Stories and Sketches | Page 6

my
resolutions for amendment there is hope for me yet." Mrs. Harland was
only too happy to forgive her erring but now truly penitent husband;
but she trembled for the future, knowing how often he had formerly
made like resolutions, but to break them. She endeavoured, however, to
be hopeful, and to encourage him by every means which affection
could devise.

Through the influence of friends, his former employers were induced to
give him another trial. He had many severe struggles with himself ere
he could refrain from again joining his dissipated companions; but his
watchful wife would almost every evening form some little plan of her
own for his amusement, that he might learn to love his home. In a short
time their prospects for the future grew brighter, his wife began to
smile again; and his children, instead of fleeing from his approach, as
they had formerly done, now met him upon his return home with loving
caresses and lively prattle. Some six months after this happy change,
Mrs. Harland one evening noticed that her husband seemed very much
downcast and dejected. After tea, she tried vainly to interest him in
conversation.
He had a certain nervous restlessness in his manner, which always
troubled her, knowing, as she did, that it was caused by the cravings of
that appetite for strong drink, which at times still returned with almost
overwhelming force. About eight o'clock he took down his hat
preparatory to going out. She questioned him as to where he was going,
but could obtain no satisfactory reply; her heart sank within her; but she
was aware that remonstrance would be useless. She remained for a few
moments, after he left the house, in deep thought, then suddenly rising
she exclaimed aloud, "I will at least make one effort to save him." She
well knew that should he take but one glass, all his former resolves
would be as nothing. As she gained the street she observed her husband
a short distance in advance of her, and walking hastily she soon
overtook him, being careful to keep on the opposite side of the street,
that she might be unobserved by him. She had formed no definite
purpose in her mind; she only felt that she must endeavor to save him
by some means. As they drew nigh the turn of the street she saw two or
three of his former associates join him, and one of them addressed him,
saying, "Come on, Harland; I thought you would get enough of the cold
water system. Come on, and I'll stand treat to welcome you back among
your old friends." For a moment he paused as if irresolute; then his wife
grew sick at heart, as she saw him follow his companions into a
drinking saloon near at hand. Mrs. Harland was by nature a delicate and
retiring woman; for a moment she paused; dare she go further? Her
irresolution was but momentary, for the momentous consequences at

stake gave her a fictitious courage. She quickly approached the door,
which at that moment some one in the act of leaving the house threw
wide open, and she gained a view of her husband in the act of raising a
glass to his lips; but ere he had tasted its fiery contents it was dashed
from his hand, and the shattered fragments scattered upon the floor. Mr.
Harland, supposing it the act of one of his half-drunken companions,
turned with an angry exclamation upon his lips; but the expression of
anger upon his countenance suddenly gave place to one of shame and
humiliation when he saw his wife standing before him, pale but
resolute. In a subdued voice he addressed her, saying, "Mary, how
came you here?" "Do not blame me, William," she replied; "for I could
not see you again go astray without, at least, making an effort to save
you. And now will you not return with me to your home?" The other
occupants of the room had thus far remained silent since the entrance of
Mrs. Harland; but when they saw that Mr. Harland was about to leave
the house by her request, they began taunting him with his want of
spirit in being thus ruled by a woman. One of them, who was already
half drunk, staggered toward him, saying, "I'd just like to see my old
woman follerin' me round in this way. I'll be bound I'd teach her a
lesson she would'nt forget in a hurry," Many similar remarks were
made by one and another present. The peculiar circumstances in which
Mrs. Harland found herself placed gave her a degree of fortitude, of
which upon ordinary occasions she would have found herself incapable.
Raising her hand with an imperative gesture she said in a firm voice:
"Back