Part 7 (1/2)
”Yes, I will. Keep the pledge one month and I will go and live with you, die with you.”
”Then try it, father, come.” And she led him forward, just as she had done her mother. You have seen, shall see, how heaven blessed her for filial piety.
”I used to write. 'Tis a long time since I did. Maggie, my hand trembles. Help me--guide the pen. I cannot see clearly.”
No wonder. There was a tear in each eye. There were other tears when Maggie took him again by the hand, and again said:
”Come, father, let us pray;” and then all kneeled down together, and then Mr. Nolan took him by the arm, and said, ”Come, James, let us go home.”
Not yet. He had one more act to perform. He shook his wife's hand, and said, ”Good bye. I shall keep it.” Then he looked wishfully at Maggie, as though he wanted something, yet dare not ask it, for fear he should be repulsed. Still the yearning of nature was upon him. It was a long time since he had felt it as he now felt, but he was beginning to be a new man. Maggie was his only child, his once loved, much caressed child.
Would she ever cling those arms around his neck again. She had shown herself this night one of the blessed of this earth. She had done, or induced him to do, what no other soul on earth could have done, and how his heart did yearn to clasp her in his arms. He stopped half way to the door, and looked upon her with tearful, loving, thankful eyes. It needs no wires, no magnet, no human contrivance, to convey the magnetism of the heart. She felt its power, as it sprung from the lightning flash of loving eyes, and quick as that flash, she made one bound, one word, ”Father!” and her arms were around his neck, her lips to his, and here let us s.h.i.+ft the scene.
CHAPTER IV.
THE TEMPTATION.--THE FALL.
Eve was tempted of Satan, and fell.
So have been her children.
About two months after the events of the last chapter, a few of the new friends of James Reagan joined together, procured a comfortable room in Mulberry street, and put in the necessary articles of furniture, and his wife, faithful to her promise, came to live with him. There was a great contrast between this and the home where we visited him in Centre street. Nolan and Elting stuck to him, and he stuck to the pledge.
Margaret watched him, visited him, went with him and her mother to church and temperance meetings, and, finally, became satisfied and happy that her father had made a complete reformation, and that he had outlived all danger of relapse; so she accepted a good offer to go into the country, and live in a farmer's house, where she would learn house-work. It was her fortune, but his misfortune, thus to be separated. She was his ever-watchful guardian angel. His wife was affectionately kind, and they lived together, as of old, happily. And so, as of Adam and Eve in paradise, they might have lived, if there had been no serpents in New York. They beset him--waylaid him--tempted him--but no art could induce him to enter their sulphurous dens. Cale Jones swore that he would get him back; that he would have him among his old cronies again, or die in the attempt.
”Them ere cold water chaps aren't a going to crow over me that ere way, no how. I tell you what it is, boys, you must contrive some way to get Jim in here some night; he has got money now, and if he won't drink himself, he shall stand treat any how. We've treated him many a time.”
”Dat am de fac,” says Ring-nosed Bill.
”Shut your clapper, you drunken n.i.g.g.e.r, you; who axt you to put in your oar. If you want to do anything, just get Jim Reagan, by hook or crook, in here once more.”
”And you will give him what you did Pedlar Jake.”
”Shut pan, or I'll chuck your ivory into your bread-basket. What's in your wool, Snakey?”
”Dis n.i.g.g.e.r knows how to fix him. Make him come his self.”
”Let her rip, Snakey; how'll you do it?”
”Jis go to work at right end foremost. 'Spose you the debble stick him forked tongue right out all at once to frighten Fader Adam? No, sir-ee; he creep round mighty sly, and wiggle him tail at Mudder Eve, and den she come it over de old man. Dat am the way. Aren't you got no gumption?”
”I understand. Who shall the Eve be, Snakey?”
”Smoky Sal. She is a pet of his. He got her in.”
”I know it. She is in that old missionary's claws. How are you going to get her out?”
”Dat easy 'nuff, so you work him right. Gib us a drink, Cale. I isn't going to grab for you for nothing.”
”I'll give you a gallon if you bring him in. How'll you do it?'
”Do you think this n.i.g.g.e.r am a fool, sure? 'Spose I gwine to tell you, and lose the gallon. Take notice, Ring-nose, it's a fair trade. So jis you git ready to-morrow night for business, case he'll be down then.”