get so drunk that you will not be able to come, if I send for you, before Dr. Livingston gets here."

"Sent for Livingston, eh? Well, send for him, and he be d- -d for all that I care."

Mr. Willard asked Joe, as he came up, "How is Blitz this morning?"

"Oh, he is so stiff that he can hardly move, I have been rubbing him these four hours."

"What time was it when you left Roselle yesterday?"

"I don't know exactly, but about three o'clock."

"And got here before two; pretty hard drive that, ten miles an hour, and eleven in succession; that is too bad, Mr. Willard, Blitz will never get over that." Joe looked down and continued, "I am sorry, sorry.”

"Joe, I am sorry too, but that is a small part of my sorrow."

"I know that, Mr. Willard; how is onr little pet this morning?"

"In reality he is no better, I must go to him. But by the way, did Bob take Doll when he went for the Doctor?"

"Yes, and it is time he was back. She is fleet as a bird-it don't take long to go eight miles with her."

66

Joe, did you give Mrs. Willard the keys while I was gone?"

66

Certainly not."

"Do you know where she got what she drank yesterday?"

"I suppose I do. Agnes told me." He hesitated, and seemed unwilling to tell.

"Well, Joe, what did Agnes tell you ?"

"Why she said, that she actually drank the rum that was used to wet bub's head in."

Mr. Willard turned away in disgust,

groaning to himself, "Has it come to this, has it come to this?"

With as much composure as possible, he returned, where he watched the changing countenance of his child, and began to think that Bob was gone a great while. At length Agnes told him that Bob had come, and that the Doctor was not at home, and would not return till next day. But he left word for him to come as soon as possible. The tears of the father fell fast; he knew that the disease was settling in his head. The mother wept several times through the day. Agnes said it was because she could not get her "bitters;" but the husband and father did not think so. It is not easy to destroy the last vestige of confidence in one that we are desirous of loving. Mr. Willard pitied her; he knew that the appetite she had acquired held her in a most cruel

bondage. He saw that the once luxuriant springs of her nature were dried up, he still hoped they would live again. When he looked at the bloodshot eye and bloated face, he asked himself again and again.-

"And will the mother a monster prove,

And fill a drunkard's grave?

Oh, lend thine aid, Almighty God,

There's none but thee can save,"

Mrs. Willard had for several times during the day urged her husband to lie down, but he was incorrigible, he waited anxiously for the Doctor's arrival. At length, becoming alarmed, he sent for Dr. Spencer. After Joe had been gone long enough to return, Bob told Mr. Willard that the Doctor had been in the house nearly all day. Why didn't you tell me before? Tell him to come in immediately."

66

"Tell him to come in," Bob imper

tinently replied. "He is as drunk as a dog-dead drunk; and I took him as I would a dog, three hours ago, and dragged him in the back room, so that there needn't anybody see him. I should think by the noise that he has made the last half-hour, that he thought the day of reckoning was at hand, by the way he has cast up his accounts. I'll be bound if I don't be thrown over-board before I'll clean up after him."

Mr. Willard's heart sank within him as he closed the door upon his informant. Again he bent over the little sufferer, and shed more bitter tears than he ever shed before. He said, without raising his eyes, "Laura and Agnes, we must do all we can for him, as we cannot obtain medical aid."

He was soon laid in a warm bath, his convulsions ceased, and symptoms. of consciousness appeared; his extre