arrests were made; so he sent them to their +respective homes, at the same time giving them to understand if he +caught either of them engaging in a row again they should not +escape so easily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY. + + +When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found +tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it. When +he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the +condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a +state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some +slight or insult which would justify him in being cross. + +"Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must +have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few +moments." + +"Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our +regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you +will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your +habits. We have several times waited tea for you until it was +almost spoiled, and then you did not come." + +"You knew well enough I would be here in time to-night, because +before I left I told you I would; and it is no use of your trying +to get out of it in that manner. I ain't a fool." + +"I don't remember, Henry, your promising to be home for tea; and +if I did, I could not have depended upon your promise, for, you +know, lately you have disappointed us so often that we can no +longer trust your word. Oh, Henry! I only wish I could trust you +as I once could, and then there would not be a happier woman in +Bayton." + +"I don't want any of your snivelling, Nell," he said; "I'd rather +have something to eat." + +The supper was eaten in silence, the children being afraid to +speak, and Mrs. Morris's heart was too full for conversation. She +sat silently rocking in her low arm-chair, the tears welling from +her eyes and chasing each other down her cheeks. She had noticed +the scratches upon her husband's face, which he had received in +his recent fight. She did not ask him how he came by them, for she +well knew how violent his temper was; but she was almost certain +he had been mixed in some low bar-room affray, and this thought +pained her beyond measure. + +When they were married he was a blacksmith in good circumstances, +and carried on an extensive business; but he had for the last few +years been drinking deeply, and, as a consequence, had so +neglected his business that most of his customers left him; and +this, with what he spent in drink, had so reduced him in +circumstances that he and his family were now very poor. He had +desisted from drink when the Dunkin Act came in force, and for a +while his home was cheerful again, for a great sorrow was lifted +from it, and his steady habits were bringing in money sufficient +to purchase many little comforts which had been wanting during the +time he was indulging in drink. But this did not last long, for he +was one that was selected as a victim by the antis, and they soon +succeeded in making him succumb to their wiles. I will not enter +into a lengthy description of how their hellish purpose was +accomplished, suffice it to say that in his case, as well as in +Barton's, Ashton's, Dr. Dalton's, and many others, the conspiracy +was, from the diabolical standpoint of the antis, a success. All +over the county men were entrapped into drinking by the nefarious +means employed, entailing, in some instances, horrible murders and +deaths from accidents and exposure; and the misery which helpless +women and poor little innocent children suffered will never be +known on this side of the judgment. The victims fell easy preys to +their wily seducers, for when a man once contracts an appetite +for spirituous liquors it is, in nine cases out of ten, easy to +tempt him again to his fall; and none knew this better than those +who were engaged in this conspiracy, for they were old and +experienced hands at the business. + +Mrs. Morris keenly felt her present position. She had belonged to +a very respectable family--being naturally of a proud, imperious +disposition--and to think that she and her children had been +reduced to poverty and rags through the drunken habits of her +husband, had almost broken her heart. But this evening, when he +came in with the marks on his face which led her to believe he had +been engaged in another bar-room brawl--for this was not the +first--the sense of their disgrace came upon her with such +overwhelming force as to bow her proud spirit to the earth. + +During the day she had been visited by her sister's husband, whom +she had not seen for years, and she had experienced that +humiliation which those only can understand who have been in +circumstances of comfort, if not of opulence, and through the +misconduct of others have been brought to poverty and disgrace, +and, under these changed conditions, are visited by those they +have known in the days of their prosperity. The early opportunities +of her brother-in-law had not been at all superior to that of her +husband; but he was now rich, residing in a palatial home, and the +thought that he had found her such a victim of poverty and neglect, +added to her accumulated bitterness. + +Her husband, as he sat eating his supper, ever and anon cast his +eyes to where she sat--her tears seemed to irritate him more than +words could possibly have done. + +"I don't see, Nell," he said, "why you should sit there sulking +after that style. I guess I'll go back to where I came from, I do +hate a person to sulk." + +"I am not sulking, Henry," she replied bitterly; "but I am +heart-broken with grief and shame. It was bad enough, surely, for me +to be compelled to suffer the disgrace of being a drunkard's wife, +and of being, with my children, dragged down from respectability to +poverty and rags, without having to endure the thought that my +husband--through his drunken, quarrelsome habits--had given people +the opportunity to bruit his name through the country as a bar-room +bully." + +While she was speaking, her eldest son had entered the house. He +was almost a man grown, and was a fine-looking, athletic young +fellow. He, as well as his brothers and sisters, had suffered a +great deal from his father's cruelty, and Mrs. Morris had +frequently screened them from her husband's wild fury; for, though +he had often threatened, he had never so far forgotten his manhood +as to strike his wife. His son had lately decided not to endure +any more abuse, nor, if he could prevent it, would he allow his +father to maltreat his brothers and sisters. He acted upon this +resolve when, on another occasion, as we have previously stated, +he, with the assistance of his mother, had prevented him from +smashing up the furniture; though, in order to do this, they had +to overpower and bind him with ropes. Of course they could not +have succeeded had he not been very drunk. Morris at other times +in his wild frenzy acted as though he had just escaped from +bedlam. So foolish had he been, that there was scarcely a door or +a piece of furniture in the house which did not bear some mark of +these seasons of desperation. + +The son immediately saw that his father was in his most +quarrelsome mood, for his eyes flashed fire; and no sooner had +Mrs. Morris stopped speaking, than he replied in his most rasping +tones: + +"I want you to shut up, Nell, and if you don't I'll make you. I +suppose, now Jim has come, you think you can run the establishment; +and because you succeeded in tying me up the other day, you +imagine you can do it again. I was drunk then. You had better try +it on now if you think you will be able to complete the contract." + +"Oh, Henry!" replied Mrs. Morris, "you know well enough that all +we did was to prevent you from destroying the furniture and +abusing the children, when you were so drunk as not to know what +you were doing. Why do you go away and disgrace us, and then come +back drunk to abuse us and make home wretched." + +"It was thrown in my teeth to-night by Tom Flatt," he continued, +without noticing what his wife had said, "that you and that +precious son of mine, who is now sitting there grinning, tied me +up the other day and whipped me. I guess he won't tell me that +again in a hurry, as I nearly finished him; and I gave him to +understand if he did I should complete the job. Now, I suppose, +Jim, you want to try it on again; if you do, just come along--I'm +not drunk now!" + +"Now, father, why can't you behave yourself? You know we only +prevented you from doing something you would be sorry for +afterwards." + +When Jim thus spoke he did not intend to be impudent to his +father, but; on the contrary, to allay his temper; but his words +had just a contrary effect, for the latter immediately sprang to +his feet and said, while his eyes were blazing with passion: + +"How dare you speak to me of behaving myself? Things have come to +a pretty pass when you dare thus to dictate to me. This comes from +your mother encouraging you to disobey me. Now you take your hat +and go, or I'll make you," + +"I am not interfering with you, father; and if you were yourself +you would not want me to go. If you let the others and me alone I +will not say a word to you." + +"Leave the house this minute," his father roared, "and don't dare +to bandy words with me." + +"Father," said the son quietly, "I'll not do it. I am not going to +leave my mother and the rest here alone to be abused by you." + +"You say you won't!" he hissed between his clenched teeth; "but +you will, or I'll break every bone in your body." + +As he said this he ran around the table to the place where Jim was +standing; but the latter, nimbly avoiding him, dodged to the other +side of the table, while the rest of the children ran screaming +into another room. Mrs. Morris attempted to expostulate, but her +voice was lost in the general confusion; and Morris had become so +enraged that he was literally frothing at the mouth. He chased Jim +around the table for a few times, but his efforts proving +abortive, he, in his mad rage, seized a heavy glass tumbler and +threw it, with all his strength, at Jim's head. + +"Look out, Jim!" screamed his mother, in a voice of horror, and +the boy dodging, the tumbler just grazed the side of his face; if +he had not done so, it would have taken him square in the mouth, +and would certainly have knocked out most of his front teeth, if +it had not broken his jaw. + +But, though Jim fortunately escaped, Harry, the brother next to +him, was not so fortunate, for he happened to be standing behind-- +almost in line with Jim--and the tumbler, which missed the latter, +struck him with terrific force just above the temple, and, +glancing therefrom, struck the window-sash behind, shattering two +of the panes to atoms from the force of the blow. + +The boy, with a groan, sank to the floor, turning deathly pale as +he did so, and in a moment the blood began to trickle down his +face. + +"Oh, Henry!" exclaimed Mrs. Morris, "you have killed Harry! Oh, +how could you throw a tumbler like that? Jim, bring some water +quickly." + +The mother bent over her boy, who lay as one dead; and, as Jim +came with the water, she bathed his head with it and sprinkled +some upon his face. But their efforts to bring him back to +consciousness were in vain, for he lay breathing heavily, but +still insensible. + +Morris, after seeing the effects of his reckless folly, stood for +a moment as one stunned. He was no longer drunk, but a sober and +deeply-penitent man. His boy lying there as dead, appealed to his +father's heart as no words could have done, and he now would +willingly have sacrificed his life if he could have recalled the +events of the last half hour. He came up to the bed, where Jim had +carried Harry, with face almost as white as that of his wounded +boy, and whispered: "I have not murdered him have I, Nellie dear? +Oh! my God, I hope I have not murdered him!" + +And then, in his anguish, doing what he had not done for years, +that is, sinking on his knees in prayer, he cried, as his bosom +heaved with agony: + +"O God! spare my child, and I will never drink again!" + +Then, rising, he looked at Harry for a moment, and as there was no +indication of consciousness, he said to his eldest son: + +"Jim! run for Dr. Dean. I am sure, my boy, you will not linger a +moment longer than there is need of your doing. Life and death may +depend upon your haste." + +Jim ran, and in a few moments returned with the doctor, who +examined the boy, and said to the group who were so anxiously +awaiting his decision: + +"His skull is not fractured. I think it must have been a glancing +blow, and I will soon bring him to consciousness. It was a +providential escape, however; for if the tumbler had come direct, +and struck him a little lower down, it would have killed him." + +"Thank God!" exclaimed Morris. + +"You may well thank Him," said the doctor, "for it certainly was a +narrow escape for both of you; that is, you just escaped from +being a murderer, and the poor boy here from being murdered. I +have often warned you, Morris, against drinking, and told you it +would end in some terrible catastrophe. I should think you would +now reform." + +"God helping, I will." + +Dr. Dean was a very strong temperance man, and had been an active +supporter of the Dunkin Act. He had, in fact, used all the power +of his intellect to make the legalized selling of liquor a thing +of the past; he was also an accomplished and eloquent platform +speaker. His friends, after earnest solicitation, had obtained his +consent to come forward as a candidate for Parliamentary honors. +So he was at the present the recognized opponent of Capt. +McWriggler, whose superior he was both morally and intellectually. + +After a while he succeeded in resuscitating Harry. The latter +opened his eyes, and as he did so they fell upon the doctor. + +"Where am I, mother?" he enquired. "What is the matter? What is +the doctor doing here?" + +"Never mind now, Harry dear," she said; "you have been hurt, and +if you are very quiet we will tell you after a while." + +Having shut his eyes as if he were satisfied, or as if he were too +weak to pursue the enquiry any further, the doctor