The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-26
TEMPERANCE READING.
a LITTLE ITEM.

But HIMSELF.
1t was early evening. The lamps
were beginning to shine out here and
there and men and women who had
finished their days work were hurrying
home to supper. The door of q neat
little home stood partly open. A man
was near it, evidently just starting out
to begin his work.
81 am sorry you have to 90 back to
night work" bis wife was saying. She
looked pale and troubled
$50 am /, " he answered, "but never
mind, dear, perhaps it won't be long"
He kissed her as he spoke and went
out through the door. She looked after
him with her eyes full of tears. IF
he should begin again." she said; "oh,
if he shouldw
Mamma" called a tall, slender Girl
from the room, come and tell me
what pattern to choose for fathers
slippers; | want to commence en-
broidering them tonight His birth
day isn't very far of, you know"
Bertha and | are going to club to-
gether and get him that new book he
wanted, said another girl, evidently
her sister; ''we heard him speak of it
and we have money enough, IN, 80. q.
The woman turned anu ,feft w., Iley
house and shut the door.
The man went on down the street
and was soon busily engaged at his
case, away up in the highest story of a
tall building.
His fingers went back and forth,
back and forth, picking up the bits of
black metal, setting up line after line
of what in the morning would appear
in the great daily. Out over the city he
could see the lights beginning to shine,
and gradually the hum in the streets
below him grew less and less.
All about him were men working
away steadily at the bits of metal. He
could hear the presses click, click, as
they went on with their part of the
work.
The gas fared. Now and then one
of the men spoke briefly, generally
something about the work
| Some of them went to their coats
occasionally where they hung on the
wall and drank from bottles in the
/ pockets. One offered his to the silent
worker beside him, but he shook his
head
"What,n called a gay young fellow
across the room, ''yOu given up the
bottle, Menson; what will happen
next?"
The men laughed.
The lights in the houses died out after
awhile, the noises on the street grew
less and less. The men went to their
bottles oftencr and passed them back
and forth from hand to hand. Menson
was growing tired. He was not as
young as he had been when he began
to work at the type, and the smell of
the liquor came to him as he worked
and grew more and more weary.
He longed for one taste, Just one, ''to
help him out" ''to rest him." Yet,
when lad near him took the bottle
and began to taste the liquor he touch
ed his arm and said: "DOn't, began at
your age; wanted to be smart; don t
begin"
But the boy laughed and drank.
The hours went by and the presses
clicked louder and the noises on the
street grew less and less.
Here, Menson," said a man, COM
inc across the room, "herc is some of
the best French brandy. just taste it;
L know you are sick tonight; it'll do
you good"
Il don't feel exactly well" he said,
Selling the bottle eagerly, I'm taste
it, only taste it"
The fumes of the liquor had been
hall-maddcning him, his old thirst had
been crying out to be satisfied. He
drank as eagerly as he had seized it.
THAT is good brandy" he said, Civ
ing back the bottle.
The man Winkcd slyly at the others
as he went back to bis case.
MenSou worked on. He felt better,
he said to himself. the brandy had done
him good; and after awhile he asked
for another drink.
The man gave it and he drank as
eagerly as before. lie had drank &
good many times by the time the last
line was set up and the men were max.
ing ready to leave. 1t was early morn.
ing now and the noises OF that early
time in the city were beginning to be
heard.
Mcnson went to get his coat, but he
could not find it. Then he looked fol
his hat, but he could not remember
where he had put it.
He stood holding on to the back of {
chair, vaguely, wondering what he
should do about it, when the man who
had given him the brandy came up.
Hello, Menson," he called out
lyon look as though you were getting
up a leader. TOO late now for that
come on Mcnsm endeavored to LEI
him know his dilemma.
Where's your coat?" he said; he
was loud and noisy; where's YOU
coatP Blest if / know
"Oh, here it is; let me help you OF
. with it. There you are, come on now
the boys have all gone and left us"
They went over to the elevator. L
was just coming mp the shaft Away
down below them they could hear the
engine and at one side the presses
stamp, stamp, as the great daily
I dropped away fresh and damp from
their jaws.
Come on then, now my boy,
oollnl hie communion as MpnsOu hest