Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-01-12
A Bcfter Country.

Lay poSSSN ONCi h''h' anu bigh
began to howl around, while he lay
motionless as q mummy on the low
bank of Ramp Run, under a syca
more tree. All its leaves quivereC
with the storms breath. TIL,
storm came roaring over hills anC
tramping through woods, blottine
out twilight and drenching tn,
ground. II washed Joe Trestle a,
he had not been washed for years
Ramp Run rose to the storm as ;
willing child springs to its mother.
Water, we know, is runs foe tC
ext ermination. Water pursued
rum through Joe Trestle's jaws
his boots, his skull.
BY continued dashcs and shocks
II brought him back to the world.
He sat up in broad glare, and
saw the world as it were on fire.
Bnt instant darkness buried him.
He heard the long, whistling sound
of falling trees. the roar of air and
water, and also, he thought, a child's
cry.
Joe suspected that it might he
tie judgement; but, being stolid
fellow he clutched the stand and
made no remarks. If it were the
judgement, he "didn't feel prcpar-
ed" But he never expected to
"feel prepared" like less soaked
sinners. He was altogether vile.
There was no spot in him whereon
character might no started. except
faint desire, hid and aching some-
where to he better than he was.
Joe had staggered past his best
years. At this period he was will
ing TO sell his ancestors tomb
stones, his own ears, or even his
wife's chignon-if he had wife
for satisfactory drink. Boys
patronized him on the streets, and
played tricks on him, when he tuck
ed himself up like chrysalis un-
der stairway or fence. People
looked forward to Joe Trestle's
making morning item by getting
ground under trains or frozen to
the gutter over night, when he
could at last be utilized by the
community in this manner: "See
there, my son, Joe Trestle went to
school with me he was a bright
boy, and every one expected he
would make his mark. That is
all the mark Joe Trestle has ever
made. What is the cause of this
Rum, my son; drunkenness !"
When churches revived their
zeal, and Christians began to polish
their armor, all denominations seiz-
ell upon Joe Trestle and tried to
reform him. They voted at elec-
tions to license liquor traffic and
at ordinary times victim Of it was
too mean for their notice; but
when they tnrned from business to
religion, he was in demand. He
felt It, and took n pride in being
lassoed from all the pulpits, exhort-
rd and prayed over. They gave
him money and old clothes. which
he spent Mt saloon back DOORS
Tins they tried to eject through
his veins a life which had never
touched him inwardlv.
Joe had married wife. and heat
en- her with many stripes: when
the poor thing could hear It
no longer, she crept from his
sight and died. The knowledge
that he had child. n daughter.
somewhere. touched his brain but
as she never crossed his way, II
was iostled aside by more pressing
affairs Of his bnsiness-getting
something to drink.
A young peoples temperance
society once took Joe in hand. He
signed the pledge faithfully every
week. and was sure to get out OF
the ditch to be reinstated at lodge.
But even they. young and hopeful
gave him mp. Joe Trestle was a
wreck that could not he recon
strncted. No religion nor respect
ability could reach him. He must
go his own way. drink his Last
drink--die like a brute, and go
where 7 Lord have mercy on Joe