felt his pulse +again, and remarked: "He will be all right in a short time." He +then gave them instructions as to how they should proceed in case +of contingencies, and turning to Morris said: "I believe you have +signed the pledge more than once, and a few moments ago you +remarked you would never drink again. Did you mean it?" + +"I did, and, God helping me, liquor shall never enter my lips +again." + +"Here is a pledge," and the doctor produced one. "Will you sign +it? I always carry one with me to use on such occasions as this." + +"I will, sir. And I am thankful to you for your interest in me. +Pray for me, that I may receive strength to keep it." + +Morris signed the pledge with trembling hand, and no sooner had he +done so than his wife, throwing her arms around his neck, kissed +him. "Thank God," she said, and then, casting her eyes heavenward, +she prayed: "O, my Father, aid him to keep his promise." + +"You kept sober," said the doctor, "for several weeks after the +Act came in force, and then you were, with several others, tempted +to drink." + +"Yes," said Morris, "I was coaxed to drink by the sheriff, though +I was weak and foolish to listen to him." + +"It was a vile conspiracy," continued the doctor, indignantly, +"and I am certain that some of those in the county who are now +infamously degrading the most important offices in the gift of the +Crown are among the conspirators. I am personally acquainted with +numbers who were seduced to their ruin by this devilish +conspiracy, entailing an amount of misery that it is impossible to +estimate." + +Before the doctor had finished speaking, Jim, who had been sent to +have a prescription filled out, came running in with a look of +horror on his face. "They are looking for you, doctor," he said, +"to go down to Flatt's. They say Tom has murdered his wife." + +"Another victim," said the doctor sententiously, and then he +hurried away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +TOM FLATT'S HUT--A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE IN WHICH +HE MURDERS HIS WIFE. + + +When Flatt arrived at the hovel where his wife and children +burrowed (for they could scarcely be said to live) he found them +in the most abject misery. But I will ask my reader to accompany +me to it. + +Imagine a log shanty, twelve by sixteen in dimensions, roofed by +troughs, or what appeared to be halves of hollow logs. The back of +the shanty on the outside was not originally more than six feet +high; but as the logs which formed the sides, and ends had so +rotted that by their own weight they had settled considerably, it +was now much lower. The shanty contained two windows, which were +ornamented by having two or three old hats used as substitutes +for panes of glass, and the panes which were not broken were so +cracked and splintered that they were in eminent peril of being +blown out at every violent gust of wind. + +But the exterior of the shanty, dilapidated-looking though it was, +gave no conception of the squalor and wretchedness which its walls +confined. I will introduce my readers to the inmates. + +Mrs. Flatt was an undersized, dark-complexioned little woman, who +at one time possessed considerable personal beauty; but she had +been so worn by toil, hard usage, and insufficient food, that she +now appeared little else than skin and bone; in fact, she as much +resembled a mummy as a being through whose veins throbbed the +blood of life. + +In different attitudes--on the clay floor, on the two miserable +beds, and on the old broken chairs and benches of the hut--were +distributed six children. They, if possible, were more squalid and +wretched-looking than their mother; for though it was midwinter, +not one of them was so fortunate as to possess a pair of shoes, +but they had frequently to run out from the hut into the deep snow +in their poor little bare feet, which were red, cracked, and +bleeding from the cold. The miserable rags in which they were +clothed did not serve to cover their nakedness; and their blue, +pinched faces pathetically spoke of want and neglect. + +The youngest of the number was a babe, some five or six months +old; she was lying in a creaky old cradle, which squeaked when +rocked as if uttering a discordant protest. She was a poor, +pallid, little thing, that scarcely seemed to have strength to +utter her low moan of pain, as she lay famishing for the +nourishment which the now starved mother was unable to supply. +The next older was barely able to toddle round on the clay floor; +and they ranged up from that until the eldest of the six was +reached, who was a bare-footed, bare-legged girl of eight. She +was, however, so dwarfed through rough usage, insufficient food, +and exposure, as to be little larger than an ordinary child of +six. + +"Mamma! I want a piece. I'se so hungry!" cried the third child +from the youngest--a little boy, about four years of age. "Oh, +mamma! I do want a piece." + +"And so do I, mother," cried the next, a little girl of five. "Oh! +why don't dad come with the bread?" + +"Piece, mamma, piece!" whined out little Katie, the next to the +youngest. "Piece, mamma, piece!" she cried out again piteously, as +she toddled over to her mother, and, hanging on to the skirts of +her dress, looked up with a famished longing that made the latter +sob convulsively. + +"Oh, children!" she said, "mother would give her darlings bread +if she had any, but there is not a crumb in the house; no, dears, +not one poor crumb, so I can't give my children any now; but I +hope your father will come home and bring some bread with him; and +if he does, then you shall all have some. Don't cry, now--you make +mother feel so bad." + +"Mamma," said Nannie, the eldest girl, "I wish father was dead." + +"Hush, child," said the mother sharply; "you must not talk so." +But in the mother's reproof there was an utter want of the emotion +of horror at the astounding and unnatural wish of the child. It +seemed as if she was reproved for giving utterance to her +thoughts--not for entertaining them. In fact, the mother had often +in her heart entertained similar sentiments, and wished that her +drunken, brutal husband were dead. + +When they were first married, Flatt had treated his wife well for +a time, and they lived as comfortably as people of their means and +limited stock of intelligence generally do. But he began to +indulge in drink, and from that period until after the Dunkin Act +became law, he seemed to be predominated with the instincts of a +brute. He worked but little at his trade, which was that of a +brickmaker, and the small amount that was earned by him was mostly +squandered in drink. Mrs. Flatt tried to keep her children from +starving by taking in washing; and very frequently the brutal +husband and father would return from his drunken orgies to eat the +scanty meal she had toiled so hard, with weary body and reeling +brain, to procure for her children. If, under such provocation, +she ventured to protest, she would be answered by blows, and many +a time she had been beaten black and blue by the brutal monster. + +After the Act came in force he had remained sober for several +weeks, and there was comparative cheerfulness and comfort in the +hut where he resided; the children, during that brief period, had +plenty to eat, and they did not dread his coming home for fear of +a beating. But it was not long before he was brought again under +the force of his old habits. He was, in fact, met by those who had +been appointed to induce him to drink; and they were as successful +in his case as they had been in the other instances which we have +mentioned. From that period, the life of Mrs. Flatt and her +children had been utterly wretched. + +Is it strange she had lost all affection for the brutal ruffian +who had the right, by law, to call her his wife? or that his +neglect of both her, and their children, his kicks and blows, had +driven out even the last vestige of respect, and that now +detestation--yes, even intense hatred--had taken full possession +of her soul? And once, or twice, as he lay in his drunken slumber, +utterly in her power, the awful thought had possessed her that she +could, in a few short minutes, revenge herself for all his abuse +by taking the life which had so utterly cursed and blighted her +own. And then, when, coming to her better self, she meditated upon +the sin of harboring such thoughts, a feeling of horror crept over +her and chilled, her blood; when, throwing herself impulsively on +her knees, the cry had gone up from her heart: + +"Oh, my Father! save me from temptation." + +The reader, after this explanation, can easily understand how it +was she rebuked her child for giving expression to her thoughts +rather than for entertaining them. + +"But, mother, I do often wish dad was dead, and I might as well say +it as think it," said Nancy. + +"And so do I," boldly chimed in little Jack, a precocious and +manly little fellow of seven, who very much resembled his mother; +"for if he was dead he could not beat you and thump us until we +were black and blue, mother. And he would not eat up everything +from us, and drive us all out into the snow." + +The mother sternly rebuked the children for talking in that +manner. "No matter how bad he is," she said, "he is your dad, and +it is very sinful to be talking after that style. + +"Hush, children!" she whispered; "I guess here he comes!" + +In a moment the only noise which could be heard in the shanty was +the low moan of the baby, as it lay in the cradle, while from the +outside could be heard the heavy, uneven thud of advancing +footsteps. + +"Drunk as usual!" whispered little Jack; "now look out for thumps +and bruises. Oh!" he whispered through his clenched teeth, "I wish +I were a man, then he wouldn't beat us like he does now, for I +wouldn't let 'un do it." + +"Take the baby, mother, and run over to Tremaine's," said Nannie; +"I'm afraid he'll kill you." + +"No, Nannie, I'll not run; if he kills me I can't help it; I'll +not run away any more. I'm afraid it will come to that some day, +but I will stay and take care of you all, no matter what happens." + +The children had just managed to crawl under the two dilapidated +beds when their father lifted the latch and stumbled into the +room. + +"Oh! what's the matter, Tom?" said his wife, as at a glance she +took in his disfigured face. + +"What's that to you?" he replied with an oath. "If you'd get me +something to eat, it 'ud show more sense than asking what's none +of your business." + +"There is not a bit in the house," she replied, and then, stung +into reckless madness by his asking for food when he had spent for +whiskey the money with which he had promised to procure it, she +continued bitterly: "The children have been crying for something +to eat for the last two hours, in tones that would melt the heart +of a stone, and I hadn't a crumb to give 'um, and you, who have +been spending on drink what should have bought it for them, have +the brazen impudence to come home drunk, demanding food. Go to the +cupboard and get you some, if you think there is any there." + +"Now, Nance, I don't want any of your chin music, but I wants you +to get me suthin' to eat. You can't fool me; I knows you has got +it in the house." + +"God knows, Tom, there isn't a bit. Do you suppose if there was +any I would let the children be crying for it and not give it to +them? If you think so, you don't know me yet; for I can tell you +it would have been given to them two hours ago, and not saved for +one who allows his own flesh and blood to starve, while he spends +that which would furnish them with bread for rum in a rum-shop." + +The reader might be ready to assert, after reading this connubial +wrangle, that the fault was not all on one side, but that Nancy's +sharp tongue was in some measure responsible for Tom's drinking; +that, in fact, if she had not been such a termagant he might, at +least, have been an average husband. But if you have so concluded, +I will endeavour to disabuse your mind; for Nancy, before she +married Tom Flatt, was a smart, good-tempered lass, but his +continued neglect and abuse had vinegared all her sweetness, and +she was not of that temperament which could bear ill-treatment +without giving expression to her feelings. If, in her youth, she +had been surrounded by different associations, and then married to +a man who could have appreciated her, she might have developed +into an intelligent, loving woman; but the terrible wretchedness +of her life, brought about by the faults of her husband, had +turned all her nature into bitterness. + +And let me ask any of my gentle readers if, under similar +circumstances, honeyed words would have been uttered by you? If +you had suffered such treatment, and not only you but your +children, who were bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh, do +you not think you would protest? If you were being dragged down +into the slough of poverty, disgrace, and wretchedness, and you +knew that he who was thus dragging you down could, if he were a +true husband and father, place you in a position of comfort and +respectability, but who was devouring from you and your children +food that you had earned by the most menial drudgery--by the sweat +of body and brain--and leaving you all to nearly famish for +bread, would you not remonstrate? Nay, would not feelings of +outraged confidence, of soul-anguish, sorrow, and shame coin +themselves into bitter chiding words which you would be powerless +to repress? + +How many thousands of sweet, pure souls, who, in their innocent +maiden days, were the embodiment of gentleness and affection, +have, after marriage to some brute in human shape, been brought, +by years of neglect and abuse, to become that which is among the +most maligned and despised of all creatures--a scolding wife. + +We must, in all fairness, admit that such Nancy Flatt had become. +Her nature, as we have said, was intense, and she had endured a +great deal in her early married life. At first she would gently +remonstrate, but as years rolled on and she had not only to suffer +neglect and abuse herself, but her helpless little ones also, her +remonstrances became