The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-01-30
HOW OLD JIM DRAYTON "SWORE
OFF"

He came up town last night to dri1
the old year out and the new year i
There are men who can remember whe
he had cottage of his own when
was well dressed, and had frank, hol
est face; when his children went |
Sunday school and his wife was we
clothed and carried a happy fac
Old Jim found himself going down hill
and almost in year he had change
from Woodworking, respectable ma
to a ragged, lazy sot, and no effort o
the part of those who loved him coul
stop his descent. His home went, hi
fortune went, good clothes and happ
faces disappeared, and wretchednes
and poverty moved into the old tene
ment house on Beaubien street wit
him.
Do You remember when his child wa
run over and killed? Old Jim wa
dead drunk while the body lay in tn
house. We're you ever at the centra
station court when he was sent up TO
drunkenness or for beating his wife
Have you never seen Lifa sleeping hi
drunken sleep in the alley? Haven
you heard the people speak of "Olt
Jim Drayton A red, wicked f. ce
having not one soft line in tired eyes
looking stupidity and vacantly at you.
battered hat, ragged clothes-yor
surely must have met him at some time
Old Jim meant to have a big DRUNK
That was good way to wind the ole
year up. He had been drunk thanks
giving-He had staggered home drunk
Christmas night, and when his boys
were heard wishing that Santa Claus
had not passed them by, the fathe,
became angered and beat them. The
bar-keeper knew him as he entered the
saloon and called for drinks. He had
called there dozens of times before,
and his face was familiar as the sight
of the big decanter from which he
poured his drink.
"Wait a minute" said the bar
keeper. who was wiping off the counter;
and Old Jim was in the shadow, and
they did not know who it was. And as
they drank their beer they spoke of the
dying year, and of their resolves to
break off some of their bad habits, and
finally one of them said:
"Some one was saying that Old Jim
Drayton had cut his throatl"
It's good news, if true" said the
other. No one will miss the old sot
not even his family. His wife and
children are in rags, his home hasn't
a comfort, and if he'd only die folks
would feel like helping them. He's
the lowest drunkard in Detroit |"
eyes. I've often wondered why he
didn't jump into the river" rejoined
the other. eff I ever get as low and
ragged and mean as Old Jim Drayton,
I'll shoot myself |"
Old Jim heard every word. If he had
had glass of whisky down he'd have
leaped up and cursed them. but he was
sober-as sober as he had ever been for
ten years, aud he made no move. Was
be low and mean? Did everybody feel
hat way toward him? Did everybody
notice his poor old house, his ragged
,hildren, his red face and watery eyes ?
Did men speak to each other of his deg
his neglect of his family
would his death be good news to the
public?
"Do you want whisky or gin p asked
he bartender; but old Jim did not
hear him. He had leaned back against
he wall, pulled his hat over his eyes
md was thinking. Drink had robbed
him of his honest look, his frank tone,
md his strength and skill, but it had not
obbed him of his memory. He could
70 back over the decade and remember
lis pleasant home, his happy family and
lis own honest, independent feeling.
shame came with memory. He had not
,ot so low but words could strike him.
Two or three other men came in, ami
vhile they were drinking one of them
sked:
"Isn't that Old Jim Drayton over
here in the cornerp"
eyes, that's the old sot," answered
mother.
Wonder if he isn't going to swear off |
= ha ha ha I" responded the third
The words stung old Jim again. They |
allied up something of his old spirit,
nd he sprang out of his chair and ex-
laimed:
"Yes, I am going to swear Off"
"You swear off-you-ha ha ha !"
aughed the men.
"But I will ! I know that I'm a |
and that I'm ragged and law,
nut can reform"
'That's good !" they all laughed;
biggest thing out Old Jim Drayton |
wearing off-ha ha! ha r
"I will-with Gods help, I will r. he
eplied, striking the bar with his fist.
Their shouts of laughter followed |
i'm as he went out, but they strength
ned his sudden resolution. He walked |
irectly home. He stopped for mo-
aent at the gate and wondered why he |
ad never before noticed how gloomy |
nd wretched and lonesome the old |
otel looked. It was a fit home for a
runkard and wife-beater. He opened
he gate, paused, then turned and went |
o the grocery on the corner, and with
he money he meant to get drunk on he
purchased few little toys for the chill
rem and returned and entered his des-
late house. He stood in the door for |
n instant and looked around at the
ARE and battered walls, the bare floors,
he wretchedness and poverty. His
wife crept away. fearing his drunken
Vrath. He knew what movei her, and
cut him like knife.
Mary, come here I" he said, as he |
losed the door and held out his hand
am not drunk tonight r
She slowly approached him, wonder
ng if drink had not crazed him.