The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-03-11
GOOD CUSTOMER OF OURS.

l
slick"
eyes, and | am feeling pretty slick,
as you term it. My eye-teeth have
come through since the last time
was around here. One evening, not
long time ago, l dropped in al
Brack's to get few bowls; while
was sitting at a table drinking,
Brack, after shaking hands with sew
eral cOnvivial friends and bidding
them good bye, CHANGED to come near
my table. The old fellow that was
waiting on me-the one that we call
Bismark--thought to pay me a high
compliment by giving nae an introo
duction to his master, and turning to
Brack, SAID:
q This is Mr.. Rodney, a good cus-
toner of ours
"Brack sat down and ordered the
drinks. He was exceedingly jestful
and laughed immoderately at some
little pleasantly uttered by myself,
and attempted to be of good cheer,
but if | smiled at all it must have
been in constrained way, for certain
words lay with shuddering cleanliness
upon my mind.
'Mr. Rodney is good customer
of ours
"Many time | had sat at that ia
bic, studying the faces of the clamo-
rOus crowd about me, and many
many an ill-spent dollar had l left
there, but never before had it struck
me that l had been picked out as "a
good customer of ours | went out
with the words ringing III my ears,
and meditatively strolled along Mich,
igan avenue. Hundreds of resplen-
dent equipages whirled past. A man
gayly waved his hand at me. He was
driving a handsome span of horses.
| recognized Brack. "A good custom
er Ofours.' Good customers of ours
had provided him with that striking
turnout, But where was my team?
81 welt home. My wife was cook
ing supper. We could not afford to
keep Il servant. My vito had said so,
and | agreed with her. She had
often declared that | was working too
hard, and that it was no more than
right that she should attempt to- cut
down expenses. | had agreed to all
this for | knew that | did work hard
and | prided myself that | had never
been intoxicated, and yet | was "a
good customer of ours.'I We sat
down to supper. My wife-and how
weary she did look-sat with arms
resting on the liable. 'Arnt you GO
ing to eat anything?' l asked.
" Not now, she answered, Pm So
tired that l hav'elt any appetite
" Mr.. Rodney is good customer
of ours, the tea-kettle hummed, and
a cat, purring, at the leg of my chair,
seemed to repeat the words. A chill
crept over me.
What have you learned at school
to. dayY | asked my little dau. hter.
/" i didn't go to school to-day she
answered.
/" 'WhyY
"My wife looked up YEARLY and
said.
Her shoes are worn out. She'll
have to wait until we can get her
new pair
"Groot God! "A good customer
of ours.
l went into the sitting room and
lay on . sofa. A troop of reprpach-
full thoughts skurred through my
brain. And then old, villainous hui
man nature tried to soothe me.
"YOu were never drunk it said,
you have always been kind to your
family. You drink of an evening
when your work is done, but you
need some sort Of recreation. You
spend money it is true, but why does
a man care to live if he cannot enjoy
himself occasionally
"Ah, how easy it would have been
to yield, but truth, in asld tone of
reproval, waived aside the tempting
scoundfel and sal |;
The money you spend for beer
would make your home a rest-inspir.
ing and happy place. You say you
must have recreation. What recreas
ton has your wife? Whose good Gus.
toner is she?
"My wife came into the room and
sat down near me.
Are you very tiredf' she asked,
in a voice low and sweet with sympa :
thy's music.
+" 'NoP could not help but exc aim,
4 am net tired but agood customer
| mean that | am brute
Why, what do you mcanY she
asked in surprise.
" i mean exactly what | say
that | SIN simply a brute. l hav'
waefpd MANY a dollar that I shouI,