tinged with the acidity of her soured nature; +and finally as toil, neglect, and hunger reduced her to the +haggard, dejected creature we have presented to the reader, she +would meet Tom's oaths and blows with her only weapon of defence, +and pour out sharp, rasping words from her woman's tongue. + +"I tell you what it is, Nance," said Tom, in answer to her +chiding; "I want you to shut that jaw of thine and get me some +grub, or I'll make you wish you had never been born." + +"You have made me wish that a thousand times, Tom," she answered +with passionate bitterness. "See that wasted arm," and suiting the +action to her words she stripped up her sleeve; "look at my +fleshless face--what has brought me to this but starvation and +drudgery? Hear the moaning of that helpless babe in the cradle, +crying for nurse that starvation has dried up. Oh, Tom! how can +you spend your money in whiskey when you know we are starving at +home? You knew when you left this morning there was not a morsel +of food in the house, nor money to buy it, for you have not +brought in a cent for weeks, and you promised when you left to +come right back with bread, but instead of that you have spent the +day in drinking whiskey and fighting with great hulking loafers +like yourself, and now you come home to abuse your wife and +children. You are worse than a brute; for brutes do provide for +their own flesh and blood, while you have nothing better than +oaths and blows for yours." + +With fearful oaths Flatt sprang forward to answer his wife's +passionate arraignment of his conduct by the method he usually +adopted on such occasions--that was, by the irresistible logic of +his ponderous fist. As she saw he was about to make the rush, her +first impulse was to open the door and run for safety, for well +she knew, from a terrible experience, that when he was aroused he +had the ferocity of a brute with the temper of a demon. But as she +was about to do so she saw he did not heed the cradle which lay in +his way. The danger of her child caused the mother to be heedless +of her own, and, with the wild cry, "Look out for the babe, Tom!" +she sprang forward and snatched it from the cradle, thus bringing +herself into the power of the furious brute. In his mad rage he +picked up a trowel which, unfortunately, lay near him, and, as his +wife was rising with her babe, he struck her with terrific force +upon the head, the sharp corner of the instrument cutting through +the flesh and imbedding itself deep into the skull, carrying the +hair with it. + +"Oh, Tom! you have killed me!" she groaned, as she fell forward on +her face, covering her babe as she fell. But even in that terrible +moment she must have had some thought of it, for she managed to +shift over on her side, clasping it to her breast as she did so. + +All the ferocity in Tom's brutal nature seemed to be aroused, and +the sight of his wife's blood running down over her forehead and +dyeing with red the pallid face of his child, which one would +think might have moved even a demon to pity, only seemed to arouse +the latent tiger within him, for he struck the prostrate woman +again and again, until she settled heavily on to the floor and was +limp and still. This act in the tragedy was complete, for Nancy +Flatt was dead, and her infant lay clasped in her arms bespattered +with the life-blood of its dead mother. + +The children, who had been cowering under the beds, witnessed the +terrible scene, and though they were frightened at their father's +and mother's jangling, as they thought it would result in the +latter being beaten--which was usually the case--at first they +kept perfectly still, for fear of what the result might be to +themselves if they drew their father's attention. But when he +struck their mother with the trowel and she fell forward with her +face bathed in blood, they gave vent to their terror in wild and +frantic screams. + +"Oh, dad!" cried little Jack, almost fiercely, "you've killed our +mamma." And as he thus spoke he stepped boldly out and faced his +father, seeming to have lost all fear in the presence of the +calamity that had befallen them; and then he and Nanny escaped +from the house and ran over to Tremaine's. When they reached there +Nannie, who had outrun her brother, burst into the door and said +in a ghastly whisper, which appeared all the more horrible because +of her pallid face, over which her hair was streaming in tangled +masses, giving her a ghost-like appearance: + +"Oh, Mr. Tremaine, dad has murdered mother! Run quick, sir, and +see!" + +Just then little Jack came up with face as pallid as Nannie's, and +though panting for want of breath managed to say: + +"Dad struck mother with the trowel!--and cut an awful gash in her +head!--and her face is all covered with blood--and I think she is +dead." + +Tremaine, who was really a noble fellow, though he unfortunately +did indulge in strong drink, immediately ran over to the shanty, +and when he arrived there he found the children's fears were well +founded, for a spectacle so ghastley in its details met his view +that, strong man as he was, he stood for a moment as if bereft of +motion, and even thought. + +Nancy Flatt was lying stark dead on the floor, and her babe, which +was yet muttering its low moan of hunger, was clasped close in the +arms of its dead mother, and was dabbling in the blood which had +flowed from the wounds in her head and face. + +Tom was not to be found. He had evidently realized, when it was +too late, what would be the consequence of his terrible crime, and +had fled to escape the Nemesis, in the form of avenging justice, +which he knew would soon be on his track. + +I will not, however, enter into the details of his capture, +imprisonment, trial and execution; for Tom Flatt was executed for +the murder of Nancy, his wife; and on the scaffold he, as +thousands of others in similar circumstances have done, blamed his +wife's murder, his own sad fate, and his children's orphanage, to +love for strong drink. + +Reader, was Tom Flatt alone responsible for the murder of his +wife, or were there not others who, at least to some extent, +shared with him that responsibility? Could the man who sold him +the liquor, or he who manufactured it, or the Government who drew +revenue--which to all intents and purposes was blood money--from +its sale, or the intelligent electors who, in the exercise of +their franchise and by their sympathy, endorsed that legislation, +escape all responsibility? My dear reader, ponder this question, +for great issues are involved in your conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +JOHN, JUN.'S WEDDING--BARTON'S MURDER--LUELLA SEALY'S SUICIDE-- +GINSLING'S TRAGICAL DEATH. + + +The truth of the aphorism of Solomon--"Whoso diggeth a pit shall +fall therein"--is verified by multiplied examples the wide world +over every day of the year, and it received a very striking +verification in the events which we shall chronicle in this +chapter. + +The reader will recollect that the leading mind among the +conspirators was John Sealy, Esq. He was the one who suggested the +infamous scheme, which was afterwards adopted, of leading as many +poor unfortunates as possible to drink. He did not calculate that +into the pit which was thus dug for others he himself, or some +member of his family, might possibly fall. But we anticipate. + +His only son, John, jun., had been associating with low companions +and conducting himself in a manner that was not at all satisfactory +to him, John, sen., or to Mrs. and Miss Sealy; and, to crown all, +they had every reason to believe he was actually paying his +address to Miss Angelina Porter, a daughter of Old Joe Porter, who +kept the groggery. This, of course, was very distasteful even to Mr. +and Miss Sealy; but language would fail us in any attempt we might +make to delineate the utter consternation of the high-toned Mrs. Sealy +when she became satisfied that the rumor was founded on fact. +She had again and again remonstrated with him, but without effect, +as he had treated her remonstrances with good-natured contempt; +and when she resorted to harsher means and applied contumelious +epithets to his intended, he returned a Roland for her Oliver, so that +she, finding it was useless to try to influence him, sulkily retired +from the encounter. + +But though baffled in that direction she was determined not to +give up; for she thought if she could not accomplish her object by +one method she would resort to another, and thus she might +possibly succeed. She, in fact, determined to address a letter to +Miss Porter, to see if she could not influence her. Acting upon +this impulse, the vain and foolish woman sent her a very insulting +epistle, such a one in fact as could only emanate from a coarse +and vulgar mind. + +Miss Porter treated it with the contempt it merited, and did not +even mention to John, jun., that she had received it; and he might +have remained in blissful ignorance of his mother's folly had she +not in her insane fury spitefully said to him: "I have sent the +low, designing thing a letter, giving her to understand what we +think of her, and what she may expect if her schemes are +successful and she entraps you into marrying her." + +That information drew the retort from the dutiful and affectionate +son that Angelina Porter was his mother's equal in every respect, +and that she need not "take on such airs" and make such a fuss, +because the former's father kept "a low groggery," as she termed +it, when she knew that her own father (that was his own maternal +grandfather) made all his money at the same business; "and you +know, mother," he added, "grandfather was not a bit superior in +any respect to Joe Porter, though you so affect to despise the +latter." + +"You know you are saying what is not only false, but also +insulting to your own mother," she answered; and now she was +weeping bitterly. "I knew you had become low in your aims since +you had associated with the set you now think so much of, but I +did not think you had become so abandoned as to scandalize your +own dead grandfather." + +"But, mother, you forget you are scandalizing one who is nearer to +me than grandfather was to you, and that you sent her a low, +scurrilous letter, full of bitter taunts and insults, which you +intended should annoy her." + +"If she gets you," his mother answered, with a sneer, "I guess +she'll forget it. I want to inform you," she added, and she had +reserved this broadside for her final effort, "if you marry that +low creature I'll disown you, and I know your father will cut you +off with a shilling, and let you go to her and her low, drunken +sot of a father to find a living." + +"You and father can do as you please and so shall I," he almost +savagely retorted; "but dad had better sweep his own doorstep +before he complains about his neighbor's being dirty, for he is +not very select in his own company; and if he does not keep a +groggery, those which are kept in this town have few more +attentive customers. I only know of one who can claim to excel him +in this respect, and that is he whom you have, by your schemes, +almost compelled poor Lou to accept as her affianced husband. I +mean that distinguished member of the bloatocracy, Stanley +Ginsling. Consistency is a jewel, mother, you know and if you are +consistent, you will not come down on me for marrying one whose +father you term 'a sot,' and at the same time scheme to ally your +daughter to one who is a perambulating whiskey barrel." + +Mrs. Sealy did not try to answer her son; she felt, in fact, if +she were to attempt it, she could not possibly do justice to the +subject; so she gave him what she intended for a withering look, +gathered up the skirts of her dress, and swept majestically from +the room. + +That evening she had a long consultation with her husband in +regard to the matter, the result of which was a very stormy +interview between the father and son, when the latter, having been +threatened with disinheritance if he did not break off from all +association with the Porter family, gave the father to understand +as it was a matter that more especially concerned himself, he +should observe his own mind in regard to it, and his father might +dispose of his property as it pleased him. + +The climax was reached when the residents of Bay View--for that +was the name of their villa--heard that John, jun., and Angelina +Porter were married. He had, in fact, the license in his pocket at +the time he held his interview with his father, and had gone +directly after to the groggery of his intended father-in-law, and +having secured the services of the Rev. John Turnwell, the +ceremony was privately performed. + +Porter and his son-in-law celebrated the wedding by getting +gloriously drunk. This caused the young bride intense pain; for +though she had been long accustomed to such scenes, it came closer +to her when her own husband was involved. + +John, jun., did not go near his father's residence, nor indeed +take any steps towards reconciliation, for, he said, "the old man +will come around all right after awhile." He, for the time being, +kept bar for Joe Porter, and was one of his most bibulous, though +not one of his most profitable, customers. In fact, he was +generally intoxicated each day by noon, and before night was +stupidly drunk. + +His father, who really thought as much of his boy as it was +possible for a man with such a nature as his to think of any one, +heard he was going rapidly to destruction, and felt some effort +must be made to save him. He had a conversation with his wife in +regard to the matter, and though she declared she would never +forgive her son for marrying into such a low family, as she knew +it would subject her to the cynical and sneering remarks of some +of the set with whom she associated, yet she concluded it was +better to make the best of the matter, and not, by a course of +coldness, drive him utterly to destruction; so she agreed with her +husband when he said he thought he had better go and see him, and, +if possible, wean him from his present debauch. + +Mr. Sealy owned a farm of two hundred acres, which was situated on +the