From Wealth to Poverty; Or, the Tricks of the Traffic. A Story of the Drink Curse

Office, and when he came without a letter she was terribly disappointed. She exclaimed: "Oh, I am afra

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

ecome of him? She remembered he had considerable money with him; also, when he was intoxicated he always became rec

r anguish, as she knelt before Him who was her on

it impulsively. But, a moment after, thinking her action might appear strange to Eddie, she kissed him affec

e contents of that letter, and when Ruth had read i

s of love and confidence, thinking that by thus doing it would influence him, at least

she or the children wrote him several letters in the meantime. The ag

den. In fact, she felt some compunctions of conscience-she thought she must have judged him wrongfully, for it hardly seemed possible

red and began to think over what the letter contained, she found that while, on the whole, its contents gave her great cause for thankfulnes

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

d have a permanent engagement. She had clothes to provide for the children, and her

nd 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 w

a cold country like Canada he is going to. I declare, it is too bad to leave everythin

glimmer in his eyes, for he certain

ion to prevail upon their mother to influence

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 t

er, 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

ng, the hardships which a short period before had stirred up such rebellious feelings; and then they settled into a more thoughtful expressio

hat we should be satisfied to leave everything in His hands. I am sure I shall enjoy myself helping mamma and attending to my flower g

thinks he has been drinking since he has been away, and she is almost grieving her

ing so sad, I go to my room and cry, and, Eddie, I often pray to God to

s. I always say my prayers, Allie, but I don't do much more

o make me better. I think the girls quarrel just as much the boys, and though the

ought so,"

about father's drinking, and said 'a girl who had an old drunkard for a father need not put on such airs.' And, E

nched his teeth and doubled up his fist as he spoke, which left no doubt in th

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

tle puss," said Edd

r I am sometimes quick-tempered an

is expectations. He rented a suitable house, filling up in every respect the promises made in

r neighbor, who paid half down and gave him his note

many friends: for Richard was himself again, and now saw, in its true light, his former

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 fro