The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-07-03

ltrike eleven - twelve- one TWO
three. What could be the matter! Har.
~ had promised to come home early and
had never known him to stay out 30
late before.
l could endure itno Longer and rose,
dressed myself and went back to the
sitting-room. lifted the curtain and
looked out; could see by the light OF.
the street lamp that it had stopped
showing. but what was that dark object
that lay across the walk? Could it be
human form partly covered by the
drifted snow? looked moment
longer; yes, I was certain that it was q
person lying there and then, Oh! the
thought came to me that it might be
Harry.
Ihurriedly called John, telling him
that there was person lying out on
our sidewalk, but dared not tell him
of the awful fear that had seized me.
He was dressed in a moment and when
he came he asked why l had not called
Harry: he looked surprised when re-
piled that Harry had not come home
yet saw him glance quickly at the
clock and an anxious look came over
his face when he saw that it was after
three. -E'f.% - "v.AE
We fastened out Though the deep
snow; John reached the form just before
did, and as he lifted it in his arms and
the light from the street-lamp flashed
across the face, heard him cry out:
"Oh. my God! it's Harry" ........-.
Yes, 1t was indeed Harry who had
fallen and lain there, we knew not how
long. That he was intoxicated we
knew at once, for the heavy fumes of
the liquor still chung to him.
We carried the unconscious form into
boris to arouse them and ask them to
send their boy for doctor; then I
went back. and we did what we could
for the poor boy before the doctor
came. shall never forget the look of
agony on Johns face while we waited
for the doctors arrival. Somehow, as I
looked at him, seemed to see the
bigoted man, with all his wearisome opin-
ions sinking into the background, and in
his place there stood the true
father with all fathers love and
terrible anxiety written upon his face.
When the doctor came he relieved
anxiety by telling US that the boy was
not so badly frozen as we had feared,
but he said: ''Had he lain there until
daylight the consequences might have
been fatal"
The weeks passed in tedious recovery,
and one day when Harry remarked that
he thought he was able to walk down
town again his father told him that he
would like few moments talk with
him; they went together into Harry's
room and the few moments heightened
into an hour. never knew what was
said during that hour, but am sure
there were no angry words spoken, for
when they came out there was gentle,
softened expression on each face.
Well, thank God, my boy was not
past redemption, and that terrible
nights experience was his salvation, for
never since then has he drank one drop
of liquor; and, as the years 60 by, he
grows Drawer and stronger and more
manly.
And John? Well, brother John still
has his opinions, and in many respects
they differ widely from mine, but upon
the subject which is nearest to my
heart, the Temperance subject we are
firmly united; for never since that fate
full night when our boy came so near
losing his life within the very shadow
of his home has John had aught but
condemnation for the social glass.
Oh, how many Johns there are to-day
who are carelessly giving their sanction
and approval to this death dealing
traffic that is blighting the homes of
our country, far and near? But wait,
only wait until the curse comes to their
own door, and then perchance they,
too, will change their '.:opinions. -
Nettie H. Pelham, in Union Signal