shores of the bay, about two miles east of Bayton. It had been +the old homestead, and he had always intended to will it to his +son; but since the memorable interview, when the latter had spoken +so defiantly, and then followed up his words by forming the +alliance against which his father had warned him, Mr. Sealy, in +his anger, determined to carry out his threat, and cut his son off +without a cent. But when he found he was likely, if left much +longer with his present surroundings, to degenerate into a +dissipated loafer, he relented, and now determined to offer it to +him if he would settle there immediately. + +The fact was, that now the evil effects of drink was brought home +to him, and his only son was one of its victims, he suffered very +keenly indeed, and was willing to humiliate himself and make +considerable sacrifice to save him. + +With this end in view, he went to Porter's quite early one +morning, for he was almost certain he would have to be there +before his son had an opportunity to indulge to any extent, if he +expected to find him sober. + +When he arrived at the groggery Old Joe had just opened up, and +was taking his morning drink, which his trembling hand indicated +he sadly needed. + +"Good morning, Joe," he said. + +"Morning," replied Joe, gruffly, in answer to the salutation. + +"Where is John, Mr. Porter?" This question was asked in Mr. +Sealy's blandest tones, for he was sufficiently acquainted with +human nature to perceive nothing would be gained by being cross. + +"He hasn't come down yet." + +"Will you kindly tell him I would like to see him?" + +"Yes, I will. But won't you have a glass of something to drink as +an appetizer? You must have been up early." + +As Porter spoke he handed down a black bottle labelled "Old Rye +Whiskey." + +"I don't care if I do take a smile," Sealy replied. And taking the +bottle from Porter's hand he poured a tumbler half full, and drank +it down as if it were so much water. + +"I will now run up-stairs and see if John has tumbled out yet," +said Porter; and suiting the action to the word, his bloated face +and burly form disappeared through the door. + +In a few moments John, jun., appeared, his face bearing palpable +traces of his last night's debauch. + +I will not enter into a lengthy narrative of the interview between +father and son; suffice to say that everything was amicably +arranged, and in less than a month from the date of the interview, +John, jun., and his wife were settled in the old Sealy homestead. + +For awhile Mrs. Sealy was cold and distant, but finally she became +reconciled, and frequently visited them with her daughter, who +from the first had treated her brother's wife with kindness, +having found her an amiable and well-disposed little thing, who +would have made some man a good wife. But she was not composed of +stern enough stuff to have influence upon her husband. + +John, jun., certainly did not indulge in drink, after his removal +from his father-in-law's, to the same extent as he had previously +done, but yet he had got to be such a victim to the habit as now +to become intoxicated at every favorable opportunity, which not +only caused his wife excruciating pain, but was also the source of +annoyance and sorrow to his parents and sister. But though Mr. +Sealy was sorely troubled by his son's conduct, and was led to +realize, at least to some extent, the worry and shame that is +associated with having a near relative an habitual drunkard, +strange to say it did not seem to change his views in the least in +regard to the drink traffic, for he still remained as stern, and +uncompromising an opponent of teetotalism as ever. + +It was about a month after John, jun., and his wife had commenced +housekeeping that Miss Sealy came to spend a week or two with +them. She, in fact, thought she might have a restraining influence +upon him, as he had genuine affection for her, whom he had always +found to be an affectionate sister and true friend. + +While she was there, Stanley Ginsling, who, without loving, she +had been coaxed and badgered into recognizing as her affianced +husband, came to see her. + +John, jun., had, previous to this time, frequently met him since +the day when, conversing with his mother, he had employed such +stinging epithets to express his opinion of him, but had now +changed his mind. In fact, he now thought he was rather a good +fellow, and had promised to use his influence to overcome his +sister's evident aversion. + +Ginsling brought with him a flask of brandy. It was the same flask +that he used when tempting Richard Ashton at Charlotte, and he +and John, jun. indulged so freely of its contents as soon to be +considerably under its influence. Miss Sealy perceived the state +they were in, and blaming the former for leading her brother to +thus debase himself, gave him to understand his presence was +extremely distasteful to her, and that he might consider their +engagement broken off; for, no matter what influence might be +brought to bear, she had made up her mind, after what had just +transpired, she would never marry him. + +Her brother, in his drunken foolishness, had gone in to +remonstrate with her; but now, thoroughly aroused, she had +requested him, in indignant terms, to mind his own business. "It +is bad enough," she said, "to be disgraced by a drunken brother, +without running with eyes open into greater misery and degradation. +I told him our engagement was broken, and I meant it." + +John, jun.'s wife also rebelled. She had borne a great deal with +patience; but when Luella came in weeping bitterly, the former +rated her husband soundly, and told him, "If there was not a +change for the better she would leave him." The two women had then +retired to the parlor, and the two men went out into the kitchen +to smoke. + +"I don't see what is the matter with Lou," said Ginsling; "she is +as cross as a badger. She gave me my walking-ticket, and told me +not to return again. I wonder if she has seen Barton lately?" + +"I don't think so. I know he has not been permitted to go to the +old man's; though I heard dad say he has been seen several times +hanging around there, but he never goes near except he is drunk, +which now is pretty nearly all the time. I suppose you heard he +had lost his position in the bank?" + +"Yes, I heard. The fact is, I told Smith, the manager, I was +surprised he had not turned him off long ago." + +"I tell you what it is, Ginsling, he was pretty badly gone on Lou, +and I believe she liked the beggar. But I never took any stock in +him; and if I were the old man, and he came hanging round, I'd +shoot him like a dog." + +"And so he should. I know, for my part, I would not be annoyed by +the drunken nuisance. I only want a good opportunity to pay a debt +I owe him, and then he shall have it with compound interest." + +Ginsling was quite under the influence of liquor when he made the +remark in regard to Barton, and the one to whom he was talking was +far from sober. They could both see the mote in Barton's eye, but +failed to remove the beams from their own. + +When Ginsling spoke of owing Barton a debt, he referred to an +incident which had occurred some time before. He had been one +evening in "The Retreat," which, my readers will remember, was +kept by Ben Tims; and while he was there William Barton had come +in, just enough intoxicated to be reckless, and Ginsling himself +was far from sober. The latter said something which the former +eagerly construed into an insult, and to which he replied by +knocking him down. Tims had then interfered, and led Barton into +another room, leaving Ginsling to stagger to his feet as best he +could. The latter, after picking himself up, went to the wash-room +and staunched the blood flowing from his nose, which Barton's blow +had made more bulbous than usual, washed all traces from his face, +and then left; but before he did so, he vowed he would be even +with him yet. + +"You had better look out, Barton," said Tims; "that rascal will +have his revenge if you give him any chance, and I believe he is +as treacherous as he is cowardly. I'm glad you hit him though, +only I'd rather it hadn't happened in my place." + +"He gave me an opportunity I was waiting for," replied Barton, now +seemingly almost sober. "I'll risk all the harm he is likely to do +me." + +Tims knew very well how it was with the poor fellow, but he had +too much good taste to refer to it. + +It was of this bar-room squabble Ginsling spake when he said he +"owed him a debt which he was determined to pay back to him with +interest." + +John, jun., who was cognizant of the facts, remarked, "If he were +in his (Ginsling's) place, he'd be even with him yet." + +"I can't help but suspect that he has seen Lou lately, and I am +half inclined to think she likes him yet; if she didn't, she would +not have used me as she has done to-night." + +"She may have," said John, jun.; "but the reason she was so huffy +to-night was because you were drunk. But who's that?" he suddenly +exclaimed--"I believe it is Barton!" + +As he spoke, he drew back his chair from the window, and gliding +therefrom, stealthily crept to where he could observe all Barton's +movements, but where the latter could not possibly see him. +Ginsling also arose as stealthily as possible, and glided behind +John, jun. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and they could see +almost as plainly as if it were day. + +"Yes; it is Barton!" whispered Ginsling; "and I believe he is +drunk." + +"I wonder what the idiot is going to do?" questioned John, jun.; +"here he comes towards the house." + +"Let him come," said Ginsling; "I guess we will be ready for him." + +Barton staggered towards the veranda--which extended around three +sides of the house--and after one or two attempts to step up on to +it, was at last successful; then, muttering to himself, he came +towards the window, where the two men were observing him. + +"Hush!" said Ginsling, "he seems to be having an interesting +soliloquy, and possibly we may hear what he says." + +In the dead stillness of the night Barton's low mutterings could +be heard distinctly: + +"I am bound to see Luella," he said; "I know she loves me, for she +has told me so a hundred times, and she is too pure and good to +lie. I saw her coming here this morning, and I am determined to +see her and hear my fate from her own lips. Oh, Luella! I am sure +you love me, and if you will promise to be mine I will swear never +again to let a drop of liquor pass my lips." + +He looked ghastly in the moonlight, his pale face with its +background of jet black hair hanging in tangled masses down upon +his shoulders giving him a weird appearance. He became fiercer in +his gesticulations as he continued his strange, wild soliloquy. + +"I must know to-night from her own lips or I shall go mad." + +"He's that already," whispered Ginsling. "Mad as a March hare." + +"There will be no sordid father and mother to interfere with us +here! They want to sell you to that craven-hearted sot, Ginsling; +but he shall never have you, for before that shall happen I will +strangle him, even if I have to hang for it." + +As he thus spoke he advanced closer to the window. But he suddenly +clasped his hand over his heart and exclaimed: "Oh, Luella, I'm +shot!" and the same instant, the report of a pistol sounded sharp +and clear on the still night air. + +The shot was fired by Ginsling, who, maddened by the epithets +Barton had applied to him, had drawn a pistol, and, before John, +jun., could interfere, had fired through the window straight at +his advancing, antagonist. + +"Oh! you have done for him, Ginsling," said his companion, "and we +will both be arrested for murder." + +"But you can swear," replied Ginsling, "that he threatened to +murder me, and was advancing to break through the window." + +Just then the front door opened, and Luella Sealy ran around the +house on the veranda to the spot where William Barton had fallen; +for, after receiving the shot, he sank gradually to the ground. +When she reached the spot her frantic screams sounded through the +house, and echoed and re-echoed over the quiet bay. + +"Oh, William! my darling," she exclaimed, "has he murdered you?" + +As she thus spoke she sat down upon the floor of the veranda, and +lifting his head into her lap kissed him, her fair hair hanging in +dishevelled masses as she did so. + +Barton, however, was too far gone to respond by word, but Luella +could see by the light of the moon, that cast its flickering rays +on the scene, a look of joy for a moment illumine his eye and then +pass away forever: for William Barton was dead. + +Luella Sealy was taken to her room that night a raving maniac. The +sight of any member of her family made her furious; and she +accused them in the fiercest tones of murdering her darling +William. After awhile she became more calm, seeming to be quietly +slumbering, and, under the circumstances, they thought it would be +safe to leave her for a short time. Her father, acting upon this +idea, left her alone for a few moments while he went to call his +daughter-in-law to come and remain with her; but when he returned +to her room she was gone. In a moment all was excitement, and +every part of the house was searched, but she could not be found. +As, however, they ran round the varanda they found her under the +window, on the spot where William Barton had been murdered, lying +cold and dead, with a ghastly gash in her neck, and her white +garments dyed red with her life-blood. A razor, the instrument +with which she had accomplished her self-destruction, was +clutched, with the grip of death, in her red right hand. + +Ginsling was tried for the murder of Barton; but as John, jun., +swore the latter was about to enter the house to attack him, and, +therefore, the shot was fired in self-defense, he got off with a +short imprisonment. But after leaving the jail he found that it +would be neither agreeable nor safe for him to reside longer in +Bayton, as almost all of the inhabitants shunned him, and the +friends of Barton vowed vengeance against him. He accordingly left +to reside in the town of M----. He did not live long after +leaving Bayton. He went down to the quay one night, when he was, +as usual, so intoxicated as to have a very unsteady gait. +Unheeding the warnings of a companion he would venture too near +the edge; a sudden gust of wind came, he was carried off his +equilibrium and fell into the lake. His companion did all he could +to save him, but as there was a storm raging at the time, his +efforts were unavailing. He said Ginsling's bloated face appeared +for a moment in the hollow of the waves, and with an agonizing +tone he cried to God to save him; then a huge wave, more mighty +than its fellows, engulfed him, and he sank in life to rise no +more. A few days after his corpse was found floating upon the +water. "Accidentally drowned" was the verdict at the inquest, and +he was buried in a nameless grave, with no loved one or friend to +drop a tear on his last resting-place. + +Mr. and Mrs. Sealy were completely prostrated by what had +transpired, and retired from active life to hide their sorrows +from the world; they are, I believe, so living at the present +time. + +John, jun., soon vacated the house by the bay, some of the more +ignorant saying he did so because it was haunted by the ghosts of +William Barton and Luella Sealy. The house is now standing idle, +and is known to the children of the neighborhood as the "haunted +house," and many say that, in the night, two white figures are +seen walking on the verandah, and that frequently the stillness is +broken by the sound of a pistol, and the agonizing shrieks of a +woman in the anguish of a terrible fear. