The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-11-10
LOST HIS PLACE.

l
his first offense, we might let it pass;
but he has given us this trouble too
often, and we shall now put q quieter
man IN his place.
"But it was the drink. Mr.. Grant
| woman.
"There isn't more peaceable or kind
hearted man in all the shop than Jimmy,
give him credit for being good work
man?"
| mo better workman in the establish
ment, but the drinkAhe can't stand any
| longer. That spoils everything"
You'll give him aaotl1er trial2 Say
| yes, Mr.. Grant, pleaded the unhappy
wife.
But Mr.. Grant said: ''No, Mrs. Alli-
| tied. Your husband must get work some
where else. We can't have him here any
| longer"
"Oh, Mr.. Grant," cried the wretched
woman, her voice raising to passionate
appeal, ''iust think of his poor mother!
| Il will break her heart"
"He should have thought of his poor
old mother, Mrs. Allison. returned Mr..
I
| that he did not feel. 1--WE cannot take
these things into account"
It was all in vain. Mrs. Allison could
not move the superintendent, and she
| left his Office weeping.
"It is hard case" said Grant, speak
| ing in troubled voice. "But we can't
| longer. He will take his glass, aad
/ L<o ko0 he
relsome. There's no better workman,
| and no better man to be found, if he'd
leave off tippling. But for drink he'd
be our foreman to-day, instead of cast
off. His example is bad and we must
remove it. He leads others astray."
He'll 60 to ruin, I'm afraid, !" said the
bookkeeper.
perhaps not. When I pay him off, ]
shall talk to him, kindly and seriously.
shall do no more"
"What?"
"Give him six months probation"
"Where and how?"
| I'm thinking it out. Can't see it
there's q will there's a way. His poor
poor old mothersl If young men would
|
would be fewer heartaches at old age" !"
Mr.. Grant had harder trial STILL In
| her sorrow and despair old Mrs. Allison
came to the Office to plead for her son.
| He was very kind to her and tried to
make her see that her sons loss of his
| place might really be the best thing that
ever happened to him. But this was
| impossible. She saw nothing but evil
in his going away.
Poor old ladyl At seventy, instead of
and only surviving child-her boy, she
yet called him fondly, though he was
eight and twenty-she had heart-aching
wretchedness.
"Oh, Jimmyl My poor boy, Jimmy"
! walled the mother, on coming back from
the office, where she had SO vainly striv
en- to change the superintendent pur-
pose; and putting her arms about the
piteously that he also was moved to
tears.
But there was no help for them. The
shops were closed to jimmy Allison, and
week afterward he left home to seek
for work in a town fifty miles away,
where he had an acquaintance in roll.
l
that fell like shadow on the hearts of
his wife and mother at the moment of
parting streamed in ray of hope.
| i've taken my last glass, mother
My last glass, Jenny And it will all
come out right. I'll be sure to get work
in s., and then I'll send for you and
we'll be happy again"
Mr.. Grant was standing at the window
| of his of4i 20 looking ont
"There goes Jimmy Allison to the sta
tion," he said, turning to the book
keeper. "Poor fellow! I hope the les
son will be- good for him. But Tn
afraid"
While Mr.. Grant was speaking, he saw
Allison stop and stand irresolute fol
some moments, and then turn an wall
quickly toward the Office.
"We are to have parting word Il
curse or blessing" added Mr.. Grant
in changed voice. And the Office dool
opened, and Jimmy Allison came in. Ht
> did not speak at first, but drew a pape
, from bis pocket, which he opened ant
handed to the superintendent.
:, "Oh! pledge!' said Mr.. Grant in
! tone of surprise.
; "Yes, sir; and what is more, I'm goins
to keep it, replied Allison, in firm bu
subdued voice.
. 'Stick to that. my man, and all viii
! be well," said the superintendent. "Ant
let nae say this to you in parting: if yol
had let beer and whisky alone, yo,
might have had a foreman's place her
: long ago. Nothing has kept you bacl
: but drink. For your own sake, and es
(. pecially for your wife's and good oil
= mothers sake, let it alone"
"I'll do it. sir. You may count Oh
: that. Good bye, Mr.. Grant" and tn
man held out his hand, his face workin
with the struggle of feelings he coul'
: not repress.
: "Good-by Jimmy returned the So
3 perintendent as he took the mans hand
: ''Think of me as friend. It goes nar
: with me as we'll as with you. But yo
9 left us no alternative. Good-bye! An
: if all goes right let me hear from you.
9 Jimmy Allison had no voice to reply
f Turning away in silence he left the o1
n fee.
8 ST don't see how you can have th
i heart to do it." said the bookkeeper q
;. the man had gone. Hes taken th
# pledge, and it's my opinion he'll keep i
= Why not give him chance? I can't gt
r the poor, old, sorrowful face of b
g mother out of my thoughts for momen
Y it haunts me like ghost
l. Mr.. Grant did not reply and the bool
n keeper turned to his desk and resume
l. his work Alittle afterward, the whist
is of the coming train was heard; fe
70 minutes later, and Jimmy Allison WI
> borne away from home, wife and moths
1 &1no fxrIr Of cfa M a q n