The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-11-29
rHE HELPING HANp.
An uae.aent .f New Orleans.

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New Orleans Pie4yunsl
The eloquent lecturer, John b. Cough,
in his lecture on "IHfuence," maintains
that things animate and inanimate exert
an influence per force. And As an illus
tration As regards the inanimate; uses q
hitehing post in this wise. The physi-
clan, aware of the locality of the post,
fastelis his horse there, and walks the
few doors beyond to visit his patient.
The irrepressible small boy ON his way
from school, crosses the street to leap
that post. The late conner home of
dark night makes sure To escape an I'M
pleasant collision with that post. Thus
It must be admitted by all, that We are
daily influenced by our surrounding
and more particularly by our fellow be.
iugs. The word spoken, the act per
formed, aye, even the glance, become
like pebbles dropped in the ocean of
time, whose circles ripple, widen and
gyrate onward, till they break on the
shore of eternity. 1t is as inevitable as
eternity itself, You can neither cease to
influence, or cease to be influenced.
You can, however, determine the charAc-
ter of influence you will exert, and also
determine the effect of influence upon
yourself.
As an illustration will relate an Incl
dent that occurred some time ago in this
city: 1t was in the early fall of IS,
that young man of more than ordinary
gentiiity of manner and striking address
registered at the st. Charles Hotel as
Charlie Harris His personale bespoke
one reared in the higher walks of life,
accustomed to its luxuries and refine
ments.
His only acquaintance here was a GER
tain Wilson, Familiarity called Tom by
the boys; AID by this Wilson, Harris
WAS introduced as "a right good fellow"
and such became the general verdict.
Charlie was genial, jolly, witty and
generous, spent money freely and only
required that fun should be the result.
The gaming table, wine suppers, and
other irregularities, soon exhausted his
supply of money, and his frequent de
mand on "the Governor" in New York
Don exhausted his patience and forbear-
ance. need not try to picture to my
soader the result of his efforts To find
| l4lstSC Will W HUN nC
spent his money. 1t is the old story
over again, those who could help were
not inclined, those who would could not.
Then came the stepping down from hotel
to boarding house, boarding house to lOdg-
ing, then lodging house in its various
grades-and heaven knows there are
some unworthy of the city-last of all
the street. Jewelry, clothes, nicknacks.
all had been disposed of and days passed
when he had but roll and cap of coffee
and at night no resting place.
1t was thus, one cold evening as night
was closing in and crowds were moving
briSkly homeward that Harris stood on
one of the corners of Canal street.
Inundated, forlorD, shivering beggar ask
ing aims. 1t was not remarkable that
former associates did not recognize in
that object of general COMMUNICATION the
handsome Charlie Harris of former days.
Neither was it remarkable that Charles
membranes of former extravagances
and fnllies made him shrink closer in his
verrhin covered rags as they passed. As
| the evening and crowds passed, his
| chances of supper and bed were pass
ing.
"For the love of God won't some one
help me?'
There was pleading earnestness i'll
l the appeal that arrested Frank Hilmans
attention. And as he looked under the
Did SLOUGH hat into the beggar's face,
there was the recognition of something
in those features; and like chasing up
the imaginatiOns of a dream, his thought
quickly followed up the cIew. Was il
possible? Are you Charlie Harrisf
With a form that trembled with emo
| ton, voice that seemed chOked by q
sob, the answer came as though strug-
Cling up through pride, anguish and re-
| morse-"Yes."
Those who passed that night and saw
| two forms in the shadow of doorway,
little thought of the far-reaching infiu-
euee of that meeting. 1t was as though
some good fairy stood in the Northern
home, smiling at the tear drops that had
fallen from a mothers eyelids to the pill
low, as she asked herself, "Where's my
boy to-night?' or looking on the furrow-
1 ed brow of the father with its ever-anx-
iOus look, and waved her magic wand,
| whispering, "Joy shall come with the
morrow" And annihilating time and
space the good fairy prompts to noble
| actions our generous listener, Frank Hill
man. The story of disgrace has been
| told with all its sufferings. "NOw be
careful of yourself till see you again,
1 HALLE IudAC YOulSCil ahN
| | promise you happiness"
| Mortals must regard time and space,
| but Frank Hilman lost no time. The
next day he was bound for New York
on a mission of reconciliation. Frank
| was not religious nor over good. He
had got Disguised with the billiard table
| and side show life. and drifted into the
| Young Mems Christian Association
Rooms. In reading the exchanges and
forming casual acquaintance there, he
experienced an elevation in the tone OF
his impulses and thoughts, and he frank
| ly attributed his compassionate interest
| in Harris to this influence. Arriving in
| New York he found Mr.. Harris, ST., at
the head Of large manufacturing es-
| tabiishment-S courteous gentleman,
| who welcomed la his home and hospital
ties the guest who had befriended his
hayward boy.
When Frank bid them an adieu it
was warm, earnest and heartfelt, and the
old couples blessing was more than
recompense for his self-impOsed mission.
| The frat tn meet and Welcome his return
WAS Harris The heart thEobs we're rich
and warm that stirred him as he nm
packed the trunk arranged with 8 moth
er's thoughtfulness and care, and home
scenes of other days passed before his
mind that caused the regretful tears Ia
fall, from which sprung up the resolve
| Ia hercefOrth be better and truer man.
| Most dear Of all WAS the assurance he re-
ceivcd of cordial, sincere welcome Ia
| The home and hearts of his parents.
| The "All aboard Was called-but the
waria parting grasp of the hand held the
| two. young men for u moment while the
| fervent, mutual God bless you" Of each
WIS sealed by the manly tears in their
| eyes.
| Charlie Harris stands to-day at the
head of the manufacturing establishment,
and merchants of New Orleans are his
customers. The pebl'le, dropped has not
ceased tn exert its influence, nor will the
| influence of relating this incident cease
| here if can but impress upon the bust
ness men IF this community the Yastin
| portanee to them of the good thus ac.
eomplished by the uHsectarian efforts of
the Young Mems Christian Association.
Happy wives d" ss"ssts.
lNee,ihsHn Chrsaicie.I
There Is only one happy woman in