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +SOME OF THE CHARACTERS WHO HELPED THE REPEAL--A HOODLUM'S +VICTORY. + + +We have only given the reader one or two of the more prominent of +the tragic events which transpired after the passing of the Dunkin +Act, but a volume of ten thousand pages would fail to tell of the +suffering that was endured in hundreds of homes, by wives and +mothers and little helpless children; or how far the wave of evil +extended that was set in motion by the antis. + +When six months had passed they thought it would be a good time to +strike, as they were certain a majority of the voters were not +satisfied with the working of the bill. There had been a great +number of trials similar in character to the one we have already +noticed; and though, in numerous instances, those who were +notorious for their open and flagrant violation of the law +escaped, because of the questionable evidence given by themselves +and the wretched creatures who had been subpoened as witnesses, +yet a great many were convicted and fined. They then carried out +their pre-concerted scheme--appealed to the court over which Judge +McGullet presided, and he postponed, from time to time, his +decision. While the cases were thus remaining _sub judicia_, +the hotel-keepers were selling and giving away liquor, thus making +as many drunk as possible, and blaming the Act for the result. +This, of course, produced the effect they desired upon the great +mass of the unthoughtful, who began condemning it as a failure, +and clamoring for its repeal. + +The judge now gave, as his decision, that in his opinion the law +was _ultra vires_, which, of course, postponed the punishment +of the culprits until a higher court should settle the point at +issue. + +The liquor party were now jubilant, and the judge was toasted by +them as a "brick," as his "just decision enabled them to laugh at +the fanatics:" and as they now sold liquor with impunity, even a +great many of the pretended friends of temperance began to lose +heart, not possessing sufficient mental acumen to look back of the +effect to the cause which had produced it. + +A special meeting of the Bayton Branch of the association was +convened at the Bayton House, and a great many of the members of +that--in a Picwickian sense--honorable fraternity and their +friends were present. But there were two who had formerly taken a +very active part in its deliberations, who were now conspicuous by +their absence: these were John Sealy, Esq, and Stanley Ginsling. +The former had retired from public life to hide his disgrace and +sorrow in almost monkish seclusion; while the latter had, before +this, gone to "that undiscovered country from whose bourn no +traveller returns." + +The name of the former was mentioned, and a motion of condolence +was unanimously passed expressing sorrow for his affliction; but +it did not seem to occur to any present that the very traffic they +met to defend by such unprincipled means had been instrumental in +bringing about the result they affected to deplore; and no sorrow +was expressed for the horrible murder of poor Mrs. Flatt, the +orphanage of her children, nor the treacherous slaying of William +Barton. + +Reports were received from all parts of the country of the success +which had attended their efforts in plying their traffic--in other +words, the number they had succeeded in tempting to their ruin; +and many a laughable story was related with great gusto, of how +they had "fooled the fanatics," and had succeeded in getting on a +jolly tear certain individuals whom the Dunkinites had fondly +persuaded themselves they had reclaimed from intemperance. But not +one seemed to ponder for a moment upon the lives that had been +ruined by their machinations, nor upon what homes had been made +wretched, what suffering had been entailed, nor what souls had +been eternally lost through the success that attended their +devilish treachery. + +"Let us to business now, gentleman," said Rivers; "and permit me +to remark we have two questions to consider. The first is, Could +the repeal be carried at this time in the county? and the second +is, If so, what means will it be best for us to adopt in order to +make it a grand success? I will simply say that I am as certain as +I can be of anything in this world of contingencies, we could +carry it now with a sweeping majority." + +"There is nothing surer than that," said Bottlesby. It was moved, +seconded, and unanimously carried, that the attempt to repeal the +Act be made at the earliest opportunity. + +The question next considered was, What is the best means to adopt +to make success certain? + +"I suppose you will employ the Dodger?" said Bottlesby. "He is a +whole host in himself, and though he values his services rather +highly, it will pay in the end to employ him." + +It was moved, seconded, and carried that his services be secured. + +"The next thing to do," said Capt. Flannigan, "is to hire all the +busses in the town; and all the rigs that can be secured in the +county, then run them on the day of the election. We must spare no +expense, for we will get all the backing we want. This is a test +county, and the eyes of the whole of Canada are upon us, and the +association knows it will pay to spend money here, for if we +succeed in carrying the repeal in this place it will deter other +counties from trying it, thus it will save thousands of dollars in +the end." + +"I am instructed by the president of the association," said Rivers, +"to say that we need not spare expense for either speakers, horse +hire, or liquor, if the money is judiciously distributed. So you +see we need not be afraid to go ahead, as we shall have good +backing." + +"I move a vote of thanks to the association for its generous +offer," said Joe Porter. + +"I second the motion," said Michael Maloney, the keeper of a low +groggery in the purlieus of the town. + +The others present, who held both the mover and seconder in +contempt, would much rather the initiative had been taken in this +matter by men of little more respectability--for there is such a +thing as caste even among grog-sellers--but as Porter and Maloney +had taken the matter into their own hands, the others, though with +bad grace, had to accept the situation, and it was put and carried +unanimously. + +That night the whole scheme was mapped out. What men could be +approached, and who could best influence certain voters. They also +decided how much each would be called upon to sacrifice, that the +necessary ammunition might be furnished to carry on the campaign, +and how much would be required from the funds of the "association." +Captain McWriggler, the expected M.P., announced that a celebrated +speaker from the west who, like himself, was a candidate for +parliamentary honors, had intimated to him his willingness to assist +them in the campaign, if his services were required. This announcement +was received with uproarious applause, and it was moved, seconded, +and unanimously carried, that this magnanimous offer be accepted +with thanks. + +That night the usual banquet was held, and all those who were +present in the afternoon, and a great many invited guests who, of +course, were sympathizers, were also present. Among others Judge +McGullett was toasted because of his fearless, upright, and +impartial decisions, and Captain Flannigan sang, "He's a jolly +good fellow," etc., the others joining in the chorus. + +Their drunken orgies were continued into the small hours the +following morning. It is not, I suppose, necessary to state that +during this period there were numerous songs sung--some of which, +to say the least, were not of a high moral order--and speeches +were delivered whose senselessness were only equalled by their +blatant untruthfulness, when attacking men and women who were +working and suffering for the welfare of their fellow-men, and the +honor and glory of God. + +I do not think it necessary to enter into the details of the +campaign, which came on at the appointed time; and which, although +the real and true friends of temperance did all that men and women +could do to retain the law until it should receive a fair trial, +ended in the complete triumph of the liquor party. + +Augustus Adolphus Dodger, as usual, did yeoman's service for those +who employed him, and prostituted his really fine speaking talent +to the base purposes of giving impetus to a cause that every year-- +in England and America--is sending over a hundred and fifty +thousand human beings to drunkards' graves and to a drunkard's +eternity, and which is costing civilized Christendom every year +over a thousand million of dollars. He proved to be a complete +master of that shallow sophistry which generally carries the +unthinking multitudes; and none knew better than he how to appeal +to the selfish instincts of those whom he was addressing. He +demonstrated to them, as they thought conclusively, that the +Temperance Act would have the effect of entirely destroying the +market for their barley and rye, and even depreciate the price of +their farms. Of course his nonsense was received as it should be +by the educated and thoughtful; but it was not to these he was +appealing, but to the ignorant, illiterate masses, and upon them +it had the effect he desired. + +Personally he was held in contempt by many of the respectable +among those whose cause he, for hire, advocated. They admired his +talents while they despised the man, and would no more associate +with him than English gentlemen would with a demagogue who, +because they knew he could influence a certain class, was hired to +do the dirty work of their party. In fact, he was despised by the +better class of hotel keepers, and was always called the "Dodger" +by them, being viewed in much the same light as the treacherous +miscreant was by the Italian nobleman of the dark ages, who, +because he was skilled in the use of the stiletto, was employed to +remove a hated enemy. + +Capt. McWriggler and his western friend were also on the ground, +speaking and working to carry the repeal. It was well understood +they were catering for the liquor vote, and were willing to resort +to any means, however low, to accomplish their end. + +Not only were these unprincipled hirelings, and would-be M.P.'s, +on the stump, to assist the liquor party in their endeavors, but, +astonishing to relate, there was also a minister of the Gospel, +who was actually engaged as a co-adjutor of these men and their +drunken battalions. The person to whom I refer was a certain Mr. +Turnwell. Dryden's picture of a celebrated personage in his day +would equally serve as a description of him; for he certainly was +"everything by turns and nothing long." He had, in his early +manhood, belonged to a certain church, and owed the education and +the culture he possessed to it; but because that body did not, as +he thought, recognize his exalted ability, nor give him such +charges as a man of his exceptional powers should occupy, he left +them in disgust, and from that time forward was their most rabid +opponent. In the charge he occupied immediately preceding his +present one, finding that his leading men were in sympathy with +the Dunkin Act, he gave it his actual support--stumping the +country in its behalf--and even after coming to Bayton he spoke in +favor of it; but receiving a hint from some who financially, were +main pillars of his church, he suddenly veered round and became +one of the strongest champions for its repeal. If he had possessed +the smallest modicum of good sense he would, after changing his +views--remembering his former course--have remained neutral, or, +in a modest manner, have endeavored to convince men he was +influenced simply by his convictions; but he was so lost to good +taste and what he owed to his holy office, as a professed priest +of Him who said, "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it +must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the +offence cometh," as to take the stump as a blatant opponent of +what the great mass of the good and pure of the county were +advocating in order to arrest the ravages of the greatest curse +that ever destroyed mankind. He soon became a recognized leader of +the rum party, and there is no doubt he influenced some, as he was +constantly quoting Scripture and twisting its meaning to suit his +purpose, conveniently forgetting to mention those passages that +would consign the major portion of those whose cause he was +advocating to everlasting infamy and woe. As might be expected, +the party he was assisting pointed to him as a model clergyman; +many of them