The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-06-19

our street and don't think ever be-
held more singular or pitiable sight
As [ have said, Mr.. L. was tall and well
proportioned- his features were fine
and almost classical-and he would
have been observed in any crowd and
pronounced a gentleman. But to see
such person as this clad in the thin,
scanty, shabby habiliments of drunk
ard was pitiable in the extremei
My husband met him az the gate, but
before they could get away slipped out
under pretense of an errand and rem
dered an introduction necessary, though
MIR. L. tried hard to prevent such
catastrophe.
Oh, how gracefully he touched the
once fine silk hat, now so roughened by
the night rains and how his face
flushed and paled as he made wretched
attempt to lengthen his coat and hide
his coarse shoes.
Though addressed him as a gentle
man and a former friend of my hus-
band, he of course saw through my at
tempt to ignore his misfortune and was
covered with humiliation. | was deep
" distressed for him. and said with all
the warmth of my being (and this was
my real errand); ~ shall expect you
back to dinner with my husband, Mr.
Latimeri''
"Thank you, Mrs. Carl,' was the
graceful, gentlemanly reply, "but I
have been unfortunate and am in no
condition to accept your kind hospitali-
ty." But persisted and he agreed to
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 at
the Academy. He would smile and
even laugh; but the laugh seemed to
choke him and the smile turned into
shadow as he realized his uncouth APP
pearance and the unfortunate cause.
And what wonder!
Fond and proud of his toilette, he
now found himself in the presence of
old friends clad in an old colored shirt
with collar of the same, faded coat two
sizes too small, thin pants two sizes too
large, coarse cowhide shoes minus
stockings-no vest and no undereloth-
ing-nothing but the silk hat, which
had miraculously escaped, was left of
his former handsome and com plete
Wardrobei'
In the course of conversation, and Mr..
L could be very entertaining, we
saw, he spoke of marrying his wife at
M
"Indeed. what was her name? That
was my home eighteen years ago." I
| said.
Edith Daily"
edith Dailyr' 1 said, with strange
mixture of surprise and sorrow, II
knew her! at that time we were very
intimate She was one of the sweetest
| girls | ever metz
''And you would find her just the
same now!" he replied, warmly, though
his features quivered with pain at some
recollection
Before l left was alone with him
lsttle while. He seemed very anxious
to unburden his heart to me and talked
freely of his past life.
"This is my worst and last debauch,
Mrs. Carl" he said, solemnly and
earnestly.
81 hope so. Mr.. Latimer, for dear
Edith's sake-it must crush her. :
At the mention of her name the
tears ran down his face like rain, and
he cried out in pitiful agony of despair:
ooh, Mrs. Carl. help me! for Gods
sake, help me!''
Il wish l might" I said, earnestly,
handing him handkerchief to dry his
tears. "but what can | do?"
'Won't you write a pledge? l never
signed one because thought could
look out for myself-but it may help
mel"
Most cheerfully drew up simple
pledge and he signed it in clear BUSH
| ness-like hand.
When he left us, my husband not be-
ing able to get him ''passed," handed
| him two dollars for his fare to L..
This was all the money we had and we
really needed it. told him this that
he might not squander it in further de-
| bauch. I confess felt a little uneasy
| until we received letter returning it
and telling of his safe arrival home.
This event, that impressed me so
deeply, took place four years ago. l.
hope the pledge has been sacredly kept
and our friend saved, but l do not
know. But of this am certain: could
you have seen him as l did that May
Day, stripped by the Demon Drink Of
| almost every vestige of manliness and
CRYING for help, we would all put more
heart and purpose into the Temperance
Cause. -ESteIle MeedelZe, IN Christian
If