The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-16
He said So to Mr.. Blunt, III c

eyes. lie said SO to Mr.. Blunt, the
minister" tt
"Then III try" exclaimed the dru nix
ard with sudden encrgy-''l'lI sec if
can't make good his words"
"You won't enter the tavern 2"
"No, Ill steer clear OF it with Gods
help. But, Frank, l want you to prom.
lsc me one thing"
"What is it, Mr.. Perkins?"
"Don't tell anybody my resolution.
want to surprise people by my reform
ation."
81 won't tell anybody"
"Now, | must go home. l hopo it
will be the last time have to go in such
a plight"
al hope SO too,
"And am much obliged 10 You,
Frank, for your kind wishes and your
plain speaking. Give me your hand
The two joined hands, and little
hope filled the heart of each.
James Perkins entered the house quiet.
ly. His wife's eyes were red with weep
ing, but she uttered no reproachfuf
word. She silently busted herself in
preparation for breakfast. Littly John
NY was quiet ard did not offer to ap-
proach his father.
No wonder. His eyes were bloodshot,
his hair tangled, and his clothes bore
marks OF sleeping out. lie had never
looked SO dissipated before. As he
caught his own reflection in the glass il
filled him with deep shame. lie went
to the sink, washed his face, and combed
his hair, and brushing his clothes tried
to make himself look rs respectable as
possible. After breakfast lie went out
to work.
In the evening he passed resolutely
by the tavern. lie did not wish to go
home, however, for he did not care tor
the present that his wife should know of
his intended reformation. 1t was Wed
nesday evening, and he had seen tenn
pcrance lecture advertised in the next
village. lie attended and was confirmed
in his good resolutions.
At ten o'clock he entered his house.
His vile looked up feariully, expecting.
him TO stagyer in.- But he showed no
marks of intoXication.. She concluded,
however, thatshe had only drank Il little
less than usual, and her h:.. rem .inc :,
heavy.
The next day he went TO work again
and worked steadily the entire day.
The evening he spent in calling upon an
old acquaintance, but still avoided the
tavern. lie beg IN TO find that i, was
possible TO get along without drinking.
The third day he met Frank. In an
swer 10 the boys inquiring look, he said:
ave kept my premise thus far
The boys glad smile warmed his heart
al want to sec my Johnny smile like
that" he said to himself.
Saturday night came, and thus far he
had kept his promise. Ten dollars were
placed in his hands rs the wages of his
weeks labor. lie stopped at the store
and invested them all in groceries.
Then he walked home, first requesting
them TO be sent home that night.
Mrs. Perkins was surprised ami
pleased to see him home at eight. Sat
urday nights he, had usually been late.
Ten minutes later wagon drove up,
and boy came in with some gro ceries
Bundle after bundle was brought in.
Mrs. Perkins looked on in glad amaze
ment. She knew what must have hap
pened.
When the boy had gone, her husband
SAID in q low tone:
"Wi:h Gods help, Maria, better times
are in store. ! have not tasted drop
Of liquor since Tuesday night"
80, father I'm so glad ~ said little
Johnny, running and jumping up into
his fathers lap.
"You shan't be drunkard's son any
longer, Johnny" said his father much
moved. "Wiih Gods help will never
again tonch liquor"
He has kept his promise. His wife
wears again her happy look. Johnny's
merry laugh rescunds through the house,
md James Perkins b!esses in his heart,
he boy who at a critical time, offered
him q helping hand.