The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-08-03


that downward path which leads
to rum.
One night-a cold, bleak Marcel
night-when the wind came roar
ing and clustering up the streets
jim, with, with a crowd OF fellows
stood upon the corner laying plans
tor the nights "fun." The music
from dance hall came floating
down to them, the squeak of fid-
die, and the shuttle of dancing feet,
and it was into this place, notorious
even in that evil peIghborhood, the
boys were trying to persuade Jim
to go.
He was standing there irresoIute,
conscious Of the struggle in his
heart, and yet resenting it, when
The patter of hurrylng footsteps
came up the street, and childish
figure, with a white, eager face,
came within the glare OF The cleo
talc light under which they stood.
1t was the Little Un, who had in
some way heard of his friends dan
ger, and was flying TO his assist.
aHce.
Jim had not seen him for some
time. The measles had been bad
i'll that locality, and Philip had sue
cumbed, and had been very sick !;
he had scrambled back to life,
somehow, but with a feeble body
and racking cough. But brave,
little boy! How The feeble feet
could run; how desperately the
thin, little hands clung to Jim'S
sleeve.
"Jim, jim" he painted "don't
you never go i'll there. It's dread
ful place, Jim; once you 90 in
there, you'll never be the same
again. I've seen people III there.
Mother goes, and often she used to
take me; and oh, Jim! | believe
it's The DEVILS home, indeed, in
deed | do"
jim looked down angrily, his
hand halt raised to strike butthe
little face was so white, and there
was such look of love in the
sunken eyes.
IL love you, Jim," he pleaded.
You was the first person who ever
give me a kind word in my life.
Pm not afraid you'll hit me, jim;
Pm not one bit afraid. Come home
with ne, please come home with
me. I've got new song to sing
you, and it'll make you laugh like
anything"
"Throw the little rat in the gut
ter" one OF The boys said, with an
oath don't be held back by the
likes of him."
Here, YOU" another said, threat
eningly; you be off, or I'll give you
something you wont like"
"l'll never let CO." the Little Tn
painted. Oh /! the brave spirit in
the frail body. "I'm little, but
there's somebody on my side |
strongeTn you, Tom Moore"
"Who, I'd like to know?" sneer.
I'd the boy.
"The Lord Jesus" Philip an
,wered. He's slronger'n anybody
md He won't let you get my jim"
"We'll see about that. Here,
lin, let go, I'll settle him" and he
taught the child with a cruel grasp.
A light flashed in Iim'S eyes, his
lands clenched.
"YOu take your hands off, Tom
ioore, ,"he SAID, angrily. "Any.
,ody you strikes the Little Un
must settle with me too. | believe
e's right too, and III not go with
ou tonight after all. Laugh
way" he added, as they sent up
sneering, mOckIng laugh, per
APPS when you're solely landed in
all the laugh will be on our side" /
nd picking the Little I'm up in his ,
rms. he strobe maniully away.
The next night they were back !
the meeting, Philips face beam 9
~ with happiness. His blue bow !
nd dwIndled 10 the merest scrap, :
he greater part of The ribbon be- y
lg pinned 10 the lapel Of Jim's $
Iat. q
"He made me take his ribbon" /
i'm said, half bashfully, "and, /
liss Julia, he says that now I'm a '
Iember Of his temperance band, |
MT signed no pledge, but the Lit n
e Un knows I'm thinkin' of en-.
stIn' under his Captain, aud with '
is help I'll never touch drink I
yain.n