The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-31
drag him of to the platform as soon as

How happy and proud I was! Jerny's
cheeks, too, were flushed and her eyes
shone with brilliant light, but she
was very quiet. The noon-train came,
however, and he was not there. The
college hall was crowded in the afternoon,
even the campus was dotted with gay
groups to hear the addresses of the
graduating class. But still no Capt.
Douglas. a
Ny heart beat high with anxiety.
glanced along the row of dignitaries.
How they would shrink into insignif
canoe before my brothers splendid fig
ure in his uniform. He was every inch
man.
Ny turn came. was the last speak
or. l was well known to most Of the
audience, as had been long time in
the college. The applause, as I began
and ended, was vehement, but scarcely
heard it. A train had arrived just as
had mounted the rostrum. Surely he
was in it! Surely he would claim me
now before them all !
Istepped down when had finished,
and took my place in the class to receive
my diploma.
It was given. There was short
prayer, and all was over. Carrying the
roll of parchment in my hand proudly
as if it had been Marshal's baton. I
went out, with Jenny clingng to my
arm. to the campus, crowded with my
friends.
Leaning against the fence was a
bloated, blear-eyed man, whose worn
clothes showed that he had walked a
long way. Two Of the professors were
talking together behind the pillar by
which stood.
eyes, that is he," said one. "Gone
quite to the dogs. Rum rum But
he has one redeeming trait For nine
years he has sent his pay to support this
boy and girl, and has lived himself on a
mere pittance of his pay"
But they never saw him. What in
luced him to sacrifice himself in that
way2"
drops of his blood in the world ran in
their veins. The poor wretch has never
had anybody to care for him, and per-
haps he thought these children might
have some affection for him, ruined as
he is by his appetite for drink"
Istood, stunned and dumb. Ill
It vast was my brother, my hero,
that they meant!
At that moment the man came for
ward, trembling. He had not drank
that day, and was unsteady from excite
ment and the want of liquor. "Rob-
ert !" He held out his hand, appeal
ingly. !" am your brother Douglas !!
/ Imade no answer.
! Iglanced around in deadly terror lest
some one should hear him. They had
all heard. ...1
Then I looked him full in the eyes.
"This man is mad !" I said, deliber-
ately. "You are nothing to me-noth-
ing I can own no relationship with
such as you y a
/ He staggered back as if he had been
shot. = 4@.- 1884,. vG.
"Great God p he muttered. ct did
not expect this ! -have-de-
served it !" s-.<
There was sudden rush, and Sob
bling cry, and Jenny had both her arms
around his neck. douglas Brother
Douglas p she cried. II have you at
last p Then she drew back, with her
arm about him, and, turning to party
a calm dignity:
'This is my brother Douglas. I owe
everything I am and have in the world
to him. And have never seen him be-
fore. You will excuse me If 1 go with
him now"
She chung to his arm and led him
away.
"Let me go! - he said, struggling tc
withdraw from her. "Let me go back
and die in the gutter. It's the only
place for mel"
; IT will never let you go!" CRIED
} Jenny, passionately.
, "Look at those people, how they
stare at you walking with the drunken
"These people," said Jenny, steadily
keeping her hold of him, "know .bu
your one fault. I know you for the
noble, generous, brave man you are
brother. Let us 60 away from here
|; love you. We will make home fol-
each other"
: She led him, weak as a child, to hi!
hotel. And, in spite of all my remon
\ strances, she left town with him mex
! day. could not overcome the feeling
= of disappointment and of outraged pride
It was worse than foolish-it was wicked
Nevertheless, I left them, secured pc
r sition as clerk, and worked my owl
: way. acted, in short, like an migrate
. full coward.
When I found Jenny persisted in re
. naming with him, I ceased even to writ,
q to her. The work she began that da,
T she never gave up. She did make
q home for him, the first he ever ha<
known made it cheerful and happy.
! She dealt with his failing as a disease
n watched over him night and day whe1
the struggles with his tempter grew to-
q hard for him, gave him medicine ; praye'
y for him, chung to him, never lost pa
r tience nor hope, and showed him tina
:. she had not lost them.
|. Ny motive in telling this story is t.
), show that the drunkard may sometime
be cured by unfailing love and practice
= common sense.
~ She did cure him. He lived for man
]. years, and died in her arms at last. Sh
L had, it is true, good material to wor
upon. But there is almost always goo
: material in the drunkard. His ailmen
- is physical as well as moral disease
= and should be combated by physical a