The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-01-24


her after her mother died. We was all,
and it was 80 hard to bear that l drank
a great deal more than l should. She
never did complain. but was always just
the kindeSt little creature in the world.
She was all the world to me- but she got
sick with the fever. You know how fever
Is: it lust sips all the life out Of per
son, and it took all the roses out OF her
cheeks. She told me one day that she
was going to die-just rs If she knoWed
for certain-like the angels had told her.
| lust broke into crying like baby, Tor
| couldn't bear to think of her dying. But
she looked as serious Us groWn-np
woman. as she always was, and made
me promise her that | would quit drlnk-
ing for her sake. and for her mammals.
I promised ~
i,haggs was crying. He held the pic
ture reverently before him. That's her
boys" he went on, and | promised. m
getting toward the bottom, boys, ana /
must stop l promised. and | wouldn't
have her to think | told lie for a whole
world better an bigger than this.
81 just come down here because / want
ed you all to know | know I've caused
you lots Of trouble, but I'm sorry, just
as sorry as she used to be. Shake, boys;
I'm going to do it, for / promised"
The drunkard went out into the night,
sbiyering III tie cold. He walked rapid
~ away, and passing the first saloon he
dared not look in. He hurried on, OBJ
livious to the cold, and to everything
save his own tempcstuous feelings, and
his promise. He was like q man in a
dream, but one great resolve was upper
most in his mind-to reform. He had had
nothing to drink all day, and the tor
turing thirst that comes TO habitual
y, ,i,, Fl, 4oSY 70
him 1t was agony. and it Increased
every moment. One drink would relieve
him-but he had promised. He hurried
on. walking out toward the outskirts Of
the city so as to make sure that he would
not break his resolve
For four hours he walked, and his brain
was Whirling He was in dreadful agony.
1t seemed that he would go mad Ills
hands were trembling like those Of
para'ytic. His whole form was shaking;
he was suffering the EXTREMIST pain.
Delirium tronlenS had seized him, ana
single drink Of whisky would set him
right. But he did not weaken in the
slightest degree. The promise Of his life
was being fulfilled, and something told
him that it must Ire kept just then. Bind
with maddening torture, he turned about
and retraCed lis steps.
1t was past midnight when Shaggs
walked into the police station the second
time. There was the look of q wild
animal about him. but he was still sober.
It's all right" said he in a loud, TIL
umphant tone, Il amt broke it, but I'm
almost dying. It's getting so bad that
I'm afraid want you to lock me up for
the night just to make sure. l promised,
and | must do It,"
They locked Shaggs in cell, and 1t
was ptiful 10 watch his sufferings. The
officers fad seen many such cases before,
and they knew tie remedy. AS he con
tinued so grow worse, the turnkey car
riel him glass Of whisky. Drink this,
ShagGs," he said, 'it VIII help you
lie shook bis head with grim deterrni-
nation lis face was set with firm re-
solve II can't" he said, 81 promised
and he again held up the worn picture,
which he constantly carried in his hand
lie sat there in the cell shaking with
agony, and the officers left HIM
AS the turnkey passed Shaggs's cell on
bis rounds that night he noticed that he
sat quite still. as If he were asleep. His
head was dropped on his breast, and bis
fingers still held the photograph OF the
little girl III 4 firm clutch. He was sleep
ing quietly, me officer said to those on
the outside.
For hours he had not moved-could it
be possible that he was sleeping so sound
ly that the noise about him did not DIS
turb his sIumber8? His chin still rested
on his breast; his fingers still held OFT
the childish face He was Il pitiful look
ing picture as he lay back in the chair:
The turnkey opened the door and stepped
inside. He shook the sleeping man. lie
did not stir. The turnkey saw with
frightened glance that Shaggss eyes were
open. staring vacantly in front OF him.
lie stood silently, reverently by him
moment looking at the rough features,
marked with the effects of Il thousand
debauches. IT'S BETTER" the turnkey said
as he at last turned away. ITS better.
Yonve kept your promise, old man. NO.
there's no dlnger Of my waking him up;
he's sleeping too sound for that
AT the door he looked back. ShaggSs
form was IN the same position as before
the picture grasped firmly IN his right
hand.
Shaggs had reformed.
RoBrRr L. ADAmsoN.