Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-03-27
Temperance Column.
Sterling FaIon's Experience.
BY MARY DwISEIL CHELIIs

| II WIS Oh the eve Oh III lilIOTlau
election. For weeks halls had been
packed with enthusiastic crowds list
ening to popular speakers while long
professions paraded the streets with
flaming torches and Haunting ban
ners. Favoring candidates had been
eItolled and opposing candidates de
cried until men forgot to be either
generous or just
Sterling Faxton candidate for an
office he had long coveted, was in his
library alone, counting over aud ov-
er again his chances of success
That Ire would owe his election if
this was achieved, to widely different
classes of society, no one knew better
than himself, vet every vote cast for
him would be east for the liquor in
terest
The wealthy citizen whose wine
cellar was stocked with the choicest
vintage and the veriest sot who slak
ed his thirst in the vilest dens were
alike sure to give him their votes.
Brewers and distillers, wholesale and
retail liquor dealers of every grade
all were pledged to sustain him,
while he in turn WAS pledged to de
fend their interests against all OPP
position
This va tr be the price of his
election ant he would be held To
strict account. H. would be closely
watched. There could be no waver
ing on his part. Scruples must be
given to the wind, and he must fol
low the path marked out for him.
| Perhaps in his eager haste he had
not before stopped To count the whole
cost but now that he was alone with
ample time for reflection he ques-
toned ifhe had done wisely
4 servant interrupted him tO say
that boy wished To see HIM upon
important business
sShow HIM in, was responded,
and presently coarselv dressed Irish
lad stood before him, hat in hand
Il WIS To bring this To You, said
the visitor, extending n piece of
brown paper closely folded Il WAS
told not to wait for an, answer, but Is
must be ven send for some money
10 the poor fellow that's lyin' on tine
straw, and niver bite 10 ate but
what we poor ones give him It's
garrett he's in, and no fire. I'm
thinking it's the drink that's brought
him there, but there's many a one IN
fine houses as bad as he"
Mr.. Faxon did not unfold the scrap
of paper he had taken. One glance
at the superscription sufhced. 1t
had been written with trembling
hand. but there WAS no mistaking
the writer.
Il have nothing to give. You can
20" said the gentleman huskily.
And nothing To sind the poor fel-
Ter that's lying on the straw =. He
said We was up for big Office, but 1
hope ven not get vote, we're that
stingy.
What is it" asked young girl
who had Just entered the room IN
time to hear this last remark "Who
calls my father stingy f-you'" she
cried looking at the boy, who regard
ed her with wondering admiration.
Faith, and 1 did," he answered.
Il brought the gintlemsn a letter
from n poor feller that's nigh dyin,
and he won't send him what would
kape the breath of life in him.
"DOes he ask for money father"
Il don't know. / have not read
the letter"
Would there be an angel sister to
the poor feller ON the straw ?" now
Exclaimed the lad Sure as my eyes
can see, there is the very same looks. -
DO you mean that look like the
poor feller lying on the straw
''Sure, Miss, do"
| There was 4 sudden paling of fair
sweet face, and then the bearer of
the strange letter was shown to the
hall, wherv hc Was told to wait.
Only one person would have as
sumed to have addressed Sterling
Faxon in the pro:nptory manner
which seemed to leave him no choice
of action. His only daughter was
privileged and when she read the
message he Welded to her demand,
she turned to him, half in anger, half
in scorn-exclaiming
Listen. From pallet of straw
In fireless room, 1 congratulate YOU
upon your political prospects Your
son, Harry Think of that, father.
My brother Harry wrote that, and 1
am going to him I will stay with
him too. You drove him from home
because he couldn't drink wine as YOU
do and keep sober. If mother had
lived he wonld'nt have been turned
into the street. read in a paper to
day that you are the candidate that
all the liquor men viii vote for 1t Is
said Sterling Faxon believes in hq-
uor, and after his experience he
ought to be able to Judge. .intelligently
of its effects Those were the very
words read father and shall nev
er forget them came In to tel
YOU about them and to ask YOU tC
withdraw your name as a candidate
l am going to Harry now. father
VIII you 90 with me p
Yes. l viii order the carriag,
I and take the boy with us to show u,
Q the way"
e No more was said between the ia
! ther and daughter. Not a word wa,
e spoken during the hurried drive, ex
= cept as directions were given, unit
o they stopped before wretched tene
e ment house, when the young CIR
g asked doubtingly.
s rs this the place p
y "Sure it is, Miss" was replied
V "Ye have only to follow me and 1 vii
S take YOU to the garrett where tn
S poor feller Is on the straw"
, Up rickety stairs, through darl
IS narrow halls he led the way, stop
ping only to snatch a candle from hi
e mothers room, which, when he reach