Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-14
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.Me?'. in surprise.
Yes, you How much did you pay to-
ward building it p VA J
why, nothing. Why should I help pay
Sure enough! Why should your hard
earnings go to build and furnish an ele-
CANT house for a man who would rather
sell liquor, and so ruin his neighbors, body
and soul, than surport himself in useful
calling, as you and j are trying to no.
I can't see what You are driving at
said the jouaneyman.
How much week do you spend at
McBride's saloon p
The man stood still, with blank look
on his face.
"A dollar week p asked Wheaton.
Yes
Say dollar and a half?'
We'll, say as much
DO YOU know what that amounts to in
year, p.
Never counted it up ft
'Seventy-eight dollars
sSor
Yes, to q dollar. So, in five years at
this rate, You have contributed nearly four
hundred dollars toward McBride's hand
some house, without getting anything but
harm in return, and haven't a single over
your head that you can call your own.
Now. it's my advice, in a friendly way,
that yon stop helping Mcbride, and begin
to help yourself. He's comfortable
enough, and can do without your dollar
and 4 half q week. Take a baby if you
will for good luck. You'll find one over
at the pOor-house; it won't cost You half
as much as helping Mcbride, and don't
think he needs your aid any longer. But
here we are at home, and see wife and
children waiting for me. Come in, won't
you?'
No, thank you. I'll go home and talk
to Ellen about taking baby for good
luck
And he tried to smile, but it was any
thing but in cheerful way. He passed
onward, but called back after going a few
steps:
Ii you see anything of my Jack about
your place, just send him home, will you p
Jack was there, meanly dressed and
dirty, and in striking contrast with Whea-
toms three adopted children, who. with
the only mother they knew, gave the
happy man a joyful welcome home.
Two turned over new leaf said the
.journeyman when he came to work on the
next morning.
Indeed! I'm glad to hear it. returned
Wheaton.
Ellen and i talked it all oyer last night
TIM done helping saloon-keepers build
fine houses. Glad you spoke to me Just
in that way. Never looked at it SO before.
But it's just the hard truth. What fools
we are!'
Going to take a baby3' said Wheaton,
smiling.
Well, we haven't just settled that.
But Ellen heard yesterday of a poor little
thing that'll have to 60 on the county if
some one don't take it; and ! shouldn't |
wonder now. if she opened her heart, for
she's motherly body
Where is it?' asked Mr.. Wheaton.
Down at the Woodbury. Mills
Wheaton reflected few moments, and
then said:
Look here. Frank; take my advice,
and put this baby between you and Nc
Bride's-between you and lost time-be-
tween you and idle thriftlessness, and my |
word for it, in less than two years you'll
have your own roof over your head
Only for little while did the man hest
tate, then, with an emphatic manner. he
exclaimed,
sTll do it,
do it at once, then,' said Wheaton.
Put on your coat, and go over to the Mills
and get the baby. 1t will be an angel in
your house that win help and bless you in
every hour of temptation. Go at once.
God has opened for you this way of safety,
and if you walk therein all will be WE'LL
He did walk therein, and all was well.
Wheaton's prophecy was fulfilled. In
less than two years the journeyman had
his own roof over his head, and it covered
happy home.