Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-24

There never was drinking time
BIT Sis was In the fight.
Drunken Sis they called him soon.
The fellow was q wreck;
| II look him only one short year
| His fathers heart to break.
reasoned, pleaded with the man;
| might have talked TO stone
| With equally as much success,
| His PRIDE his manhood flown.
Oh, how | hated, cursed myself
| Whenever saw him drink:
| What fools men will make of themselves
| When they don't stop to think.
| Drink | could not bear the sight,
OF liquor, weak or strong,
My God if could go back now
And change that step SO wrong.
One day we missed Sis from his haunts,
| We searched him far and near;
Whether dead or gone away
| The latter seemed most clear.
! must confess it was relief
| TO me TO have him go
| To see the man | could have saved
Was terrible hard blow.
SIS mother died next year
Still longing for her boy; r g.
You could not comfort the poor soul,
Shed lost her only joy.
| People forgot about the lad
| As new things came about.
| had a sorrow in my heart
| never could wipe cut.
Five years elapsed, one Christmas eve
| Twas showing, too, like sin,
| The boys were at their lunch and smoke
| When printer-tramp came in;
| Bows, let fellow have a dime,
| It's pretty tough outside.
! used TO stick type IN this town
| Before rum turned the tide
| started when heard that voice
| And stared into his face.
No. yes, It's Sis, 1t seemed as il
| shared in his disgrace.
A pitiable wreck he was
His face showed sickness rife.
| But speak or make sign to him
couldn't to save my life.
Ny senses soon came back to me
To the street followed him
sis. Sis. | cried with shaking voice
| Don't YOU know me, | am jim"
Jim Bell he said, and took my hand
Il wanted to see you again:
thought I'D find you somewhere here
Though I've hunted all day In vain.
/! do not look like used to Jim,
! amt as good as new;
But wanted to see the folks again
For guess I'm almost through.
| have an awful feeling here
Most all the time nowadays;
| suppose it's caused from drinking hard
And the est of INV bad wavs.
! amt drank for month though Jim,
Not single drunken row:
And hope twill do my mother good,
Let's go aud see her now
| could not tell the man the truth,
Come to my house said.
It's late and you are tired. too,
Well 90 tomorrow instead.
We'll, Jim, | guess you're right old man,
I'll tidy up bit;
! guess it would scare mother some
TO see Inc in this kit -
We trudged along through drifting snow
| knew something was wrong;
And now | saw that poor old SIS
Could hardly get along.
felt him growing weaker, too.
The longer that we walked;
He leaned much barber and it was
With effort that he talked
4 amt much on a walk now, Jim,'
And lie gave backward lurch
Sinking down on the drifted snow
just at st. Stephens church.
tried to rouse him-get him up
II was no use to try,
The truth flashed on me all at once
Poor Sis was going to die.
Just then a sound came on the air
Sis raised his head to hear
1t was the choir's voices sweet
Singing their Christmas cheer.
Just hear that music faltered Sis,
They're singing it for ne;
| used to hear that music Jim
When on my mothers knee.
| feel so happy now old man,
It's beautiful and bright;
Just hear the words they're singing too
| knew 'twould come out right
II came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold.
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
From Heavens ali-gracious King
The world n solemn stiffness lay
To hear the angels sing
Oh. We, beneath LIES crushing load.
Whose forms are bending low;
Vino toll along the climbing way,
With painful steps and slow.
Look now. for glad and golden hours
Game swiftly on the wing;
. rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
The singers stopped, the last amen
Came sweetly on the air.
leaned down on my poor chums form
Aud gently stroked his hair.
He looked a. If into my heart,
Tried to closer to me cling
Then Sis went home that Christmas eve
And heard the angels sing"