The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-07-14
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A NEGATIVE NO.

How Railroader's Success Was Hindered
by Drink.
A fine young fellow was Tom JET
freys, strong, pleasant and cookbook
ing. lie was but eighteen when he first
began ''railroading," but he could set
a brake with the best. When his clear
deep voice announced the stations. peo-
pie listened and made no mistake: Old
ladies caught the CLEAN of his pleasant
eye. and let him help them on and off
with grateful surprise. Mothers with
more children than they could manage,
tired women bnndle-la and old men
recognized friend and made use of
him. Nor were the railroad officials
blind to the young mans hclpfulness
and popularity, and although Tom did
not dream of it, he was one on list of
names that meant promotion.
The young brakeman's easy-going
good-nature, however, was drawback
in one direction. lie disliked to say no.
When the train reached Boston he al
ways had two hours to spare. In that
time some one of the boys was sure to
say: Come, Tom, let's go to the bar
bers.''
Now, this sounded very innocent. but
in the BARRIERS back room was a green
door which opened on stairway lead
ing down into drinking saloon. Here
the men used to gather, few at
time, to take "a little something"
Tom usually said his good-humored
no, that meant reluctant yes, and
ended by going. He never fit wholly
at ease when taking his beer. lie
and over again he acknowledged to
himself that it was the laughter of his
chuns that took his courage away, an
so things went on. A year slipped BY,
and beer had become almost an every
day drink with him, when one after
noon he was summoned from the ''bar-
ber's shop" to the office.
'Jeffrcys," said the superintendent
when he entered, II have been very
much pleased with the way in which
your duties have been performed on the
road in the past, and find we need
another conductor" The gentleman
suddenly stopped and then the pleasant
smile was gone. "Mr. Jetfrcys, your
breath tells me that you have been
drinlzing.'
''Only little beer, sir" said poor
Tom, flushing crimson.
II am very sorry" replied the SUPER
intendent, but that will be all to-day;
you may CO."
The young man left the office down
cast, disheartened What he had been
vx-iShirr hot hn
gained, had been lost through his own
misconduct. AS he thought of it the
good-naturcd lips took on a tirmer
curve The next day one of the boys
said: Comm over to the barbers?"
No. replied Tom.
20 come on, what's struck ycr?''
''That barber has shaved me all he
ever will!'' was the answer.
Although Toms mo- seemed very
determined in its sound, there was yet
something wanting in it. lie felt it,
and when, after few days, the real
longing for glass of liquor began to
make itself felt, it seemed as if the
mo- would be yes in spite of himself
mo use in lockin' the barn door
now said his chum; 1.-The boss is stole;
the super knows you've taken smile
now and then, and he'll never forget it.
Better be young while you cam
Tom still said mo-" but the little
negative grew weaker and weaker; the
next thing it would be yes. When this
was almost accomplished, spurrcd ly
his danger and remembering his early
training in the right, he went into an
empty car and, knccling on the bare
floor, prayed for strength to resist.
and them" he said, II learned to
speak a no that all the men on the
road couldn't turn into yes ".-IIenry
c. Pearson, in Christian at Work.