The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-03-28
OLD JOHN DEMPSEY.
What the Boys Heard While the Noon
Bell Was Ringing.

OLD JOHN DEMPSEY.
VIVA. the Boys Heard While the Noon
Bell Was Ringing.
Nick and Abe Potter, lobe Graler
and 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
mako a flank movement on . bowl or
two in the course of forenoon.
.'Give me pin, somebody" whis-
pered lobe Graler. .'I'll hitch this
piece of paper TO his coat tail as he
passes. Stop him Nick, aud talk 10
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 bartenders,
ehp"
Don't pin that thing to me-" re-
marked the old man, in q tremulous
voice, looking around and addressing
Graler. Don't play jokes on me this
morning, boys. Yesterday wouldn't
have cared. l wouldn't have minded
going through the streets for the
amusement Of the crowd. but to-day,
boys, cant stand it.
"Why. what's the matter, old manp"
Matter enough to crush the last
hope even in the breast Of an old
drunkard.h
Don't give up" responded Graler.
We all have our hours Of depression.
l 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"
"For flowers!' they all exclaimed.
Eyes. Let me tell you," seating
himself ON a stairway. Last night, as
you boys know, l went home rather
late | was drunk when / left you, but
by the time / reached home. l was
strangely sober. Ny wife and little
boy had gone to bed. The lamp was
burning low. and when / 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 minu'e or two. He has
been asking about yon all night, and
as | stopped over the bed to lift him my
wife put her arms around my neck and
breathed rather than said oh, am SO
glad you have come home sober
II took the little fellow and sat down
by the fire HIS feet were cold and
neld them near the blaze. For mo-
ment he gazed intently on my face and
then crossed his eyes. His breathing
seemed to be difficult and called my
wife. She arose, and when she ap-
preached he opened his eyes, and ex.
tending his arms said: Now ! want to
stay with mamma Great God, saw
a deathly pallor spread over his tace,
sprang to my wife's side. Want &c
stay with his eyes stared at me, hit
hands clutched his gown and-he was
dead. My God, what anguish seized
me when gazed upon his marble face
Died with half-formed word on his lips
No, no, boys, don't play any jokes or
me to-day. Poor, miserable, broken.
down drunkard mind and body
impoverished but with sensibilities
strongly alive and taunting. There ID
no hope for sush 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 lit
tie angel. No. do not reproach You
1t was my fault. am going now to gel
some flowers. Goodbye" sad the ole
man, arising with difficulty, You may
hear Of my dying soon, but you will moi
hear that / died drank"
While the CITY Hall bell was tolline
the hour of noon the Coroner, meeting
Nick and Ale Potter, lobe Graler ant
the Meyer boys, stopped them and said
"i've just held an inquest er thu
body of old John Dempsey. He wa
found in an alley near his house, sitting
with his back against wall. He hslt
a bunch of flowers in his hand. ar
I'm, ou,u TlrnroJor