The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-03-29
TEEToTAL SHOES.
By NAVY pwINELL cnELIIs.

uiiuge, ioOkfuS NoWn Into INC WhttFs WbiSit
flowed with strong, steady current onward
to the sea. You might have passed without
giving him a moment S thohght, so like was he
to thousands of others seen everywhere in our
large towns aud cities. His clothing, which
had once been flashy, was now dingy and
wotn and the hat, still set jauntily upon his
head, was stained and battered. He was
alone. His companions, more fortunate than
himself in regard to funds, were preparing for
q grand oarouse, in which he had refused to
join because of his poverty. For an hour
he stood there, nearly motionless, as one and
another hurried By.
AT length d familiar voice exclaimed
How are you, Dicken
/" Bad enough,' was the muttered reply
Hope you're not having fit of the blues?
never have them"
"Shouldn't think you would !; shouldn'
if was in your Shoes"
"I'll give you my shoes this minute if
they'll do any good. I've got another pair as
home, so / can afford to divide with you.
Walk along with me. We don't meet very
often lately. I've been on tie lookout for
you"
"You needn't trouble yourself about me.
You and l arn't going the same way"
81 don't know about that. Which way
are you going
"Afn't going any way. Chris Palmer why
don't you go along and let me alone"
Because that is my way. Perhaps I can
help you" And the tone of the speaker had
not varied from that of the hearty good-na-
ture which characterized his first greeting.
s'Theres storm coming. Whxt are you
going to do?"
"Don't know but shall jump into the
river
"And SO give me the trouble of jumping in
after you. l should rather not do it this cold
evening but if that's the best way to help
you, | won't be too particular
At this Dick Redfield turned and gnzed
full into the face of his friend, who asked
laughingly
Want my shoes now?"
"Suppose do?n
You shall have them on the spot l used
to go barefoot, and l can again. But you
must Remember that mine are teetotal shoes
that WON'T walk in the way of the topper.
They're too we'll trained for that If they'll
suit you, you shall have them and welcome
and, Dick, I'll give you dozen new ones
with them if you'll only go my way. Come
now, at any rate. Come home with me and
see my mother"
"what made you stop to speak to me,
Chris. 20
because I wanted to. l don't forget old
times as quick as some people do. Come"
And the teetotal shoes walked on, keeping
step with pair of slouched boots whose
owner was bitterly ashamed of the contrast.
Mrs. Palmer welcomed Dick in a motherly
way and, Judging rightly that thorough
ablution would be luxury, provided him
with warm water, soap, and towels 50 that
when he entered the pleasant kitchen where
supper was spread, he was so changed in ap-
pearance he would hardly have been recog-
already started in a new way,
Later, when the good mother had retired,
his friend asked abruptly:
GLOW are you getting ON, Dick?"
g AS bad as bad can be, he replied quiskly.
81 was near desperate when you spoke to me.
didn't know whether to jump into the river
or take to stealing. If I'd had any show of
money, I'd been carousing with the rest. Pm
hard fellow, Chris, but it shan't be any the
worse for you becausc you took ME home and
gave me a square meal. Now, how are you
getting on yourselfP"
"Tip-top. work hard every day, and
don't touch tobacco or liquor. Haven't
smoked my first cigar yet. Wear teetotal
shoes, you know and follow isn't likely to
go far wrong with them on his feet
"Wish I'd been wearing such the last five
years. I'd kept cut Of good many scrapes
if had. It's all luck and chance didn't
get in deeper than ever to night. There's
mischief brewing and if I'd got on drunk
might have had hand in t.'
sI'm thankful saw you, Dick. Now, If
you II talk out plain to me, I'll try and help
yous'
The clock struck one before these two young
men separated, and, when the day dawned,
the visitor wondered where he could be, until
he saw some well-polshed shoes by his bed.
AhSh hO iVhShipOiON no PiONESs fAe h'sef wv
septed the gift with conditions.
Teetotal shoes for the remainder of his
life. Sometimes they seemed too tightly
fitting, and sometimes they dragged heavily,
yet he would not resign them. They proved
his salvation.
Months after they who had urged him to
join them in nights carouse were sentenced
to the State prison for the crime of burglary.
They had not thought thus to end the lives
they fanced so free and independent; but,
while spurnipg wholesome restraints, they
were slaves to a master whose wages is death
->.-~es-.>----
A Sunday School speaker the other evening
used the word abridgment, but Immediately
pulled up and remarked, that as some Of the
younger scholars might not know its meaning
he would say, that it was a Synonym of OPT
tome. The members Of the infant class were
affected to tears Noraoich Bulletin.
The day has gone by according TO the De-