Australian Tales - Setis

were blistered by the sun, and all their new clothes were spoiled with salt
water and mud. My readers may reflect, if they choose, over the
summary of disagreeables in these last two paragraphs, and draw their
own deductions therefrom; and however much opinions may vary on the
merits of the story, there will doubtless be a unanimous conclusion that
the Knipps family did not spend a very merry Christmas.
* * * * *
On New Year's-eve, Mr. and Mrs. Knipps were sitting in their parlour
in moody silence; indeed, they had scarcely exchanged half-a-dozen
words since their fracas on Christmas-day. At length Mr. Knipps rose
from his seat, and walking over to his wife, kissed her affectionately; and
with a look which showed that he felt more than he could express in
words, asked her to forgive him for his late unmanly conduct, of which
he felt thoroughly ashamed.
“I have been fretting for the last five or six days, Polly; and I have been
thinking very seriously all that time too. I can see plainly enough that I
have been a downright fool for many years past, and I have resolved to
mend. I know the reason why I cannot make my farm pay; why I am in
debt and difficulties, and why I am so often in bad health and in bad
temper. The bills on the file will show that I have had the rum keg filled
ten times during this year, which is enough to make any man ashamed of
himself. The cost of that stuff would have kept us all in clothes, or have
bought half-a-dozen good cows; but the actual price of it is not, perhaps,
the worst part of the evil; I have wasted hundreds of hours this year in
squandering my strength and my money, and in acquiring pernicious
habits. That is why I'm so much worse off than some of my steady, sober
neighbours. Yes, Polly, the rum keg has been the blighting cause of our
unhappiness, and has filled our home with discord; it is that which has
withered the tender love we once felt for each other; which has
mortgaged our farm, and made me miserable. It is strong drink which has
so often made me surly to you and the poor children, and which tempted
me to beat you, and smash all our little bits of things on Christmas-day.
But it shall do so no more, Polly; for, with God's help, I am determined
to put that curse out of my house entirely. Here, I give you my hand,
Polly, and the word of a man who loves you dearly, that I will never taste
grog again as long as I live. To-morrow is New Year's-day, and I hope to
begin a new life altogether, and to set a Christian example to my
children. May God help me to do so, for I am too weak to do it of
myself,” added Mr. Knipps, bursting into tears.
Polly's tears gushed forth too, as she returned the warm embrace of her
repentant husband; and she sobbed out with a tenderness which she had
long forgotten to exhibit: