The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1893-11-08

ton, and tell him plainly he was
sorry for anything said, for words
that he or any other old man might
not like.
"That boy Dick Jameson is an
impulsive creature" declared Mr..
Palfrey, looking after his retreating
scholar, "but he has a warm heart
and purpose to improve, and he
will come out right"
And Commodore Morton-he did
give Dick a cordial reception, and
it ended very much as if they were
two boys making love to each other.
"Be sure to come into my garden
when my late pears-a fine fancy
kind-are ripe, Dick"
81 will, sir, thank you"
The commodore also watched
Dicks retreating form, and he
sighed heavily as he said, "My Bill
ly-I wish he was as likely to mend
his ways. Oh dearl"
What words that the old commo-
dore sighed All, William Morton
was not an encouraging piece of hui
manityI He had an enemy that
had tripped him more than once
the enemy that is running so many
of the strongest and fairest, love
of drink. 1t was sometimes said
that Billy was about town in some
kind of town work. Dick did not
know him. He had heard of the
young man. One day would come
to the townspeople rumor that the
commodore's BILLY" brave, daring,
generous, had done some splendid
thing at sea. Then it would be
noised about that "Billy" at home
was tripped up by that old STUN
bling block, a love of drink.
Time went by.
Dick Jameson persistently strug
gled with his bad habit, and he
made encouraging progress. He
was not afraid of ridicule.
Those at home would sometimes
hear him break out in his impetuous
way, Observation-Disclosures
six" and some one would say,
"What are you up to?"
Learning to count, Dick?" asked
his father.
"Fo1gotten your numerals, my
boy?" inquired his mother.
One day he replied to a question
asked, and said, "Oh, I'm saying
these things-promised to, you
know-so that L shan't say some
thing else" Nobody made fun.
when they knew the object of this
enumeration.
But what would he say, when one
day stranger asked what Dicks
counting meant?
Dick was passing a liquor saloon.
At the very door he almost pitched
over a keg carelessly left on the
side walk. He was tempted to send
out violent expression that was
on the edge of profanity, when he
stopped and solemnly, aloud, began
to count; "One-two-three-four
fve-six !" A young man dressed
as a fireman sprang out of the sa
loon, saying, "What did you make
it?"
"I?" asked Dick.
eyes"
"Ohl I was saying something for
my benefit
"What2"
"Just to break up habit"
''Well, does it?"
cit helps me-"
"Stop a minute! If that is the
case, l must have word with you"
every well come along I would
if 1 were you. That keg about trip
ped me up, and the saloon ITSELF
81 see; you just wait"
The next moment the stranger
stepped to the door of the saloon,
and called out, "Say, friend, l have
paid for that beer, but don't want
it. Give it to the pigs!"
The next moment he was running
after Dick, who was slowly moving
on.
Now" said the young man, "tell
me all about breaking up bad
habit"
Half an hour later, Commodore
Morton, out in his garden, heard
steps behind him.
He turned.
He saw Dick.
He started in surprise to see
Dick g companion.
81 don't-know as you-want to
see-me," said the young man, hes
itatingly. But this boy-has been
telling-about breaking up-a hab-
it,-and if he can do lt-why can't
III Won't God help me, fatherY
"Why, if it isn't my BillyP cried
! the old man. weeninp. and throwing