Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-12-28

matched hut. lived Ben DriscoII and
his wife Sally.
In other years they had been well
and happy; and, though never fore
handed, yet they had not known
want till old age and sickness had
deprived them OF their ability to
work. And ON this cold winters
night, Uncle Ben and Aunt Sally sat
and shiyered over the heat OF such
stuff as they had been able to gather
nom the snow-coyered hedges, and
the old man sighed as he thought of
the aims house.
five could only get through the
winter. Bnt who can help us?'t
But old Uncle Ben and his wife were
aroused from stupor of chill and
hunger by the tramp of feet and hum
OF voices; and shortly the door open
ed and John Digby and his three
companions entered.
A fire was speedily burning on the
hearth, and good store of provis-
ions was opened out on the table.
The old man wondered and Tom
Lowden made answer.
Its all right, Uncle Ben. This is
Jack Digby's Reform Club. We've
stopped our rations OF spirits and
tobacco, and are going to invest the
result in n missionary enterprise.
We want to convert you and Aunt
Sally, If we can"
Convert us, Tom?"
Aye-convert you to comfort and
peace; and perhaps convert you to
the beliefthat THERE'S agrain OF good
left in humanity still. We mean to
take you in hand the coming winter,
and you shan'c suffer il we can help
il"
The boys did not leave the cot un-
ill they had helped the aged
couple TO hearty meal, and had
piled up fuel enough TO last until
they came again; and when they
finally withdrew the song of their
blessing was sounding in their ears.
And so the reformers went on until
their nights work was done; and
when they came to separate they de.
clared that they had found such en-.
joyment ms they had never known
before.
During the succeeding week three
new members we're added to the cluI
men who were willing to cut off ex,
penses for rum and tobacco and de
vote the proceeds to the relief OF the
poor and distressed OF the town.
And ere long Digby's Reform club
became a noted institution in that
place. The projectors could hardly
credit the evidence of their OWL
senses in contemplating the result
OF their three months labor. Two
and twenty members hadjoined, and
the fund for relief amounted to near
| liz $40 per week, and each man wal
pledged TO pay in weekly the exact
sum his spirits and tobacco cost him
fhe continued to use tobacco, HI
took n lower place in the company
and the use OF spirits as a beverag,
was sufficient cause for expulsion
When people saw the good that wa
being done, they were anxious to- Civ,
aid, and be connected with the mer
nv crew; but the laws of the clul
were fixed: no money could come Il
the fund except such as had beel
saved by the donor of some evi
habit, or by cutting of some useles
luxury.
IL was a bright Sabbath in spring
time. and il was given out that Par
son Meekly was going to preach
sermon on Digby's reform club, an
the old meeting house was filed Z
Overlooking. The clergyman rea
his text from st. Johns Gospel-"Ca
there any good come out of Nazareth
Come and see" And when he toll
the story OF Digby's Reform club an
pictured the good result Of it's Ia
hors, he proclaimed to all, go y
and do likewise.
Once John Digby and his compar
ions had fancied ii would be a prou
moment when they had brought tn
old pnrson to recognize the worth {
their labors; but the blessings
those upon whom their bounties ha
, fallen had made such sweet music
( their ears, and the satisfaction of d,
ties truly done had dropped S
soothingly upon their souls, the
found no room for that baser prid
which they had before that time al
/ ticipated.