The American citizen. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1888-1909, 1889-01-25
TEMPERANCE READING.
LANDLORDS SCHEME.

rrurning Point Ia INC LIZ =
me Sprague.
w;lliam Sprague had once been an
IL Industrious, temperate mechan-
nOn. r;oving the respect Of his fellow
~ and maintaining his wife and
MA l;'S,.en in comfort But in an evil
cur cur he yielded to the invitation OF
n.y.. rode to 'stake drink at the VII
OO tavern. From this moment his
las ~nward steps became more and
Oo"A - nid-not that he loved drink. :.
niOf e.at + was distasteful to him; but,
= degrees, he began to crave It Tor
" ot;nulating effect and to think that
!. Us necessary to his constitution.
BESIDES he enjoyed the conviviality OF
the party that were wont TO meet at
-. ~. tavern, night after night to ca
,ouse and make merry.
am speaking Of time twenty
since. when drunkenness was
. y openly practiced than now.
~ course these habits were not
-u;thout their effect upon his pecuniary
'n.arasts. He had inherited from his
.atbar 4 cottage and couple Of acres
~sIond which were worth, perhaps,
eaaon hundred dollars. Besides this,
H. occupation that Of carpenter
rroucht him, in good times. two dol
lars day; SO that there seemed to be
nothing to prevent his laying up a
rood sum every year. In fact, he had
elraadv some four hundred dollars on
5onosit ia the savings bank when he
first came to take the downward path.
Rut this soon melted away, being
transferred to the landlords pockets
for rum.
~ and BY the account at the tavern
had swslled to two hundred dollars
more. The landlord was perfectly
willing to give him credit, knowing
that his place would secure him. In
deed. he had fixed his eyes upon it,
ard meant to get it into his possession
sooner or later.
When his bill amounted to two hun
dred dollars he presented it for pay
ment. The amount staggered Will
lam Sprague, who had no idea 1t was
80 much.
II can show you the items" said
the landlord, confidently.
II suppose you are right" said his
victim; "but I can not pay you now. "
II am sorry to press you; but must
insist upon it."
"But haven't itain my possession. y
"Oh, we'll, you can easily raise it. "
"Who would lend mep"
"Your Uncle Thomas.
"No hope there" said Sprague,
who we'll knew that his uncle disap-
\ proved Of the course he had been pur'
suing for some months past. INC
hope there. I am no great favorite
with him."
"Well," said the landlord, after {
pause, "I'll tell you what I'll do
You owe me two hundred dollars. IL
lend you three hundred more, and you
shall give me mortgage for five hun
dred on your house and land"
William was at first startled at thi
suggestion; but, after all, thought he
"Why shouldn't IP It will pay of M!
debt and give me three hundred dol
lars in hand. ! guess I'll do it."
The landlord received his assen
with JOY, and would not let him res
till the documents were drawn up an
the mortgage given.
Mrs Sprague heard Of her husband
action with pain. She tearfully ez
pOstulated with him, but in vain. Sh
well knew that the three hundre
dollars would go the same way wit
the other two, and that the landlor
would never release the hold he ha
nov got on her husband. She cOul
divine that at no distant time, she an
her children would be without home
and her husband, perhaps, in drums
ards grave.
The course Of subsequent event
seemed likely to verify her anticips
ton. In just six months from til
time the mortgage was given tn
hree hundred dollars had waste
away. Most Of it had found its wa
back to the landlords drawer.
William Sprague was about conten
plating q second mortgage, when q
unexpected incident most Fortunate
set him to thinking, and eventuated
restoring him, a temperate man,
his wife and nh{1droo
This is the way it happened: o.
evening he left the tavern In sta
q partial intoxication, and direct'
MS steps homeward. 1t was di
lance OF q mile. and when half-wa
ne sat down by the side Of the road
rest Pretty soon he heard the step
ana soon after the voices, Of two me
VINO were approaching, and appear
y Pc earnestly engaged in convers
ton.
Ihey proved to be the landlord and
brother Of his, who was visiting hi
rom 2 neighboring town.
That ia rrot+u nlaCA