Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-12-23


now look at her and see what this cursed
drinking has done; tell you sir, Pm GO,
ing to stop And that boy of mine-God
bless him!-has brought me to this deter
mination; he's gone to work to try to buy
his mother a shawl; think of that, and me
drinking up all | earn" Mr. Towers
sank into chair entirely overcome. Then
he told MIR. Dunn the story of the morn
ing. His employer had often tried to re-
claim him, and now was only too glad to
do anything in his power to help the
struggling man. He did lock him in. Oh,
how the demon assaulted the wretched
drunkard what battle he had with him
self; such a craving for drink he felt he
must have it, that he must tear the door
from its hinges, or smash the window
with one desperate blow. He polished
the carved handles of the bureau until
they shone like ebony. He shut and
ground his teeth in despair. When he
heard the key again in the lock his i'm
pulse was to rush past Mr.. Dunn and beg
for drink. Mr.. Dunn stepped inside,
locked the door, put the key in his pocket.
He saw the desperate struggle; he brought
not only bottle of hot coffee, but nice
substantial dinner besides.
| Ben he said, q believe you will
conquer; eat your dinner now, and save
part of this coffee for this afternoon.
will go home with you tonight. l will
go after you in the morning; in a few
days the worst will be over"
Mr.. Dunn locked him in again until
tea-time. The strong coffee allayed his
thirst and stimulated him, so that he got
along very we'll Mrs. Towers was much
frightened when she saw Mr.. Dunn with
her husband. He left him on the door
step. When he stepped before her, she
saw new light in his eyes and that he
was perfectly sober She threw her arms
around his neck and kissed him, and Ben
ny-he didn't quite understand what it
meant-he was surprised his father did
not throw himself upon the lounge, to
sleep, as usual.
Benny" the father said, it is not
quite dark. Will you get your little
wheelbarow and help me bank the
house?'
ooh, yes, sir" said the delighted child
What was going to happen? They had
lived IN this miserable house two years
it had never had anything done to it to
make it comfortable. Benny felt so happy.
A half-dollar, all his own; and this
change in his father! Mrs. Towers did
not dare to ask any questions. Her hus-
band did not dare to make any promises
or tell of his struggle for fear he
should fail. Mr.. Dunn came for him in
He had more coffee ready for him. So
the battle went on successfully, toe.
And Benny's trading went on, until all
the radishes had been tied into punches
and sold, and he had four dollars The
coveted gray and black shawl was five
dollars. Where was the other dollar COM
ing from? He was in the cellar cleaning
up the dirt used to cover his radishes.
when his father came down. Benny
thought he had kept his secret. His
mother knew he was selling his radishes,
but she asked no questions. He did not
know his father knew anything about it.
so Benny was quite surprised when he
asked: How is it, my boy, about the
radisheS ?"
Benny gazed into his fathers face and
then came a feeling that he might trust
him-that new father who had grown so
kind and good, who brought baskets of
good food home and supplied mamma
with coal. When his father stretched
out his arms Benny sprang into them and
told him all his heart
81 want to help buy the shawl Benny.
You go to Mr.. Dunn, and he will give you
the other dollar. | can't trust myself to
handle money yet, but I'm getting strong
er every day, and hope to set you a better
example in the future I feel it was you
and your radishes that saved me, Benny"
Then he told his little boy how he lad
overheard his story, and all his struggle
Oh, what happy, merry Christmas that
was. The warm shawl was ready for
mamma, and Benny had brand-new pair
OF boots, his first. There were other
things to gladden. the children, nice
dinner, too, turkey and cranberry sauce,
but best of all the redeemed husband and
father" Squ5d Scotch" IN Interior.
CAREFULLY Gagged in the dimly lighted
+! lower regions of the Central Park Museum
are two young lion cubs. They are three
weeks old, pair, lion and tioness, fine,
healthy little creatures, and in two weeks
more will be old enough to be shown to
tho hi