In regard to the principal characters who appear in these pages, they are not mere creations of my imagination; for Richard and Ruth Ashton were real personages, with whom I was well acquainted, as were all the prominent individuals of this story. The descriptions given of the murders and suicides, also of Morris throwing the tumbler at his son, and of the scene when Allie Ashton was insulted by Joe Porter and the latter was knocked down by Frank Congdon, are all taken from events which really occurred. For what I have written I offer no apology, but will simply state that I have only been animated with a sincere desire to do my little all to sweep the drink curse from our country and the world. A. P. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. A Departure. CHAPTER II. Richard and Ruth Ashton. CHAPTER III. On the down grade. CHAPTER IV. Sail for America and meet a kindly welcome. CHAPTER V. Good resolution--A tempter and a fall. CHAPTER VI. Arrival in Canada--A friendly host--Applies for a situation. CHAPTER VII. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. CHAPTER VIII. Ashton meets with friends and secures a situation. CHAPTER IX. Ruth's misgivings and mental agony. CHAPTER X. All in Canada. CHAPTER XI. Aunt Debie and her friends. CHAPTER XII. A worthy Sheriff and Judge--Dr. Dalton. CHAPTER XIII. Ruth Ashton's introduction to Aunt Debie--Ruth's dilemma. CHAPTER XIV. A happy home. CHAPTER XV. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney's satisfaction with Ashton-- Mutual congratulations. CHAPTER XVI. Ashton revisits old scenes. CHAPTER XVII. Mr. Howe gives his views in regard to Canada. CHAPTER XVIII. The banquet, and what followed. CHAPTER XIX. A startling newspaper item to Mr. and Mrs. Reid. CHAPTER XX. A base plot, and what it led to. CHAPTER XXI. Utterly broken--Blasted hopes. CHAPTER XXII. The Dunkin Act--A discussion in which strong language is used. CHAPTER XXIII. The conspirators formulating their scheme. CHAPTER XXIV. Alderman Toper's flattering opinion of the "Dodger". CHAPTER XXV. The friends of temperance rejoicing over their victory. CHAPTER XXVI. In which the reader listens to a _tete-a-tete_ between mother and daughter. CHAPTER XXVII. Barton's despair, and what it led to. CHAPTER XXVIII. The conspirators perfecting the details of their conspiracy. CHAPTER XXIX. Mr. Brown's opinion of the trial, and the presiding magistrates. CHAPTER XXX. The insult to Allie Ashton--Her gallant defender. CHAPTER XXXI. Richard Ashton and little Mamie--Mamie's dream. CHAPTER XXXII. A bar-room settlement of a misunderstanding. CHAPTER XXXIII. The home and family of Morris--He nearly kills little Harry.