The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-08-17
MISCELLANY.
Written for THE RECORD.
WHO WE'RE HIS FRIENDS.
BY GUS GLENN.

young fellow in the state fixed better than
am" and Elmer Cannon stepped back and
gazed around the neat little store with smile
of satisfaction. And indeed it was pretty
place, ana well might the young owner be
proud of it.
Elmer Cannon was young man pleasant
disposition, well calculated to please. Every
one liked to come to his store, and he soon
found himself in a flourishing way of bust
ness He was q church member and endeav-
ored to live up to his profession. Now he
had come to this village among new people,
and was forming new friends and associates.
One evening, as he was closing his store, a
party of young men stopped and said, "Come,
Cannon, let's go up to the saloon and get
some cream and have some fun
Elmer was lively and enjoyed fun, and was
soon with his friends, aud q right merry time
they had, laughing and joking over their
cream. After promenade around, he retired
to rest. sB
So 1t was that night after night he was with
the gay and thoughtless. His earnestness In
the Christian cause grew less and less. The
ice cream saloon lost its charms, and people
began to shake their heads sadly, for their
young fayorite too often now held the intox-
icating glass to his lips. Some who were once
bis best customers, sought other places, for,
said they, "'tis not right to help him when
he spends his money for drink"
Step by step he sank in the estimation of
those who were once bis firmest friends. Over
and over again he resolved he would mend his
broken life, and not allow himself to be a
slave to the terrible demon, drink. Debt
stared him in the face. Who now in these
dark hours werehis friends2 Who came now
70 offer a helping hand when he was sinking
down to despair? Not those who led him on
and had thrown temptation in his path, and
who were SO willing to drink at his expense
and sqnander the earnings of his own hand
Alb, no He looked around the little store of
which he was once so proud. Its empty
shelves seemed to mock his bitter misery.
The once bright windows were dim with neg
lect. His sky was over-clouded, and on his
young heart there rested far heavier weight
of woe. o, the anguish Of those moments
will never be forgotten. In two days he must
meet bill, but where was the money to come
from Il will ask Phil Stephens he said,
at last, che has been my most intimate
friend and always has plenty of money"
He arose, and locking the door behind him,
walked quickly up the pleasant street to the
hotel where he knew he would find the man
who called bmselfhis friend. lie was sitting
in one of the lonnging chairs as young Camron
came up the stairs. He saluted him with a
hearty " Hey oh, boy - Cannon drew a
chair up to his side and sat down and said, in
low tone, "Phil, I am In a Harry of a
scrape. | have got to meet bill in couple
of days and nothing to do it with. Will you
lend me trifle for few days."
The pleasant smile faded from Pills coun-
tenance, and heavy frown disfigured the
comely brow: Really, Cannon, don't see
why you shodld have to borrow money. You
were nicely fixed, II you had only attended to
your own business. -
Camron's face was scarlet. "And you
won't let me have it !" he asked, fiercely.
"Have it? No ; certainly will not let
you have it. Ifyou have money enough to
Duy Deer ana OtneF ufiuk Will, anu treat your
friends, you ought to have enough to pay your
debts.''
Cannon was on his feet now with face as
pale as the dead. "Phil Stephens, is it this
way you talk to me?''
81 certainly do, my very dear friend.
am not going to pay your debts. You don't
expect me to do that, do your"
mo, do not want you to pay my debts.
take notice you are always ready enough to
drink at my expense though, you mean, pitt
full, low coward, +" and the young man pulled
his hat down over his eyes and walked away,
while the insulting laugh Of Phil Stephens
smote his sensitive nature. His first impulse
was to go and drink until he drowned his
misery, for time at least. Then came the
thought, "it will only be the worse afterward
when am myself again. No, win be a
man once more
Slowly he walked down the street. He
thought of only one year ago, when he was
happy in the knowledge that he was trying 10
do right. He thought of the store, how nice.
ly be was situated then of the friends tried
and true who gathered around him, and who
of late he had Stunned for the companionshiI