The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-07-16
rnE nELrl,e nAxn.
HI HoRATI0 ALGER, JR.

bed" said harsh voice.
The speaker shook roughly tho man
whom he addressed.
The latter half raised himself from
the settle on which he had been lying
and inquired stupidity, "What's the mat
tcr?'
"Thc matter is, that it's twelve
o'clock, and 1 can't have you here any
longer"
.Where shall go 2" asked the drunk
ard vaeantIy.
"Go homc, of coWse-ana be quick
about it.
The unhappy victim of intemperanesf
aided by the barkecYer, managed WIN
difficulty to raise himself up and stand
on his feet. Then with an uncertain
motion he moved towards the door, and
out into the night air. This partly re-
vi.cd him, and he walked on with lit
tie steadier step.
But he had drank too much to recov.
or at once from the effects of the pota
tons. His house where even now his
wife was anxiously awaiting his return
was three quarters Of mile distant
lie had scarcely accomplished one-third
the distance before his limbs failed him,
he sank in drunken insensibility by the
roadside. Will heis lying unconscious,
we will take a rapid 6 lance at his his
tory.
Five years before, James Perkins was
sober Industrious workman, support
ing his wife and two little children in
comfort. But on one occasion, at q po-
li,ical demonstration, he had been per-
suaded 10 drink glass of liquor. Not
nat,l then was he made aware that he
had a strong taste for this dangerous
beverage. Unhappily he did not take
warnin. and ..shun temptation, but from
time 10 time INDUCED his appetite. The
result was only what might have been
anticii pated. The craving for liquor
grew stronger with each indulgence un-
III, ut last, he became what would have
flied him with with horror and disgust,
:: common drunkard.
.hn small stock of roney which his
Industry had enabled him to lay by,
melted imperccptlbly, until it was all
gone. I.e became more irregular and
less reliable as a work man, so that his
Wages were diminished at least one
third and of these large share went
fer drink.
Tie result was rrira,ion and misery
at home. His wife lost her bright look
aud bec.,me pale and worn, while an eX-
PRECISION of grief and encouragement
settled on her once comelv features. She
was nbliac! by her own industry 10
make up Tor the large deficit in her hus-
bands earnings, created by his large eX
nc.Gi,ures for drink. In addition TO
this it was sad for her to see him so
surely sinking in the respect and good
opinion of his friends. She had remon-
strated again and again, but without
permanent effect. Her husband had
moro than once promised amendment,
but his promise had invariably been
broken, and his habits had become as
before.
We now return TO James Perkins, who
lies by the roadside. Fortunately for
him it was in the carly summer. AT a
moro Indictment season, he might have
been frozen 10 death.
1t was so late that nc one would be
likely to psss until morning. Therefore
he lay unseen and undisturbed.
AT six o'clock boy named Frank
Reynolds, in passing through the lane,
for it was an unfrc4ucnted road, was the
first to csry him. He was a thoughtful
and kind hearted boy, well brought mp,
and Of excellent principles, and, instead
OF rldiculing or laughing at the unfor-
tunate slave to his appetite felt thrill
of compassion for him.
He ftepped to his side and as he did
SO, James Perkins opened his eyes.
y"Where am ?" he asked in momen-
,ary confusion.
"Have You been here all night, MIR.
Perkins," asked Frank.
81 suspect have" said Perkins, evil
IDENTIFY ashamed at being caught in such
a condition.
elbow did it happen!"
"Well, to tell the truth, Frank, drank
too much over at the tavern and could
manage to get home"
"Don't you think" said Frank, hes
i,ating lest he should give offense, 'that
you are drinking too much for your
health 2"
81 know am" said Perkins, turaing
away his head in shame.
"rhcn," said Frank eagerly, Why
don't you give it up? know ! am only
a boy and should not advise one so much
older than myself. But l can see that
drinking always brings sorrow and
with ii.
"Tbat's very true, my lad, responded
Perkins.
"Then won't you try and giveit up ?"
asked Frank.
81 am afraid l shouldn't succeed"
said the other doubtfully. "You don't
know how hard it is to break off such
habit as that. I hope you will never
have it to do. have tried more than
Dnce and havn't succeeded"
Think of your wife, Mr.. Perkins,
how glad she would be-"
"Poor Maria, am afraid she has
hard time of it," said Perkins remorse-
fully.
"Tben there's Johnny, too. At school
he cried half the forenoon be-
-ause somebody called him drunkard's
son."