The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-11-15
wARDwELL q THOMPSON, Publisher.
Subscription, q Per Annun, i, Ad,.ne..
ROGER.
NJ ADA N. rRorrER.

Two men, with drunken third heavily
swinging between them, looked about with
evident anxiety. Sclf-preservation urged
immediate flight but they were unwilling
to leave boon companion in the lurch.
''They'll be psalm singing in the church
mere presently" cried one, seeing tho open
doors.
Enough! They dragged tho man up the
steps, opened side door and pushed him
down in dark corner. The next moment,
they had vanished, and Roger, the drunken
man, fell into heavy slumber.
The bells chimed the hour of service. peo.
pie hlled the empty pews, the organ pealcd
ana the choir sang. Some of these novel
SOUNDS broke the drunkard's slccr, for ut
length he sat up and stared stupidity around
him.
10 wake In such surroundings from q
drunken sleep was anything but agreeable
TO Rogers feelings. The best part of him
protested against such an intrusion; he
made up his mind to creep out as soon as
possible. But, though the effort was quick
~ made, it was useless; Rogers limbs ut
tered distinct refusal to carry their master
single yard. Ho had to accept the situa-
ton aud make the best of it.
The singing was very sweet, bringing
tears to his maudlin eyes. 1t made him
think OF Molly, his poor wife. Why! once
upon time he had been steady church
goer, until that cursed attack Of typhoid
fever. Twas all the fault of the doctor
who prescribed whisky-whisky, to bring
MIN through. Better had he died, nav. far
better S' -'''
Here he wept few tears Of self-pity: o
drunkard is apt in finding scape goats on
which TO throw the burden of his transgres-
slons. The lower he falls, the easier docs
this habit become, and Roger, who, when
ne first fell, was ashamed to look his wife
N the face, now was eager to believe that
II only She would smile ON him and make a
pleasant homo for him, he vet would re-
form. So the more Roger felt the influence
OF the sweet singing, the easier came his
tears, the more ready his blame for every
one belonging to him, as being tho cause Of
his downfall, his constant backslidiues,
Roger, shedding maudlin tears in the darl,
corner, quite incapable Of moving from his
place. is not a figure to excite either sym-
: pathy or compassion Yet, six years ago.
SSle was steady man, earning good wages
with comfortable home for his wife and
two children. The verdict of the world ia
Is spoken OF as his own worst enemy, Alas,
think of his wife, his children. Can words
describe the suffering, the anguish such an
ono imposes on those who love him.
Several people had interested themselves
IN Roger. They had meant well, and had
taken the kindest pains to show him that
they thought we'll of him, and believed he
intended to reform. They had blamed the
doctor for creating the thirst for drink by
such free use of whisky as medicine.
Roger rather liked being tho centre of so
much interest. but he had no intention of
curbing his newborn appetite; he let him
self go, so his will, never weak one, led
him. The good people who made these
enorts spent time and money in vain. He
was left with the feeling that he was very
good kind of fellow, too good for the life he
chose TO lead. His boon companions also
called him ''good fellow" 1t was natural.
therefore, that he should be angry with
Molly FOR looking SO wan and thin, while he
@as enjoying himself in his own way. The
road ne was going was travelled at swift
rate, and he had gone far, tho hour came
when his anger eliminated in blow. After
This the downward path became an easier
one, and brought Roger in few years.
time to more drunken than sober hours.
Rogers poor, rambling thoughts and his
tears of self pity were suddenly arrested.
Tor the rector, having ascended the pulpit
gave out his text in powerful voice. The
words thus incisivcly pronounced seized the
drunkard's whole attcntion-tl.cy seemed to
be spoken entirely TO him. "To him that
overcometh, will give to cat of the tree of
life, which is in the midst Of tho Paradise
Of God"
At first, these words alone rang in his
bcwildcrcd brain, but ere long the preach.
ers words took hold of him and carried him
along. AS Roger sat staring at the rector.
1t seemed to him that his glance was re-
turned by one that looked him through.
Gladly would he have crcpt away from the
church, but, fastened by those wonderful
eyes, he dared not STIR
1t was q temperance sermon, and driven
home by no feeble hand. Roger, as he lis
tened to the burning words, lost, once and
Tor all, the impression that he was q very
good sort of fellow. The picture given OF
the degradation of the human soul when
given up to drink was not overdrawn
Alas! the preacher knew it could not be.
but Roger quailed before the scathine
words. He shuddcrcd, as he saw himself
stripped Of all sentiment, deprived of the
interest of self-pty. He saw himself a
loathesome, abused creature and the CON
tempt of the rector for such an one was
harder for Roger TO bear than the sevcrest
scourging could have been.
But ITO him that ovcrcomcth;' like fire
the meaning Of these words rushed through
his mind, as the speaker, holding to his
text, with noble impctuosity, stirred the
hearts of his listeners to fight against and
overcome the evil tendencies of their self
shared natures.
Roger thought his fluttering heart would
burst, as he thought of the past and the pos
sibilities of the future. Rcmorsc, not self
pity, brought tears to his eyes now, aud
contempt for himself added to his misery.
1t was over. Another hymn was sung;
the people left the church. Mr.. Mark, the
rector, wearily left the vcstry and walked
down the aisle. AS he set his foot in the
porch, some one touched his sleeve. 1t was
Roger.
Mr. Mark turned his glowing eyes upon
him. Roger, dirty, ragged, unkempt, un-
washed, with eyes red and blcared,
stood waiting to speak; but face to face
with the man he wanted, became abashed
"You have something to say to me:" said
Mr.. Mark. 'sColne out into the air."
This glaring glance at Roger had told
him what this man wanted of him. His
face was stern, and he frowned a little
with ill-concealed loathing, as the unhappy
wretch before him stared vacantly around.
"1ll never touch another drop, before
God" cried Roger, wildly. He made an
unsteady clutch at the rector, and clung to
his arm.
''Help me-" he cried. 81 am beast, a
wretch. But, as God sees me, I'll reform.
III never touch another drop, so help me
Godm
The rector barred his head. To Roger il
brought sudden sense of the meaning OF
the oath he had taken. He looked with
some apprehension at this strange man,
who had 80 thrilled his dcadcned soul this
evening, and who, while looking him
through and through, still vouchsafed nc
remark, gave forth no sympathizing word
which Roger might catch and lean on a,
this hour.
master, for Gods sake, see me safe
home tonight" cried Roger, who between
drink and emotion, was scarcely sane
Silently, an arm was linked in his, and
without word, Mr.. Mark walked on
through some of the vilcst slums of tho
city. As they went, Roger glanced occas
ionally at his new friends face: he almos,
covered before the growing sternncss of ex
,,roSsion