who had not read a passage of Scripture for years, +having shaken the dust off their Bibles, turned to the verses to +which he referred, and when in the taverns, so intoxicated as to +be scarcely able to stand, they, with maudlin utterances, and +serio-comic grimaces, would unctiously quote these hackneyed texts +in the pauses which intervened between their drinks. + +The night the returns came in the liquor party, finding they had +carried the county by a large majority, had a grand torch-light +procession, and the "Dodger," with Capt. McWriggler, his western +friend, Ald. Toper, the president of the association, Rivers, +Bottlesby and Capt. Flannigan, were elevated into an open "bus," +and drawn by their enthusiastic admirers through the principal streets +of Bayton. They had hoisted a broom in the front of their vehicle +as an emblem of their victory. + +"What does that mane, Mike?" queried one of the army of ragged, +blear-eyed tatterdemalions of his mate. + +"Why, don't you know, Patsy," replied his friend, "that it manes +our party have made a clane swape of the cowld-wather men?" + +As the procession swept on the band played "See the conquering +hero comes," and Augustus Adolphus Dodger, who was vain enough to +suppose it was all meant for him, stood smirking, smiling, and +raising his hat to the mob of the "great unwashed" with as much +pride as if he had been a mighty hero receiving the homage of his +countrymen after returning from a splendid victory. + +If a stranger had formed his opinion of the citizens of Bayton +from those who made up that procession it certainly would not have +been a favorable one; for respectable men in the ranks were the +exception, not the rule. It appeared, for the time being, the +denizens of the lowest dens of the town and the surrounding +country were holding a drunken Saturnalia; for, as numerous kegs +of beer were rolled out into the street and tapped, while liquor +of a much stronger character was furnished without stint, it was +not long before it was almost literally a huge reeling mass of +drunkenness. Ever and anon some hero, smitten by the deadly shaft +of king alcohol, would tumble from the ranks of the ragged +regiment, his place being immediately supplied by another +volunteer, who was also willing to vigorously tackle the enemy, +though he should fall in the conflict. + +It only required a slight effort of memory to decide as to the +vast superiority of the virtuous Christian band, who were victors +in the former contest, to the reeling host of Bacchanalian +revellers, who were now, with howling songs of exultation, +celebrating their victory. And yet in some of the leading journals +the next day there were editorials rejoicing over what they termed +"the triumph of liberty," though, if they were open to conviction, +they had but to observe the character of the majority of those who +were celebrating their conquest to conclude it was for the time +being a supremacy of vice over virtue, of brute force over +principle, and of selfishness over philanthrophy. How respectable +papers of acknowledged ability could join in the brutal shout of +the ruffianly host--thus lending their powerful influence to sweep +away the barriers which the good and true had been endeavoring to +erect, that the onward tides of vice, crime, and misery, might be +kept back--we will allow them to answer? We will observe, however, +that in our opinion, it is not an indication of wisdom in a great +public journal to array itself against the great forces of +temperance and morality; for we believe it will discover, possibly +when it is too late, it has destroyed its influence with those +whose good opinion was best worth possessing. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +DEATH OF LITTLE MAMIE--A PROMISE. + + +As we have for a time lost sight of Richard Ashton and his family +we will now return to them. He had become almost an imbecile, +being a complete mental wreck, his family having to watch him as +they would a child to keep him from obtaining liquor. He was now +so weak in this respect that he would actually steal away, if he +could do so without being observed not returning until he was +brought back completely intoxicated. + +They had become quite poor; for though Mr. Gurney was giving Eddy +a good salary for one of his years and experience, yet, as Allie, +who had become weak from worry and over-work, was forced for a +time to desist from giving music lessons, his earnings barely +sufficed to procure life's necessities. + +Little Mamie was now becoming quite frail. She had in the early +part of the winter contracted a severe cold, which, having settled +on her lungs, congestion had ensued. She, after a protracted +illness, was now convalescent, yet it was evident she was not long +for earth, but, like a beautiful flower, was slowly fading away. + +"Mamma," she said one day, "I am going to die. Oh, how sad it will +be to leave this beautiful world, and papa, and you, my mamma, and +Eddie, and Allie! But," she added, "I am going to the beautiful +home of which I was dreaming, to be with Jesus, who loves little +children. And then in a little while you and papa will come, and +we will live in one of the 'many mansions' which Jesus has gone to +prepare. I shall not be long with you here, mamma; but you will +come to be with me. Eddie and Allie will be coming too, some day, +when God calls them, and we will all be home together." + +Her mother was deeply moved, but endeavored to conceal her emotion +from her little daughter. + +"My darling must not talk of leaving us; we could not spare our +little Mamie. No doubt, dear, but you will get better, now the +spring is coming, and soon you will be out with the flowers." + +Mrs. Ashton had to endure the agony that an intelligent, loving +mother must always experience when an almost idolized child, that +she could press to her heart forever, is fading from her. She +could see her dear, loving, bright little daughter--who was very +precocious, talking more like a girl of ten than one of only five-- +slowly, almost imperceptibly, failing every day, and every day +becoming more bright and beautiful; but it was the beauty of the +flower that was to bloom but for a few hours, and then whither and +die away. + +One day in the spring, as she was looking at her mother, who was +working among her flowers, she began coughing violently; Allie, +who had been attending to her household duties, now joining them, +stooped down to help her, but as she did so she saw her face was +of deathlike pallor, and that the blood was slowly oozing from her +mouth, staining her pale lips with its crimson tide. + +"Mother! come quickly," she said, as she lifted Mamie in her arms +and ran with her into the house. She gently laid her on the sofa, +and then wiped the blood from her lips. + +Mrs. Ashton, when she reached the sofa, found her heart beating +violently; but she resolutely forced back her emotion, so that she +might not agitate Mamie. As she took her eldest daughter's place, +she whispered: "Go to the garden, dear, and tell your father to +run for the doctor. He must make haste, for I am afraid Mamie is +dying." + +Allie ran for her father, but, though he was there a short time +before, he could not now be found. The fact is, the wretched man, +who had been working in the vegetable-garden, had been watching +all morning for an opportunity to steal away and get a drink. +Finding the coast clear, when Mrs. Ashton and Allie had gone in +with Mamie, he, like a truant child stealing away from its +parents, glided out on to the sidewalk, and hastily made his way +to the nearest groggery. + +Allie told her mother her father had disappeared, when the latter +requested her to hasten and tell the doctor to come immediately, +as the case was very urgent. + +The doctor, when he arrived, endeavored to quiet Mrs. Ashton's +fears by assuring her there was no immediate danger; "but," he +gently continued, "she will not long be with you--two or three +days at the longest, and she may not linger that long." + +When Eddie came home he went for his father, and found him in +Flannigan's groggery with several others who were unfortunates +like himself. At the voice of his son, he straightened himself up +as well as he could in his intoxicated condition, looking at him +with a sort of dazed, stupid stare; but as Eddie went over to him, +saying, "Come, father, we want you at home," he took his arm and +walked quietly away. + +When they arrived at the house, Eddie took him round the back way +so as not to disturb the dying child, and after requesting him to +be as quiet as possible, as Mamie was seriously ill, he then went +in and told his mother his father was safe at home. + +Eddie and Allie wished their mother to rest for a time, as they +thought if she did not do so the fatigue and worry might result +disastrously to her. But she was firm in her resolve not to leave +the bedside of her dying child, so that all their solicitations +were in vain. + +Mrs. Gurney came to remain all night with them, so Eddie and Allie +retired. Mrs. Ashton was very grateful for this practical +expression of sympathy for this noble Christian woman. Mamie +passed the night quietly--not suffering excessive pain, but they +concluded she was growing weaker, the end being not far off. + +She was peacefully sleeping about five o'clock, and Allie having +awakened joined the watchers; she, with the assistance of Mrs. +Gurney, finally prevailed upon her mother to lie down, and, if +possible, snatch a little sleep. About six o'clock Mrs. Gurney +noticed there was a change for the worse in the little slumberer, +and she had just remarked it to Allie, when Mamie languidly opened +her large blue eyes--which now shone as if they reflected the +light of the heavenly land--"Mamma! Mamma!" she called in a low +but very distinct voice. + +Allie bent over her and asked, "What is it darling? Mamma has gone +to lie down for a little while." + +Mamie closed her eyes for a moment, and then opening them, said, +"Call her, and call papa and Eddie, for I think I am dying." + +Allie quietly left her side to call her mother. Eddie having just +arrived glided silently into the room, and then went to call his +father. He experienced difficulty in awakening him, who, though he +appeared to be in a stupor, no sooner heard that Mamie had asked +for him, and that she said she was dying, than he, having dressed, +made haste to go to her. When he arrived in the room he eagerly +asked his wife, "Is Mamie worse? You had better make haste, Eddie, +and run for the doctor." + +Mamie looked up as she heard her father's voice. "My own dear +papa!" she murmured; and then she continued, "don't go, Eddie; if +you do I shall never see you again, for I shall have gone home +before you return." + +"Papa, Mamma," she said, "each of you give me a hand." Her father +taking her right hand and her mother her left, she continued, +"Papa, I want you to promise me you will never drink again. I am +going to be with Jesus, and when I look down from heaven I want to +see my papa good, and not doing anything to make my mamma grieve +so, because then I shall grieve too. I know I shall feel so sorry +when I am in heaven, if my darling papa is out with the naughty +men drinking; for my mamma will come some day to meet me, but the +Bible says no drunkard can enter there; so if my papa dies a +drunkard I shall never see him again. Oh papa! shall I meet only +my mamma there, and will not my papa come too? Shall I look and +look for papa, and never find him?" + +She paused for breath, looking inquiringly at her father. The +effort had evidently taken from her most of her rapidly failing +strength, and every individual in the room was sobbing before she +had finished speaking. + +"God bless you, my darling!" replied her father, "I will promise +never to drink again, and God helping me, I will keep my promise." + +"Kiss me, papa, mamma, all." They each lovingly kissed her, she +murmured "thank you for--" but she could say no more, her eyes +speaking the gratitude her failing voice could not utter. Her eyes +closed for a moment, and then slowly opening, she, turning them +upon all, faintly whispered, "Good-bye," and then they closed +never to open again to the light of this life. She lingered on as +if sleeping quietly with a sweet smile of peace irradiating her +face, and sank gently to rest, so gently they could not tell the +exact moment of her departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +RICHARD ASHTON MURDEROUSLY ATTACKED--HIS DEATH. + + +Richard Ashton faithfully kept the promise made to little Mamie; +for he never touched nor tasted liquor again. His struggle was a +desperate one; but as he was determined, by the help of God, to +conquer, he succeeded. Mr. Gurney again employed him, but in a +subordinate position; and though there was subdued sadness in the +house, because they missed the prattle of their lost darling-- +missed her sunny face and cheery songs--yet even in her death she +had left such a benediction that they were still experiencing its +blessedness months after she had passed away. It was her dying +request which had influenced her father to change, and he was +truly changed; for not only had he, as we have noticed, conquered +his appetite for strong drink, but he had so completely repented +of the past as to have become a devoted Christian, and was +trusting that through the merits of his crucified Redeemer he +would, one day, meet his little daughter in heaven. + +But trouble, dark and terrible, was again to visit the home of the +Ashtons, and this time it was the poor lost sheep who had lately +been gathered by the Good Shepherd into the lower fold, that was +to be translated--though by a cruel death--to the green pastures +and still waters of the homeland above. + +One very dark night as he was returning home from the store, where +he had been detained later than usual, having reached the back +street on which his house was situated, and when within a short +distance of it, as he was passing an alley he was suddenly struck +a terrific blow on the head, which felled him senseless to the +earth. The ruffian who had attacked him was not content