The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-02-17


hotel, and after awhile rose from my seat,
filed with many conflicting thoughts. !
took few steps, and on turning round
the performer still playiDg-I beheld a
sight That almost stunned me- There,
standing in the doorway, was a woman
poorly clad, pressing to he- bosom an in
FAINT. Ather side, clutehing the woman 5
dress, and pressing closely was little
mans head, on which were patches Of still
Gnmeltcd snow. / never saw snch looks
Of sadness on any human face as | saw on
that woman's and the little girls knew
by instinct what it all meant, the moment
| clapped eyes on the group. They were
the druukard's wife and children.
The man at the piano, warmed MP by
the drink; still played and did not see
them. I walked mp to the woman and in
as kind manner as ! could, said: Are
you looking for some one?" ''Yes," she
said, while two great ears fell down her
checks, "a husband and father
A big lump came into my throat, and
for moment ] could not speak At last
/ said, pointing to The player; rs he the
one yen seek?" She nodded and wept.
opened The door, beckoned her to follow
me, and asked her to wait moment. Re
turning to the room told the man to con-
time playing. Then l asked the bar
keeper TO let him remain until | got back
again, and not to turn him adrift as | was
going TO help him. "AlI right, said he.
| was anxious to help her husband and see
if | couldn't ''straighten him up A look
OF grateful surprise came over the features
of the poor woman as | said this. Not
knowing exactly how to proceed in the
matter, | was rejecting, and my eyes fell
upon tie feet of the little girl Her toes
Of one foot showed themselves through lie
worn ept shoes. | always had a tender
spot in my heart for children, and when
saw those little red toes, my eyes filed
with tears | turned to the woman and
said: "lIaye You lost all faith in man? II
you have not. | want you to believe that
am yonr friend and the friend of your I'M
happy husband. Let me take yon home.
know you need help Gomez
picked up the little girl aud put her
cold. dripping feet in the folds Of my over
coat and the mother led the way
We soon came to wretehed looking
house and followed my guide up a flight
of stairs. In moment we stood thin
room in which DIM light was burning. |
need not prolong my story. AsI expected,
there was no food in the house, but what
was worse, no fuel and sick child lay on
bed, suffering with the cold and want of
nourishment. | never thanked God SO
ferYently in my life as did then, for hav-
ing received good supply Of money from
my firm that morning.
You know what little ready cash will
do. 1t was not long before had a rousing
fire and plenty 30 eat in that poor abode.
The doctor, learned, was q very gifted
man, not only in his profession, but in
other departments of learning and culture.
| went back to the hotel and fouad him
still playing; small gathering from the
bar room sat listening to his music. A bot
tie Of whisky stood on the piano--some
one had ordered it to keep the players
nerves in shape
Although be had drunk enough whisky
to paralyze an ordinary man, he seemed
merely exhiarated to happy degree.
After a while those who were gathered
into the room departed, and SAID to the
wretched man.
Doctor, where is your family2"
Family lie cried; then striking his
forehead, he continued, 'AIy family Oh
God Yes, where are they? | was for
getting mnst 90. Ihave sick child. "
After pause lac looked at me and said:
stranger you have been very good to me.
Grant me one favor and will worship You
indeed | wiII--lend me one dollar TO
take home
"Will you really go home if give it TO
you?" / said.
son my honor as gentleman, he re-
piled.
gave hun a dollar aud thought would
iust try him. did not say word about
my having seen bis wife and family, think
ing it best to give him surprise when he
got home and saw the comfortable things
that had been provided enough food for
two weeks, shoes for the children, plenty
Of coal and ton to follow.
was ON the point Of asking the drunken
doctor To make an effort TO save himself
and family from utter ruin by signing the
pledge and making one grand effort to lead
a new life but ! changed my mind.
thought it wonld be best 10 let him see
what had been done for him at his home,
and then talk to him in the morning. But
the next day the body OF the wreiched
doctor was found on the road side frozen
sin. The temptation TO get more liqcor
had been too great for him, and instead Of
going home with his dollar the night be-
fore. he went 10 another dram shop and
continued drinking. He must have lain
down on the road afterwards and frozen 10
death
Al r. .al~