The Red Cloud chief., 1885-07-03

to breakfast?'
Il did. OF course. but ! couldn't per-
suade him, he is 50 used up " look
ing So"
but what can we do for him." I
asked. seriously realizing that We now
belonged to that class .'who had seen
better DAYS"
Not much, / fear, but he says IL he
can get to l. he has a cousin there
who a help him 10 clothes and money.
! think can get some Of the boys TO
pass him as far As L.. He will be
around 0 o and 1 am going with him
10 see"
Presently Mr.. iatimer turned down
our street and ! don't think | ever be-
held a more singular or pitiable sight
As 1 have said. Mr.. l.. was tall and we'll
propOrtioned-hs features were fine
and almost classical and he would
have been observed in any crowd and
pronounced a gentleman. But to see
such a person as his clad in the hin.
scanty. shabby habiliments OF n drunk
ard was pitiable in the extreme!
MY husband met him at the gate. but
before they could get away l slipped out
under p~retense uf an GRAND and rem
dercd m introduction necessary, though
MIR. l.. tried hard to prevent such a
catastrophe.
Oh. how gracefully he touched the
once fine silk hat, now so roughencd by
the night rains, and how his face
flushed and paled as he made a wretched
attempt to lengthcn his coat and hid
his coarse shoes.
Though | addressed him as a gentle
man and a former friend of my hus-
band, he of course saw through my al
tempt to ignore his misfortune and was
covered with humiliation. was deep
ly distressed for him. and said with all
the warmth of my being (and this was
my real errand); Il shall expect you
back to dinner with my husband, MIR.
Latimcr."
THANK you. Mrs Carl" was the
graceful. gentlemanly reply. but
have been unfortunate and am in no
condition to accept Your kind hospitali-
ty." But 1 persisted and he agreed &c
return.
That evening (fOr we induced him TO
remain until the train left for l..
which was the following day. he and
: Jack got to talking about old times al
the Academy. He would smile and
2 even laugh; but the laugh seemed 10
G choke him and the smile turned into a
e shadow as he realized his uncouth ap-
pearancc and the unfortunate cause.
And what wonder.
Fond and proud of his toilette, Inc
: now found himself in the presence OF
e old friends clad in an old cOiored shirt
8 with collar of the same. faded coat two
q sizes too small. thin pants two sizes loo
large, coarse cowhidc shoes Einu.
r stockings-no vest and no underclOth.
r ing-nothing but the silk hat. which
!, had ~miraculously escaped, vas left OF
his former handsome and com plete
wardrobe,
In the course of conversation. and Mr.
L could be very IN ertaining. "
saw. he spoke of marrying his wife n
Indeed. what WAS her Nance Tha
!. was my home eighteen years ago.
q said.
Edith Daily"
y Edith Dailvr I said. with r strange
mixture of surprise and sorrow. 81
knew her, at that tine we were very
!, intimate. She was one of h swcctes
girls | ever met
land YOU would find her Just thu
same now he replied. warmly, thouyl
q his features quivered with pain AT some
recollection.
, Before | left I was alone with him
:. little while. He seemed very anNiou
Ia unburden his heart to me and talke,
freely Of his past life
This is nv worst and last dcbauch
A.. r IL .ntt .l- en-
earnestly
:, IL hope so. Mr.. Latimcr. for dea
= Edith's sakc-it must crush her"
+, At the mention OF her name tn
a tears ran down his face like rain. ant
he cried out in pitiful agony of despair
/ "Oh. Mrs Carl. help me! for God
sake. help me-
a Il wish | might" l said. earnestly
handing him = handkerchief TO dry IN
L tears. ..but what can l do'"
Won't you write a pledge? | ncve
~ signed one because | thought ! coul'
look out for myseif-but it may he'll
! mel"
:, Most checrfuily I drew up a simpl,
pledge and he signed it in n clear bust
"A ne>s-like hand.
When he left us. nv husband not be
ing able to get him passed. | 4 ande,
: him two dollars for his fare to l.
,r This was all the money we had and W
q really needed it, l told him this tina
~ he might not squander it in further de
!. baucl. / confess l felt q little uneas,
:, until We received u letter returning i
and telling IF his safe arrival home.
This event. that impressed me s.
n deeply. took place four years ago.
hope the pledge has beer sacredly KEEP
/ and our friend saved. but / do no
:. know. But Of this l am certain: coui'
YOU have seen him rs / did that Ma,
w Day. stripped 10y the Demon Drink u
almost every vcstige of manliness an
=. CRYING for help. We would all put NOR
~ heart and purpose into the Temperance
!: Cause. -EsteIs .Nendei!e, iD Cristta
N at Hork.
IL rChDERANHE lrEMC