The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-05-11
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A LOST LIFE.
rhe Deplorable End of Victim OF the
Demon of the still.

live, one day when l happened TO be IN
little grocery, which, with black
smith shop, the railroad depot and sa-
loon or two formed the town of the
prairie, fine-looking gentleman who
came in and pleasantly said, good
morning." attracted my attention. Tall,
well formed and intelligent looking,
there was something about him that
made me turn and look after him the
second time.
On my return home my husband ex-
planned: 'Oh, that was the station
agent, Harry Seldom, smart fellow,
everybody likes him. He has a wife
and some children and lives at the
depot"
AS before stated, the saloons were an
important part of the town. The people
living on the scattered farms were
many of them Germans, who, with their
love for their national drink, whenever
they had business in town made the sa-
loon their headquarters. And every
bargain made, whether of sale or trade,
must be, to hold good, sealed with
drink"
To these ''drinlls" Harry Seldom was
often invited; being a jolly, pleasant
fellow, his society was always welcome.
1t was seldom that anyone really got
drunk, for the Germans can stand a
great deal of beer, and Seldom was too
smart to let liquor get the better of him.
IT'S true his wife was grieved and
often warned him. but really he was
not afraid"
AS time passed on the town grew
with western vigor. More saloons were
among the new buildings added. The
| business of the railroad was increased,
and it began to be whispered that
sometimes Seldom was unable to at
| tend to all his business" but as yet it
was only whispered. His home was so
coy and pleasant, and, besides, he got
good wages and saved the most of his
money, too.
At last, after being "sick" and unable
to attend to his duties for several days,
he received his discharge from the
service of the railroad company. How
ever, he had purchased another home,
30 it did not seriously inconvenience
him. "Anyhow, he was tired of work
ing for other people. Preferred to go
into business for himself"
Next, the health of Mrs. Seldom be-
gan to fail. The doctor said "all his
medicine did her no good; she was like
clock run down" Stories. too, were
told of cries in the night heard from the
Seldom home and of woman fleeing
before drunken man.
Of what came after this need only
tell briefly: First, dishonor, then di
vorce; then, for the sake of the chill
dren, a reconciliation and trial in an
other place few miles distant, where
happily, among strangers, the ole
enemy might be lived down. The
temptations. struggles and failures %
the next few years are familiar to al
who have watched the life of a drunk
ard. When at last the once splendi'
constitution gave way and the ply
sicians plainly told him that his onl,
chance for life was total abstinence
at once and forever" Harry Seldom, t.
whom life was still DEAR made one las
grand struggle.
His wife and his children, who wer
now nearly grown, helped him in ever,
way possible, one of them going witt
him nearly everywhere he went, t.
shield him and watch over him, as ten
derby as though he were little child
for, sot though he had been, the low
and sympathy was strong that boun
them together.
The son, speaking of his father, on
day when he came to Maple farm o.
business. said: Father is all right now
he has not touched a drop of liquor TO
months" The lost health was slowl
regained. When on the Sabbath da
the family sought the sanctuary. Harr
Seldom with bowed head and reveren
tread accompanied them. Plans for tn
improvement of the business which tn
wife, aided by Seldom whenever he wa
sober, had carried on all these year:
were begun.
Bright and early in the morning til
cheerful whistle and rin"tlg hamme
could be heard, showing that TIVE plan
were being carried out. 1t was in the ia
and some building material was needle
to finish work already commenced b,
fore cold weather should come. Seldo
hoped by starting early to bring HON
several loads during the day. One loa
was brought home, and he went for al
other; this he loaded up and started fc
home. On the way he was overtake
by two old friends (?) of his forme
days, when he had been station agen
AS they came up with him he called OF
pleasant good morning" and ,
course they must talk awhile. Rigf
ahead of them, by the roadside, was tn
"lIalf-way-house" saloon (half wa
from Heaven to hell, only tn
5 last half is so much the shor
D est. Here the horses from hab
stopped. Seldom turned his horse
, to the road and started on agail
Hold on, where are you going,
t said one of the men, winking to his con
panion: come and have a drink. L
treat. it won't cost you anything
mo, thank you," said Seldom an
tried To start on.
"Oh, let him 60" said the other ma
"hc's tul ned importance"
, Just then the saloonkeeper stuck h
' head out of the door, with some remar
that had the desired effect, causir
poor Seldom to stop his horses on,
% more, the smell of The liquor fro
= within binding and drawing him as ii