The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-12-23

and green tops. Yes, there he was fairly
started; snow and radishes seemed odd tc
passers-by, and when Benny called out:
Here's your nice fresh radishesm
Out of season. said one.
"Whew snow and radishcs," said an
other.
They're nice, though, see that anC
Benny snapped one in two, showing the
crystal inside.
"That's So" said the man, taking {
bite; "come along with me; it's Thanks
giving tomorrow, and want some tol
my table"
Benny hurried along to keep up. They
stopped at a large hotel, and the punches
were counted. There were ten.
GLOW much are they"
Five cents bunch" Benny said, il
as much of a business manner as he cOulC
assume. He felt half frightened when
the man disappeared with the radishes
He soon returned with the basket and q
new tifty-c scrip. Then he sat down
and drawing Benny to a seat beside him
said
Il know there must be story con
nected with these radishcs; | want tc
know all about it,
Benny gave a quick, glad look up in
the face of his new friend and told his
story; told it in such a way, too, that the
corner in the garden and all his toll lay
like picture before the gentleman
When Benny finished and had tucked his
money safe and deep in his jacket pocket,
he was gladdened by the words:
"Now, Benny, l want all your rad
ishes; you may bring me as many as you
did to-day every other day until they are
gone"
"Oh, thank you, sir; and will | have
the shawl by Christmas, you Think"
"Y es, unless you have a larger stock
than | think you have"
Benny thanked the gentleman and rar
down the steps. He did not see form
that was leaning against one of the pill
lars and had heard all his story-it was
his father When he saw Benny's finger:
close over his tirst-earned money, there
was wicked CLEAN in his eyes as h(
thought, THAT will do, I'll have it." Bu
in spite of his terrible thirst, when hi
heard about the shawl, he clinched hi,
hands until the nails sank in the flesh, anC
exclaimed:
mo, | won't be such brute, and II
help buy the shawl, so help me God
He turned in an opposite direction from
what Benny went and walked rapidly
away. His cry was to the right source
now; his wife had often said that grace
alone could save him, he was so weak
too weak to depend upon himself. He
had taken his usual drink that morning
and now the time was approaching for the
next; he had spent his last dime, and tina
was the reason he felt tempted to taxi
Benny's money. He went into the cab
inetshop where he might have stead,
work if he would; he was a good work
man and worked by the piece. He drew
| from corner an unfinished bureau 0
| finest walnut. He went to work witt
such force and will that his emplOye
quickly observed him. There was des
perate, determined look in his eye ant
around his mouth that was quite unlik
him. When Mr.. Dunn, his employer
| drew on his coat to go to dinner, MT
| Towers stepped in front of him.
Mr.. Dunn" he said, "you are 60
ing to dinner l want you ID lock m
in this room, and be kind enough to brin
me some coffee"
Mr.. Dunn was touched with pity
ben, you are trying to stop drinking.'
g l am, and l will pray you to hel
me. Why, Mr.. Dunn, I've got the nices
wife in the world; you remember whe
she was TIE prettiest girl in all W
now look at her and see what this curse
drinking has done; tell you sir, Pm &C
ing to stop. And that boy Of mine-Go
bless himl-has brought me to this deter
mination he's gone to work to try to bu
his mother shawl; think of that, and m
drinking up all l earn" Mr.. Tower
sank into chair entirely overcome. The
he told Mr.. Dunn the story of the morn
ing. His employer had often tried to re
claim him, and now was only too glad
do anything in his power to help tn
struggling man. He did lock him in. OF
how the demon assailed the wretche
drunkard; what a battle he had with hin
self; such craving for drink he felt h
must have it, that he must tear the doc
from its hinges, or smash the windo'
with one desperate blow. He polishe
the carved handles OF the bureau unit
they shone like ebony. He shut an
ground his teeth in despair. When h
heard the key again in the lock his in
pulse was to rush past Mr. Dunn and be
for drink. Mr.. Dunn stepped insid
locked the door, put the key in his pocke
He saw the desperate struggle; he brougl
not only a bottle of hot coffee, but nit
substantial dinner besides.
"Ben," he said, ~ believe you wi
conquer; eat your dinner now, and save
part of this coffee for this afternoon.
will 60 home with you tonight. wi
go after you in the morning; in te
DAYS the worst will be over"
Mr.. Dunn locked him in again unit
tea-time. The strong coffee allayed Ii
thirst and stimulated him, so that he g
along very we'll. Mrs. Towers was mue
frightened when she saw Mr.. Dunn vii
her husband. He left him on the doc
step. When he stepped before her, 81
saw new light in his eyes and that
was perfectly sober. She threw her arm
around his neck and kissed him, and Be
ny-he didn't quite understand what
meant-he was surprised his father d
not throw himself upon the lounge,
sleep, as usual.
BENNY" the father said, it is n
quite dark. Will you get your lit
wheelbarrow and help me bank t
house?"
"oh, yes, SIR" said the delighted chill
What was going to happens They HI
lived IN this miserable house two year
it had never had anything done to 1t
: make it comfortable. Benny felts happ