Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-06-05
OLD JOHN DEMPSEY.
Riuciuo

hIul tIt buys ntAfu NHile Jne Noon Bell was
Ringing.
Nick and Abe Potter, lobe Graer
Ind the Never boys were standing on
the street. when old John Dempsey
came along. 1.-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 n bowl or
two in the course of forenoon"
Give me pin, somebody" whis-
pcred lobe Gravcr. "lll hitch this
piece OF paper to bis coat tail as he
passes. Stop him. Nick, and talk to
him while ! work the game"
"Hello, old man." said Nick when
Dempsey cane up. You must be out
of luck this morning. see the
weather people have hung out the cold
wave flag. but it's n cold day sure
enough when you can't work the bar
tenders, eh?"
Don't pin that thing to me-" re-
marked the old man in tremulous
voice, looking round and addressing
Gralcr. Don't play Jokes on me this
morning, boys Yesterday J wouldn't
have cared ] 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
man?'
Matter enough to crush the last
hope even in the breast of an old
dnnKard.
Don't give up" responded Graler.
1--WE all have our hours of depression.
| see you have fifty cents in your hand.
Go get q drink and you II feel better
The old man looked at the money
and shook his head. This goes for
flowers, boys"
"Fcr flowers" they all exclaimed.
Eyes. Let me tell you," seating
himself on a stairway. "Lasr night,
rs you boys know, went home rather
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 | 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 | stopped over the bed to lift
him, my vile put her arms around my
neck ard breathed, rather than said
'Oh, l am so glad you have come
home sober
Il took the little fellow and sat
down by the fire. His feet were cold
and held them near the blaze. For
moment he gazed intently on my face
and then closed his eyes. His breath
ing seemed to bo difficult and | called
my wife. She arose, and when she APP
preached, he opened his eyes and eX-
tending his arms, said: Now want
to stay with mamma Great God, |
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 | gazed upon
his marble face. Died with half
formed word on his lips. No, no,
boys, don't play any jokes ON me to-
day. Poor miserable, broken down
drunkard- with mird and body inn
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 50 eager TO help me
waste should have bought clothes for
that little angel. No, ! do not re-
proach you. 1t was my fault. |, am
going now to get some flowers. Good
! bye" said the old man arising with
difficulty. "Yoa may hear of my dy-
ing soon, but you will not hear that l
died drunk"
While the city hall bell was tolling
the hour of noon, the coroner, meeting
Nick and Abe Potter, lobe Graler and
the Meyer boys, stopped them and
said
ave just held an inquest over the
body of old John Dempsey He was
found in an alley near his house, sit
ting with his back against wall. He
held bunch of flowers in HI hand. ="
-IrkqnSalO Trqcelcr.