The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-09-10
ELDER Browns BACKSLIDE.

Now if there is anybody in the
world who prides himself on knowing
a thing or two, it is the spruce young
man who presides over soda foun-
tain. This particular young gentle
man did not even deem reply neces-
sary. He vanished an instant, and
when he returned close observer
might have seen that the mixture in
the glass he bore had slightly changed
color and increased in quantity. But
the Elder saw only the whizzing G
stream Of water dart into its centre,
and the rosy foam rise and tremble on
the glass's rim. The next instant he
was holding his breath and slipping
the cooling drink.
AS Elder Brown paid his small score
he was at peace with the world.
firmly believe that when he had fin
ished his trading, and the little blue
stringed packages had been stored
away, could the poor donkey have
made his appearance at the door, and
gazed with his meek, fawn-like eyes
into his masters, he would have OBJ
tanned full and free forgiveness.
Elder Brown paused at the door as
he was about to leave A rosy-cheeked
schoolgirl was just lifting creamy
mixture to her lips before the fcun-
tain. 1t was pretty picture, and be
turned back, resolved TO indulge In
one more glass of the delightful bev-
erage before beginning his long ride
homeward.
Fix it up again, sonny" he said,
renewing his broad, confding smile,
as the spruce young man poised a
glass inquiringly. The living autom-
atom went through the same motions
as before, and again Elder Brown
quafed the fatal mixture.
What a singular power is habit
Up to this time Elder Brown had
been entirely innocent Of transgress-
ion, but with the old alcoholic fire in
his veins, twenty years dropped from
his shoulders, and feeling came over
him familiar to every man who has
been Sin his cups" As matter of
fact, the Elder would have been con-
firmed drunkard twenty years before
had his wife been less strong-minded
She took the reins into her own hand
when she found that his business and
strong drink did not mix we'll, worked
him into the church, and sustained his
resolutions by making it difficult and
dangerous for him to get to his toddy
| She became the business head of the
family, and he the spiritual Only al
rare intervals did he eyer 'sbackslide, ,
during the twenty years of the new
era, and Mrs. Brown herself used to
say that the sugar in his'n turned to
gall before the backslide ended.
People who knew her never doubted
it.
But Elder Browns sin during the
remainder Of the day contained ar
element of responsibility. As he
moved majestically down toward
where Balaam slept in the sunlight
he felt no fatigue. There was glow
upon his cheek-bones, and a faint
tinge upon his prominent nose. HI
nodded familiarly to people as he met
them, and saw not the look Of amuse-
ment which succeeded astonishmeni
upon the various faces When ht
reached the neighborhood of Balaam
it suddenly occurred to him that he
might have forgotten some one of hi:
numerous commissions, and he paused
to think. Then brilliant idea rost
in his mind. He would forestal
blame, and disarm anger with kind
ness-he would purchase Hannah +;
bonnet.
What woman's heart ever failed tt
soften at sight of a new bonnet?
As have stated, the Elder was {
man of action. He entered store
near at hand.
"Good-morning," said an affablt
gentleman with a Hebrew counter.
ance, approaching.
"Good-mornin' good-mornin'," sale
the Elder, piling his bundles ON the
counter. II hope you are well?'
Elder Brown extended his hand fer.
vidly.
"Quite well, [ thank you. What
"And the little wife?" said Elder
Brown, affectionately retaining the
Jews hand.
"Quite we'll, sir.
'And the little ones-quite we'll, ]
hope, too?"
''Yes. sir; all we'll, thank you
Something [ can do for you?"
The affable merchant was trying to
recall his customers name.
mot now, not now thankee If
you please to let my bundles stay till
| come back"
Cant I show you something?''
Hat, coat"
''Not now Be back bimeby."
Was it chance or fate that brought
Elder Brown in front of bar? The
glasses shone bright upon the shelves
as the swinging door tapped back to
let out a coatless clerk, who passed
him with a rush, chewing upon a
farewell mouthful of brown-bread and
bologna Elder Brown beheld for an
instant the familiar scene within.
The screws of his resolution had been
loosened. At sight of the glistening
bar the whole moral structure Of
twenty years came tumbling down.
Mechanically he entered the saloon,
and laid silver quarter upon the bar,
as he said:
"a little whiskey an sugar" The
arms of the bartender worked like a
fakir's in side show as he set out the
glass with it's little quota of "short
sweetening" and cut-glass decanter,
and sent half-tumbler Of water spin
ming along from the upper end of the
bar with a dime in change
"Whiskey is higher'n used to- be-"
said Elder Brown; but the bartender
was taking another order, and did not
hear him. Elder Brown stirred away
the sugar, and let a steady stream of
red liquid flow into the glass. He