The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-05-18
WORTH SAVING.
The Story of "Our john" and What
Timely, Friendly Help Did for Him.
fsTona, n.r,o bouati

Tlmely, Friendly heIp Oiu ior hhh'
"Jonas, rume herer'
In response to this invitation from
Jerry Monks, lumber dealer, Jonas
Sheppard. wholesale fish dealer, came
to Jerry's office window and looked
out upon the wharf adjacent.
There, Jonas, that is sad sight.
THAT man Keeling drunk, Jerry?"
Eyes"
disgusting! Some rough-and-tumble
sailor"
Eyes, and there he goes to the
ground! Now he Is trying to pick
himself up. There! He is up! He
knows more than thought he did"
"Brutes! Such folks don't seem
worth saving"
''Oh, yes, they are worth saving,
Jonas. Look farther up the wharf.
There is one of Uncle Sans boys
from that man-of-war off in the
stream"
"Well, now, he has something
aboard, ana is rather hilarious, but he
looks much more hopeful than the
brute down here. That man-of-war's-
man looks worth saving"
why, he looks like Our John, "
said the lumber dealer.
who is Our john l should like
to know?"
"Well, he once went off in a man of
war; a smart young fellow. and the
son of my wife's washwoman, Nancy.
He took to drink, they say, and / sup
pose is Keeling somewhere. Nancy
has lost track OF him. really should
like to see some of these mistaken
fellows reformed"
"Why, Jerry, you have the tone of
philanthropist. expect to see you
rush out most any time and tackle one
of those brutes and try to make them
decent"
"Well, if one try, he has got to be-
lieve the case is worth saving. 1t is
that conviction which makes man in
earnest Take that fellow who
tLmbled just now, but got up. The
man is in him, fine fellow, 1 dare
say, when the rum-devil is cast out,
energetic, bright. Yes, you have got
to believe they are worth saving, if
you start to do any thing, Jonas"
Il wish we had Seaman's Home
in our port; not just clearinghouse,
but with lot of lively additions like
music, games, and some good, wide
awake lectures now and then, some on
Temperance, say. l tell you, talk
about that chap, talk about saving
him! Take him when ne comes
ashore He has had hard time on
board ship. He has got his freedom,
got some money. and can see that he
wants good time. He goes where
he thinks he can get it, and finds the
devil in waiting for him. He doesn't
see the horns and hoof under the
welcome he gets"
"Well, l appreciate all that, and it
is a capital idea. don't see but that
you and / will have to give when we
get rich"
That's well put i'm
"Ten thousand dollars apiece to start
a first-class clearinghouse, or home,
and all kinds of attractionsrfpE sailors.
But that won't help the present case.
l think we ought to follow up that fell
low"
"Follow him! If he hasn't tumbled
over into the dock!'
You don't say!"
The two men rushed out of the office,
ran to the edge of the wharf, and
looked down.
What sight, jerry"
Lucky the tide is QUIT"
"But, oh, the mud is in! What a
sight!'
The sailor was sight indeed. It
was low tide in the dock, and into it's
ooze and mud the sailor had pitched.
He was gathering himself up, and did
not seem hurt, but such muddied
hands and bedaubed clothes! The shock
of the fall was somewhat SOLDERING him.
He looked up confusedly, pltifully, as
If wanting somebody to tell him what
to do.
"Here, friend, up this way! Let me
have your hand" cried the lumber
dealer, stepping promptly down a
rough stairway leading into the dock.
Jerry, Jerry, you are not going to
filthy yourself! Let him wallow to the
head of the dock and get out himself"
mo, Jonas, here is the place." and
he said in low tone: "You got to
help. too"
Friend" cried Jerry, this way!
Here, step on these stairs! Now take
hold Of the railing, and there-I'll get
behind and shove you up. Jonas, just
come and take hold of this mans
hands and pull while l shove"
Nonsense" groaned Jonas, who
was rather fagtidious in his tastes.
Jerry, though, was memorable and
would not let Jonas off.
''Grab his hands. Jonas! Pull goodI
Heave-now! There he rises! Now
again! All together, heave now!
Good! Once morer'
All this time Jonas was Juggling,
hanging out broad look of disgust on
his face.
There! Now let him 60, Jerry. He