with +knocking him down, but continued brutally kicking him after he had +fallen, and did not desist until his victim was lying still, as +though dead. + +"I guess that settles the score I have against him," muttered Joe +Porter, for he it was who had made the murderous attack. "I'm +thinking they'll have a good time finding out who did it. And +he'll be some time before he swears against me again. If I only +had that young dandy here that took his part I'd settle with him, +too. No man ever meddled with me yet without suffering for it, for +I hold spite like an Injun, and I'll have satisfaction out of him +if I swing for it." Thus muttering to himself he glided off into +the darkness. + +Eddie, when on his way home a few moments afterwards, saw, by the +light of his lantern, a man lying on the sidewalk; and, on closer +inspection, what was his surprise and horror to find it was his +father. The, latter's face was all covered with blood, and though +he seemed to be still insensible, he began to groan as though +conscious of pain. Eddie ran to a neighbour's, and procuring the +assistance of a Mr. Thompson, and two grown-up sons, he asked them +to kindly carry his father home, while he would run ahead and +prepare his mother for the shock which must certainly ensue; for +he wisely concluded, if on their entering the house she should +come to the door and meet them carrying what would appear to be +the lifeless body of her husband--in her present delicate state of +health--the effect would be most serious. He broke the news to her +as gently as possible, but he had uttered but a very few words +when she concluded something alarming had occurred. "Oh, Eddie!" +she exclaimed, as all color forsook her face--leaving it as white +as marble--"what has happened? Is your father dead?" + +Eddie answered in the negative, but said he had been hurt, though +he hoped not seriously. Hearing Mr. Thompson and his sons coming +with his father, he ran to meet them; his mother, having by this +time mastered her emotion, was now quite calm and prepared for the +worst. They bringing him in laid him on the bed, and Mrs. Ashton, +immediately getting a towel, began washing the blood off his +temple, knowing the water would likely have the effect of +restoring him to consciousness. She had not continued it long +before he awakened out of his stupor and faintly asked: "Where am +I? What has happened?" + +Mrs. Ashton replied, "You have been hurt, dear, but lie still, and +don't agitate yourself now, for you will know all about it after +awhile." He shut his eyes at her request and lay perfectly still. + +Eddie, in the meanwhile, had gone for the doctor, and in a few +minutes returning with him the latter proceeded to examine Mr. +Ashton. He found him very seriously, if not fatally injured. He +had been first struck on the temple by a cane or club. This blow +of itself was sufficient to do him very grave injury, but it had +been followed by brutal kicks on the prostrate man's body. The +doctor pronounced two of his ribs broken and his spine seriously +injured. + +"Will he recover, doctor?" asked Mrs. Ashton. "I would like you to +give me your honest opinion as to what you think the result will +be." + +"We must leave results with God," Mrs. Ashton. "He has been +brutally beaten, and what I fear most is the shock to his nervous +system. His constitution was so seriously impaired previous to +this attack that I have the gravest fears as to the issue." + +He never arose from his bed; though he lingered for several days, +and gave his wife and family the sweet consolation of knowing his +whole trust was in Christ, through whose merits and intercession +he expected to have an abundant entrance into His kingdom. Before +he died his ante-mortem statement was taken, when he said he just +had a glimpse of the person who struck him, and he believed his +assailant was Joe Porter. + +He remained conscious to the last, and the parting with his wife +and family was very affecting. He asked Eddie to be faithful to +his mother, which he promised to be. "Oh, Ruth," he said, "I have +been a very unfaithful husband. Rum has been our curse, but I know +you forgive me, darling." He then kissed them each; asking them to +meet him in heaven, and in a few moments after quietly departed. + +Thus died Richard Ashton, in the flower of his manhood, a victim +of the drink curse; for rum had broken his constitution, robbed +him of his intellectual vigor, reduced him and his family almost +to beggary, and he was finally murdered by one of its vendors. He +was endowed by his Maker with a bright intellect and a loving +heart. In his early manhood he fell heir to an ample fortune, and +was blessed with as good a wife as God ever gave to man; but rum, +"cursed rum," had blighted all his prospects, made life a failure, +and was instrumental in bringing him to an untimely grave. + +They buried him by the side of little Mamie in the beautiful +Bayton cemetery, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, to wait the +resurrection of the just." + +Joe Porter was arrested and tried for the crime, but, as several +of his creatures swore he was present in his bar until after ten +o'clock that night he was acquitted; though the public believed he +was the criminal, and he was despised and shunned by all but the +lowest dregs of the populace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +MR. GURNEY SPEAKS HIS MIND--DEATHS OF DR. DALTON AND AUNT DEBIE. + + +The antis were wild with joy because of their complete triumph; +and certainly, looking at the result from their standpoint, they +had cause to rejoice, for their victory was far-reaching in its +results. It strengthened the opponents of temperance throughout +our fair Dominion--yes, beyond its bounds--while it certainly had +a depressing effect upon its staunch supporters, for they were +well aware the failure would not be attributed to its true source +--that is, the bitter opposition it had met with from its +unprincipled opponents, the lethargy of many of its pretended +friends, and from other causes which we have already mentioned in +this book. But it would be published "from Dan to Beersheba" that +it had received a fair trial and, after being "weighed in the +balance and found wanting," had been spurned from the county with +contumely by the intelligent electors. + +"I told you it would never succeed," said Bottlesby to Mr. Gurney, +just after the repealers had gained their victory. "The fact is, +Mr. Gurney, while every one respects you personally, because they +know you are an honorable and upright citizen, having the best +interests of the public at heart, they think you are a little off +on this matter of total prohibition. I tell you such a law will +never be successful, because people will not stand to have their +private rights invaded in such a manner. No man has a right to +dictate to me what I shall eat or drink; and it is because the +intelligent electors have thus thought, this tyrannical bill has +failed." + +Mr. Gurney thoroughly despised the speaker, because he knew he was +a low, cunning knave, and a thorough-paced hypocrite. He was also +aware of the part Bottlesby had taken in opposition to the bill; +that he was one of the chief concoctors of the hellish scheme +which had for the time being proved so successful, and that in +giving the reason he did for its defeat he was simply lying. Mr. +Gurney thought, therefore, he would take advantage, of this +opportunity to "give him a bit of his mind," and lead him to +understand he was not ignorant of the means employed by the rum +party to accomplish their purpose. + +"It would probably have been better, Sheriff," he said, "not to +have entered into any discussion in regard to the, matter; but as +you have thought fit to do so, and have advanced what you say is +your opinion as to the cause of the failure of this bill, you must +not feel aggrieved if I plainly give you mine. And as I have +listened with patience until you were through, kindly do not +interrupt me. Now, I do not believe, as you say you do"--and Mr. +Gurney laid particular stress upon the _you say_--"that the +Act was a failure because men would not have their private rights +interfered with--though I know there are many who are so selfish +as to be willing to allow thousands to perish rather than practice +a little self-denial; but that is not the reason of its failure. +It failed, sir, because there was a vile conspiracy against it; +and what made the conspiracy successful was, that among the +leading conspirators were officers of the law--the very men +without whose active co-operation it was impossible for it to be +successful. Allow me to illustrate what I mean by an anecdote: A +few years ago there was a gang of desperadoes, who operated in one +of the south-western states. They robbed every one with perfect +impunity for several years, all attempts to capture them proving +abortive, for they seemed, in some mysterious manner, to get +notice of any move made in that direction. But, strange to relate, +the people in that section did not cry for the repeal of the law +against stealing; on the contrary, they determined to vigorously +use the means placed at their disposal until those who had +violated its precepts had received the punishment they merited. At +last one of the desperadoes, having been taken ill and expecting +to die, revealed the secret of their successful evadence of the +law. It was because there were some in league with the outlaws who +were officers of the state, who, being in a position to know, +would warn them when any attempt was to be made to capture them. +Now, sir, this is a case in point; for I have no doubt there has +been a huge conspiracy to defeat the Dunkin Act in this county, +and among the conspirators there have been many whom, forsooth, we +must look upon as the guardians of the law." + +"Why, sir," broke in Bottlesby, "there have been among those who +opposed the Act ministers of the gospel, and numerous others, +whose characters are above reproach. + +"I admit there have been, and these, no doubt, conscientiously +oppose all coercive measures, but in my opinion, such are +comparatively few in number. The opponents of the Act are +principally those interested in the liquor business, whose craft +is in danger; the great body of their poor, miserable victims, +comprising among their number the vilest elements of society: +designing politicians, who pander to the liquor vote; and the +great mass of the indifferent, who will throw their influence upon +which ever side they are led to believe their interest lies. The +liquor party have appealed to their selfishness; and because this +class is not as rule intelligent, by employing such orators as +Dodger, and by a lavish expenditure of money, they have succeeded +for the present in getting their support--but, I warn you, it is +only for the present. The masses are becoming more enlightened. +With enlightenment there will be broader views of duty--of what +they hold to fellowmen and what to God. They will then be able to +place the proper value upon the shallow sophistries of the paid +demagogues, whose mission is to mislead them. + +"I ask you to mention to me one appeal that was made to anything +high or holy by Dodger or either of his confreres the other day. +You cannot do so, because they only appealed to the passions, +prejudices, and selfishness of those whom they were addressing. +You have gained the victory now, and we view it with sorrow, +though not with despair; for we will, by the help of God, pass the +Scott Act in this county, which is, I understand, a more mature +piece of legislation than the Dunkin Act. Its framers, having been +active participants in several temperance campaigns where the +latter has been on trial, have embodied in the new bill what they +have learned by experience and observation; even not failing to +learn something from the rabid and unfair criticisms of their +opponents. We, who have wrought and toiled to drive the liquor +curse out of the country, lose nothing in a pecuniary sense by +your victory--we had a higher purpose in view than our own gain. +It is the poor, miserable inebriates, and their wives and +children, who will suffer; and when the news of your victory was +flashed over our Dominion, it caused sorrow to visit the hearts of +thousands of the purest and best, while a fiendish howl of +exultation went up from every low groggery and brothel that the +tidings reached." + +Bottlesby stood like one stunned, as these words of indignation +and scorn flowed from the lips of Mr. Gurney. He made no attempt +to reply, but grew angry as he realized that the latter was well +aware of the active part he had taken in the plots of the rum +party; finally, cursing him as an old fanatic, he walked rapidly +away. + +About the time the conversation which we have related occurred, +Dr. Dalton had an interview with Mary Fulton, who had once been +his betrothed bride. She had been visiting some of her friends in +Bayton, and Dalton called to see her, but so absolutely was he the +slave of his appetite as to be under the influence of liquor when +he did so. He begged her to reconsider what he considered her +cruel decision, and to receive him on the same terms as of old; +but she kindly though firmly refused to accede to his request. +With tears in her eyes she told him she loved him yet, and should +never love another; "but," she added, "I cannot place the +slightest reliance upon your word, you have broken it so often; +nor will I ever marry one who is so addicted to drink, as it +would, in the end, involve us both in bitterest misery." + +He left her that night in a state of desperation, and she was the +last person who saw him alive. For a short time his absence was +not commented upon, as he frequently absented himself for lengthy +periods from his boarding-place; but as weeks passed away and +there were no tidings of him, the anxiety of his friends became +intense, and advertisments were inserted in the leading papers +asking him to reply, if alive. Receiving no response, a reward was +offered for any information regarding him; but this also proved +futile, and a year passed before