The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-06-04
ENOUGH TO RETIRE ON.

How Total Abstinence Pays from Money
Stand-Point-The Sensible Engine
Driver.
In our travels in various parts of the
line it is an encouraging sign of the ben
efitS thatresult to many individuals who
have followed the advice so unceasing-
ly given by the advocates of total alb
stinence. At each station, one if not
more, of the staff can readily be
found who has amidst all signs of OPP
position and .ridicule, put on the "bit
of blue" and with this friend we
at once get into conversation. In
many cases the experiences related
are almost Identical. Years of vicious
folly, followed by regret and remorse.
Then the timely appeal to cease to do
evil, and learn TO do we'll" Then
the rapid change i'll health,
purse and home. We rejoice to
hear such testimonies, ard they
do more to awaken kindly sympathy
ind encouragement than all the
praise sometimes lavished upon the
workers in the cause. 1t was our ex-
periencc one day so stumble across a
burly engine-driVer, not many miles
from Peterhoro', and seeing his ''col-
ors flying, we were soon on his track
His tale was an unusual one. He had
never found it a matter of necessity to
put on the break" so far as the So
cial glass was concerned, but although
now only fifty years of age, he could
boast of beng an abstainer some thir-
ty odd years To our query as to how
this event came TO pass, he gave us
full account of the whole mat
ter. With many other learners in
the large engine sheds near at hand
it was his wont 10 call every even
ing at the favorite local pub" and
there to pass lin merrie compa-
MES" a pleasant few hours. One
night the conversation turned upon
moving about from various localities,
when mine host put in the voluntary
news of his intended departure for
foreign parts. "And what's the cause
of your leaving us?' was the general
response. "Oh, I'm going to retire,
and me and missus are going abroad
for year or two" This piece of news
so tickled our friend, the engine cleaner
Gas he was them, chat he began to
think the matter over little more seri-
ously. Here was a man in the primo
of life giving up business, after raising
sum sufficient to retire upon comfort
ably, and going ION the Continong"
too. "Well Thought our friend). it's
a very good example to follow" and
he straightway determined that hence
forth his saving bank would be the
post-oflice instead of the public-house.
To-day he finds himself, as result of
this "straight-tip," possessed of more
than sufficient to retire upon, and, for
all that, go abroad. too. But seven
and-six-a-day and oyer-time is tempting
to a man still in the full vigor of life,
so he sticks to his engine, and although
occasionally chaffed about his teapot
principles, he has always very much
the best laugh when he reflects that he
had the good sense to note wrinkle
in time. His little banking account
can lay by quietly accumulating for a
year or two more, and then he can
follow the example of the publican,
and enjoy rest after long pull of hard
work. "And how many of your mates
took your advice on that memorable
night" we ask. The reply can be i'm
agined. They went on their old way.
built up handsome reserve fund for
some other occupant of the local pub,
and then in time of sere and yellow
leaves, repented their folly. It's the
case in many home outside that of
railway men, but it may chance that
this instance may awaken a thoughtful
one to realize how much may be
gained hereafter by abandoning even
what may be deemed to-day "a harm
less pleasure. '-LOndOn RaiIoOay and
Irdnl,Cdy Express.