Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-11
HOW THREE DRUNKARDS WE'RE
SAVED.
Sunk to the LOwest Depths-Helped
When They were Down.
From the He1O York Tribune.


BY a singular coincidence three we'll
dressed. contented- looking men met in front
OF the post office yesterday morning. one
was poll tician, one a custom house ofiiciah
and one a formerly Wel to-dO lawyer. Each
of the three looked as if life agreed with him
and he enjoyed it. An acquaintance passing
by was hailed by one OF the group, the eldest,
past so years of age, who said:
II want you 10 see three reformed men.
You know me, and guess you have seen US
all at one time or another"
A good natured laugh from the others
greeted tins remark. Four years ago the etd-
est OF the trio was one of the most miserable
degraded drunkards that ever trod IN raggeu
shOe leather. His haunts were IN the lowest
dens in Baxter and Mulberry streets. His
clothes were rags and tatters, ana ne was
even lost to decencv ard had been ulsoWheo
by wealthy relatives aud by all people OF re,
spectability. The man whom he hal called
TO the group had given him many nlckel
and was glad to get rid OF him. The Potter 8
field seemed to cape for the miserable man
AS a last resort he was sent to the Christian
Home for Incorporate men, nearly four years
ago, where he WAS clothed and fed. ana since
that day the man has led a sober life, has been
restored to his family and social position, ana
has saved money. One of his delights now IS
10 visit the quarters where he once led such a
life Of wre tchedness, seeking out the suffering
and needy, and aiding them in small way
financially and otherwise.
A second one of the three, a we'll educated
man Of 40 years, had Jared even worse than
the eldest one SO strong was his appetite for
rum that he lost friends. position and every
thing, and Joined the tomato can brigade. He
was one of the most besOtted tramps in Null
berry street, and a year and half ago W as
cent to the island with gang Of Migrants.
Here one of the Commissioners of Charities
and Correction befrieudcd hm-gave hin
employment and cl0thing-and the man, who
said that he had once despaired of ever being
q respectable human being again, became
temperate, and to-day is doing well, Is re
stored to his family, and Is respected by all
who know him.
The third one IN the party is the brother of
a wealthy New Yorker. 81 had been a hard
drinker," said he, ''for forty years. l held
responsible positions and dined at belmont
cos. used to 20 ON my sprees in carriage
ana drink nothing less expensive than cham
payne l spent fortune that my father left
me, and cost my brother another and my
friends great deal. and ] got SO low that |
was cast of by all. | committed forgery and
was sent to Sing Sing, but that did not cure
me. Eighteen months ago l was as low down
as it was possible for a man to lie. and would
actually beg for ten cents Of a stranger to buy
vile rum. My wife died of a brOBen heart,
and my brother sent for me to attend her
funeral. | had not seen her for years. |
vowed when l saw her that would never
touch liquor again, and | haven't. | would
lose my right arm first. Every one despaired
of me, and said there was no hope for me in
ing now. and / find that there are people
always ready to help a sober man who tries to
help himself. VINO dares say" concluded the
speaker, ''when he compares our former con-
ditiOn with our present state, that there Is no
hope for drunk ard|