they had any idea of his fate. +One day a boy who was gathering wood on the beach, which separated +the bay from the lake, when going into a thick grove of cedar +bushes which grew luxuriantly there, was stricken with horror to +see a ghastly human skull grinning at him. He immediately ran to +Bayton to tell what he had found, and he looked almost half-dead +with fright at his discovery. + +Those who went back with him searched and found in the skull the +mark of a pistol ball, and buried in the sand, 'neath the skeleton +fingers, was found a Smith & Wesson revolver. In the side pocket +of his coat his wallet was discovered, with its contents +untouched, and among numerous other articles was a letter +addressed to Charles Dalton. + +Thus perished, at the early age of twenty-six, one who possessed a +bright intellect and noble nature, but who had, after being the +source of inexpressible sorrow to his friends, been brought to an +untimely and dishonored grave through the drink curse. + +Mary Fulton now dresses in deep mourning, and still remains +faithful to her vow never to marry. She says her heart lies buried +in the grave with Charles Dalton, and her pale, sad face seals the +testimony of her lips. + +When Aunt Debie was informed of the doctor's death she said--"Did +I not tell thee, Phoebe, two years ago, when I dreamt of them +plucking the ears of corn, that Dr. Dalton would die before long? +Thee sees it has come troo, and I've never known it to fail. I +wonder if James Gurney would laugh now?" + +As the old lady spoke it would be difficult to conjecture which +was the predominant sentiment of her mind--sorrow, because of the +untimely death of Dr. Dalton; or a certain feeling of triumph, +because her predictions had proven correct. + +Aunt Debie always claimed credit for her prophetic powers if any +person happened to die of whom she had dreamt; and if they did +not, she asked her auditors just to wait and time would vindicate +her. Of course the old lady was correct in that, for, if they +waited for a sufficient length of time all would die." + +"Thee told it as straight as could be," said Phoebe. "I was sartin +it would come troo, for I never knew thee to fail. But what a +blessing it was that his mother died before this terrible deed was +committed." Genuine tears shone in the eyes of Phoebe as she thus +spoke. + +"Yes," said Aunt Debie, "God is sometimes like Jacob when he +blessed Joseph's children with crossed hands. We say, at some +visitation of His providence, that seems hard to us, 'Not so, +father;' but He knows where He is placing His hands. It was in +mercy that He took Rebecca that she might not have to bear still +greater sorrows. She is better where she is, and I shall soon be +with her; then these eyes shall no longer be sightless, but shall +be brighter than in youth. O! I long to be where I shall see the +King in His beauty, and the glory and loveliness of the Father's +home; where, these deaf ears being unsealed, I shall hear the +rapturous music of those who surround the throne and swell the +rapturous songs of the redeemed." + +Aunt Debie's wish has since been granted, and she has gone to meet +the friends of her youth in the land where they will part no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +CONCLUSION. + + +Six years have passed since the events narrated in the last +chapter transpired. Judge McGullet, Sheriff Bottlesby and Old Joe +Porter, have in the interval been summoned to attend the last +assize. The latter died of delirium tremens, and it was whispered +around that his family were afraid to bring a physician, because +he raved so of the treacherous slaying of Richard Ashton. The +judge was said to have died of brain fever, and the sheriff of +inflammation; yet it is an open secret that drink was the real +agent in their destruction. + +Rivers, Ben Tims, and the others whom we have mentioned, are still +plying their nefarious trade, which will in all probability +ultimately involve themselves and their unfortunate customers in a +common ruin. + +The temperance men are not disheartened, but intend ere long to +try and pass the Scott Act, which has more grip to it than the +Dunkin Act, in King's County; for in every county the friends of +temperance can apply to Government for the appointment of a +stipendiary magistrate, from whose decisions there can be no +appeal. So the antis, as they have found to their cost in several +counties where it has been tried, cannot trifle with it as they +did with the latter. The liquor party know this to be the case, +and so they have lately held a monster meeting, which was presided +over by the chief distiller in the Dominion--a man who has become +a millionaire by the manufacture of that which, no doubt, has +destroyed thousands of men, caused untold misery in thousands of +homes, and sent, God only knows the number, to a drunkard's hell. +What he has manufactured has, no doubt, prepared many men to +murder their wives; mothers to neglect, starve, and even destroy +their children; and, I have no hesitancy in saying, I believe has +caused more wide-spread devastation and ruin in this Dominion +since its establishment than what has been caused in the same +period by those two destructive agencies--flood and fire combined. +The meeting was convened for the purpose of taking steps to fight +the Scott Act in every county where it was submitted, and it was +there resolved to employ the "Dodger" to again take the stump as +the champion of their life-destroying traffic. + +"I can assure you, gentlemen," said one present, who had lately +come from a county where the Scott Act was in force, and who had +been fined until he was forced to give up the business, "you are +not fighting the Dunkin Act this time, for it was a thing without +vertebrae or claws; but the present Act has both; yes, and teeth, +too, as I have found to my cost. What we have to do is to resort +to every means to defeat it; for if it once becomes law in a +county then we are done." + +Before the meeting closed forty thousand dollars were subscribed +by those present to stubbornly contest every inch of ground, and +if possible still to keep, this fair province under the demon rule +of "Old King Alcohol." + +The liquor party in King's County are not so confident as they +endeavor to lead people to think they are, as may be gathered from +the following conversation between Rivers and Capt. McWriggler, +M.P. He has gained the coveted position; but it is the opinion of +the most intelligent men in the riding that the whiskey-horse, +which carried him to victory this time will utterly fail him in +the next campaign. + +"I hear," said Rivers, "that old Gurney and his set are determined +to pass the Scott Act in this county, and Murden says it is a much +more perfect bill than the Dunkin Act was." + +"Yes, I believe they are," said McWriggler, "and, as far as I can +learn, it is about as perfect as any sumptuary law can be; but +Toper says they will have that fixed all right. George Maltby, +M.P., member for Eastmorland, is going to introduce a clause next +session, if possible, which will utterly destroy it. The clause +stipulates that there must be a majority of all the legal voters; +and as there are hundreds who cannot be induced to go to the +polls, you can easily see, if this amendment carries, it will make +the Act as good as nil. Maltby could not have been elected had it +not been for the help he received from the association, and he +will do anything to retain their good will; for it is only by +their favor he can hope to win again." + +"But supposing he does not succeed," said Rivers, "what will you +do then?" + +"I don't think there is much danger of that in the present house. +In fact we have calculated pretty closely, and have every reason +to be satisfied with the conclusion at which we have arrived; but +if he fails we hold another trump card. Allsot, in the senate, +will introduce a rider to it, which will be so heavy as to break +its back." + +McWriggler laughed at his play upon words, manifesting the fact +that one person, at least, could enjoy his attempt at wit. + +We will now bid a final farewell to these worthies. Their plots +have so far been successful, but the end is not yet. The untimely +death of the majority of those who were their associates in +iniquity should, one would think, be to them as the handwriting +upon the wall, to warn them, what would be their fate if they +still persisted in their course. But such men seem to forget that +God's word, which is certain of fulfilment, says: + +"The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with +his teeth. + +"The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is +coming.... + +"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like +a green-bay tree. + +"Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but +he could not be found." + +Mr. and Mrs. Gurney still reside in Bayton, and his business is +the most prosperous in the town. They have not grown weary in +well-doing, but are now actively engaged agitating the public mind +for the submission of the Scott Act in King's County, and they +ardently hope they will live to see the day when a prohibitory law +shall be passed in our Dominion, and the liquor curse shall be +banished forever. + +Mrs. Holman is still actively engaged in helping on, with pen and +voice, the good cause of temperance, and has deservedly won for +herself a continental fame. + +Eddy Ashton, who is a fine specimen of handsome, intellectual +manhood, has, by his business tact and energy, so engratiated +himself into the good will of his employer that he has now for +over a year occupied the position in Mr. Gurney's establishment +which was formerly held by his father. He removed with his mother +and sister to the house which was their home the first happy year +they spent in Bayton, and it is as beautiful and cosy as ever. + +Allie developed into a beautiful and cultured woman, and shortly +after they were again settled in their old home, desisted from +giving music lessons; there were, however, for some time those +mysterious preparations which are the certain precursors of a +wedding. And a wedding, my dear young friends, in due time there +was. Allie was the happy bride, the bridegroom being Frank +Congdon, the young man who so chivalrously came to her rescue when +she was so grossly insulted by the brutal Joe Porter. Congdon's +father, who was a retired merchant, had had extensive business +transactions with some of the Bayton establishments. It was to +settle some old standing accounts that Frank first went there, +and, while taking a stroll for the purpose of viewing the town and +its surroundings, he went into Joe Porter's to make certain +enquiries, and met with the adventure which we have already +narrated to the reader. + +He had at that time formed such a liking for Bayton that he +resolved, with his father's consent, to purchase a partnership in +one of the leading dry goods firms in the town, of which he is at +the present sole proprietor, and doing a flourishing business. + +He had not been long there when he sought out Allie, who had made +such an impression upon him that it was a case of love at first +sight. Closer acquaintance served to deepen that impression; for +he, who was himself a noble, intelligent young fellow, when he +became more intimate loved her, not only from a mere passing +impulse or fancy, but from a deep and ever deepening respect for +her intelligent, womanly, self-sacrificing nature. In fact, they +became affianced lovers, and the wedding day came as such days do. +Mrs. Gurney insisted upon furnishing the trouseau, and there was a +small but select company at the wedding. + +As Allie stood by her husband a fair young bride, her mother, in +memory, went back to a wedding that took place over twenty-five +years before in the dear home land, and she prayed that the +daughter might not have to "pass under the rod" as she had done. + +Eddie is still unmarried, and lives with his mother. And Ruth is +now happy, though that happiness is mellowed by the sorrows +through which she has passed, and the memories of the loved ones +she has lost; but the hope of meeting them again is the rainbow +that spans the sky of her existence, shining out radiantly in her +hours of mist and gloom, enabling her to say, even when most cast +down: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the +name of the Lord." + +Friends, we will now say farewell. The sad tale which you have +read but faintly conveys an idea of the misery, degradation, and +sin which is caused in thousands of homes by this blighting; +withering traffic. + +Oh, rum! cursed rum! I hate it with intensest hatred: for it dims +the brightest intellects; it sullies and makes impure the most +spotless and the best; it spares neither frail and unprotected +womanhood, innocent childhood, nor hoary age; it enters like a +serpent the Eden called home and seduces its inmates to their +fall, thus turning this paradise of love into a hell of fiercest +passions and intensest hate; it entails upon the drunkard's +children in their very existence a patrimony of depraved appetites +and unholy passions; and it supplies the prisons and lunatic +asylums with a large percentage of their inmates, the gallows with +its victims, and hell with lost souls. If what he has written will +be effective in winning any from the ranks of the indifferent, or +from the ranks of those who oppose prohibitory laws, to become +active, energetic workers in the cause of temperance, and what he +is convinced is the cause of God, it will amply repay + + + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of From Wealth to Poverty, by Austin Potter + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM WEALTH TO POVERTY *** + +This file should be named wlpvr10.txt or wlpvr10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, wlpvr11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, wlpvr10a.txt + +Produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. +This file was produced from images generously made available +by the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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