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

-
on there, " said venerable drummer. 81
used to 'fanl1 mp" pretty frequently in my
younger days, . lie continued, "but | quit
drinking many years ago. 1t took all the
moral fortitude ] could muster TO break
away from the internal bonds; and for a
month suffered for the want Of my usual
drains. But ] got free at last as every
drinker can if he only wills. Why did |
quit drinking2 Well, if you only will just
listen ] viii tell yon:
] was pretty full one night and the bar
room where had been drinking, with a
lot OF reckless young spirits. was filed with
a noisy crowd. During lull in the bah
bling talk the door opened, and the most
miserable looking object | ever saw came
in from the street. He was covered with
snow and seemed half frozen He wore n
thin, ragged coat, which was pinned close
under his chin as though to keep ont the
cold. His scanty beard and unkempt hair
were covered with ieicles, and his feet were
cncased i'll rubbers full of holes. He was
so cold that re shook violently as Re stag
gered toward the stove, where he stood
with his teeth chattering to thaw himself
out. | was the only one to notice him as
he came in, but it was not long before the
bar-keeper spied him out.
As he did so, he came out from behind
the bar, and taking hold OF the poor wretch,
by the coat collar .ierked him violently to-
wards the door, With the exclamation,
"You get out Of here.'
sFor PHYS sake, only LET me warm my
self I'm frozen; only just let me get
warms cried the man in despairing tones.
I felt much pity for the man when |
heard his yoice-which seemed to possess
the accents of refinement--that | got mp
from my scat and followed the bar-keeper,
who was about to throw the man out into
the pitiless storm.
'.IIerer' said ], why don't you LET the
poor heggar warm himself?8
''Warm himself? The loafer! He's the
biggest dead beat in the town.
"Neyer mind if he is; don't you see he's
almost dead2 Give him drink and III
pay for it, . said.
The bar-keeper hesitated a moment. |
winked at him in meaning way and pull
ed out dollar.
cob. well, he said. 'do as you like, but
| tell you he is the worst hummer ON the
top Of the earth. y
The CLASSY eyes Of the poor wretch look
ed vacantly into mine, and saw that he
wanted to express his gratitude.
Come on, y | said, and taking him mp
to the bar | ordered whisky for him.
opp p-pour tit out ffor-for me, he cried
in hoarse, almost inarticulate voice
saw that ne shook too violently tohan-
die the bottle, so poured him ont almost
tlmberfuI of rye The sight of the liquor
seemed 10 give him nerve. He put his
hand in pocket and brought foril, piece
of rope. This he tremblingls placed
round his neck and held an end in each
hand. | thought the man was crazy. In
a moment, however, | saw through his
scheme. Selling the tumbler with his
right, and by this means he was enabled
to draw the glass to his lips without
spilling its contents. With much splut-
tering he gulped the fiery liquid down.
Roars of laughter followed this perform
ance which amused the bystanders SO
that they treated the man to several
more drinks; and in short time he was
an altered man. lis CLASSY eye became
full of elitter-his face sufiused with color.
He no longer shivcred, and his voice became
firm had little couvcrs ation with the
ragged individual. aud was surprised to
find that he was n cultivated man. lie
was proiuse in his thanks for my friendly
appeal in his behalf, and | was about TO
put some questions to him. when the burly
bar-keeper clipped me the wink. aud
signed for me to go to him. Don't you
have anything to do with that loafer-he
is disgrace 10 the town, and | wish he'd
keep out o this place. y said the bar tender.
"Who is hep asked.
sWhy, he's doctor, but he drinks up
every cent he can lay hands on and let's his
family starpe. We've had no end of
trouble with him. lie gets drunk and up
in the police court We're forbidden by
his W fe to give him liquor. He's smart
smart is no name fer it. He might have
the biggest practice in town il he'd only
drink right, and not sw i'll it down all the
time. Oh, he beats all. Why barrel
wouldn't do for hm--no nor a dozen bar
rels. lie must have a cast iron stomach.
You ought to hear him play on the piano.
Oh, he's smart, there's no denying that.
II the brute would only drink moderate"
AS the bartender ceased speaking the
thought occurred to me that | should like
to hear him play | beckoned to him, and
knowing there was an instrument ia The
room adjoining the bar, asked him if he
would favor me with a time.
''Ohl my dear sir, he replied, 81 am
afraid yom must excuse me; really my
nerves are so shattered that unless-ah-
rcally--you know, unless ] can get my
nerves mp to concert pitch | shall not be
able to run my poor fiugeis over the keys"
am ashamed now to say it, bnt ! took
him to the bar and told him to "liqucr