The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-27
OLD JOHN DEMPSEY.
What the Boys Heard While the Noon Bell was
Ringing.

Wnat the Boys Heard Whlle the Noon Bell was
Ringing.
Nick and Abe Potter, lobe Graler
md the Meyer boys were standing on
the street, when old John Dempsey
came along. "The old fellow doesn't
seem to be very booty this morning."
said Abe Potter. ''Politics must be
running low indeed when he can't
make flank movement on bowl or
two in the course of forenoon"
"Give me pin, somebody" whis-
pered lobe Graver. "I'n hitch this
piece of paper to his coat tail as he
passes. Stop him, Nick, and talk to
him while work the game"
Hello, old man." said Nick when
Dempsey came up. ''You must be out
of luck this morning. see the
weather people have hung out the cold
wave flag. but it's cold day sure
enough when you can't work the bar
tenders, ehp"
Don't pin that thing to me-" re-
marked the old man in a tremulous
voice, looking round and addressing
Graler. Don't play jokes on me this
morning, boys. Yesterday wouldn' t
have cared. i wouldn't have minded
going through the streets for the
amusement of the crowd, but to-day,
boys, can't stand it."
"Why, what's the matter, old
manP"
Matter enough to crush the last
hope even in the breast of al old
drunkard.'
Don't give up" responded Graler.
1--WE all have our hours of depression.
see you have fifty cents in your hand.
Go get drink and you'll feel better"
The old man looked at the money
and shook his head. "This goes for
flowers, boys"
"Fcr tlowers" they all exclaimed.
eyes. Let me tell you," seating
himself on a stairway. ''Lasr night,
as you boys know, l went home rather
late. / was drunk when l left y ou,
but by the time reached home, was
strangely sober. My wife and little
boy had gone to bed. The lamp was
burning low, and when l entered the
room, the little fellow, who was lying
beside his mother, looked up and said:
"'Want to stay with papa
"'John = called my wife, take the
little man for minute or two. He
has been asking about you all night,
and as l stopped over the bed to lift
him, my wife put her arms around my
neck and breathed, rather than said :
oh, 1 am so glad you have come
home sober.
81 took the little fellow and sat
down by the fire. His feet were cold
and / held them near the blaze. For a
moment he gazed intently on my face
and then closed his eyes. His breath
ing seemed to be difficult and l called
my wife. She arose, and when she APP
preached, he opened his eyes and ex-
tending his arms, said: Now l want
to stay with mamma Great God, l
saw deathly pallor spread over his
face. | sprang to my wife's side.
Want to stay with his eyes stared
at me, his hands clutched his gown
and-he was dead. My God, what an
guish seized me when l gazed upon
his marble face. Died with a half
formed word on his lips. No, no,
boys, don't play any jokes ON me to-
day. Poor, miserable, broken down
drunkard-w with mind and body i'm
poverished but with sensibilities
strongly alive and haunting. There is
no hope for such man as am. There
should not be. Boys, the money
which you were so eager to help me
waste should have bought clothes for
that little angel. No, l do not re.
proach you. 1t was my fault. | an
going now to get some flowers. Good
Bye" said the old man arising with
difficulty. "You may hear of my dy,
ing soon, but you will not hear that
died drunk"
While the city hall bell was tollins
the hour of noon. the coroner, meeting
Nick and Abe Potter, lobe Graler ano
the Meyer boys. stopped them ane
said
"I've just held an inquest over thu
body of old John Dempsey. He wa
found in an alley near his house, sit
ting with his back against wall. HI
held bunch of flowers in his hand. ;
-Arkansaao Traveller.