The Republican., 1892-05-06
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A LOST LIFE,
fhe Deplorable End of . Victim OF the
Demon of the Still.

/ A LOST LIFE.
| rhs Deplorable End of . Victim OF the
| Demon of the Still.
Soon after came to Maple farm to
live, one day when happened to be in
a little grocery, which. with black
smith shop, the railroad depot and a sa-
loon or two formed the town of the
prairie, fne-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,
every body 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 drinks Harry Seldom was
often invited; being Jolly, pleasant
t~fellow, his society was always welcome.
IL 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.
| 'Tis 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
| cozy 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,
SO it did not seriously inconvenience
him. Anyhow, he was tired of work.
ing for other people. Preferred to 60
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 a woman fleeing
before drunken man.
OF what came after this l need only
tell briefly: First, dishonor, then di-
vorce; then, for the sake of the chill
dren, reconciliation and trial in an
other place few miles distant, where,
happily, among strangers, the old
enemy might be lived down. The
temptations. struggles and failures of
the next few years are familiar to all
who have watched the life of drunk.
ard. When at last the once splendid
constitution gave way and the ply
sicians plainly told him that his only
chance for life was total abstinence,
at once and forever" Harry Seldom, to
whom life was still DEAR made one last
grand struggle.
His wife and his children, who were
now nearly grown, helped him in every
way possible, one of them going with
him nearly everywhere he went, to
shield him and watch over him, as ten
derly as though he were little child;
60 ~ L.
and sympathy was strong that bound
them together.
The son, speaking of his father, one
day when he came to Maple farm on
business, said Father is all right now;
he has not touched drop of liquor for
months" The lost health was slowly
regained. When on the Sabbath day
the family sought the sanctuary. Harry
Seldom with bowed head and reverent
tread accompanied them. Plans for the
improvement of the business which the
wife. aided by Seldom whenever he was
sober, had carried on all these years,
were begun.
Bright and early in the morning the
cheerful whistle and ringing hammer
could be heard. showing that the plans
were being carried out. 1t was in the fall
and some building material was needed
to finish work already commenced be-
FORE cold weather should come. Seldom
hoped by starting early to bring home
several loads during the day. One load
was brought home. and h%went for an
other; this he loaded up and started for
home. On the way he was overtaken
ty two old friends (?) of his former
days, when he had been station agent.
As they came up with him he called out
a pleasant good morning." and of
course they must talk awhile. Right
ahead of them. by the roadside, was the
"Half-way-house" saloon (half way
from Heaven to hell, only the
last half is so much the short
estly Here the forses from habit
stopped. Seldom turned his horses
to the road and started on again.
Hold on. where are you going?'
said one Of the men, winking to his com.